LAY THE ISSUES ON THE TABLE REGARDING DEVELOPMENT GROUP

Lawsuit: A machine you go into as a pig and come out as a sausage.

Amerose Bierce

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Human anger is a higher thing than what is called divine discontent. For you must be angry with something; but you can be discontented with everything.

Author unknown

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Friday we editorialized in favor of the concept of the County Economic Development Committee. We said that the details would be harder to work out than the concept.

A number of people have taken the time to disagree with our editorial privately ... but don't care to take a public position in fear of being blamed if the commission doesn't materialize.

Somewhere, the issues or reservations need to be laid on the table. None of them appear to be obstacles that can't be overcome if openly discussed ... and pose more danger gaining a force of their own while submerged under a sea of apparent calm.

It is my belief that most good laws, business decisions, or paradigm changes come out of conflict, debate, intense scrutiny ... and competitive pressures.

With no weighting, some of the issues are:

1) Procedurally a number of people feel that two actions of the Cape City Council a) voting the $50,000 annual funding and b) the selection of Councilman Melvin Gately as the second committee member, were poorly handled.

Action on NON-AGENDA items are normally reserved for non-funded items; items that the public has previously had the opportunity to give input on which they had previously been notified in advance; and non- controversial items of little broad public interest. This was not the case with the above mentioned actions of the Cape City Council which were voted on the same night that they were brought up for discussion ... and were not on tne agenda.

2) Many who know the confidentiality required of economic development and the importance of financial or experienced industrialists serving on such a commitment see little upside on placing two city councilmen with approximately 30% of the votes. Especially if Jackson and Scott City do likewise.

However, there are no rules of organization, no decision on whether 4 of 7 or 5 of 7 votes will be required for action. No other members have been selected, and only two of the 7 bodies have taken official action on financial commitments to date. The rest have merely said that they approve exploring the concept.

3) And though members of the Cape Chamber Board haven't said it publicly to date (which they should, or correct this comment)... many were under the impression that the Economic Development Commission would be located in their facilities. And that their $25,000 donation (or a part of it) would be for payment by in-kind services, namely for rent, utilities, staff and equipment assistance. Cape Chamber President John Mehner says that our article quoting him as favoring the County Court location either misquoted or misinterpreted his remarks.

4) There have been previous disagreements between actions of the RCGA and the Cape Chamber. Most would like to see them work together on economic development but feel that Chamber President BOB HENDRIX or RCGA Executive Director WALT WILDMAN should be ruled out for consideration as the new salaried head of Cape County Economic Development.

5) Another item brought to our attention is the equal vote proposed for Scott City (for a $5,000 investment) of that received by the Cape Chamber or Jackson Chamber/City for their $25,000 contribution.

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Airplanes can handle only a limited amount of gravity load (the G factor). Before this committee gets flying too high, too fast ... it's suggested the pilots determine where they're going, with what fuel load, at what attitude, who the passengers are ... and whether they're able to make a safe landing when they get there..

Speed is not necessarily a virtue.

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Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action.

George Washington

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The JAKE WELLS MURAL on the former Idan Ha Hotel (that'll test your age) Broadway location is not only an excellent work of art ... but enhances the appearance of that entire corner and especially the building on which it's painted.

Thanks again TIM BLATTNER for your persistence. Yes, from the first mural on Water Street designed by JIM PARKER, to the now 5 total murals, we've reached a legitimate number for calling this the City of Roses and Murals ... with more to come of both.

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An Athenian citizen does not neglect the state because he takes care of his own household; and even those of us who are engaged in business have a very fair idea of politics. We alone regard a man who takes no interest in public affairs, not as a harmless, but as a useless character, and if few of us are originators, we are all sound judges of a policy.

THUCYDIDES,

"Funeral Speech of Pericles"

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Congratulations (I guess) to SEMO Gymnastics Coach BILL HOPKINS on being one of 3 coaching finalists at Kent State. However, with Bill's one-man achievement in acquiring the 1st NIT Gymnastics Championship for the Show Me Center this year, and the new 3-year contract for the outstanding and significant Quaker Oats Cap' Crunch Invitational gymnastics event, I personally hope (even if selected) that you stay here, Bill. I hope others will also encourage Hopkins to stay. This includes parents and patrons of his Riverside Gymnastics Academy on Main (which provides another of the many diversified youth opportunities for our community).