Scott City to join in metro planning

At its Monday meeting, the Scott City Council unanimously agreed to take part in the Greater Cape Girardeau Metropolitan Planning Organization, which will unite them with Cape Girardeau and Jackson in securing federal transportation grants.

City administrator Ron Eskew said he talked with Mitch Robinson, the executive director of the Cape Girardeau Area Magnet, who told him that the board will not be population-based. Instead, the size and members of the MPO board will be decided by organizing members from all three cities at an initial meeting.

"I think we'll get a fair shake because we're in other organizations with these groups (Cape Girardeau and Jackson)," Mayor Tim Porch said. "the groups we'll be working with are good groups."

"What do we have to loose," Porch said.

In other business:

• Ron Worl was sworn as the council member for Ward Four. Worl is filling the seat that was left vacant by Darren Raines.
• Amended a section of an ordinance to read that it is unlawful for anyone to ride a skateboard or motorized scooter on Main St., 2nd St. East or on those street's sidewalks, as well as on private business parking lots without permission from the owner. Prior to the amendment, the section did not have the word "motorized" in it.
• Levied the tax rate for fiscal year 2004-2005 for general revenue, debt retirement and park maintenance to $1.1067.
• Heard from council member Norman Brandt that there will be a dedication ceremony at Lightners Cemetery at 2 p.m., Nov. 7 to dedicate the cemetery's gazebo to military veterans.