DESPITE THE VANDALS, DOWNTOWN KEEPS TRYING

It was disheartening to learn that vandals are ruining the hard work of downtown merchants to make that area a pleasant place to shop, drink and dine.

Specifically, the vandals are tearing down decorative trees that line the streets. They actually pull the tops of the trees down until the trunk snaps in two. The latest victim was a dwarf crab apple tree at the corner of Main and Themis streets.

But other ne'er-do-wells have stolen hanging flower plants and even risked life and limb to steal potted yucca plants out of chained-down containers.

The city of Cape Girardeau had been replacing trees until recently, but the city can't afford to continue the practice in these days of belt-tightening. That leaves the downtown merchants to replace the trees at $100 each.

Downtown Cape Girardeau is becoming an increasingly beautiful place to be. We hope the merchants continue the trend despite the setbacks.

And if you know who's destroying the trees and plants, see the editorial above. ...