Out of the past 3/2/03

10 years ago: March 2, 1993

County commission yesterday appointed committee to design five-year capital improvements plan for roads and bridges in Cape Girardeau County; 11-member group was recommended by new First District Associate Commissioner Larry Bock as way of getting more input about maintenance and replacement of bridges and nearly 600 miles of roads under county's responsibility.

CenterMark Properties, Inc., purchases full interest in West Park Mall; CenterMark, formerly May Centers, Inc., partner and operator of mall since it opened more than decade ago, acquires remaining interest in property from affiliate of Drury Industries.

25 years ago: March 2, 1978

Snow sweeps through Southeast Missouri again; it is fourth snow of significant accumulation for Cape Girardeau since winter's first storm struck Jan. 12; most rural area schools are closed, along with schools at Jackson; for Cape Girardeau pupils, it is business as usual in classrooms in morning.

First round in churches versus taverns controversy resulted in split decision before city council last night, with losers on both sides saying they may take issue to Circuit Court; opposition by First Baptist Church was sufficient to bring council rejection of application by Barry Billings of issuance of liquor license to operate nightspot in old Thilenius Building, 228 N. Pacific; Second Chance saloon, 903 Broadway, will retain its license, despite objection by nearby Maranatha Chapel.

50 years ago: March 2, 1953

Mayor Manning P. Greer is notified that team of Air Force personnel will be at U.S. Air Reserve office, 703 Broadway, this week to conduct local portion of nationwide inventory of Air Force Reservists; inventory is to bring essential data of reservists up to date and to clarify status of each reservist in event of mobilization.

Twelve-foot concrete driveway and adjacent five-foot sidewalk will built along south side of Courthouse Park to provide one-way entrance from Lorimier to Spanish Street under proposal endorsed by city council; council approves plan, presented by C.A. Juden, owner of property on south side of park, and orders City Attorney Jack O. Knehans to prepare ordinance establishing required right of way for street and sidewalk purposes.

75 years ago: March 2, 1928

Recent reports that woman may be candidate for one of two city commissioner jobs at coming election brings discussion as to whether a woman can legally hold municipal office in Cape Girardeau; legal authorities consulted profess to be in doubt about legality of woman holding office, although most admit they hadn't looked up question.

O.J. Sample, resident of Oak Ridge vicinity, will likely be candidate for county assessor, according to report from that neighborhood; Sample was candidate in last election and made good showing.

-- Sharon K. Sanders