OpinionJanuary 8, 2005
Speak Out 1/8/05
Make them work; Credits more important; Punishing achievers; What's the harm?; Fix timing of lights; Still on track; Lines hard to see; Train city workers
Make them work
THOSE WHO are responsible for the destruction at local churches should have to work to pay for every penny of the damage plus public service equal to the amount of their bond. They shouldn't be put behind bars while the people of each church and their insurance companies are left holding the bag. Work would help them understand that crime doesn't pay in more ways than one.
Credits more important
IS THE requirement eight semesters or 22 credits? The 22 credits are more important than how many semesters a student attends high school. Are we punishing students for working hard and earning the grade? That's what it sounds like to me.
Punishing achievers
I GRADUATED in 1997 from a small school in southwest Missouri and was in the same situation with completing my graduation requirements in the first semester of my senior year. I was lucky enough to get to walk with my class in May. However, I did not get to attend other events such as my senior prom. Missing out on senior events such as prom and walking with your class is almost like being punished for being a high achiever. It's unfair.
What's the harm?
I DID not think graduating high school (Central High School Class of 1997) was a big deal. I thought of the ceremonies as just a bunch of glitter. Then came graduation night. It was a huge deal. I still remember practically everything about that night. I remember how it stormed all day and most roads were covered with water. I didn't know if I was even going to get to the Show Me Center. Had I not made it, I would have missed out on what is, to date, the most overwhelming moment of my life. Kelly High School students who complete the requirements early should be allowed to walk in the ceremonies. There is no harm in allowing this.
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Fix timing of lights
COULD THE Missouri Department of Transportation please rethink the timing of the new traffic lights on William Street from I-55 to Silver Springs Road? The lights used to have wonderful sensors that would change the lights appropriately. But now at 12:30 a.m. on my way home from work I sit eastbound on William stuck at Farrar Drive for five minutes while Farrar has the green light. There is no traffic. This has been the common occurrence for over a week now. A simple fix would be appreciated.
Still on track
IT'S REASSURING to read that David Limbaugh sticks to his guns and rings in the new year with even more divisive attacks on those who for rational reasons disagree with the venom he spews.
Lines hard to see
WHILE I enjoy the improvements made to William Street between Mount Auburn Road and Siemers Drive, I think I speak for a lot of people when I say that the painted-on lines are nearly impossible to see in the rain, especially since parts of the old lines still are visible on the pavement. When the weather is bad, people drive like nuts out there because no one can see where they're supposed to be.
Train city workers
I HAVE read a lot of comments about how the city should do this and the city should do that in dealing with the snow. The city needs to send workers to school for snow removal. There are states that get lots of snow every year, and they would be glad to teach a few city workers how to attack the snow problem. Then the few workers could come back and train the others. The only problem is that most city budgets cannot cover education. It seems that every time there is a budget cut, education is the first item to go. We need to step up to the plate and say make sure the city workers get the training they need. What a great community project for churches and other organizations. If we want good city workers, we need to give them training -- and also be proud of each and every one of them.
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