There are many reasons for changes in Sikeston

I listened and took part in a coffee shop conversation this week that was focused on the nostalgic bygone days of Sikeston.

All of the familiar and now long gone businesses were duly mentioned and tales were spun about the antics of the past.

There was a mutual yearning for a return to those days and a unanimous agreement that, as much as we may want it, those days are behind us.

Now don't misunderstand. This was not a negative conversation but rather a recognition that our small, sleepy town had changed through the years.

The very same conversation - with some alteration - could be had in virtually every small town.

But there was a fair amount of conversation too on the improvements here that have upgraded our lives and our community.

And that conversation prompted me to examine the changes and try to capture how they happened or when or even why.

So let me offer this highly unscientific look at the changes that have most impacted our community.

First and foremost - in my opinion and my opinion only - is the massive growth of Cape Girardeau.

While Cape was once just a neighbor to the north, it has grown to attract Sikeston residents to shop, for medical services, cultural events and more.

There's long been a saying that the best thing to happen to Sikeston is Interstate 55. And the worst thing to happen to Sikeston is Interstate 55.

Access to Cape - once a somewhat pain you know where - is now a breeze. And let's not lie to ourselves. All of us take full advantage of that easy ride and the host of opportunities just right up the road.

Presented another way. Why has Poplar Bluff grown and our population has declined in every census since 1980? Because Poplar Bluff is not as close to Cape Girardeau and has less competition for the surrounding area.

Here's another change.

Where farming was once king for many Sikeston residents, it has diminished in impact because of changes in technology. It may be hard to pinpoint the exact impact. But the numbers are clear that ag income is essential to our community but lacks the domination it once had because of those changes.

And finally, our population has changed since those bygone days. We are much more diverse but also much less affluent. And with that increased poverty comes more pressure on the ability to provide adequate services to our residents.

We may - as some argue - be richer for that diversity but it comes with a price.

I do not intend to discuss these changes as some form of a blame game.

I have an ongoing constant argument over the issue of blame.

Far too many people want to first place blame and then solve the problem.

I find that so very wrong.

Sikeston remains a vibrant community with a genuine small town feel.

And when the smoke clears, that's not too bad!

Michael Jensen