NAACP URGES CITY COUNCIL TO CONSIDER PUBLIC HOUSING

At the urging of the local NAACP, the Cape Girardeau City Council next month will consider whether the city needs public housing, an issue that's proven contentious in the past.

Michael Sterling and Debra Willis used a recent renter-landlord dispute in the city as an example of why stricter housing regulations are needed in Cape Girardeau.

In other business, the council agreed to seek additional information on the possibility of developing "sister city" trade relations with Shaoxing, China.

Sterling is president of the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and Willis is community action chairman for the NAACP.

The two spearheaded a rally Saturday outside the house of a couple who were forced to seek alternative shelter when their utilities were cut off and the landlord reportedly removed the front door of the house.

On Saturday, the landlord reported that the couple was behind on their rent and hadn't paid their utility bills for months.

Willis told the council Monday that the landlord's action was "inhumane."

"It's just an example of why a minimum housing standard is just desperately needed," she said.

Sterling said too many renters are "victimized by the lack of minimum housing standards." He also questioned why the city hasn't appointed a housing authority to seek federally-funded housing in the city.

"I can't understand how we can talk about a sister city in China when we keep ignoring the poor people in our own community," Sterling said.

He asked that those favoring more stringent property maintenance standards and public housing not be further "stonewalled."

"We don't intend to sit at the conference table for two years, waiting for something to be done," he added.

Councilman Melvin Gateley asked that the issue be placed on the agenda for the council's May 3 meeting. Other councilmen also questioned whether public housing might be needed in the city.

"Do we have adequate housing to accommodate the people who simply don't have the income to qualify for a (home) loan?" asked Councilman Doug Richards. "I'm not willing to say public housing at this point, but before I say I'll vote for public housing I want to get some data on how many people fit in that category."

Sterling suggested the formation of a "housing task force" to be composed of council members and citizens who would "look into the problem."

The council is expected next month to consider a recommendation from the city's Board of Appeals on a minimum property maintenance code. Sterling, Willis and some city officials have said the code is needed to ensure adequate living quarters for renters.

Sterling claimed Monday that "400 families" in Cape Girardeau are on a waiting list for federal Housing and Urban Development "Section Eight" housing subsidies. He asked the council what could be done to assure those families have adequate living arrangements.

"To me, part of the answer would be and I don't particularly like it public housing," said Mayor Gene Rhodes.

The "sister city" proposal was brought to the council by Peter Choi, a Cape Girardeau businessman originally from Shaoxing, China. He said the city is very interested in establishing some type of trade relations with Cape Girardeau.

Choi said that if the Southeast Missouri Regional Port is able to secure foreign trade zone status, Chinese businesses and a trading company would come to Cape Girardeau.

He said Shaoxing has a high demand for many products manufactured in Missouri and Cape Girardeau. In exchange, the Shaoxing could provide an overseas market for Cape Girardeau goods.

The council agreed to study whether it's feasible to pursue the matter.

Also at Monday's meeting, the council:

Approved a request by Paul and Patricia Brown to allow the couple to use the right-of-way for an undeveloped street for their driveway. In 1991, the council denied the same request.

20Appointed Steve Nesler and Michael Wandrick to the Airport Advisory Board.