TOURISM BUREAU SUBMITS ITS BUDGET

There was little change in the projected 1992-93 Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) budget that was submitted to the CVB Advisory Board Wednesday.

Lyn Muzzy, director of the bureau, and Bob Hendrix, president of the Chamber of Commerce, prepared the projected five-year budget plan at the request of the CVB board.

"We had only a few days to put this plan together," said Hendrix. "We'll be looking to the board for input on the final budget."

The proposal for the next fiscal year is about the same as the current budget, about $300,000.

A CVB funding request, along with seven other requests for funding from the convention and tourism tax, have been sent to the Cape Girardeau City Council by the CVB board. The council had requested proposals concerning the tax funds in October and more than 30 requests were received.

"We (CVB board) will attend the city council meeting Monday at 5 p.m. for further directions on the recommendations," said Norval Randol Jr., chairman of the CVB Board.

In other actions during the regular meeting of the board Wednesday, officers were elected; Muzzy introduced Dick McHargue, owner and operator of the Molly Brown Dinner Theater of Hannibal, to the board, and Tim Blattner was before the board to discuss the River Heritage Mural Association's mural program.

Randol was re-elected chairman of the board, Bob Hoppmann was elected new vice chairman, and Beverly Estes was re-elected secretary.

"The Molly Brown theater will perform in Cape Girardeau in March as a test market," said Muzzy. "McHargue is looking for an area to expand the theater."

One of McHargue's features is the portrayal of Mark Twain.

The March dinner theater performances will be held at the Drury Lodge, March 4-8.

"We'll provide more details later," said Muzzy. "Some of the performances will be matinees."

Muzzy also announced that the Main Street Opry would perform in Cape Girardeau Feb. 23, with a 2 p.m. performance at the Arena Building.

"The CVB is co-sponsoring the Opry with the Area Wide United Way," he said. "Proceeds will benefit the United Way."

Blattner told the board he was disappointed that the mural association's request for partial funding of the group's "10 Murals in 10 Years" was not among the top eight proposals presented to the council.

"We feel the mural program provides an attraction for tourists, and it provides an economic impact for the area," said Blattner. "What we proposed is very `affordable,' and we feel that the project should be considered."