PETITION DRIVE WRAPS UP; GROUP TO PRESENT COUNCIL SIGNATURES MONDAY

The Yes Group for riverboat gaming in Cape Girardeau is winding up its petition drive to put the riverboat gaming issue on the Nov. 2 ballot.

"Petitions have been coming in steadily," said David Knight, a downtown businessman who helped launch the new campaign a little more than a week ago.

"We can still use more signatures, to allow for any names which may have to be invalidated for some reason or other," he said.

The petitions, which will be presented to the Cape Girardeau City Council Monday evening, must contain 2,254 valid names.

"People can still sign the petitions today," said Evelyn Boardman. "The petitions will be available at 31B N. Main St. throughout the day."

The city-wide, grassroots campaign has provided hundreds of signatures, noted Boardman. "This has been a great effort. The public has been working hard to produce the names. Hundreds of volunteers have stepped forward."

Boardman said late Saturday that a complete count was impossible at this time.

"We still have numerous petitions out," she said. "They'll be turning them in today and Monday."

Yes Group spokesmen said that more than 1,500 signatures were obtained during the Riverfest celebration last weekend. "And, we have been adding to that total this week," said Boardman.

The riverboat issue failed to pass during a June 8 election, 5,506 to 4,940.

The group's petition is an "initiative" petition, said Knight, who explains the difference between initiative and referendum petitions.

"The initiative petition creates a new law," said Knight. "In this case, it is a new law permitting riverboat gaming in Cape Girardeau."

The referendum petition is one that changes an existing law, added Knight, who noted that the biggest difference is the amount of signatures needed.

"The initiative petition calls for 15 percent of the voters who cast ballots during the last gubernatorial election," he said. "The referendum petition requires 10 percent of the registered voters."