VISION 2000 TO GIVE AWARDS

Vision 2000 will hand out 15 awards of distinction Jan. 27 in what will be the last awards ceremony for the initiative to make Cape Girardeau a better place to live.

Now that it is 2000 and most of the goals Vision 2000 set for itself when it started in 1987 have been met, the work of the volunteer effort will soon come to an end, said Melvin Gately, a retired educator who has helped lead Vision 2000 since its inception.

But that isn't to say the initiative to plan for a better future for the city is coming to an end, Gately said. Vision 2020 is gearing up to set new goals for Cape Girardeau's future, he said.

The 11th annual awards ceremony for Vision 2000 will be held at 7 a.m. Jan. 27 in the Harrison Room at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Honored will be organizations and individuals whose conscientious support of Vision 2000 and devoted service will be of long-lasting significance to the quality of life in Cape Girardeau, Gately said.

Speakers, who will deliver motivational speeches, will be Dr. Dan Steska, superintendent of Cape Girardeau schools, and two members of the graduating class of 2000, Tiffany Miller of Notre Dame High School and Lillian Dean of Central High School.

"We are saying to the citizens, we have a great city and we all need to work to make it even better," said Gately. He hopes such events as the awards ceremony will inspire people from all areas of the community to get involved in working toward the city's future.

Receiving awards at the Jan. 27 ceremony will be:

Kent Bratton, Cape Girardeau city planner, who has worked to help meet the Vision 2000 goal of planning for Cape Girardeau's development to insure a well-planned, maintained and attractive physical environment.

Gayle Conrad, Cape Girardeau city clerk, who has provided administrative support such as putting together reports and keeping records.

Rebecca McDowell Cook, Missouri secretary of state, for her efforts toward the Vision 2000 goal of increasing the number of registered voters and the amount of voter turnout.

Walter Denton, Cape Girardeau assistant city manager, who has worked to develop the Vision 2020 strategic plan.

Jeanine Dobbins, coordinator of the Missouri Statewide Early Literacy Intervention Program based at Southeast Missouri State University, for her work in the Vision 2000 goal of improving literacy through reading readiness.

Brian Driscoll, chairman of the Cape Girardeau Historic Preservation Commission, for his interest in and contributions to historic preservation in Cape Girardeau.

Charles L. Hutson of Hutson Furniture, one of the charter members of the Vision 2000 planning committee.

Mid America Teen Challenge, a Christian center devoted to helping people overcome drug and alcohol addiction, for the work of its clients to beautify the city through flower-planting projects.

Harry Rediger, retired manager of JCPenney, who was a charter member of the Vision 2000 planning committee.

Becky Richey, a Cape Girardeau public schoolteacher, for her work in neighborhood enhancement as a member of the Community Pride Coalition.

Schnucks Food and Drug for its sponsorship of Vision 2000 projects.

Dr. Stan Stough, a professor at Southeast Missouri State University, who has been the facilitator for the Vision 2020 process.

Kathy Swan, president of JCS-Tel-Link, who worked on the development of the Vision 2020 strategic plan and who has been a member of the Vision 2000 community relations council.

Leola Twiggs, who is being honored for community pride in working with her neighbors to adopt the block of Middle Street where she lives.

Judy Wilferth, owner of Children's Bazaar, who was a charter member of the Vision 2000 planning committee.