LETTERS: HEALTH CENTER'S MILESTONE

To the editor:

I would like to give a big salute to Charlotte Craig, director of the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center and to the center's board of trustees and all the staff, especially Dr. Jim Kinder, for the outstanding work they are doing.

On Aug. 16, 1986, voters passed a mill tax establishing a county health unit. This month marks the 10th anniversary of operation using income from the mill tax.

Much has been accomplished. A welcoming, functional building will be paid for in a few years. More importantly, programs to enhance the health of our county and its citizens are continually evolving.

The director and board of trustees are responsive to the needs of our county. They have been creative, flexible and energetic. Programs serve a wide variety of needs, from immunization clinics to communicable disease to restaurant inspection to health education.

I am particularly touched by the program that provides the services of Dr. Kinder and nurse practitioners to children who have no other access to medical care except emergency rooms. In my opinion, our tax money is being well used.

FRANCES S. HARRIS

Cape Girardeau