`POWERFUL AND VINDICTIVE': RCGA HEAD DRAWS FIRE WITH REMARKS IN REPORT

Written remarks in the Regional Commerce and Growth Association executive director's report suggesting that "powerful and vindictive" forces are trying to keep Scott City from participating in an area industrial recruitment group have drawn fire from several members.

"I think it's a classic case of paranoia," said Cape Girardeau County Presiding Commissioner Gene Huckstep in response to the remarks written by RCGA Executive Director Walt Wildman.

Huckstep said he is upset to the point he may recommend that the county commission not renew its membership in the RCGA next month.

"I guarantee the Cape County Commission has not been involved in any conspiracy or vendetta against someone trying to donate to Scott City," said the commissioner.

Wildman's comments were included in the Executive Director's Report, which was with information mailed to RCGA members last month following the April 14 board meeting. Under the topic of "Cape County Industrial Recruitment Group," Wildman explained why he had gotten involved in trying to help Scott City raise its $5,000 assessment to be part of the group.

Wildman explained that he had been involved in initial efforts to form the Cape County Area In

IP0,1dustrial Recruitment Association, IP1,0and believed "with all the work being done against Scott City, I felt there was a need for someone to work for them."

Wildman pointed out that he worked behind the scenes and was successful in keeping Scott City involved. "When Shirley Young (president of the Scott City Chamber of Commerce) tried to raise funds for the city, the response was one of fear to give money due to the power of those opposing them."

Because of that fear, Wildman said that he stepped in to help raise funds and to assure donors their names would not be made public.

Wildman wrote: "The reason these donors wish to remain anonymous is because of fear. Those opposing this are very powerful. We, as an organization, could see some attacks from this action. I feel this is very important for us to take the side of our members, even if the opposition is powerful and vindictive. I would not, as a rule, put the RCGA in such a position, but in this case, I feel it is the principle of the thing. If we cannot stand up for our beliefs, we should not be here."

Contacted this week and asked to explain the meaning of that paragraph, Wildman said, "Pretty appropriate wording, I would think."

He said, "I am reflecting what I heard from folks we asked to help ... We perceived a problem here and are helping them out. Our justification is that they are a member of RCGA, and there seemed to be a great deal of opposition, from whatever source, for them being involved."

Young said she had not seen Wildman's report and she had mailed out some fund-raising letters in her role with the chamber to raise Scott City's share of the recruitment association's dues.

Asked about Wildman's reference to the fact that she had received responses of fear from potential donors, Young said that was not the case. "I have not encountered any fear," Young said.

But Young, a longtime member of RCGA, said she appreciates the support given to the city and chamber by the organization.

"I am sure if Walt had alarm, he has a reason," said Young. "He has been a wonderful ambassador for our area."

She said that the RCGA has been an asset to the region and extremely supportive of efforts to improve economic development in all cities.

"We are supportive of growth in all of our area, be it Scott City, Jackson, Cape, or Sikeston, because growth in any town is going to benefit all of our residents," said Young.

Huckstep said he reads Wildman's comments as saying there was some big conspiracy and he interceded and put a stop to it. "I can't for the life of me see where there is a threat of retaliation from anybody," said Huckstep. "It just doesn't make sense. I am extremely disappointed he would put something like that in writing. Retaliation by whom? Is it me?"

Huckstep said he did express some concern about Scott City being part of the group, but only because it had not paid its dues to the recruitment association. "He acts like there was some big conspiracy, but it is just a simple, common-sense thing - you have to pay your way," said Huckstep.

The association has seven-board members with two from the city of Cape Girardeau and the county, which are contributing $50,000 a year each; and one member each from Jackson, contributing $20,000 a year; the Cape Chamber of Commerce, contributing $15,000; and the city of Scott City, contributing $5,000 a year.

"I'd love to have them in as long as they pay," said Huckstep. "My objection from day one is the amount. I felt the amount they were contributing was too little for a full vote. But I got out-voted on that, so it's a dead issue. But, if they got in for that price, they ought to be able to pay the bill."

Three weeks ago, when the first quarterly payment of $1,250 was late from Scott City, Huckstep was prepared to move that Scott City's representative on the association, Mayor Larry Forhan, not be allowed to participate in interviewing executive director candidates unless their dues had been paid.

A check was presented on the day of the meeting and the issue did not come up. Huckstep said that Scott City is behind on its second quarterly payment now.

Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce President Bob Hendrix said he too was confused by Wildman's remarks.

"We have welcomed Scott City from day one," said Hendrix. "The group offered them a vote with a minimal payment of $5,000. We're paying $15,000 for ours. We didn't work against them. We have never been against them. If we were, we would have not agreed on a full vote for $5,000."

Hendrix said Scott City pulled out of the industrial recruitment association once because its city council said it didn't think the money was worth it. "Then someone comes along and buys this vote. It is kind of curious how it happens; it is curious that they have an anonymous donor funding them."

Young explained that the RCGA is helping raise funds for Scott City's share, and the money is being turned over to the chamber and a check is being sent to the city.

Wildman said some of the money is coming from outside of Scott City, but the main concern of the RCGA is keeping the city involved in the industrial association. "What we perceived at this point is they needed help. If they are going to stay involved they needed help right away," said Wildman.

"It would be my hope the city could take part in a larger sense in the future. This kind of support could not be ongoing for the full three years. I hope it's a stop-gap measure. We would have to re-evaluate it if it went longer than a year."

Wildman stressed that a primary goal of RCGA is to improve cooperation between cities in the region. With Cape Girardeau, Jackson, and Scott City almost adjoining, it only makes sense to have them working together for economic development, he said.

"I think we are stumbling over little things," said Wildman. "Whether Scott City is able to come up with its five-grand this year is not important; the important thing is that they stay involved."

Cape Girardeau City Councilman Melvin Gateley, a member of the recruitment association's board of directors, said he is aware of some of the turmoil. But, he said: "I'm a pretty positive person and stay on main issues. I am elated with the new executive director we have and think we have a positive board. As long as our seven-member board is going strong, that is what's important."

Young said the industrial recruitment association "is a wonderful opportunity for Scott City to be a part of economic development. We are interested in marketing our area, we have a wonderful industrial park, and feel like we have an awful lot to offer."

The area industrial recruitment association is being funded through a three-year agreement by the five entities. Last week, the hiring of D. Mitch Robinson of Henderson, Ky., to serve as executive director was announced. He will begin work on May 24.