Urgent request

Aug. 26, 2005

To the Right Honorable Kit Bond, Jim Talent and Jo Ann Emerson

United States of America Congress

Washington, D.C.

Dear Sirs and Madam:

This letter is to respectfully request assistance from Southeast Missouri's federal legislators for a project of considerable importance to the welfare and general well-being of countless constituents. As recent benefits to local highway projects clearly demonstrate, I know I am asking the right people for help.

Almost daily I am asked this question by well-meaning and curious individuals: What's become of the World Famous Downtown Golf Course and All-You-Can-Eat Catfish Buffet?

These are folks who have been enticed for nearly 11 years now with promises of championship golf on the banks of the Mighty Mississippi in what is affectionately known as Old Town Cape. It is an area of vision and hope.

In recent years, you and your predecessors have thoughtfully provided a bit of federal funding for some other high-profile projects that directly benefit our town. This is not a complete list, but $60 million for a federal courthouse (even though we have no federal judge) comes to mind. Plus $60 million for a spectacular concrete creek that drains rainwater into the river. And then there is the $60 million (a popular figure) bridge project that cost $100 million -- but who's counting?

It is in the spirit of federal benevolence and fairness -- the equity of spreading tax dollars around cannot be underestimated -- that I hereby formally request funding for the World Famous Downtown Golf Course Etc. with the fervent hope that said funding can be included in whatever appropriations bill is next on your to-do list.

The golf course is truly a public-private partnership. The city and the university have generously constructed first-class cart paths with commanding views of the river. Word is that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is about to spend millions of dollars upgrading our useful and colorful floodwall, and it only makes sense that a structure suitable for an all-you-can-eat catfish buffet will be constructed atop the wall with spectacular views of both the river and the old town.

Private investment in the golf-course project has been substantial over the years, with an outpouring of sincere promises of U.S. currency and volunteer labor. To that end, I have carefully maintained records that I believe are somewhat accurate, though never officially audited, and represent a major portion of the local share of the costs.

These costs have included, in the Cape Girardeau tradition, studies, surveys, polls, reviews and countless meetings with coffee groups throughout our fair city. Expenses for coffee and doughnuts alone mount up over 11 years and are estimated to be in the $60-to-$70 range at this point -- and growing daily. If you add in the necessary and valuable research required for a project of this magnitude, I'd say out-of-pocket expenses so far come close to over several hundred dollars.

To that end, it would be my fondest hope that each of you would plug something into the budget so we get back a little of what we send your way every year. I won't presume to tell you how to do your jobs and will leave the final figures up to your collective wisdom.

But if you want a suggestion -- you know, a ballpark figure for starters -- how does $10.8 million sound?

Best wishes for your future re-election plans.

Yours truly,

R. Joe Sullivan is the editor of the Southeast Missourian.