Danny Essner

Cape Girardeau is home to wonderful parks and top-notch amenities offered through the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department. While many city leaders and other individuals have helped make this possible, one volunteer not to be overlooked is Danny Essner.

Essner recently presided over his final meeting as chairman of the city's Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, a board he has sat on for nine years and is now term-limited.

One of the most significant achievements for Essner during his tenure was helping get a half-cent sales tax passed by voters in 2008. Over the last three years the tax has funded $20 million in parks projects and improvements.

When you look at some of the major projects completed in recent years -- the Osage Centre, the Cape LaCroix Recreational Trail, the Cape Splash Family Aquatic Center and the Shawnee Park Community Center -- you can't help but be impressed at what Cape Girardeau has done to improve our local quality of life.

Essner's other civic involvement has also included serving as the treasurer of the Yes for Gaming committee and car show chairman for the River City Rodders, among other things. Though his time on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board has come to a close, Essner's leadership has and will continue to be an asset to Cape Girardeau going forward.

Thanks, Danny, for your leadership and willingness to serve Cape Girardeau.