VISION 2020 GROUP PLANS GOALS

Affordable, accessible public transportation for anyone who needs it; smooth traffic flow, adequate parking and well-maintained streets; easier accessibility in-and-out of Cape Girardeau and the pursuit of a MSA regional designation were among topics discussed during a Vision 2020 meeting, held at St. Francis Medical Center Saturday in Cape Girardeau.

The weekend session was the first meeting of the new group, which is an outgrowth of Vision 2000, a community improvement group established in 1987 to create a long-term community development plan for the city.

The Cape Girardeau City Council established the new "2020" group last month, allocating $2,500 in seed money for the current fiscal year.

Dr. Stanley Stough, of Southeast Missouri State University, served as facilitator at the first meeting, at which seven groups were established, with five to seven members in each group. Between 35 and 40 participants -- including state legislator Mary Kasten, a number of business men and women, city officials, educators and citizens -- attended the three-hour session.

The meeting generated some wide-ranging suggestions -- in categories such as transportation, economic development, tourism, education, quality of life and community involvement -- with priorities listed in each category.

"This was an opportunity for the group's strategic planning committees to do some initial brain-storming," said Walter Denton, assistant city manager. "We'll still be seeking input from the community."

Transportation goals included easier access highways, commercial airlines and a business jet system.

"We also want to better utilized the river here for tourism and business," said member Ted Coalter.

One of the primary economic development goals is to pursue the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) designation. Other priorities include retention of existing businesses and attracting new business, developing more affordable housing, and keeping an inventory on the labor workforce.

"We need the MSA designation," said John Mehner, a member of the economic development planning group. The designation would be a big advantage to business recruitment and would make the area eligible for more funding.

"We right in the middle now," said Mehner. "We're too big to be small, and too small to be big."

The tourism planning group established its goals as promoting historical and ethnic heritages, marketing the attractions of the city, and increasing conferences, conventions and other events in the city.

Also on the priority list is the need to develop a logo or image that will appear on every Cape Girardeau brochure, banners and advertising.

City beautification -- green space, trees, roses -- recreational activities, and health care are among quality of life goals.

The education planning group agreed to establish an educational coalition to take a look at all education in the city, said Bob Neff. That includes kindergarten, church and religious schools, high schools and the university. "We want to ensure that we have first-class facilities," said Neff. "We want to connect learning to community involvement."

The community involvement group listed volunteerism, pride and patriotism among its goals.

"We want to see stronger neighborhoods, businesses, an emphasis on family involvement," said member David Barklage. "Let's create activities that more people can participate in."