Speak Out 12/08/04

Thanks for help

I WANT to thank all the people who helped my son-in-law, Jim Trickey, and daughter, Brandy, this past weekend. They put in a heck of a gift shower and rent for Jim. And thanks to the neighbors who put up the Christmas decorations. God bless all of them.

Better markers

THE PARK display this year with the Christmas display is beautiful. The only thing I would request is can you please put some markers on the entrance way? It's rather dangerous not being sure when you're going to get to the main drive. Thank you.

No two-way traffic

TURNING MAIN Street in Cape Girardeau to two-way traffic would be disastrous. Think about how many cars, drivers, delivery trucks, tourists and shoppers there are today, let alone people leaving the bars who've been going down the middle of Main Street to get home for over 25 years. I stand behind the Langs who have been merchants in Cape since I can remember. No one knows what holidays are like until you've been in retail. I think Mayor Jay Knudtson's attitude was rude. Bringing people together does not mean giving them a deadline to agree with you.

Street traffic

WHY DON'T we turn Water Street going north one way and keep Main Street the way it is? It's hard to preserve historical downtown Cape Girardeau when we're going to allow two-lane traffic on Main Street. I do not feel it is a safe move and in the best interest of the downtown merchants. There's many times that we go downtown to shop, and we are able to drive and look into the stores to see which stores we want to do our business in. Please preserve downtown Cape.

Reading coaches

I AM very glad to see the Jefferson Elementary School reading coach Joanie Skinner recognized along with all the other reading coaches. I watched this all semester. It's been a wonderful program, and I'm glad to see the school district taking an interest in our children and their reading levels. If they can read, they'll be able to do all the rest.

Revenue for docs

PEOPLE NEED to realize it is not the receptionist who is making the decision to overbook doctor's appointments. We follow direct orders from the doctors. They tell us to get the patients in no matter what, because that is more revenue. We are told to never turn someone away no matter what. The doctors don't care how long the patients have to wait.

Great show

MY WIFE and I attended the Christmas play at the First Baptist Church in Marble Hill. It was an outstanding performance to a stand-up crowd. The play, "Miracle in Mayberry" was a comedy but still shared the true meaning of Christmas with the birth of baby Jesus. The play based on the "Andy Griffith Show" had the crowd laughing all through the play. There was mention of possibly a second show in the near future. If so, I recommend everyone try to make it over there to see it. Job well done, Marble Hill.

Take back neighborhood

IT SEEMS to me that if grandparents don't want to raise their grandchildren, then they need to take back their neighborhoods, towns, cities and states by turning in those drug dealers you see outside your window. If you see crime happening, call the police. Let them do their job.

Turn arrows

HERE'S AN idea for William Street that might help a lot of the traffic problems. Cape Girardeau has more left turn-only lights than any other town I've seen. I suppose traffic engineers don't trust drivers to make a left turn without a green arrow. And that sign at I-55 that says "Share the road" just cracks me up. How about one that says "Get in a lane and stay there" or "Slow traffic use right lane."