River Campus- Big potential for Cape

How much will the average Cape Girardeau citizen pay in local taxes to support the River Campus? Assuming you don't stay regularly in a local hotel: only 1 percent of your restaurant bills. So if you spend $2,000 a year in local restaurants, the total charge comes to $20.

What is the potential for this investment?

At worst: a nice campus for students at Southeast Missouri State University to study visual and performing arts (which in itself can help draw more students to campus who will spend more money in the community). Also, at a minimum: the renovation of several historic buildings and the preservation of one of the most beautiful tracts of land in town as a sparkling entrance to our city -- complete with walking trail and park.

So, even at a worst-case scenario, the campus adds tangible value to our community. But what is the broader potential of the development?

There is the possibility of top-line entertainers visiting town on a regular basis, a coordination of art classes for youths and the appeal to talented art students to migrate and create here. With the development in south Cape, the downtown region receives a necessary infusion of investment and downtrodden neighborhoods are more likely to find support for renovation and rejuvenation.

With luck and proper planning, the River Campus may become a beacon for the entire Midwest, drawing quality performers to congregate here for festivals and special occasions or to join the faculty of the university.

And what was that cost again? Twenty dollars a year (if you eat out a lot).

For the past few years, the main story about the River Campus has been the legal wrangling surrounding it. That legal wrangling will continue, even with the Missouri Supreme Court's decision last week rejecting opponents' claims against the project. But now the story should change.

It's time again to consider the benefits of the project and move forward. A few years ago, a majority of the city voted in favor of the River Campus. As a community, if we work together now, the project will be stronger.

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I was recently sworn in as a member of the Missouri Division of Youth Services Advisory Board. The division is charged with protecting communities from juvenile offenders who have been committed to the state system as well as providing services to youth and their families. It was my honor that Missouri Chief Justice Stephen Limbaugh administered the oath during a ceremony in Jefferson City.

The Missouri DYS is recognized nationally as one of the finest in the nation, leading the country in cost effectiveness and low recidivism rates.

A recent study by the American Youth Policy Forum highlighted Missouri's emphasis on treatment and least-restrictive care as a "guiding light" for the country. According to the study, Missouri spends $94 for each young person in the state 10 to 17 years old, compared to an average of $140 for each young person in the eight states surrounding it.

Only 11 percent of those released by the Missouri DYS are recommitted within two years, compared to rates six times higher in surrounding states.

Much of the credit for the program's success goes to its director, Mark Steward, originally of Poplar Bluff. Steward, in turn, praises staff members, area judges and dedicated legislators like state Rep. Quincy Troupe of St. Louis and state Sen. John Russell of Lebanon, who have protected the division's budget in difficult times. Steward also likes to praise individuals like Limbaugh, a former member of the advisory board and a longtime advocate of programs for troubled youth. Without Limbaugh's leadership, many of Missouri's leading reforms might not have happened.

I'm still learning about the Division of Youth Services. If you have a perspective about it that you want to share, do not hesitate to call me at the Southeast Missourian offices (335-6611) or e-mail me at jrust@semissourian.com.

Jon K. Rust is co-president of Rust Communications.