COUNCIL MOVES STEADY AND SURE; TOUGH PART REMAINS

Members of the Cape Girardeau City Council are wrestling with a difficult decision concerning riverboat gambling. Still, we suspect they would concede that decisions regarding a considerable opportunity for economic development are more pleasant than many they face. Statutes allow local governing bodies to make a recommendation to the Missouri Gaming Commission on the riverboat gambling vendor within their jurisdictions. The council is weighing the case of two such vendors. We will not presuppose the decision, but we believe the process the council employed has been fair, deliberate and thorough.

The council has imposed on itself a March 7 deadline for recommending a gambling vendor for Cape Girardeau. Having seen the study the city has undertaken since the gambling issue passed here in November, and having considered the thoughts of those who believed the period of deliberation was excessive and left Cape Girardeau at a competitive disadvantage, we are more convinced than ever the time was necessary. Citizens have every right to expect their elected representatives to, at the minimum, become informed on issues. In this case, even though riverboat gambling is a relatively new regulatory function, with few precedents to follow, council members have met the obligation of educating themselves. We applaud that effort.

We especially appreciate the council's development of follow-up questions for the interested gambling companies, a list of inquiries that displayed a vast knowledge of the complexities of locating such a sizable tourist enterprise in the city. It was a comprehensive pursuit of information that is meaningful to this deliberation; other governing boards would do well to take note of the painstaking manner in which the council has gone about its business.

As a part of this process, there have been varying opinions on guidelines the gambling companies should adhere to in making their case. Again, we believe the council has chosen a proper course in allowing the competing interests to modify their plans as the procedure has gone forward. Unlike an ordinary bidding arrangement where first offers are locked in place for consideration, this is a one-time economic development proposition where free-market forces should be allowed to work. The city is properly demanding assurances that promises will be kept. With so many other opportunities along the nation's rivers, the companies will not risk investment here unless they are reasonably convinced of success. Both sides should come out winners. Nothing in this negotiation seems amiss.

In fact, research done by the Southeast Missourian indicates that other Missouri cities, including St. Louis and Jefferson City, have utilized a similar selection process, with each effectively garnering deals that safeguard community interests as well as providing lucrative opportunities for gambling companies.

With this process so neatly executed, our hope is the council will reach a consensus on a riverboat gambling company. Indications are that one of the seven council members will abstain from the vote for reasons of conflict of interest. The possibility is then raised of a tie vote, which (if not broken by movement of a council member) would effectively leave a decision about Cape Girardeau's riverfront development to the Missouri Gaming Commission. In addition to sending this choice to Jefferson City, the city would forfeit its negotiating leverage with the interested riverboat companies.

We would like to see the decision made locally. Too much good work has gone on here to give up the chance to endorse a vendor.