Youth sports banquet a big hit

This past Friday, I had the wonderful experience of attending the Celebration of Youth Sports Award Banquet at the Osage Centre. This event is in its second year of existence and had nearly 700 people in attendance. As you know, this event is developed and coordinated by the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department and the Parks Foundation Board. Let me just say that Julia Thompson and her entire staff do a wonderful job of putting on a first-class event. This event is truly putting Cape Girardeau's "best foot forward" in recognizing the participating players, coaches and officials who make Cape Girardeau's Parks and Recreation the finest in the land.

In addition, I feel that I need to make special mention of Scott and Penny Williams. These two individuals could be two of Cape Girardeau's finest assets. Year in and year out, they make a difference in people's lives. Whether they are coordinating youth sports events, heading up the Southeast Special Olympics or working tirelessly to "produce and coordinate" the aforementioned event, they serve with the greatest class and enthusiasm possible. Yes, if this world was filled with leaders like Scott and Penny Williams, we would certainly live in a better world.

Again, congratulations to Julia Thompson and her entire team at the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department for making Cape Girardeau such a wonderful community.

JAY B. KNUDTSON, former mayor of Cape Girardeau, 2002-2010, Cape Girardeau