PROGRESS EDITION OFFERS TALES OF PRIDE, PROMISE

The Southeast Missourian begins publication today of its annual Progress Edition. Today and on the next two Sundays, "Profiles of Progress" will present stories of achievement and growth from Cape Girardeau and around the region. That there are a multitude of stories to be told speaks well for the vitality of our area. This newspaper is pleased to bring its readers those stories.

Is it bravado to regard recent times as "progress" when doomsayers inform us ad naseum that the national economy is fatally flawed? Is it mere adherence to tradition offering such an edition during what some say are hard times? It is neither. We confess no embarrassment for our belief that the achievements of this region are ongoing despite a lackluster economy. Most often overlooked in the general statement that "times are bad" is the reality that a great many people are taking a great many strides forward. We believe this edition highlights some of those endeavors.

What has been discovered in this edition? We see communities of this area working to improve infrastructure, public safety and the lives of their citizens. We see counties taking steps to upgrade public facilities and create economic opportunities. We see educational institutions trying to strengthen their offerings at the same time they're becoming fiscally leaner. We see banks and businesses and industries working hard and in innovative ways to remain viable and dynamic. We see medical facilities that continue to enhance their services. We see people leading full, productive and pleasant lives. There seems little to justify locally the gloom that pervades national news reports on our times.

The Southeast Missourian began publishing an annual edition of area achievements in 1937. Just as the newspaper has been a daily journal of this region's life and times, so as the Progress Edition been a yearbook of its growth and prosperity. We are pleased to bring these stories of pride and promise to our readers.