LETTERS: FACTS ABOUT INTERCHANGE

To the editor:

I write in response to John Oliver's letter, which invoked in me feeling of pain and disappointment.

It pains me to read that someone openly insinuates that the people affected by the proposed I-55/Route E interchange are not worthy of then $2 million cost. The people of this area are worth the price. Cape Girardeau County is a very progressive county, and we want to be and deserve to be a part of its growth.

According to his letter, Mr. Oliver believes there is a greater need for a new road from Scott City to Cape Girardeau. Mr. Oliver fails to say who his project would benefit or what the cost would be. You can be assured it will cost far in excess of the Route E project.

I have feelings of disappointment in seen an attorney of Mr. Oliver's stature failing to get his facts straight.

1. Three decades ago when the interstate was constructed, the people of this area did not reject the interchange. They are actively pursuing it and believed they had it. At the last minute, through moves by individuals outside this area, an interchange was built at Route KK. Both sites have need of interchanges.

2. It was stated that both Chaffee and Scott City also need access to I-55 for emergency services. To the best of my knowledge, that already exists, unless more new roads are to be proposed.

3. I was stated that no owners of land in any of the four corners of the Route E interchange favor the proposal. Wrong again. Although it's true some owners oppose the project, at least one strongly favors its construction.

More new commercial growth has recently been announced, and it's to the north of Cape Girardeau. This will help to create hundred of new jobs, which, in turn, creates the need for even more housing. For these people to benefit from the quality of life our county offers, their choice of home sites is vastly greater to the north of Cape Girardeau than to the south.

It isn't just the people of the Route E area who can benefit by an interchange as proposed. It's all of Cape Girardeau County.

ROBERT G. EISENHAUER

Daisy