Cape City Council to consider rental inspections and licenses

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KRCU) - The city of Cape Girardeau may soon call for landlords to become licensed as well as require rental inspections in hopes to enforce property maintenance codes.

The Neighborhood Protection Program was designed to provide safe living environments for tenants, protect property values, and encourage reinvestment, which Assistant City Manager Ken Eftink believes can be accomplished one block at a time.

"The goal is to protect neighborhoods, basically protecting one block at a time. If you look at a house that is in a dilapidated condition it brings down the values of all the other properties on that block," Eftink says.

Eftink asked for City Council approval last night and will meet with landlords this week before drafting an ordinance.

In other news, the Cape Girardeau City Council voted to authorize the Safe Routes to Schools grant of over $175,000 that will install nearly 5,000 feet of sidewalks around local schools.

The council also passed an ordinance that will require businesses that play outdoor music to apply for a seasonal Outdoor Music Venue Permit.

Matthew Caldwell, KRCU

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Storytelling Festival bring downtown crowd to Cape Girardeau

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KRCU) - Master story tellers captivated the audiences during the 4th annual Cape Girardeau Storytelling festival this weekend.

More than 630 people attended the festival in downtown Cape, which featured 6 of the top story-tellers from around the country.

Chuck Martin, co-producer of the festival and executive director of the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau was very pleased with the outcome of this year’s festival.

"You know what I think for me the highlight is to see so many people coming from all over, certainly the Midwest and spending time in our community," Martin said.

The festival also brought nearly 2500 middle school students from around the area which Martin feels is important in spreading the idea of story telling and oral tradition to a younger generation.

Martin hopes to expand the storytelling festival in the future to include several additional one day events, much like the ghost story telling event in October.

Matthew Caldwell, KRCU

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Cape City Council looks for middle ground on noise ordinance

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KRCU) - Cape Girardeau businesses will soon have to pay a little more attention to volume when they play music outdoors.

City Council is attempting to find middle ground on the debate over noise by requiring downtown businesses to apply for an outdoor music venue permit.

After Monday evening’s council session, Police Chief Carl Kinnison says this will set limitations for noise levels on an individual basis.

"The permit process would actually allow businesses to play music outdoors and also set some limits on that noise. If the business establishment went beyond those limits then that permit could be pulled," Kinnison said.

The application will give the city a better idea of each outdoor venue and prevent a one-size fits all noise ordinance that might alienate businesses.

Businesses must apply for the permits seasonally which will allow the city to make changes if necessary.

In other news, the city council approved an engineering study that may lead to co-ownership between the city and Cape County of the former federal courthouse.

Matthew Caldwell, KRCU

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Cape Girardeau smoking ordinance to be decided Tuesday

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KRCU) - You can’t blame the folks at Bingo World for feeling a little nervous. 

Listen to the story.

First came the news that a shiny new casino will open its doors in Cape Girardeau. Then a citizen’s group gathered enough petitions to put a smoking ban initiative on Tuesday’s ballot.

Steven Slaten, Chairman of the Notre Dame Bingo Committee is not optimistic about Bingo World’s chances for survival if the smoking ban passes. “There’s a potential that we could see a big enough loss in player attendance that I’m not sure if bingo will continue to be economically viable,” Slaten said.

According to Slaten, nearly 60% of Bingo World’s patrons sit in the smoking section. Many may go elsewhere if they can no longer light up in Cape Girardeau.

“I think we run a real risk of losing players because they’ll have the option of going to bingos in other communities that do allow smoking,” Slaten said.

If Bingo World were to close, it would mean a substantial loss to Notre Dame and the five other charitable groups supported by the hall.

“It’s a fairly substantial amount of money to each one,” he said.

A smoking ban would have reverberations beyond Bingo World. Owners of restaurants like Molly’s and Bella Italia, as well as bars such as Last Call and Rude Dog Pub, all oppose the ban and feel that this is an issue that should be left up to the business owners.

Doc Cain is the owner of Port Cape Girardeau. He helped organize opposition to the smoking ban initiative by bringing together a grassroots group called Stand UP Cape What’s Next?. He feels that restaurants and bars who currently allow smoking will feel a strong impact.

“There are negative effects to bingo halls that allow smoking, there are negative effects to private clubs that allow smoking and there are definitely detrimental effects to bars that allow smoking,” Cain said.

