Vision 2020 to present annual Awards of Distinction

Seven people who have been involved in community service projects in Cape Girardeau will be honored today at the Vision 2020 Community Relations Council's third annual Awards of Distinction.

The awards breakfast starts at 7 a.m. in the Harrison Room at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

The award winners are Tim Blattner, Dan Cotner, Meg Davis, George Foster, Tom M. Meyer, Doug Richards and Jim Watkins.

Blattner will be recognized for his work with the recently completed floodwall mural, said Heather Brooks, assistant to the Cape Girardeau city manager and one of four ex-officio members on the 16-member Vision 2020 group.

Cotner, a local dentist, is being honored for his volunteer efforts. They include playing with the Cape Girardeau Municipal Band for 63 years and making 19 medical mission trips to Third World countries, Brooks said.

Davis will be honored for her radio work with the "I love Cape" promotion.

Foster will be recognized for his 20 years of service coaching youth tackle football teams.

Meyer, a real estate agent, will be honored for helping to bring about the redevelopment of the old Marquette Hotel into a state office building.

Richards will be recognized for his work as chairman of the Cape County Transit Authority in seeking to provide affordable public transportation.

Watkins will be honored for his volunteer efforts on local and state committees dealing with children's issues and emergency preparedness.

Doug Austin, a member of Vision 2020, will be the guest speaker. His speech is titled "It's Great to Live in Cape."