Speakers to address Cape, Jackson, school district issues

For people who want to hear an update or ask a question of local officials, a coming event could provide that opportunity.

The League of Women Voters of Southeast Missouri and the Cape Girardeau and Jackson chambers of commerce will present a town-hall meeting, with three guest speakers lined up to talk about some of the major events happening in the area. The organizations have teamed up in the past to organize such meetings, which allow legislators and city and county officials to share updates with the public.

The meeting will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Cape Girardeau Public Library, 711 N. Clark Ave.

Mark Lanzotti, councilman and mayor pro tem of Cape Girardeau, is attending to discuss city issues. Cape Girardeau had a busy year in 2014, with completion of the new wastewater plant, renewal of the fire sales tax and funding secured to begin the process of building a new police station. The city has launched its second round of the Neighborhood Development Initiative, designed to help empower neighborhoods and better connect them to local resources, and is preparing for its fifth installment of the Transportation Trust Fund. The half-cent sales tax funds transportation projects on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Jackson Mayor Barbara Lohr will share information about the top issues in her city. The Jackson community center has been a top priority in recent years and construction was finally able to begin last year once the city received federal grant approval. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in October and construction continues.

One issue that has come to the forefront in Jackson is the U.S. 61 project. The city is partnering with the Missouri Department of Transportation to address traffic concerns in uptown Jackson, particularly at the intersection of U.S. 61 and East Main Street in front of the Jackson courthouse. MoDOT officials recently recommended a roundabout be installed to help improve traffic flow.

The third speaker will be Dr. James Welker, superintendent of the Cape Girardeau School District. Facility improvements have been a hot topic, with the Cape Girardeau School Board recently approving a $20 million bond issue to take to voters in April. The proposal, which calls for renovating the Central Junior High School building and additions to the Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center, is Phase II of the April 2010 facilities plan. The first phase addressed projects such as the replacement of Franklin Elementary School with a $40 million bond issue passed that year.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

711 N. Clark St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.