Cain feels that if the ban is imposed then places that have an outside patio will have an unfair advantage over places like Port Cape, which only offers indoor dining.

“When they talk about leveling the playing field, they say well if everyone has to smoke outside then every restaurant is the same. That is absolutely not true,” Cain said. “If you happen to have a patio attached to your business, like several do, then guess who’s going to get the business.”

Stand Up Cape spokesperson Don Greenwood believes this has been framed as a health issue but is really about property owners’ rights and the right to engage in a legal act.

“I’m not a smoker, I have never smoked cigarettes in my life. I don’t see this as a smoking issue at all, I see this strictly as a personal property issue,” Greenwood said. “I think we’ve lost enough of our rights over the last few years because of government regulations and I think that is the main issue here.”

The smoking ban ordinance was put onto the ballot by Citizens for a Smoke-Free Cape.

Dale Humphries, who is a member of Citizens for a Smoke-Free Cape, said at a debate last week that she believes that smoking should be restricted because it effects more than just the person smoking.

“Unilke many other personal behaviors this one impacts more than just the person making the choice,” Humphries said. “When people smoke in public places they affect the heath of everyone around them.”

When it comes to the dangers of secondhand smoke, Humphries feels she has the proof to justify the ban.

“Every major medical and public health organization agrees that second hand smoke is harmful. The scientific evidence is overwhelming, with hundreds of reputable studies stating that it is dangerous, including the US Surgeon General who has stated, and I quote: ‘There is no risk free level of secondhand smoke exposure, end quote’ and the only way to completely eliminate exposure is to eliminate smoking indoors,” Humphries said.

Some people do not like to call this a smoking ban. Sheri House, who works for the American Cancer Society and is a member of Smoke Free Cape, is one of them. She sees this as taking action for public health.

“We’re not asking people to stop smoking,” House explained. “We’re asking them to take a step outside and make sure all the air in the public places that everyone should have a right to go to is clean, fresh, and not full of cancer causing chemicals.”

One thing has been proven about this issue: Neither side is going down without a fight.

Cape Girardeau voters will make their on Tuesday, April 5.

Matthew Caldwell, KRCU

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Smoking ban opponents and proponents present their views at KRCU-League of Women Voters debate

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KRCU) - There is only one thing about Cape Girardeau's proposed smoking band that is beyond debate: That it stirs strong emotions from each side.

KRCU and The League of Women Voters hosted an open debate on the proposed Cape Girardeau smoking ban ordinance Tuesday night.

Dale Humphries and Shelly Wood represented Citizen’s For A Smoke-Free Cape. Citing studies that show the dangers of second-hand smoke, they argues that this is not about a smoking ban. Rather, it is an issue of public health.

"Too often in the smoke-free debate it becomes about smoking versus non-smoking, when in reality the issue is public health, protecting citizens from a known hazard," Wood said.

Nancy Kennemore and Don Greenwood representing Stand Up Cape, What’s Next? feel this is about personal property rights and the rights of those who wish to engage in a legal activity.

"I’m not a smoker, I have never smoked cigarettes in my life, Greenwood said. "I don’t see this as a smoking issue at all, I see this strictly as a personal property issue. I think we’ve lost enough of our rights over the last few years because of government regulations and I think that is the main issue here."

Greenwood countered the issue of public health with a study by the US Department of Energy that found levels of secondhand smoke in restaurants caused little or no adverse health effects.

Matthew Caldwell, KRCU

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Council members blare loud music in downtown Cape

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KRCU) - Members of the Cape Girardeau City Council conducted a noise demonstration Wednesday evening in the downtown area as they are currently working on the existing noise ordinance.

Sound systems were placed outside of Last Call and Bel Air Bar & Grill, while council members, armed with decibel readers, measured sound from 300 and 800 feet.

Both establishments have live music on outdoor stages which frequently bring complaints from nearby residents. 

Councilman John Voss, who proposed the demonstration, says it is important they experience the noise first hand, rather than assume what concerned residents hear.

"I think we will take the information and experiences that we had today and re-read the proposed ordinance the noise committee has worked on and determine if it is sufficient, if there is a need to modify the proposal to come up with something you know is appropriate for this time," Voss said.

The proposed ordinance states any noise that is plainly audible at certain distances within time bound periods would be in violation.

Nearby residents voiced their concerns that music on the weekends at Bel Air is much louder than the levels on the sound systems during the test.

