Letters to the Editor

Motorcycle riders can now leave their helmets at home, thanks to our state legislature and governor. Some riders have lobbied for this for years, and last session the politicians gave in. Now many riders will go without a helmet, and some of them will pay a big price...

I was sad to learn recently of Terry Teachout's passing. He was kind to me always, but he was especially kind to me when it mattered most, when I was trying to change careers in my 30s from computer programmer to, of all things, writer. I'm one of the only people who'll be writing an encomium for Terry who is from the same little place. ...

Let us celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a great American who gave the ultimate sacrifice to free people and give them access to the ballot. Today across America our voting rights are under attack including here in Missouri, and we -- Republicans, Democrats, and Independents -- must put an end to it...

I would like to thank our mayor, city council members, and city management for the bonuses paid to all full-time city employees. You saw a need, an opportunity, and acted in a tangible way to demonstrate how much you appreciate the current employees going above-and-beyond to provide excellent customer service during the city employee shortage. I commend you on your wise decision!...

I am writing this letter on Jan. 3, 2022. Yesterday this country had a 204% increase in the 14-day average of the number of new cases of Covid-19. Although the 14-day average for deaths declined by 3%, more than 1,200 people died from this disease. At present the COVID-19 Omicron variant is the most contagious form of this disease. ...

An EF-3 tornado damaged or destroyed more than 200 homes in Trumann, Arkansas, on Dec. 11. The outpouring of love to Trumann has been immense and much appreciated. People have traveled from as far as Wyoming and Florida to aid in the recovery effort...

I want to mention a small town hero. One who doesn't seek recognition but deserves it. He is one of many "Men of God" overlooked today because he pastors a small church in a small town. Athletes, movie actors and musicians are constantly heralded for their contributions, big name preachers are seen daily but the little known small church pastor is unseen...

Let me begin by saying I think the city of Cape Girardeau has been progressive and generally well managed. But problems have arisen. Last month the city used deception to gain approval of an increase in sales tax. The city implied that sales tax revenue was decreasing, when actually it was increasing. ...

Congratulations to Jerry Ford and J. Fred Waltz on their book celebrating 100 years of the Cape Girardeau Country Club. I can hardly wait to purchase a copy. If I lived in Cape today, my first priority would be to arrange a video camera and interview Jerry and J. Fred. Future generations need to be able to see and hear the amazing stories that these two community leaders have been a part of and witnessed...

Contrary to Linda Reutzel's letter to the editor, I don't believe the average informed citizen would describe all the anti-science, anti-public health, and anti-health care speakers at the county health board meeting as "impressive." Advocating for a goat wormer therapeutic to fight Covid isn't "knowledgeable." Describing face covering and vaccination recommendations as tyranny isn't "articulate." Googling isn't scientific "research." And while the Internet provides a wealth of useful information, it's also where conspiracy theorists claim Elvis isn't dead, the Earth isn't round, and the COVID vaccine isn't safe and effective. ...

I went to the county health board meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 23, at noon. The citizens speaking at this meeting were very impressive. They were doctors, educators, parents and grandparents. These speakers were articulate, knowledgeable, humble and concerned about the health of our community, especially our children. They brought research, statistics and alternative expert advice other than the "experts" at the CDC...

Please accept our deepest gratitude on behalf of the Cape Girardeau Fire Department for all of the assistance we received this past week with the passing of Captain Ivan Lagrand. With too many to thank, please know you hold a special place in each of our hearts...

My wife and I so enjoyed a wonderful Friday night at the foot of Bill Emerson's congressional contribution to my hometown: his beautiful lighted bridge, which started the night with a Christmas feeling of epic proportions. Inside the River campus, a very meaningful American art exhibit opened at the Crisp Museum featuring Hayti native Alfonso Branch; a master of pastel and charcoal, if you like your art silky smooth refraining from the abstract, this is the exhibit for you. ...

