RIVER CAMPUS IS REGAINING MOMENTUM

The transformation of the former St. Vincent's Seminary into a River Campus for visual and performing arts at Southeast Missouri State University is moving closer to reality. It continues to receive strong support in the community as evidenced by a packed house at a community forum recently. All who spoke gave the project an enthusiastic thumbs up.

In early November, Cape Girardeau voters approved a change in the hotel-motel and restaurant tax to fund the project. But the accompanying bond issue, while getting more than half the vote, received less than required four-sevenths majority. It the bond issue got 53 percent of the vote.

The university has found a way to issue the bonds through a state agency that would not require an additional public vote.

On Monday, the City Council revised its cooperative agreement with the university, making the university responsible for seeking the bonds. The council also agreed not to divert the tax money for other purposes. That should relieve any fears that the tax changes approved by voters will not go to their intended purposes. The council will give final consideration to this change on Dec. 21.

The city share would be $8.9 million of the $35.6 million project. Southeast is to provide an additional $8.9 million in university funds and private donations. The university also carries the burden of lobbying the Legislature for the remaining $17.8 million, a crucial component in the funding package. It was gratifying to learn recently that the Coordinating Board for Higher Education is recommending $8.8 million be included in the governor's budget next year for the project. This would represent the first of two installments needed by the state.

All these funding pieces are necessary to make the River Campus a reality.

If all goes as planned, Southeast would ask the Missouri Health and Educational Facilities Authority to issue the bonds. The current proposal would shift the liability for any tax shortfalls from the city to the university. That should reassure some who worried such a massive project would require additional local dollars. The university's regents are expected vote on the bonding proposal Friday.

The university and city have a strong history of cooperation, including construction of the Show Me Center. Just think about the impact that building has had on this community in just over a decade. It has been the site of entertainment and community events that have grown and prospered through the size of the facility.

This university bonding proposal seems the perfect solution to making the River Campus a reality without additional cost to city taxpayers.

Red ribbons are timely reminders

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season seems unending. Everyone is in a hurry to complete the holiday shopping, decorate and finish other holiday preparations.

But for some, the holiday season holds little cheer. The holidays will provide a stark reminder of a family celebration without a loved one who died at the hands of a drunken driver.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving want to make sure that people think twice before getting behind the wheel drunk. They want to prevent the heartache that seems even more pronounced during the holiday season.

Red ribbons tried to antennae or mirrors of vehicles encourage motorists to "tie one on for safety." More than 20,000 red ribbons were distributed in the county through schools, churches, businesses, hospitals and law-enforcement agencies.

Nationwide, one person dies in an alcohol-related accident every 32 minutes. Someone else is hurt in an alcohol-related accident every 30 seconds. MADD is helping area residents beat the odds so the holiday season can truly be merry.