THE PUBLIC MIND: COUNCIL MEMBER LAUDS COOPERATION IN TOURISM DECISION

Dear Editor:

I would like to take this opportunity to applaud all those individuals who gave of their time and talents in finding the best use of the excess funds from the Show Me Center bonds. Not only did they demonstrate extreme wisdom, patience, courage and vision, but more importantly, they demonstrated a willingness to cooperate and compromise.

Six months ago, this was an issue causing divisiveness, hard feelings and regret for many. Today, we are the benefactors of extremely hard work which has resulted in, by far, the best plan of action presented to the City Council for the use of these funds. The rewards to be reaped from this spirit of cooperation are overwhelming to say the least.

I'd like to specifically name a few of the individuals who gave much to this process. Jim Grebing and the rest of the Parks and Recreation Board along with Bob Hahn and his group, I'm told that they literally shouted-it-out and ended up with a plan for recreational development in this community which far exceeds either of their original plans. Barbara Rust and the Colonial Cape Girardeau group, they were willing to admit that the funds currently available through the city were insufficient to properly fund their project, so they withdrew their request for these funds and will pursue another method of funding which better suits their specific needs.

Bob Hoppmann and the Convention and Visitors Board, they met tirelessly for months-on-end, sorting through all 35 plus original funding requests, and brought back to the City Council a prioritized listing of the applications. In other words, they did the dirty work for the council. David Limbaugh, he planted the seed of potentially seeking another funding mechanism for the seminary project. His expressed concern and wisdom, I think, demonstrated to the Colonial Cape Girardeau group that the council was not only supportive of and truly interested in their project but understood its importance as well.

I'd also like to thank the other council members who possessed the courage to support the recreational use of these excess funds. Our job as a council is to make the best decisions possible at all times. Sometimes we fail in doing this. I firmly believe, however, that Monday night we did not fail, but we succeeded with resounding victory.

Last, but not least, I'd like to thank David Barklage for bringing the whole issue up in the first place. Believe me, there was many a time when I cursed his insistence upon looking at these funds. The process has been a long, hard and very stressful one. But the unity and potential for healing which it has brought to this community has made it all worth while. Thank you David, thank you Cape Girardeau. Today is a day to celebrate!

Sincerely yours,

Mary K. Wulfers

Cape City Councilman