New holiday decorations for downtown Cape

You probably won't find anyone willing to defend the holiday street decorations in downtown Cape Girardeau. They are old and worn out.

The Downtown Merchants Association would like to purchase new decorations, but even with another successful annual auction, held Saturday night with a Mardi Gras theme, the association doesn't have the $50,000 needed for replacements.

But there are some glimmers of hope. For one thing, a little bit of money could be saved by not putting up the ratty decorations that have been the target of negative comments.

And while the city, which is facing its own budget problems and will be asking for voters to approve four tax/fee issues on the April ballot, doesn't have any spare cash to kick in for holiday decorations, Mayor Jay Knudtson would like to see if the Convention and Visitors Bureau might be able to help. The city recently contracted with the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce to run the CVB.

Another possibility is to break up the purchase of new decorations into smaller but financially manageable segments.

For example, buying nice new decorations for just one or two intersections this year would be preferable to putting up the old ones again.

And more decorations for more intersections could be added each year as more funds are raised.

Downtown has so many positive things going for it right now. A good start on new holiday decorations would be another one.