Speak Out 11/26/10

Leaf pickup

THE Cape Girardeau leaf pickup program is wonderful, and every year it works great. This year, however, they changed the zones. Zone A pickup, which was the first week of November, is an old, established neighborhood with a lot of mature trees. The leaves were on the trees when they came to pick them up. Now they're not going to pick up anymore at that zone, and the leaves are now falling on the ground.

Prescription

I saw the city council gave first-round approval to requiring a prescription for some over-the-counter medication. They need to check into this before they go any further. The doctors will not give a prescription unless you go to their office. A lot of older people will not be able to afford to make arrangements to get a prescription.

School challenge

I challenge the Cape Girardeau School District to do a survey of students who do not get free or reduced lunches and see how their grades fared. Also, just because a building is new, it doesn't mean the students will do better. Look at Central High School's dropout rate.

Who owns Chrysler?

A few years ago, the president wanted to sell Chrysler Motor Co. to Fiat Motors of Italy for almost no money at all. However, Fiat did not want to buy the company. Who owns Chrysler Motor Co.? They're still making cars. Somebody's got to own it. Who is it?

Where's the vote?

TEN years ago the county commissioners held 10 meetings around Cape Girardeau County when they tried to get planning and zoning passed, and the people got to vote on it. This time there is one meeting, and we don't get to vote on it.

Check the map

PEOPLE need to look at the map of the two-mile peripheral zoning area. You can get one from the city. If you think you are too far out and they can't touch your area, think again. The map goes east, northeast and west of the city limits.

Pseudoephedrine

MY drug of choice for allergies and sinus infections is Alavert D-12, which contains pseudoephedrine. It works better than anything else I've tried, but now I'll have to use something different unless I'm willing to pay the copay for the medication. Yet the people who abuse this will get it for free through Medicaid.

Obama's travel

REGARDING President Obama traveling to other countries, I belive it's important to shake the hand of another country's leader. Sure, there's video conferencing, but you can't get that same feeling as when you're in the same room with someone.

Silent no more

THE silent majority is not going to be silent on the topic of peripheral zoning. Peripheral zoning is a bad idea. We want less government, not more government in our lives. If you live out in the county, you live there for a reason. You do not want the city telling you what you can and can't do.

P&Z and health care

COUNCILMAN Mark Lanzotti's assertion that residents don't understand the benefits of planning and zoning and need to be educated on the issue reminds me of President Obama's stance on health care. We don't want what you're selling.

Great letter

THE letter by Terry Canupp on the United Nations was well written. I wonder if Terry realizes that the United Nations has been given jurisdiction of our national parks and monuments, including the Statue of Liberty?

Postal service

THE Jackson post office has horrible customer service. If you're going to be professional, at least dress like it. Appearance is the key to any sale.

Visits after dark

I don't think it is a good idea for the local missionaries to visit homes after dark. It is very alarming when two grown men come to your door at night and want to talk.

Exploiting fears

POLITICIANS who favor repealing the entire federal health care law are exploiting the fears of a misinformed public to a degree unprecedented since the Spanish-American War.

Great program

HATS off to Jackson High School for the Veterans Day tribute. The students' presentation and singing was excellent. I believe these programs will encourage our younger generation to be more patriotic. Thank you.