Speak Out 08/20/04

Reasonable cost

EXTRA TAXES of $120 a year on a $100,000 home is a reasonable cost for improvements to Jackson High School. The schools are so important for our youths, and it's money well spent. This is a reasonable area to live in. I know our family could easily come up with $120 out of our budget for the kids of tomorrow, our future.

More help on speeding

THE PEOPLE on Oak Street would like to complain too. Those same motorists who speed in Rosewood Estates come through Oak Street as well. We would like to have a four-way stop put in our subdivision. We have trouble getting out in the street. We wish the police department would patrol our street too.

A national watch

UNDER THE Homeland Security program, all citizens of America should be alerted to be the eyes and ears of America for the safety of our country, a countrywide type neighborhood watch in these days of terrorist threats. This all-out security watch may save many lives.

Don't change mascot

I'M A member of the Jackson High School class of 1979. I don't think we should change the mascot name. I haven't heard anybody over the years say anything derogatory about the Indians. I sure haven't seen any Indians complaining about it.

Help catching dog

A VERY nice gentleman helped my husband and me get our dog corralled when we took him to the vet. We didn't get his name or even have a chance to thank him, but we certainly appreciate it because we wouldn't have caught the dog in if it hadn't been for him. Thanks again.

Barking is ignored

I CALLED the police about a German shepherd that never stops barking. We get very little sleep. The person who owns the dog works nights, and this dog starts barking as soon as he leaves. When the police officer arrived, he didn't even get out of his car. My neighbor, who has a scanner, heard him call the station and say he couldn't hear any dog barking. If he had checked it out, he couldn't have helped but hear the dog barking.

Something for youths

I THINK a water park would be a win-win situation. It would provide jobs for older teens, a place to go for younger teens and college students without alcohol. I believe it would be a shot in the arm for the city. We have the Show Me Center for the college. We have the River Campus for the adults. Let's show our children that they're important too.

Benefits of biking

I STARTED riding my bicycle with a friend about three months ago. Her husband is serving our country in Iraq, so she asked if I would like to start riding with her. Imagine your loved one away from you so long and having people calling Speak Out to complain about something you enjoy very much and makes the days go by a little a faster. We did a tour to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Along with the spiritual, emotional and health benefits from biking, I feel I have become a better person. So remember the next time you come speeding down that county road that the person on a bike is someone's mother, father, son or daughter and could someday potentially be your nurse taking care of you.

Reading specialization

TEACHING READING is rocket science, a skill which is highly specialized in the field of education. While many teachers may know the mechanics of reading programs such as phonics or whole language, most do not have the theoretical knowledge and specialized training in reading pedagogy to address the 25 different learning styles in a classroom of 25 children. If teachers are to be asked to teach reading, then specialized training either in college or on-the-job training for those already in the field should be a requirement. If you take your child to a pediatrician, a professional with specialized training in treating children, why then do we not apply the same standards to our children's education?