ANNEXATION BALLOT ISSUE GOOD FOR CITY, RESIDENTS

Cape Girardeau voters (and some voters not currently in the city) go to the polls Tuesday to determine a matter of community growth ... literally. Among two ballot issues is a matter of city annexation of the Twin Lakes subdivision, a parcel of 99 properties and more than 200 residents along Hopper Road west of Interstate 55. This is a logical extension of Cape Girardeau's corporate boundaries, and the Southeast Missourian endorses passage of the Tuesday ballot measure.

Annexation is sometimes a tricky business for municipal governments. At times, the interests of the city involved do not coincide with interests of residents in the annexation area. At times, the city does not have the resources to provide necessary services to the new stretch of municipal territory. At times, it is a vain land-grab.

The annexation of Twin Lakes represents none of these scenarios. Instead, it is a reasonable move for city expansion, one that will be good for both Cape Girardeau and the residents of the subdivision.

For its part, the city will take in more land beyond the interstate, again breaking loose of what had been seen (artificially) for years as a geographical barrier for expansion. Along with this residential subdivision comes an instant increase in city population, which is welcome for a variety of reasons. For the subdivision, residents will tap into the range of city services, including fire and police protection. The city's sewer expansion in recent years serves the growing business area west of the interstate and will be extended northward to meet the needs of these new residents.

For the annexation to come about, a simple majority of voters in the city and simple majority of voters in Twin Lakes must approve the measure Tuesday. (If the issue fails in either area, a subsequent election must be held in which votes are combined and a two-thirds majority is needed for passage.) Twin Lakes residents, who petitioned for the annexation, appear ready for the move; of 99 properties in the area, the owners of 75 signed the petition. If these numbers hold, it is up to the citizens of Cape Girardeau to accept the subdivision into its boundaries.

Since this ballot issue hasn't gotten a lot of notice (preoccupation with the flood and the absence of campaigns either for or against being factors), the turnout Tuesday probably won't be very high. However, this measure is extremely important to Cape Girardeau, whose officials should have their annexation sights set not only on this subdivision, but others north of the city limits and west along Route K and Bloomfield Road.

There are positive growth steps that Cape Girardeau can take. But this is the business at hand, a key step ... we must not overlook the Tuesday vote.

Everything seems right with this annexation: the timing, the resources, the circumstance. It is a measured step in the city's growth, well-planned and well-reasoned. We believe the residents of Cape Girardeau and Twin Lakes should embrace this opportunity and vote in support of the annexation measure on Tuesday's ballot.