DEVELOPMENT BODY TO FOCUS ON BY-LAWS; CAPE CHAMBER WANTS RULES ASSURANCES

JACKSON - A group studying the formation of a countywide economic development organization has decided to focus on drafting a set of by-laws and an organizational structure that will be used.

The decision was made at Monday's meeting of the committee after John Mehner, chairman of the board of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, said his board had decided not to commit its $25,000 annual share until "procedural issues and an organizational structure is worked out."

Mehner stressed that the Cape Chamber's action does not mean it is opposed to the idea of a joint industrial development group but that it needs a clearer indication of what is involved.

"This really isn't much different than what anyone else has done with it," added Mehner.

Cape Girardeau County Presiding Commissioner Gene Huckstep, who is chairman of the group, asked Mehner to head a by-laws committee. Jackson City Administrator Carl Talley and Cape Girardeau City Councilman Melvin Gateley will serve with him.

Huckstep asked Mehner to try and have a set of by-laws ready for discussion at a meeting on Oct. 5.

"I personally think these by-laws should be as generic as possible," said Huckstep.

Cape Girardeau Mayor Gene Rhodes said the by-laws should be as fair as possible for the entities involved in the organization.

"We need to have good, equal, fair, all-around by-laws," said Rhodes.

Gateley urged the members of the organizing committee to keep working positively and not lose sight of the value of working together for industrial development.

"I think this is such a tremendous opportunity for us," said Gateley, citing the various strengths of this region. "I would like to see us adopt an agenda of being positive with each other ... we have common interests and need to come together as neighbors."

Rhodes said he agreed. "If we all work together, we will get a lot done," said the mayor.

Mehner explained some of the concerns that were raised in a lengthy discussion by the chamber board about the joint effort.

One concern in particular was a comment made by Scott City Mayor Larry Forhan at the meeting three weeks ago that all seven board members must be allowed to participate in site visits. Mehner pointed out that such a demand could not be met and simply would not work as a method for recruiting industrial prospects.

Forhan did not respond to Mehner's concern.

Another concern from his board, Mehner cited, was "what if somebody comes to town and decides to locate in Jackson, will Scott City be mad, or vice versa?" He suggested some agreement be reached in the by-laws to try and head off arguments over whether all industrial sites were shown to prospects.

At the previous meeting Mehner had indicated the Cape chamber would like to have the organization consider locating the office in space owned by the chamber.

Mehner said his board "is not so much concerned that the office get located at a particular site, but that it be properly staffed. It has got to be staffed."

Mehner said with two employees planned, there will be times when no one would be available to answer the phone and it is important that there be proper coverage on phones.

Rhodes agreed. "It has got to be a first class operation," he declared.

In appointing a by-laws committee, Huckstep stressed that while he did not mind input from representatives of the Jackson and Scott City chambers who have been attending the meetings, he did not feel they should have a right to vote.

Huckstep maintained his position that "you have to pay to play" and that only the cities of Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City, the Cape chamber and the county should have a vote in by-laws decisions.

"It's an open meeting and you have every right to have input, but you just can't vote," observed Huckstep.

No one contested Huckstep's remarks, though several said they felt it was important to have continued input from the Jackson and Scott City chambers.

Huckstep distributed a letter from Walt Wildman, executive director of the Regional Commerce and Growth Association, indicating that he believes "the role of the RCGA in this effort has come to an end. We have been and remain convinced that the development of this group will be good for this area and the entire region. The challenge before each group involved is to keep in mind the positive results that will come from this effort."

Wildman had attended the previous five meetings of the group and offered support to getting the joint effort started.

"I recognize the difficulty in overcoming hidden agendas and personal feelings, but as people who represent their different groups, it should be their goal to do what is best for the area," said Wildman in his letter. "It is more important to have someone working on the marketing of this area than who has control or where the program is housed."