ENGINEER SAYS LAKE WOULD BENEFIT REGION

A man espousing benefits of a proposed lake in Bollinger and Cape Girardeau counties shared center stage with this year's award recipients at the 8th annual Awards Banquet of the Regional Commerce and Growth Association Thursday night.

The recipient of the Dr. John T. Crowe Award was Stan Crader of Marble Hill. He was recognized for his work promoting the lake project.

Crader, who served as master of ceremonies of the banquet, accepted the award, which recognizes people for helping improve the quality of life in the region.

Ron Lemons, an engineer with a Texas firm, spoke about the proposed lake. He said damming Whitewater River would mean $200 million yearly in extra tax revenue. The lake, said Lemons, also would promote about $1.2 billion in one-time housing and land sales of property in the lake area.

Lemons said the current state law would allow a lake authority to levy a 1-cent sales tax for 25 years to fund the project, pending voter approval.

"The reservoir would be significant economic enhancement for the area," he said during a short slide-show presentation.

Crader, who serves as vice president for Crader Distributing Inc. in Marble Hill, was touted by Donna Burke as a man who works so hard for his family and at his career that RCGA members wanted to recognize him for his tireless work promoting the lake project.

Burke presented the award.

Also receiving awards were Norman Glaus and Procter & Gamble Paper Products Co.

Glaus, a Cape Girardeau certified public accountant, was recognized by RCGA as the Regional Spirit Award recipient. The award is presented to people who have given inspiration to others while trying to contribute to the progress of the region.

P&G, a diaper manufacturing company north of Cape Girardeau, was awarded RCGA's Industrial Appreciation Award. That award recognizes major economic contributions to the community as well as promoting a positive management-employee and company-community relationship.