Speak Out 10/1/09

Trash solutions

WHAT to opponents not understand about the proposed trash system for Cape Girardeau? Whatever you are doing now will be either the same or easier with the new system. You are either taking a bag or bags to the curb or you are carrying or dragging a can full of trash. Either way, you are carrying dead weight. With the new system you will be wheeling the load to the curb. This will not be harder. It will be easier. If you don't have much trash and don't put it out every week, you can do the same thing with this new system. Why would you think this system would not be better because of the amount of trash you have? Most people who do not have a garage or room in their garage for the new containers will leave them beside or behind their house. The lids seal out water and pests, so leaving them outside will not hurt anything, and nothing will get in. If you still can't get the cans to the curb, the city has a special needs pickup.

Paying for scooter

I agree with Michael Jensen's column of Sept. 23 regarding the commercial for the scooter chair where the woman says it didn't cost her a penny. It may not have cost her anything, but it sure did cost me and other hard-working taxpayers.

Low limbs

I was at the SEMO District Fair and saw the demonstration of the new automated trash system being proposed in Cape Girardeau. I asked what the trash truck drivers were going to do about all the trees in Cape Girardeau that would keep the automated system from lifting a trash container to the top of a truck. I was told the drivers would still have to get out of the truck, walk to the curb, get the can, push it to the back of the truck and empty it just like they normally do. If that's the case, probably 60 percent of Cape Girardeau's city streets have low-hanging limbs.

Good system

REGARDING the new trash system Cape Girardeau is thinking about getting: It's a good system. I've seen in operation Clearwater, Fla. If people would recycle, they wouldn't have to worry having their cans so full. I think it would work really well.

Be a dad

I'M a dad with three children. I've seen children who have no idea what it is to be a child. They have no idea what a true dad does. It's time, dads, for us to fight for our families. Be loud, be proud that you have a family. Remember, they are going to do the same thing to their children.

Owning a pet

A neighbor has a dog that is always chained. It never gets walked. It does have food and water, but the poor dog has no interaction of any kind. I'm ashamed of a neighbor who that would let that happen to such a nice dog. Some people don't know how to be responsible pet owners.

Religious show

I read where the SEMO District Fair will have more variety in its shows next year. I hope one of them is of a religious nature. The Murphysboro Apple Festival had Sherry and Jeff Easter. Why couldn't we have something like that?

Trash questions

WE struggle to get our 32-gallon trash cans to the curb. We recycle, and I still fill two cans full. I know I won't be able to get a 64-gallon can to the curb. Sometimes I do have extra trash, and we have to put a third can out and use the yellow sticker that we pay for. I keep my cans in the carport, and it is tight getting in and out of the car. I don't know what I will do with a larger can. What about using the automatic dumpers in the wind? Will we have trash blowing all over the place? I have no idea where I will put the 96-gallon container for recyclables. And who will get it to the curb for us? I see it is a big problem to change trash systems.

Mortgage tax credit

AS a loan officer for a mortgage company, I'm speaking to the people wanting to buy a house to get the tax credit. Do it now. We have had such an increase in volume that a loan that used to take three weeks is now taking about a month and a half. We need to have those loans closed by Nov. 30. If you wait until the first of November to start your loan process, a lot of you will not get your loan done and will not get that tax credit.

Sharing sidewalks

I would be willing to wage money that there's no other city in the U.S. that spends taxpayers' money on sidewalks and curbing on a major thoroughfare and puts mailboxes in the middle of the sidewalks. If anybody can find another place, please let us know so I'll know that Cape Girardeau is not the only stupid city in this world.

Earmarks and bacon

I read the article about U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill with interest. Then I saw U.S. Sen. Kit Bond's answer. It appears, based upon what Bond said, that this seems to work like union seniority. He's been there a long time and gets on the right committees. And if the money is for our area, we're all happy. Bring the bacon home.

Seeking celebrity

REGARDING the person who is thankful we have a president in the White House who is smart, well-liked and engaged with the issues: I wish he'd spend more time in the White House and get off the TV for a while. I think he's more concerned about his celebrity than he is the presidency.

Trash bags

CAPE Girardeau officials should talk to Jackson officials about how well our sanitation is run. We did away with all of our trash containers and use bags, It's wonderful. We're allowed three bags once a week and that takes care of the problem. We don't have containers rolling around in the street.

Musical note

THIS is to young musicians. If your music doesn't sound good, no one will hear your message. Practice hard and play good music.

Giving hope

PRESIDENT Obama with his ideas and ideals gives hope and optimism to the young and young at heart in a troubled world.