Speak Out 08/02/04

Beautiful downtown

THANK YOU, Sam Blackwell, for the column about the changes going on downtown. Since the murals have been painted, I've had an inescapable urge to spend more time downtown. Our downtown is beautiful. Maybe we just needed something new so that others could see its beauty.

Parental control

I AGREE that a lot of the problem with underage drinker is because of a lack of parental control. But what control do we have? The government won't allow parents to discipline there children for fear of being prosecuted for abuse. What these youngsters all need is a good trip to the woodshed. The police know who these kids are, yet they are not prosecuted. Where there is no cost, there will be abuse.

Show some courtesy

THERE ARE many Hispanics in this area who speak English as well as their native Spanish. A recent story was not saying that everyone should learn English and cater to the Hispanics, It said that the Hispanic community here is growing and there is a growing need for bilingual applications. If you were in Mexico and went somewhere to purchase an item and that person knew English, you can bet he would be nice enough to speak to you in English. Show a little courtesy and respect for other people.

Pricey crimefighter

DOESN'T IT make you feel good that the new DARE vehicle costs $25,000? I know it was purchased through donations, but you could have hired an extra policeman for that kind of money to clean up the drug situation. Is the DARE officer going to be teaching our children how to use the TV or PlayStation? My child would not be impressed with an overpriced vehicle.

Small claims lesson

REGARDING THE article about small claims court: People need to realize that even if you win in small claims court there are certain restrictions on how you can get your money. For instance, if a person is self-employed, there's no way to garnish his wages. I know this from experience. That was probably five years ago, and I've never been able to collect my money, plus I was out the court costs. So before you take someone to small claims court, ask the clerk what kind of cases are garnishable and which people are or aren't. I learned a hard lesson that way and just thought I'd pass that along.

Pay to park

The city should make residents pay for a permit to park in the street. It's very hard to pass cars when they are parked on both sides and kids are playing in the street. The city needs money. There is a good way to get it.

Responsible pet owners

WHY CAN'T the city council see that limiting the number of dogs and cats doesn't address vicious, neglected or nuisance animals? This is not a sentimental pet issue, but a residents' right issue. Residents should have the right to own as many pets as they can responsibly care for. Responsible owners would have their pets spayed or neutered, vaccinated and licensed. From what I read in the paper, the speakers at the city council meeting were not just a vocal minority. At least they have one right that the city council can't take away. That is the right to elect city officials who actually represent them.

Someone has to pay

I WAS in the hospital when Medicare went into effect in 1965. The day before the doctor charged $3 a visit. The day Medicare went into effect, the charge went to $10. We asked the doctor why, and he said because we had insurance, we would have to pay for those who didn't have insurance. That's just what Walter E. Williams explained in his column on socialism.

More administrators?

I READ in the paper that the school board is considering raising our taxes again. Then in the paper the next day we're told the district is hiring five literacy coaches, one for each elementary school in Cape Girardeau. But these coaches have no teaching responsibilities. It sounds like we have just hired five more administrators for our school system. Once again, we have forgotten about the children.

Speeding in uniform

IN REFERENCE to the comment that said the police have to see a crime happening: What about residents who see police officers who don't use turn signals and speed in their personal vehicles wearing their uniforms? I saw a police officer in a red pickup truck speeding on U.S. 61. Is that something that we should look into? How can we respect law officers when they're out there doing wrong also?

Kids will be kids

THERE'S A certain age when kids just want to be kids. They like to gather around a bonfire and drink. That's what kids like to do, with no adults hovering around. The most you can do as parents is pray that something bad doesn't happen. Occasionally something bad will happen whether an accident or a criminal act.

Enforce pet laws

POPULAR OPINION does not seem to favor limiting pet ownership to some arbitrary number. Many of us are just tired of having personal liberties taken away by legislative fiats. No one is claiming that animal nuisances ought to be tolerated, but nuisance depends on behavior and conditions, not number. A better solution would be to enforce existing nuisance and licensing laws.

Bankrupting the nation

THIS PERTAINS to the Republicans and the Democrats. People don't realize it, but both Democrats and Republicans are bankrupting our future. So people need to think about what they're really doing to the country.

Messy neighbors

I WANT everyone who lets their back yards go to pot with junk and weeds to please consider how your neighbors feel about having to look at your mess, especially when they keep their yards neat and their messes picked up. Come on, neighbors, clean up your act.

Community arts

AS A former resident of Scott City, I think it is wonderful what Paul Schock is doing for the community. He has brought people to the community and helped other local businesses. The community has even became more involved with each other just by arguing the changes taking place in Illmo. Scott City needs more art influence. Then maybe kids wouldn't go around stabbing each other. Art stimulates the brain in more entertaining ways than drugs or alcohol. You don't have to understand art or even like it. The idea is to feel the emotion and expression that comes with it, even if it might be anger. If there had been a more successful art program in Scott City High School in the past, perhaps more people could appreciate the culture they are experiencing. Maybe people need to attend some art openings to understand that art is not just a hobby for children. The arts council in Cape Girardeau often has wonderful exhibits I suggest everyone should try something new and attend.

Go local, do it right

LOOK AT the new high school: $18 million and not 3 years old and falling apart. Some among us think spending our tax money on the cheapest products or cheapest service to be found from out-of-town businesses creates value for our money. These foreign vendors know they don't have to stand behind shoddy work the way local business people do. Why is it our school administrators, with all their book learning, can't seem to get their minds around this?

Positive contribution

TO THE person who thinks Paul Schock should turn his bar into a bowling ally or skating rink: Since when did it become his responsibility to provide a baby-sitter for your kids? It's his property and money. He can have a bar if he wants to. I don't see anyone else making such an effort to bring Illmo back to life. If you want something for your kids to do other than attend parties, why don't you invest a little time and effort into your community rather than criticizing those who are making a positive contribution?

More teachers

ONCE AGAIN we see the Cape Girardeau School District cause its own financial frustration. The hiring of reading coaches is an absolute waste of taxpayer money. Anyone involved in education knows that the best tool for teaching an successful curriculum in any area is class size. Why doesn't the school board start researching the superintendent's so-called improvements before giving him the go-ahead to use valuable resources that could put more teachers in the classrooms? The teachers know what they're doing. It's the higher-ups who need re-education in effective instruction.

Safety concerns

I HAVE concern about swimming pools in our neighborhood not being in compliance with the safety ordinances. I live in Mulberry Acres mobile home park. There are several pools not safely guarded. There are many small children nearby, and I worry that an accident may occur if something isn't done. Someone needs to inspect our surroundings.

Better and better

EVERY TIME I drive past the new murals on the floodwall, they look better and better. What a great asset for downtown Cape Girardeau.