Minister urges prayer for economic expansion

Cape Girardeau needs prayer for economic growth and community unity, a local minister says.

The Rev. Mike Woelk, pastor of the Livingway Foursquare Church, delivered that message at a prayer meeting of about a dozen business and civic leaders on Friday. The meeting was held in the community room at My Daddy's Cheesecake in the Lynwood Village shopping center on Route W.

"As a city, we are at a crossroads," he wrote in a letter inviting people to the meeting. "Some say a shrinking tax base suggests we are losing our pre-eminent position in the region."

However, he wrote that he believes God intends Cape Girardeau "to be a leader, setting an example of growth and stability that should serve to strengthen the cultural, economy and spiritual vitality of the region."

Architect Ron Grojean said Cape Girardeau is blessed with a strong work ethic. "These people are hard working," said Grojean, who moved here from Sikeston five years ago.

Woelk said Cape Girardeau residents are divided on some community issues. But he said people need to look for a common spiritual purpose.

The meeting included John Mehner and Jim Drury, two men on opposite sides of the city tax proposals that voters defeated on Tuesday. Mehner is president of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce whose board of directors endorsed the tax issues. Businessman Drury opposed the tax issue, going so far as to mail a flier to city residents at his own expense.

Mehner told the group that as chamber president he wants to see economic growth and opportunity in Cape Girardeau.

Drury, who has fought the city of Cape Girardeau in court over its efforts to help fund Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus arts school project, said the community is divided.

"That's why we're not progressing," he said.

Drury said he wants to see community unity.

Woelk said that could happen if business and civic leaders unite through the power of prayer.

mbliss@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123