AN ILL-CONCEIVED AND UNWELCOMED ADVANCE ON THE PORT

Since its inception, the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority has been a partnership between Cape Girardeau and Scott Counties. Now, the city of Scott City wants to annex the port -- to generate gambling revenues solely for the benefit of that community.

Cape Girardeau County officials are understandably provoked.

After all, Scott City did not come forward to help build the port authority, yet now they want to consume the revenues. Cape County officials are not objecting to the annexation for selfish reasons -- they feel any development at the port should benefit the port -- not any one county or city.

The Cape Girardeau County Commission has prudently sought legal advice on the county's options.

We disagree with Larry Forhan, mayor of Scott City, who sees Cape County's moves as improperly meddling in his town's affairs. Cape Girardeau County has a long-term stake in the port authority. The two counties have made a major investment in the port authority to the tune of tens of millions of dollars. And frankly, the location of a gambling operation at the port authority may impact the decision of future companies to locate there.

The port is owned by Cape Girardeau and Scott Counties. As such, these county commissions can -- and should -- defend their right of ownership.

Scott City residents will vote on the gambling measure Tuesday. If it passes, officials have said they will pursue the annexation matter -- since the city is located two miles from the river. But Cape County officials have never been contacted about the annexation. While the port does rest in Scott County, its funding and operation have been a true partnership between the two counties. Shutting Cape Girardeau County out now -- to make a short-sighted buck -- isn't plain dealing.

Scott City should go through the proper channels to pursue this matter -- talking with officials of both counties. As Cape County Presiding Commissioner Gene Huckstep points out -- this annexation is not a done deal. It could be tied up in the courts for years.

Port Board Chairman Mysie Keene of Jackson says all nine port commissioners are cool to the idea of having any part of the port annexed into a city. According to Commissioner Morty Potashnick, the board unanimously agrees that if a boat is located at the port, the majority of the gambling revenues should go to port capital improvements -- not any one city.

That doesn't sound like the Scott City funding scenario.

Indeed, it appears the Cape County Commission has not been the only board sidestepped in this "decision." Scott City cannot simply grab land without working with the owners and managers of that property.

The Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority was not designed and developed to become a gambling haven. If Scott City wants to host a gambling company, they should consider another site. A lengthy -- and expensive -- court battle won't benefit anyone.