Speak Out 09/05/04

A great writer

I ENJOY Heidi Hall's columns. I look forward to them every week. She is a great writer. I don't believe it is jealousy she is expressing, just observations. And who doesn't seem a little jealous of someone at some point in his or her life?

Paying bills on time

IN REGARD to the comment that addressed Southeast Missouri State University's billing procedures: I also am a parent of a Southeast student and take great offense at that comment. The people who manage the billing offices at Southeast have been nothing short of helpful and polite during the four years my child has attended. We have always received our bills in a timely manner and, in likewise fashion, paid them on time.

Do well, spend well

I SECOND the Southeast Missourian's welcome to Southeast Missouri State University students. Do well academically and in all of your extracurricular activities and, most importantly, spend money locally.

That's our money too

I HEAR Cape Girardeau School District's reading coaches being defended based on their being paid from federal funding. The last time I checked, federal funding comes from our tax dollars too. These coaches are not justified just because the money is coming out of a different pot.

Nuisance grass

IT IS really sad that Scott County let all the Johnson grass go to seed on Highway A between Chaffee and New Hamburg. The Johnson grass has been mowed, but it was never sprayed. Some patches were 5 to 6 feet tall.

A class act

I TEACH in the Cape Girardeau School District. To say I am saddened by the impending loss of Mark Bowles as my superintendent is an understatement. This kind and caring individual did not deserve the treatment the school board dished out. Many of the problems the district is experiencing were here long before Bowles became our leader. Many of us feel that the board has no concern for the low morale in the district. In spite of frozen salaries, lost benefits and larger classes, Bowles has been able to instill in us the belief that we will do whatever it takes to educate our students. Even now, facing such adversity, Bowles' humility and graciousness are an inspiration. Mark Bowles, you are a class act.

Help with classes

I AGREE that Southeast Missouri State University is unorganized. It seems if you are a transfer student or a graduate of another college and need additional courses, there is never an advisor available to speak with. By the time you do get an answer, all the classes are full and no overrides are available. Then you wait another semester, resulting in having to pay outrageous prices to universities out of the area. Come on, Southeast, work with the students who need additional classes.

Keeping a confidence

SCHOOL BOARD president Charlie Haubold made some comments about the dismissal of Mark Bowles that make no sense. He said the school board members agreed to keep their reasons confidential. That's the law. But what's ironic about this is they say they're going to abide by this confidentiality, but they haven't always done that in the past. In the last couple of months, there have been discussions in closed session that the board president has discussed outside the board meetings.

Cleanup in order

CAPE GIRARDEAU is becoming a very nice looking town in our downtown area with the new murals on the floodwall and all the new antique stores and merchandise. It's looking really nice. I wish there was some city ordinance that would require all the bars downtown to at least wash the outside of their buildings and keep their windows clean. They look absolutely awful.

Build an ice rink

LET'S BUILD a ice-skating rink with the $1 million the city has. It would bring a lot of revenue to the area. We could have hockey tournaments and ice-skating competitions. It would bring money to the motels and restaurants and to the mall.