In spite of the most recent decision in Kenosha, where I feel justice prevailed, within it was a display of how justice has failed. Consider the unrestrained destruction of property -- and life -- by the protesters and rioters that made it necessary for otherwise law-abiding citizens to consider the need to defend themselves. And what goes to trial?...

I agree with the Southeast Missourian editorial: "City should use windfalls to boost employee pay now." Competitive wages for city employees are long overdue. However, higher wages alone will not solve the city's employee problem. From my experiences as a high school principal, school district superintendent, and building and code enforcement manager, I learned an employer must focus on the following to attract and retain quality employees:...

Beware of government intervention in health care. In the next 20 or so years, all health care will be government ran. The progression has been slowly evolving for years and the last piece of the puzzle was Obamacare. Medicine is a three-legged stool with hospitals, physicians and insurance companies the three legs. ...

Liberal media and Democrat leadership are promoting the idea that Rittenhouse was a vigilante, and therefore loses his right to protect his own life, and they want him guilty of murder. Call it the "he's-guilty-because-he-shouldn't-have-been-there argument."...

I see where the city has been doing major work on streets such as Good Hope, Forest, Scott, and many more. Yet North West End Boulevard sits in such disrepair. People driving have to swerve to avoid large bumps and residents walking or bicyclists. There are no sidewalks or bike paths. People have to walk on the street because of the many open ditches. When are area residents and motorists going to see improvements to this street?...

Over the last decade, Missouri's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education reports that teacher attrition rates for the last six years are over 11%. This is more than the national average of 8%. While Missouri presently has a strong pension system for its teachers, salaries are so low that individuals are not working in its schools long enough to receive it. ...

Jeff Maurer's guest commentary in Thursday's paper (Nov. 18) regarding the use tax issue was both enlightening and troubling. It seems old information was used to claim that sales tax revenue was declining, while current information shows just the opposite. Sales tax revenue has increased in the most recent years. Yet city officials used that old information to urge approval of the new tax. We were led to believe that new revenue was needed to curb a decline. It seems we've been tricked...

South Side Farms is a wonderful project brought forth by Mr. Wilferth. And thanks to his hard work and faith it has brought much warranted approval. We should however note this project has been marketed as a South Cape need. Everything listed such as health care, day care, police presence, etc. ...

The 1938 radio broadcast War Of The Worlds, sent millions of Americans into a panic, many actually believing that Earth was being destroyed by hoards of hungry Martian monsters intent on devouring humans. The broadcast was, of course, a play based on a classic work by H.G. Wells. Intended as entertainment, the broadcast ultimately served as a warning, not of any danger from Martians, but of what can happen when fiction or disinformation is accepted as fact...

Please invest the use tax wisely. I was one of the 1,945 individuals who voted for the use tax. I researched the issue, saw the need, did the math, and decided it was a reasonable request to pay local sales tax on my personal online purchases to maintain existing city facilities, infrastructure, services, and programs that serve the greatest number of citizens in the community...

On behalf of the clients, staff, and board of directors of the Safe House of Southeast Missouri, I would like to convey my sincere appreciation and gratitude for our community's tremendous support of VintageNOW 11: A Tale of Time held Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021 at the Show Me Center...

Editor's note: Letters on ballot issues and general public issues are considered for letters to the editor once every 30 days. This letter was submitted in addition to those guidelines as a Paid Election Letter. The City of Cape Girardeau is in trouble. We need your yes vote on Nov. 2...

I have been invited to use this forum to assist in the effort to invite former members of the Golden Eagles Marching Band who performed with our group at Super Bowl V in Miami, Florida, Jan. 17, 1971, to join us at this year's SEMO Homecoming Football Game Oct. 30...

Why do you shop on the internet? I use it to find things that aren't available locally and because it's convenient. My guess is those are your reasons, too. I don't shop the internet to avoid paying taxes. I know that taxes are a necessary evil to run cities, states and countries...