Speak Out 12/07/03

Willing to help

MY SPOUSE is a professional who probably makes a lot more than the 27-year-old complaining about having to pay for prescriptions for the elderly. We don't mind to help senior citizens who need their medicine.

Paying for protection

I SEE the city is telling us that the shortage of police officers is because of low pay. I believe the city is using that as an excuse to get a tax increase passed. The pay for police officers has always been low. Between 1989 and 1996 when economic times were good and the city was in good financial shape, the officers only received two pay increases and a one-time $300 increase. When the officers tried to get pay raises, they were told there was no money. But the city seemed always to find money for other projects. Seeing that the city retained experienced officers has not been a priority. The department has worked short of officers many times through the years. If the citizens of Cape Girardeau had known how few officers were patrolling the city at night, they would have stayed awake. There were many times when only two officers patrolled the city. The city should consider a trained, experienced officer as an asset instead of having the philosophy that if an officer quits, it can hire a new officer at a lower salary. The city doesn't seem to realize the value of training or experience. I would support a tax increase if the city would guarantee that the revenue would go to increase the pay for the police and fire departments to a level commensurate with the level of the risk they take.

Bells and whistles

SO WE have a budget problem in our police department. Do any of you old folks remember when the police didn't have to drive the most expensive car and have all the accessories and accouterments?