Out of the past 5/4/03

10 years ago: May 4, 1993

Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce beautification committee's proposal for lighting new Mississippi River bridge is "doable" project, say members of committee; John Layton of committee says group has talked to highway department personnel and recently obtained endorsement for project from chamber board.

Missouri appeals court ruling has removed legal roadblock that had dammed up Cape Girardeau's effort to move forward with portion of Cape LaCroix-Walker creeks flood-control project; Missouri Court of Appeals Eastern District concluded that city of Cape Girardeau does have authority to condemn land outside its city limits; city officials say ruling clears way for city to acquire acreage needed for construction of dry detention reservoir.

25 years ago: May 4, 1978

All stops were pulled by Cape County Cable TV yesterday in its effort to preserve its rights to franchise for operating cable television system in Cape Girardeau; effort succeeded; city council agreed to give firm 90 days notice before withdrawing franchise; fearful it might lose franchise, firm brought in its Washington, D.C., legal expert on Federal Communication Commission procedures and its president from Chanute, Kan., to discuss issue.

County authorities are considering ways of remedying problems stemming from night-time drinking parties in Mount Tabor Park on Bloomfield Road, says Sheriff James J. Below; county-owned park for some time has been popular spot for weekend beer parties.

50 years ago: May 4, 1953

Cape Girardeau school tax rate, established at $2.77 last year, will remain same for tax collection period in fall, school officials say; breakdown of tax rate will be: Teachers fund, 90 cents; incidental fund, 60 cents; sinking fund, 22 cents; interest fund, 5 cents, and building fund, $1.

Opposition to proposed water rate increase until Missouri Utilities Co. has complied with order for hydrant installation is indicated by city council; City Commissioner Philip H. Steck observes that since fire insurance inspection bureau listed places recommended for hydrants, utilities company has installed 45 and has 111 yet to install.

75 years ago: May 4, 1928

Division office of Automobile Club of Missouri opens in Chamber of Commerce suite, in former Missourian Building, with Mac Hunter in charge as manager; this division takes in Southern Missouri, south of Farmington and east of Poplar Bluff; Hunter says minimum membership of 500 hasn't been attained in Cape Girardeau, but that office has been opened and will continue in operation in effort to bring membership up to that figure.

More than 100 people united with Centenary Methodist Church during revival meeting, conducted by Dr. L.J. Oliver, evangelist from Tampa, Fla., which closed last night; meeting began Easter Sunday under direction of the Rev. H.C. Hoy, pastor.

-- Sharon K. Sanders