Essner lauded as term limits force him from Cape Girardeau parks board

As Jay Knudtson's final term as Cape Girardeau mayor was winding down in 2009, he approached a friend as a possible successor -- someone he felt epitomized the best qualities of public service.

That man was Danny Essner.

"Before I knew that Harry [Rediger] was going to seriously consider running, I personally went to Danny to run for mayor," Knudtson said. "I felt he possessed many of the qualities to represent this city well."

Essner turned him down but continued to serve as Knudtson and others say he always has: passionately and astutely, yet quietly and away from the limelight.

On Monday evening, Essner presided over his last meeting as chairman of the city's Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, pushed out by term limits placed on all of the city's volunteer boards and commissions.

But earlier in the day, Essner, 61, said nine years is long enough and that his departure will make way for "fresh blood on the board and new ideas."

During his time on the board, Essner helped shepherd in tremendous growth in the department that advises the Cape Girardeau City Council in reviewing, promoting and facilitating the city's existing and new park and recreational facilities.

In recent years, the department has added several multimillion-dollar projects, including the Osage Centre, the Cape LaCroix Recreational Trail, the Cape Splash Family Aquatic Center and -- most recently -- the Shawnee Park Community Center.

Sounds impressive, but Essner, an executive vice president at Capaha Bank, remembers the leaner years when the council first appointed him to the board in 2002.

"We made a list of projects, but it was kind of an exercise in futility because there wasn't any funding to pay for that," Essner said. "We knew the city leaders felt like public safety and transportation were higher priorities. Those all came before us. It was frustrating during those years."

In an effort to get the parks department its own revenue stream, Essner was named chairman of the Parks & Stormwater Initiative Committee, a year-and-a-half effort that persuaded voters in April 2008 to approve a half-cent sales tax that funded $20 million in parks projects and improvements over the past three years.

Essner said that's the highlight of his time on the board.

"Clearly, the most significant thing that happened during my nine years on the board was the campaign to initiate a parks tax," he said. " ... On the board, we were aware that in order for us to take the department to the next level, we had to have a parks tax."

Essner thinks the city could still use a dog park, a nicer skate park and other amenities. He wouldn't rule out a run for city council but said that would have to wait until he retires.

He said he hopes that Cape Girardeau residents don't take their parks for granted.

"I think our parks have a bigger impact on quality of life than probably any other department in the community," he said. "People should get involved, maybe get out and volunteer. Plant some flowers. You have the opportunity to make a difference if you want to."

While Essner's time on the parks board has come to a close, Knudtson said he doesn't think Essner is done making Cape Girardeau a better place.

Maybe it will be a run for city council, perhaps someday he'll run for mayor. Maybe it's something else. But Essner will do a good job at whatever it is, Knudtson said.

"There is absolutely zero hidden agenda at what Danny Essner does, other than community betterment," Knudtson said. "So many people get into public service for reasons that aren't noble. Danny's reasons are as noble as they come."

smoyers@semissourian.com

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410 Kiwanis Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO