Speak Out 12/23/04

Hold our noses

REGARDING HAVING the governor appoint the Missouri Department of Transportation director: Neither the Democrats or the Republicans could claim credit for improving the roads with the director remaining independent, so nothing got done. Now with the legislature and executive mansion controlled by Republicans, they can take credit for much needed road improvements. I say we hold our collective noses and support gubernatorial appointment of the director.

Overbooked visits

WITH ALL the comments about doctor's appointments and how long you wait, I just had to share my experience with a doctor here in Cape Girardeau. I was on time for my appointment, and two hours later I was still in the waiting room. I asked the receptionist if I could to speak to somebody about this, and she got the office manager, who said there were four patients ahead of me. And she said the doctor schedules three patients for every 10 minutes starting at 8 a.m. but doesn't even come in until 8:45 or 9 a.m. Now that's ridiculous. I immediately got a doctor in St. Louis. My new doctor keeps his appointments.

Pay for hard work

I STARTED 20 years ago as a volunteer firefighter with no pay. I loved the job so much, I chose it to be my career. I worked very hard going to college to earn my bachelor of fire science degree and still continue to take fire science classes. Like anyone who chooses a career, I expect to paid for it. I am a firefighter medic. I have worked hard to get where I am. My job supports my family. That is why I chose to move out of the Cape Girardeau to a fire department that recognizes what I do.

Substantial complaint

A RECENT caller complained that a soldier who questioned Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld was prompted to do so by a media member. Why wasn't the caller concerned about the substance of the soldier's complaint? Was he afraid the administration would be embarrassed? Who's being political here?

Lights in Jackson

JACKSON CITY Council, please put in some street lights on East Jackson Boulevard from Wal-Mart going to Cape Girardeau. It's awfully dark out there at night. I read in the paper that Center Junction will be lighted up next year and Cape is putting up new street lights on Kingshighway.

Living in evil times

GOD BLESS the little tree I planted by my brother's grave in September at Goshen Cemetery. It was pulled up by it's roots sometime between Dec. 12 and 15. I hope it will make somebody happy. We are living in evil times. God will forgive us our trespasses.

Hang out at home

I'M CALLING about the woman who commented about a place for teens to hang out. How about at home? Why not bake a cake and let them have their friends over for hot dogs and sit around the kitchen table and play cards? Why should everybody else entertain them? They're the parents' responsibility.

No respect for neighbors

THIS MESSAGE is for the guy who was blowing leaves early Sunday morning. He was blowing the leaves out of his yard into the middle of Perryville Road. The stiff wind blew the leaves onto all of his neighbors' yards. This individual has no respect for his neighbors whatsoever.

Where's the oversight?

AS TEACHERS in the Cape Girardeau School District, it is difficult not to be discouraged when we read about how simple and convenient it is for 12-month employees (administrators) to be off from work at no loss of pay to go to school for advanced degrees. Teachers have to go at night or in the summer. We still get all of our work done. We have no secretaries to handle our work. Where is the accountability? We all happen to love our jobs, and we do a good job. The central office has no credibility.