LIONS HEAR 'STATE OF COUNTY' ADDRESS

Positive things are happening in Cape Girardeau County, says Gerald Jones, the county's presiding commissioner.

"There's a lot of things going on right now," said Jones, who was guest speaker at the Cape Girardeau Lions Club meeting, held at the Holiday Inn Wednesday. "And, more things are coming up in the future."

One of the latest projects on the drawing board is an $8 million, state-of-the-art justice center at the county jail, which will offer closed-circuit arraignments, electronic locks and computerized security systems.

"We have sold bonds for the facility," said Jones. "We could have paid for the facility, but it was cheaper to pay the bond rate and let the county funds keep drawing a higher interest rate."

Jones said the county's financial condition was among the best three in the state.

Conservative commissioners elected over the years have kept spending down, he said. "We're not frivolous and we watch our spending."

Jones attributes the county's positive outlook to "great cooperation between city and county officials."

Expanding and new industry attracted to the area has helped bring more than 2,000 new jobs to the county over the past two years, said Jones.

Other plans include a nature center, to be constructed in North County Park.

"We hope to see the start on the new nature center next year," said Jones. "This facility will mean a lot of things to the area. It'll be a big tourist draw, and provide classrooms for nature study."

The nature center, a $4.8 million project of the Missouri Department of Conservation, could attract up to 200,000 visitors a year.

Also, the county is looking at a vote in April to establish a county planning and zoning group. "I think it's needed. We are one of 11 first class counties in the state. We need to have established building code rules."