LETTERS: CHS STUDENTS RESPOND TO NEIGHBORS

To the editor:

I would like to take this opportunity to recognize those students at Central High School who took their time and energy to respond to the community recently. I live in the 1700 block of Luce Street, which is between Caruthers and Sunset. To say that I and my neighbors are glad to see that school is out for the summer is an understatement. Since August we have been greeted every morning with the sounds of youth, including loud vehicles and car stereos. The car stereos are the type that are targets of the recently enacted city ordinance dealing with excessive noise. In addition to noise, Luce, Themis, Bessie and maybe other city streets are utilized by high school students as a parking lot. As with many parking lots which are frequented by high school students, our streets and front yards become loitering and littering zones. I and my neighbors have spent much time ridding our front yards of soda cups, candy wrappers and fast-food restaurant paraphernalia upon arriving home from work or before a visitor comes to our homes.

In spite of my desire to rid my neighborhood of its parking lot status, I have been confronted by a school system that believes this problem is one for my neighborhood and the city to solve. However, the lack of campus parking for students clearly creates the problem. The city has had little response to the neighborhood concerns, although the officers who respond to our neighborhood when things get out of hand or are driveways are blocked by a car are greatly appreciated, and they do a fabulous job. The city councilman for my ward had indicated to me during his recent campaign that there does not seem to be much the city could do. However, I believe that many voices may change this position.

While grappling with the problem, I found a potted flower and a note from the students of Central High School on my doorstep last week. This gesture has moved me to make this public statement of appreciation for their efforts. This gesture has demonstrated to me that the students realize at least two things: 1. They and their classmates infringe upon the serenity of my neighborhood during school time. 2. Their infringement has created concern in the neighborhood. While the school administration discounted my and my neighbors' concerns, and while there may be little avenue of rectification of this problem through the city, the students have taken the initiative to respond. I am encouraged by the efforts of the students, and I applaud them. However, I simply wish they would pick up after themselves and respect our neighborhood in the future. Additionally, I sincerely hope that the school administration will respond to the concerns of my neighborhood and provide campus parking for students to rid my neighborhood of these problems.

DANIEL H. RAU

Cape Girardeau