Proclamation Whereas, Marcia K. Ritter has dedicated eight years of continuous service to the City of Cape Girardeau serving as the City Council Member for Ward 6, and also serving one year as Mayor Pro-Tempore; and Whereas, Ms. Ritter has dedicated innumerable hours to the residents of Cape Girardeau, both through City government and as an active member of various organizations, including the City Public Awareness Advisory Board, TIF Commission, Vision 2020 Community Relations Council, City Master Plan Review Committee, City Comprehensive Plan Oversight and Steering Committees, Cape Girardeau Area MAGNET Board of Directors, City Manager Search Committee, American Red Cross Board, Cape Area Family Resource Center Board, Chamber of Commerce Board, and Zonta International; and Whereas, as a member of the City Council, Ms. Ritter was involved in several projects that benefited the entire region, including the Interstate 55/LaSalle/East Main Interchange; completion of the Southeast Missouri State University River Campus Project; the development of Sears Grand, Kohls and NARS Call Center; implementation of the Keep Southeast Missouri Beautiful Initiative; and creation of the Cape Girardeau County Transit Authority; and Whereas, through Ms. Ritter’s continued support and effort, the City has been able to continue to grow and develop through the approval of the Public Safety Sales Tax, approval of the Parks and Recreation/Stormwater Sales Tax, and approval of the extension of the Transportation Sales Tax; and Whereas, while in office, Ms. Ritter witnessed the annexation of over 2,300 acres to the City, adoption of a new City Comprehensive Plan and Downtown Strategic Plan; revision of a 40-year old Zoning Code; completion of Transportation Trust Fund 2 street projects; extension of numerous hiking/biking trails including Lexington Trace, River Walk and North Park Trail; major expansion of the Cape Rock Water Treatment Plant; development of the Town Plaza Community Improvement District; creation of the City’s First Residential Historic District; completion of the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge; and construction of the Rush H. Limbaugh Federal Courthouse; and Whereas, during Ms. Ritter’s tenure, the City has been recognized state-wide for its accomplishments, including designation as a Preserve America Community, designation as the first DREAM City by Governor Roy Blunt, recipient of the Chamber of Commerce Commitment to Excellence Award, designated an All-American City Award Finalist, ranked by CNN Money Magazine as one of the top 25 places to retire, included in the book Boom Town USA, and recognized nation-wide for solving five cold-case murders from over 30 years ago; and Whereas, other major improvements over the past eight years have included construction of the Mississippi River Overlook from the old river bridge, construction of the Red House Interpretive Center, completion of a new Emergency Operations Center and Fire Station 3, purchase of a new Public Works facility, renovation of the Marquette Tower, completion of a murals on the downtown floodwall, and a partnership with the Corps of Engineers for improvements to the floodwall protection system; and Whereas, one of Ms. Ritter’s most memorable events on the City Council will be the adoption of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, which she was actively involved in completing, and Whereas, Ms. Ritter’s commitment to improving Cape Girardeau and leaving a better community behind than when she started should be commended. Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved that I, Jay B. Knudtson, on behalf of the City Council Members for the City of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, do hereby recognize and honor Marcia K. Ritter for her commitment to public service and upstanding leadership as Ward 6 Council Member for Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and call upon all citizens to recognize her for her many years of continued leadership in our community.

In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Seal of the City of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, this 13th day of April, 2010.

______Jay B. Knudtson, Mayor