MANAGER SEEKS RAPPORT, PERSONALLY OPPOSES COURTHOUSE BUILDING SITE

The current storyline in the comic strip "Blondie" involves the tribulations of the title character as she is sucked into a labyrinth of municipal bureaucracy.

Cape Girardeau City Manager Michael Miller told members of the Downtown Neighborhood Association Sunday that he hopes local residents never have to endure such a negative experience with City Hall.

In keeping with his pledge to be accessible to the community, the new city manager appeared at the association's meeting to familiarize himself with the group and give members a chance to voice concerns and ask questions.

"One thing I've learned in 30 years is that I don't know everything," said Miller, a veteran city manager who started his new job in October.

Miller, who is making the rounds of various community organizations, said his door is always open to residents who have a question or complaint. He will insist that others at City Hall show the community the same courtesy, he said.

"I hope to have an organization you're comfortable walking in and can ask questions and get answers," Miller said.

So far, Miller is surprised the city has lived up to his expectations. He is particularly impressed at how residents band together in myriad associations and boards -- such as the Downtown Neighborhood Association -- to achieve goals.

"I like how things are done in groups," he said. "As I go around, people are grouped together doing things.

"What you can't do as individuals you can do as a group."

During the meeting, association members discussed the proposal for the new federal courthouse. The preferred site is a two-block downtown area which features some the city's most historic homes.

The General Services Administration, which procures property for the federal government, will hold a public hearing on the matter Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Port Cape Girardeau restaurant. Anyone who wishes to address GSA representatives will be given the opportunity to do so if they sign up just prior to the meeting.

Jeffrey Briney, who owns a home in the targeted area, urged downtown residents, as well as others in the community, to attend the meeting and to voice opposition to the proposal.

"This is the big push here," Briney said. "They stated they will take these two blocks off the list if there is enough public outcry against it."

Miller said he is personally opposed to any plan to raze the historic area.

"I hate to see older homes torn down for something like that," he said.