Matthew Caldwell, KRCU

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Council: $2 mil will go to pay airport bonds

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KRCU) - In the first round of voting last night, the Cape Girardeau City Council unanimously approved a measure that will use $2 million of casino money to repay local airport bonds as well as replenishing the city’s emergency reserve fund, which had been depleted during the last ice storm.

The casino money had been set aside for improvements to Broadway and ten other civic projects as designated in the development plan with the casino.

Mayor Harry Rediger assured that these city improvements will be completed in the near future.

"We have committed to the Isle of Capri that the enhancements that were on the development agreement for the Broadway project will be done by fall of next year, prior to the opening of the gaming operation in December of 2012," Rediger said.

Using the casino funds to immediately repay the bonds will eliminate $260,000 from the city’s budget.

In other business, the council approved zoning changes to the Central Business District with the creation of a Downtown Commercial Corridor that creates residential space in the rear of the first floor of buildings, something the current zoning laws allow only with a special use permit.

Over the next few months the council will decide the specifics on how to spend a $250,000 grant from the Missouri Foundation of Health. The grant will fund nearly 40 miles of new bicycle lanes, the installation of bike racks, and bicycle education.

Matt Caldwell, KRCU

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More rain saturates Cape Girardeau

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KRCU) - Cape Girardeau braced for more flash floods as more rain saturated the community.

The city has been offering a limited supply of sandbags as well as a Red Cross shelter for flood victims at the Osage Center.

Residents have been warned to avoid roads that have standing water, something that Cape Girardeau Emergency Management Coordinator Mark Hasheider says can be a serious problem.

"You know, one that we continue to express to the general public is to not drive through flooded roads," Hasheider said.

Residents can contact the fire department for local road closings and the Missouri Department of Transportation’s website www.MODOT.gov for an interactive map of highway and interstate closings.

Matthew Caldwell, KRCU

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New foundation will manage Reynolds House

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KRCU) - When Earl Norman talks about the Reynold’s House, he does so with a smile on his face.

Norman owns the property which was built in 1857 and it just happens to be on the doorstep of the Isle of Capri Casino. He smiles for good reason.

Norman has recently teamed up with the casino and the Historic Preservation program at Southeast to create a non-profit organization that will govern the future of the house.

"I think where we are headed now is a not for profit foundation that would involve the university and their program of historic preservation, the community, plus the casino revenues to help restore the building and maintain it long term," Norman said.

Students at the university are currently working to create plans that will find a functional use for the house, as well as providing steps for remediation.

Matthew Caldwell, KRCU

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Thorngate plan approved, Commander Premier must pay rent

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KRCU) - The Cape Girardeau City Council voted Tuesday night to approve the Thorngate Redevelopment Plan which will allow Blair Industries to expand operations to the currently empty building at 1507 Independence Street.

Blair Industries currently operates within the area and their expansion is something that mayor Harry Rediger believes is important.

“History has proven that the majority of new development and new jobs are created by our friends; existing businesses, existing industries, and existing manufacturers,” Rediger said.

The city will grant the business’s owner a real-estate tax abatement for 10 years as incentive to help alleviate start up costs of their expansion. The majority of the abatement will be from the school system, something that Rediger says will be outweighed by new jobs and new residents brought to the community.

The redevelopment should create more than 30 new jobs in Cape Girardeau.

It also appears that Commander Premier’s days at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport could be numbered. City Manager Scott Meyer explained that the city has given the struggling aircraft manufacturer 60 days to pay the $1.2 million it owes the city in rent. Commander Premier has not made a rent payment for over three years. Failure to pay the rent will lead to eviction.

In other business, the council scheduled a sound experiment which will help them construct a new noise ordinance in downtown Cape Girardeau. Members of the council will review noise levels by placing sound systems in several downtown businesses to help decide the size and scale of the new ordinance.

The noise test will take place on the evening of March 8 in the downtown area.

Matthew Caldwell, KRCU

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Mo. House bill would require English driver's license tests

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KRCU) - Republican legislators in Missouri have proposed a bill that may soon require all driving examinations to be conducted in English.

Currently, Missouri residents can take the exam in 12 languages and hire a state-approved translator at their expense, to assist with the driving test if needed.

Under the proposed law, applicants must take the written test in English or have it read to them.

Those in favor of the law say it is an issue of safety.

