THE PUBLIC MIND: TRANSIT PRESIDENT SUPPORTS SENIOR TAX

Dear Editor:

How I wish every voter in Cape County could have been on the Cape County Transit van when I made this month's trip to the Delta area.

There I picked up seven women passengers who qualify to ride the van as senior citizens of this county. They all were looking forward to their trip to Cape Girardeau although for two it meant a trip to the doctor's office.

Before the all-day venture ended, I took the women to buy groceries, to shop for clothes or whatever they wished to buy. If need be, I take them by van to the hospitals or to pharmacies to get prescriptions filled.

As usual, at noon we all had lunch together. This particular day, the women decided to eat at the Cape Nutrition Center. It did my heart good to listen to the conversation as one of the Nutrition Center members talked to the women about their trip.

The passengers identified themselves as: Nell Dalton of Delta Rural Route; Wilma Miller, Fern Noble, Mearle Sullinger and Mable Waddle, all of Advance Route 1; Lorene Noble, Chaffee Route 2; and, Maxine Smith, Delta. Mable, Fern and Wilma said they are sisters and Mearle is a sister-in-law. The women were all quick to say that they live in Cape County, although some addresses on rural routes might seem otherwise.

They said they all have used the van service since it began 10 years ago. They said they really like the Cape County transit service and though they have had various drivers, all drivers have been "good, courteous, kind and helpful." Most of the women are widows and have never learned to drive or are now physically unable to drive.

"This van service gives us a little more independence," Mrs. Dalton said. If she didn't have the service, she said, a family member would be required to take off from work to take her to the doctor.

"I would have to hunt a way to get to the doctor. Maybe I'd find a way, maybe I wouldn't," Mrs. Miller said.

Mrs. Dalton said she received a call that week from a person who had moved to the area and wanted to inquire about the van service.

Almost in one voice, the women said, "We sure hope this tax for senior citizens' services passes because it helps us keep our independence as well as get us out of our homes some. We can make doctor appointments with the van service. We keep in contact with each other to plan our day in Cape Girardeau. We can see a real need for this van service to more people in rural areas."

When the trip ended, I returned each woman to their own home where they were picked up.

Cape County Transit has three vans at present, one equipped with a wheelchair lift, one a 14-passenger van and one a mini-van. I could write a great deal about its operation, but don't want this letter to be too long. I do want the voters to know just what this service means to some senior citizens.

R.O. "Jack" Slaughter

President Cape County Transit

Cape Girardeau