LETTERS: CAPE GIRARDEAU STREET WORK IS SUBSTANDARD

To the editor:

I am writing this letter to address the sad and pathetic shape of nearly all of Cape Girardeau's streets. I recently purchased a new car and feel like I will not be able to drive down Broadway, Independence, Mount Auburn, Themis or several other streets until they are resurfaced.

Broadway from Clark to Perry as well as Independence have needed resurfacing for 15 to 20 years. What seems to be the problem? I know it's not tax money. There's plenty of money, and there seems to be so few city improvements.

I am originally from Dexter, and they resurface streets every year. And it only takes them a few days. It took Cape about a year to rebuild that little stretch of Bloomfield Road. That is absurd. It even took longer than that to rebuild Perryville Road. What is going on here? The streets are in absolute shambles, and I believe the city owes an explanation to every taxpaying citizen.

Please, quit blowing our tax money on whatever you're blowing it on and fix the streets. I know Cape wants the town to grow. So how can you build a town without streets? The answer: You can't. About a month ago, it looked like William Street from Kingshighway to West End was going to be resurfaced. But the only thing that was done was to put a sealant on the road. If William is not going to be resurfaced, then why not resurface Independence?

Finally, please quit building and resurfacing with concrete. Maybe it can't be done properly. Every concrete street in this town is as bumpy as a corn field. Asphalt is the only way that streets should be made in this town. That's how they are made in most towns, especially large cities. So get the hint.

It's time the people of Cape stopped accepting these conditions as normal.

I am urging everyone, especially businesses, to complain to their aldermen about the horrible street conditions in Cape Girardeau so we can finally get them fixed.

DAVID PRUITT

Cape Girardeau