Speak Out 10/17/05

Special service

I'D LIKE to say how lucky we are to have a person like Helen at the drive through window at Jackson McDonalds. It's so nice to see someone who professionally does her work. Each time I come by, she always seems to be friendly. Jackson is so blessed to have some of the nicest people, whether it's Fred at the post office who sets the standard on how friendly an employee should be, or Helen who works her job each day and makes you feel a little bit better as you go through the drive-through lane.

Homesick outsider

NOT TOO long before I moved to Jackson, I was told by an acquaintance that she never felt welcomed by other parents at her children's sporting events, as she had recently moved to the community and didn't know anyone. After three years of sharing the bleachers with Jackson's finest parents, I must say that my acquaintance foretold what I was to experience as a parent. The folks in Bootheel where I'm from may not be as wealthy or educated, but they always made me feel welcome. Maybe I'm just homesick. Or maybe, these parents are truly not welcoming to an outsider. I suppose that I simply prefer those who truly know how to use "y'all" in everyday conversation.

Intersection ideas

IF JACKSON wants to do something more with the train depot at the city's major intersection, it ought to consider something like a regional history museum. There are also several avid model train enthusiasts. How about a model railroad museum or even a children's toy and history museum? We could use something more down-to-earth that would be a plus to the central business district.

Ways to cut

REGARDING idea of a four-day a week for schools: I think this is not a good idea. Cut sports programs or something. Someone said something about athletes having a future. What about those who are in the art program? They have futures too, but you don't see us going on 100-mile trips for something like the sports programs.

Big-screen classics

WHAT A good idea. I'd pay to see some of the old classic movies on the big screen again. How about it, theater managers?

For adults only

NO CHILD should have access to any gun, whether it's a handgun or a rifle.

Driving too fast

I KEEP reading complaints about people driving in the left lane of a four-lane street. I drive four-lane streets a lot, and I drive in the left lane a lot. I usually drive the speed limit. If other motorists are also driving the speed limit, how do they come up behind me so that I'm in their way? They're speeding. On Mount Auburn Road, most people are driving 45 or 50 mph in a 30-mph speed zone. They don't have any reason to complain, except they are admitting they are violating the law.

Bird invasion

WHY CAN'T the city do something about the bird problem near Clark Street? This has to be a health problem in the making. The birds come between 6 and 6:15 every evening.

More tea, please

IT DOESN'T matter which restaurant I'm in, the waitress always refills the coffee cup and soft drinks. I only drink tea, and the waitress never refills my tea glass. I don't understand that.

Spreading the problem

DOING SOMETHING to send the pigeons somewhere else is only making the same problem become another person's problem, plus the pigeons keep multiplying and cause more problems. Is this a solution to the problem? Go figure.

Really big parrot

I WOULD like to thank the Missourian for printing President Bush's speech about terrorism. It really came in handy. I used it to line my bird cage. It was for my big parrot.

Thanks for cleanup

I'D LIKE to praise the Jackson city workers for another successful cleanup-fix-up week. You guys left our neighborhood spanking clean, and we thank you. You don't know how much we appreciate you, but we do. God bless you all.

Wonderful event

WE WANT to thank the Rust family for having a wonderful 100th anniversary celebration recently. They had all the ingredients for a memorable day. All ages participated in the fun. The beautiful Missourian building was bedecked with fresh paint. Space doesn't permit me to include all the nice things the Missourian had that day for the paper's family and friends.

Courtesy letter

WHEN AN employer is interviewing people for a position, he should either call or send a letter stating why the person didn't get the job. They always say, "I'll let you know," but then they give you the cold shoulder and make you figure it out.

Market wages

I GUESS the basics of economics and capitalism are no longer taught in school. A college student was offended by comments saying the minimum wage is only for the uneducated. Most garbage men make well above minimum wage. The market dictates that this job is worth more. My favorite restaurant will not be shut down due to minimum-wage workers being offended by Speak Out comments. If business is good, the owner hires more employees or pays higher wages to keep good employees.