JACKSON-CAPE GIRARDEAU TALKS DEMONSTRATE BENEFITS

Communication is certainly a key to cooperation. To that end, continued meetings between the Cape Girardeau and Jackson city councils are productive for both communities.

The two governing bodies gathered Monday for their second such meeting. The cities agreed on a small land swap at the meeting -- minor in scope but major in terms of the new spirit of cooperation forged between two prospering neighbors.

This week's meeting was far different than January 1998. That first historic meeting attracted a crowd from both communities. Monday's gathering was attended by council members, city staffers and members of the Cape Girardeau County Commission, which has supported the alliance.

The mayors of Jackson and Cape Girardeau certainly deserve praise for their leadership in pushing the alliance. Cape Girardeau Mayor Al Spradling III and Jackson Mayor Paul Sander walk the walk when it comes to city-to-city cooperation. That kind of initiative at the top is essential for such a vision to become reality.

Sure, there's still room for some friendly competition between high school sports rivalries. But the governing boards have progressed enough to realize that by working together, both communities will benefit.

For example, Cape Girardeau, Jackson and the county have stood side by side on transportation issues, pulling some weight on statewide road priorities. As they did a year ago, the cities expressed support for three proposed highway projects: Jackson's East Main Street interchange at I-55. Upgrading Center Junction. Extension of Highway 74 to Highway 25 between Jackson and Cape Girardeau

The meetings have also spurred serious discussion of such practical issues as annexation and an emergency water link between the two cities. A joint subcommittee is working on a map of possible future annexations that could affect both cities.

Like planted seeds, the benefits from the initial meeting began small. A swap of a small piece of land or expanding the public service announcement space on the cable system to include both communities.

But as the cities continue to cultivate these seeds of cooperation, the yields could be great. These talks and agreements could better equip both cities for continued prosperity into the 21st century.