LEADERSHIP CAPE DEVELOPS USEFUL PROJECTS

The addition to the Leadership Cape curriculum of a required project to benefit the community was an inspired one.

Each year, the Leadership Cape brings together about 25 of the city's decision-makers for an in-depth introduction to private and public community programs and facilities. Since 1998, the class members have been divided into teams and required to produce a plan to better something about Cape Girardeau.

The class of 2001 did an exceptional job. Two of the five groups didn't simply present a plan. They took action toward their goal and gave an update.

Here is a synopsis of each project:

* Cape Girardeau was lacking an organized speakers' bureau, although there are several social and charitable groups clamoring for speakers at regular meetings. One Leadership Cape group already has established a list of speakers and their specialties at www.capechamber.com. There is an easy-to-find link labeled "speakers' bureau" at the left side of the Web page. Visitors can either search by subject for a speaker or register to be a speaker.

* Another group has organized a Leadership Cape Day for participants in the Missouri Mentoring Partnership. The government- and privately funded organization serves teen parents and other young people who need guidance by teaching them life skills as well as finding employment for them. The workshop, slated for next year, will have community leaders discussing such topics as dressing for success, personal safety, time management and communication.

* For years, the Cape Girardeau City Council has kicked around the idea of a skateboard park. Finally, one Leadership Cape group has come up with a solid plan and solid numbers. In a well-produced video presentation, the group showed the project would cost $57,000, could be located in under-utilitzed Washington Park and would get skateboarders off the streets. They offered the video for use as a fund-raising tool.

* There are no signs on Interstate 55 to tell casual tourists that Cape Girardeau offers easy access to beautiful views of the Mississippi River. One Leadership Cape group proposed putting Missouri Department of Transportation signs directing travelers off the interstate at William Street and guiding them to the riverfront. The cost is less than $3,000 the first year and $1,500 in years after with the conservative potential of $2.6 million spent annually by visitors.

* The final group proposed improving Riverfront Park, realizing that some visitors don't even know it is a park when they're standing in it. They suggested interpretive displays to explain river heritage.

Let's hope this is not the end for these projects. Leadership Cape team members need to follow through with executing them. This involvement in community affairs has the potential to make Cape Girardeau a better place to live.