Jailing over signs raises questions

To the editor:As I read my paper today, I find that my good friend, Dennis McDonald who owns Mattress Guys, is sitting in jail for a sign violation while a photo of Mayor Jay Knudtson and his son appears in the sports section. The mayor receives congratulations from his son for a golf shot that he made, while Dennis' son is asking his mother questions about why his father is in jail.

I accompanied Dennis when he went to the city council and appealed for help because of the delay on his application for a sign permit. Dennis was told by Knudtson that we would not tolerate banners in this town and refused to try to alleviate the problems that Dennis was having with securing a permit.

The city's actions by delaying the permitting of the sign is the reason that Dennis sits in jail. While Mayor Knudtson is playing golf at Dalhousie with his son, Dennis's son is being bombarded with questions from his friends about why his father is in jail and cried himself to sleep last night.

I ask the people of Cape Girardeau: Do you think justice was served by putting Dennis in jail, and don't you think it is time to oust this mayor and council who appear to be anti-small business, as this case demonstrates?

MILLIE YATES, Cape Girardeau