CHAMBER WILL VIEW GAMBLING

The Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce board of directors is expected to decide May 27 whether to endorse a proposed riverboat gambling venture.

To help the board in its decision, the chamber Tuesday mailed out a one-page questionnaire to its approximately 1,200 members. Chamber members have until May 24 to return the questionnaire.

The questionnaire focuses on a $37.5 million riverfront and floating casino development proposed by the Boyd Group of Las Vegas.

"The way it is worded, it will not be a decision on gambling. The decision will be on the development that has been proposed," said Robert Hendrix, chamber president.

Cape Girardeau voters will go to the polls June 8 to decide whether to allow riverboat gambling here.

Hendrix said the questionnaire was distributed at the suggestion of the chamber's executive committee.

Privately, some chamber members have expressed support for riverboat gambling, arguing that it would result in major economic development for the city.

But Harry Rediger, chamber board chairman, said that at this point the board has taken no position on the issue and that the questionnaire should not be construed as an endorsement of riverboat gambling.