Speak Out 01/29/04

Air link to Memphis

CAPE GIRARDEAU needs air service to Memphis. It would greatly improve this area's transportation.

On-the-job retreat

AS A former city employee in Cape Girardeau, I was disappointed with the city council's decision to not place the fire tax on the April ballot. I see that several council members want to make more budget cuts at the cost of the city employees and the residents. I also read the council is considering having two retreats to discuss the budget. These retreats are held at the Black Forest for council members and city staff members. I would think that this budget-review retreat could take place in a city building. If I were on the council or the city staff, I would expect this to be part of the job.

Funny column

I THINK Sam DeReign's column is hilarious. I really enjoy it and look forward to the column every Tuesday. He is very funny.

Paying fair share

TO THE person who said it is impossible to give a tax break to the poor and lower-middle class who don't pay taxes: You are so mistaken. I am a single mother of two. I work hard and am considered lower-middle class to poverty level. Taxes come out of my check every week. I pay my fair share. The rich should not get as much of a tax break.

That's rich enough

TO THE person who hopes Gov. Bob Holden's new taxes "focus on the rich": Better prepare yourself. In Holden's mind, if you've got a job, you're rich enough for a tax hike.

More smoking woes

NOT ONLY is it disgusting to watch a food service worker smoking in the kitchen or service line, as bad or worse is a nurse or doctor who reeks of cigarette smoke. When my husband was in the hospital it was hard to be around some of the workers because of this situation. Smoking right outside the door of hospitals and other buildings means that other patrons have to walk through clouds of smoke to enter. These situations can and should be changed.

Firing offense

I AM a smoker who used to be a server at two popular restaurants. To even think about going behind the service line to smoke was the last thing on my mind. We would have been fired in a heartbeat.

Cuts fund the raises

CLOSING THE Cottonwood Treatment Center proves where our children rate with the government. They are some of many children left behind. State workers who still have a job should be happy to know you got your raise because children are being denied help. You should sleep better now.

Paint dividing lines

COULD THE CITY please paint the dividing lines on Mount Auburn Road and Route K-William Street? It's impossible in places to see where you are, especially between Independence and Route K. It's a very dangerous situation.

Won't happen here

TO THE person who would like to see more taxes on beer: You will never see that in Missouri. There's a certain individual who lives 100 miles north of here who supports the bigwigs in Jefferson City.

Keep gamblers home

I HAVE bitten the bullet and voted to raise taxes for our schools and city. I have traveled the Missouri, Mississippi and Ohio rivers. What did I see? Cape Girardeau-area residents enjoying their weekends and vacations at riverboat casinos. You might be surprised who goes there. Keep the money here.

Funny view of taxes

THIS IS sure a funny part of the state. People want Cottonwood Treatment Center left open, but they don't want to pay taxes.

Trash getting worse

IT REALLY frustrates and saddens me to see our area trashed. Our yards, streets and highways are getting worse by the week. I travel a lot, and I've never seen an area with so much debris scattered about.

Guard is ready to serve

AS THE spouse of a former member of the Missouri Army National Guard, I feel I must respond. Each National Guard member takes the same oath as all members of the military service. Their first mission is to the federal government. They are paid by the federal government. And they wear a patch on their uniform that says "U.S. Army." They maintain an amazing readiness capability and often surpass the regular Army in performance. As an added bonus, they are located in every state and in nearly every city, therefore available to be activated by the governor. No other branch gives so much back to the community, including spending paychecks locally. If the governor activates the National Guard, they are paid with state funds. If they are needed during this period by the federal government, that need overrides state needs and they are called to active duty and paid with federal funds.

Pay for the audit

I AGREE that there is no reason for an audit of the Cape Girardeau School District. I agree that people who are requesting this must be out of their minds when, according to superintendent Mark Bowles, the district is audited every year. Possibly the people who petition for this should pay for the audit themselves.

Master of the house

IT'S MY house, and if I want to have more than four cats in my house, that's my decision. That should not be regulated by a city ordinance. I'm very angry about this. I do not understand what the city council is thinking.

Not Nixon's war

I HAVE heard Sen. John Kerry twice refer to the Vietnam War as Richard Nixon's war. Where does this man get his information at? If I'm not too young to remember, I believe that was LBJ's and McNamara's war. Nixon inherited that war.

Cozy relationship

I THINK some of the people who are speaking out against having an additional audit of our school district should be collecting donations to help pay for this. That's something I would be willing to do, and I don't have any kids in school. But sometimes the auditor and the institution being audited kind of get in bed together.

Other revenue

THIS IS to the caller who's against using gambling money to finance the schools. There's going to have to be some way found to finance the schools besides property owners. Their backs are breaking now from taxes. Three-fourths of my taxes go for schools, and they're still in trouble. If my taxes continue to go up on my home, I will be forced to sell it. I see nothing wrong with using gambling money to finance education.

Thanks for electricity

I WANT to thank the Ameren workers for getting out and restoring our power after the ice storm in Cape Girardeau.

Look them in the eye

I WOULD like to thank state Sen. Peter Kinder for listening to the Cottonwood employees and all the parents and the community agencies involved and helping us try to come up with ways to keep Cottonwood Treatment Center open. I would also like to challenge the head of the Department of Mental Health and the governor to look these children in the eye and tell them they're still planning on closing this agency and putting their lives at risk.