The Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce is looking to new programs and leaderships."We'll be revamping some of our structure," said Bart Ozbun. "We'll restruct some of our committees and add some new ones."Ozbun, vice president and financial counselor-in-charge of the local Merrill Lynch investment office, and chairman of the chamber board until early January, said the chamber was looking to the year 2000 and beyond."We're looking to continued improvements for schools and education; continued use of the Cape Girardeau Area Recruitment Association, and improvements throughout the city," said Ozbun, following the annual Chamber Retreat, held Friday at the Lone Star Natatorium. Speakers during the retreat included Dr. Ken Dobbins, of Southeast Missouri State University; Dr. Dan Steska, with Cape Girardeau Public Schools; and, Mayor Al Spradling.
New members to the board this year are Don Fisher, JCPenney Co.; Dr. Pauline Fox, Southeast Missouri State University; Bill Hinckley, BioKyowa, Inc.; Bill Kiel, St. Francis Medical Center; Skip Smallwood, AmerenUE; and Steve Taylor, Bank of America."We'll elect officers later this month," said Ozbun.
Mitch Robinson, of the area recruitment association, will also address the chamber board during a special session later this month. "We're looking forward to the new year," said Ozbun. "We'll continue to offer strong support for Southeast Missouri State University's new River Campus and to the city's quest for a new sewer bond measure.
Spradling and other city officials discussed a proposed sewer bond issue at the retreat. The bond election, to finish the city's sewer projects, will be in February. City officials explained how the bond will be funded and how the funds will be used. If the bonds fail, the city will face higher costs by paying for projects as they collect the needed money.
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