Making connections

For two years a task force has been meeting to discuss issues of concern to two areas in Cape Girardeau: the Red Star neighborhood north of downtown and the city's south side area.

While the specifics of those issues vary, the two areas share many of the same general problems. And they could benefit from many of the same opportunities for improvement.

Now the task force has a new name: River Corridor Connections. The new name better identifies the aims of the group, organizers say, and also recognizes that the two neighborhood have problems that will require long-term solutions instead of short-term fixes.

A key to resolving the many issues facing both Red Star and the south side is getting the residents of those areas involved. Assistant city manager Heather Brooks put it this way: "We need for residents to take ownership of the community again."

Brooks said that if residents talk to each other about their problems and apply positive peer pressure, many of those issues could be resolved before they become nuisances.

Let's hope residents in these two areas take heed and can envisions how much better off their neighborhoods would be in everyone got involved, one way or another.

Anyone interested in the River Corridor Connections' efforts can call the United Way of Southeast Missouri at 334-9634.