COUNCIL GIVES DUE DELIBERATION TO RIVERBOAT GAMBLING ISSUE

The Cape Girardeau City Council has acted with due deliberation in setting an early March deadline for compiling proposals for a riverboat gambling operator. We believe this is a reasonable timetable for researching and considering an arrangement that will change the city significantly. If Cape Girardeau is ripe for such a development, a few weeks of local reflection on the issues involved should not discourage any potential vendors.

This schedule might not be one that best suits the local proponents of riverboat gambling, who are understandably anxious to get a recommendation to the Missouri Gaming Commission for licensure of some gaming operator. Many other cities in Missouri are ahead of Cape Girardeau in this regard, and it isn't our intention (nor do we believe it is the council's) to see the community trail in this business venture.

However, some analysis is involved. What parameters should be used in choosing a riverboat gambling vendor? What impact will this tourist-generating operation have on current infrastructure? To what extent should the riverboat operator help offset the problems generated by gambling's presence in Cape Girardeau? These are questions that require some research, especially making use of the experiences in other municipalities.

In addition, it escapes no one's attention that the gambling issue was hotly contested here, was held off by opponents in one vote and was a narrow winner a second time around. A large number of people here have an active interest in this development, and the council acted admirably in setting aside times in which citizens can deliver comments and get updates on the riverboat selection process. The public needs to be involved in this part of the process as much as in the campaign leading to it.

There is no evidence Cape Girardeau will be "beat to the punch." Gambling initiatives have been approved in communities upriver (Ste. Genevieve) and downriver (Caruthersville), but we don't believe those projects will alter consideration by gaming companies of the potential in Cape Girardeau. And Missouri, unlike Illinois, has no limit on the number of licenses that will be issued statewide for gambling boats. There is no reason to believe the gaming commission will pull the plug on licenses before Cape Girardeau has an opportunity to forward a recommendation, just as there is no guarantee the commission will approve a license for a company in this city even if a terrific proposal is submitted. Gambling companies should understand that: There are no sure things.

It is useful to call on the words of both sides of this discussion. In a letter to this newspaper, supporters of the "yes" side wrote: "Thanks to the Citizens Against Riverboat Gambling for intensifying the level of debate. We have the utmost respect for you as dedicated members of this community. ... Thank you for being a part of making Cape Girardeau a place we can all feel proud to call home."

In another letter, those on the "no" side wrote: "(Riverboat supporters and opponents) share in common a vision for the city of Cape Girardeau that includes growth, prosperity, justice and a better quality of life for all. While we have serious differences on how to achieve these goals, we need to promote a discussion of ideas and community values which will involve the contribution of many. Now is the time to pull people together for the sake of the community."

The die is cast where riverboat gambling is concerned in Cape Girardeau, and both sides of the debate are moving ahead in good faith to make it a workable enterprise that safeguards the rights of all.

The city is proceeding in what it regards as a "thorough but expeditious" pace. We believe this is appropriate. We want the job creation this enterprise promises to commence as soon as possible, but we believe job creation can be enhanced if the proper foundation is established for choosing a riverboat operator. The March 7 deadline should suffice.