One of the bill’s supporters is State Representative Wayne Wallingford, who serves Cape Girardeau. He believes that drivers need to be able to understand all road signs, not just the ones on the test.

“You see a lot of signs, like the flashing digital ones, that talk about icy conditions and road hazards and things like that and none of them are in any other languages. So that could really be a safety issue as well,” Wallingford says.

Opponents argue that it will impede on immigrants’ ability to participate fully in society.

Zahir Ahmed, Executive Director of International Education and Services at Southeast Missouri State University, believes that this will affect those brought in to the U.S. to do specific, highly specialized jobs.

“This country not only brings international students, but also hires, brings warrants to get the top researchers and top people from other countries to come and work in the U.S for the betterment of the country,” Ahmed said.

Ahmed said many of these workers bring their families with them and the change in law will initially make it more difficult for them to carry on their daily lives.

Ahmed went on to say that most of the international students on campus come here with enough fluency of the language to take the test in English.

Matthew Caldwell, KRCU

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Historic Preservation students disassemble casino zone homes for class project

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KRCU) - Southeast Historic Preservation students got a rare treat yesterday when they were given the opportunity by Isle of Capri to remove parts of the buildings that are slated for demolition.

Dave Hearns, teacher's assistant for the class, stated the primary focus of this project is to remove windows and sashes for students to take part in a window workshop later on in the semester. Students learned how to properly remove windows and will then be able to work with these windows during the workshop.

"We were able to take the frames we have now and clean the frames and remove the old glazing and points, repoint and reglaze the windows and basically teach them how to work with wooden frame windows," Hearns said.

Hearns and fellow students were allowed to remove not only windows, but flooring, trim, and door frames before the house was to be torn down.

The casino purchased 63 properties in downtown Cape Girardeau that will be torn down this month. The casino has allowed for the buildings to be used in a learning capacity for University students, as well as the local police and fire departments.

Matthew Caldwell, KRCU

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Southeast students engaged in fate of Reynolds House

Southeast Missouri State University Historic Preservation students are helping decide the fate of the Reynolds House at 623 N. Main Street in Cape Girardeau, which was built in 1857. 

The future of the house, owned by Earl Norman, is currently undecided and students are developing a strategic plan, a historic structure report, and a furnishing plan that may guide the future of the house.

Dr. Joel Rhodes is leading the class, which he believes will strengthen their skills and potentially help not only the students, but Cape Girardeau as well.

"It’s critical to get our students out there and get their hands dirty. It not only puts more tools in their tool box for their future careers, but there are a lot of projects in Cape Girardeau that could really, really use their expertise and the Reynolds House is a perfect storm of circumstances," Rhodes said.

The Isle of Capri casino is set to begin construction across the street from the Reynolds House and have already agreed to help protect the house from demolition.

Dr. Rhodes and fellow faculty member Dr. Steven Hoffman will meet with the design team from the casino on Friday to discuss the future of the historic structure.

The casino is scheduled to open on January 1, 2012.

Matthew Caldwell, KRCU

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Cape Girardeau City Council repeals flag desecration, looks at historic corridor zoning changes

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KRCU) - Southeast Professor Dr. Steven Hoffman and Marla Mills, Executive Director of Old Town Cape answered questions last night during the Cape Girardeau City Council study session, concerning zoning changes to the Central Business District.


Within the proposed Downtown Commercial Corridor District, buildings can have residential space in the rear of the first floor, something that current zoning does not allow without a special use permit.


Dr. Hoffman believes by allowing residency in the lower rear sections of buildings and keeping commercial space in the front, the result will increase pedestrian traffic and business.


"When you have residential uses right up against the curb on the first floor it depresses pedestrian activity which has a negative effect on the commercial activity alongside," Hoffman said.


The Downtown Commercial Corridor encompasses parts of Broadway, Sprigg, Good Hope, Morgan Oak, and Main Street.


The City Council is scheduled to vote on these changes at their next meeting on Tuesday, February 22.


The Cape Girardeau City Council voted last night to pass an ordinance that repeals a city law against the desecration of flags.


In 1989 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that flag desecration was an act of free speech and protected under first amendment.


The repeal was prompted by a current lawsuit against the City of Cape Girardeau filed by Frank L. Snider III, who was arrested for flag desecration in October of 2009. Snider was released when Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle, who had filed the charges, was informed of the Supreme Court’s ruling.


Matthew Caldwell, KRCU

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