DEBATERS ADDRESS ISSUES ON COURTHOUSE LAWN

Proposition A: A.J. Biri and Molly Woeltje of the Jackson High School debate team argued the merits of Proposition A, which would limit highway and interstate billboard advertising.

Proposition B: JHS students Katie Townsend and Jennifer Hotop debated Proposition B, which would restructure how Missouri political candidates can obtain campaign funding.

More Proposition B debaters: Scott Mills of the Missouri Voters for Fair Elections (left) spoke in support of Proposition B, while Cape Girardeau businessman David Barklage opposed the measure.

School bond issue: Jack Litzelfelner Jr. (left) listened as Richard Bruce spoke against the $6 million school bond proposal that will be on the Nov. 7 ballot.

Crowd: The crowd that turned out Oct. 14 seemed to enjoy the rhetoric and the sunny 70-degree weather on the courthouse lawn.

Although the crowd was not huge, participants and spectators got a taste of old-fashioned outdoor democracy Oct. 14.

A courtyard debate was held amidst splendid fall weather on the Cape Girardeau County Courthouse lawn. November ballot issues were debated by several local individuals and one out-of-towner.

The event was sponsored by the Jackson Chamber of Commerce and was conducted by the League of Women Voters. Voters will consider all four issues in general elections Nov. 7.

Members of the Jackson High School debate team, coached by Jennifer Beeson, argued supporting and dissenting opinions for Proposition A and Proposition B.

The issues and debaters were:

* Propositions A: Proposition A would prevent most new billboards in the state and prohibit existing billboards from being replaced or relocated.

A.J. Berri argued in favor of the proposition and Molly Woeltje against it.

* Proposition B: Proposition B would provide a system for public funding of elections.

Katie Townsend argued in favor of the proposition, while Jennifer Hotop argued against it.

Scott Mills of the Missouri Voters for Fair Elections spoke in support of Proposition B against Cape Girardeau businessman David Barklage, who took the opposing position against the measure.

* Local school bond issue. Jackson's school bond issue would provide about $6 million for expansion of the school district's junior high school.

Jack Litzelfelner Jr. spoke in support of the $6 million school bond proposal that would fund building improvements to ease overcrowding at R.O. Hawkins Junior High. Richard Bruce spoke in opposition.

* Cape County planning and zoning issue: county measure would institute planning throughout Cape Girardeau County, which is one of only two first-class counties in the state without planning and zoning regulations.

Doug Flannery opposed county planning and zoning against supporter Roger Arnzen.

Debaters had five minutes for opening statements.

Moderator Ken Parrett of the Jackson Chamber posed five questions for each side. Each side also had five minutes for closing remarks.