Speak Out 2/17/08

Marble Hill help

I WANT to thank the Marble Hill Fire Department for being out early Tuesday morning checking on people and clearing roads not only in Marble Hill, but out in the county as well. My sister couldn't get out and needed medical help. The fire department took her to a safe place.

Prospering business

GOOD NEWS. The drug dealers along the 1200 block of South Pacific Street are offering 24-hour service and drive-in service. There's nothing like a business prospering in Cape Girardeau. However, the drug dealers got hit hard by the weather. Their customers had a mess of a time getting their narcotics. It had to hurt their business. The city should have acted faster cleaning their street and driveway. I wonder if they are eligible for government subsidies?

Chainsaws and muscle

I LIVE on County Road 621. On Tuesday after the big ice storm, I had no way into town. What did a lot of us residents do? We got together with chainsaws and a little bit of muscle and cleared a way out to Route Y. I want to thank all who assisted. I talked to the AmerenUE workers, and they wanted me to thank you also. Thank you to all of the workers who are working to restore power to the area. I know you are working hard. My family and I will be just fine using our generator and Coleman stove until you are finished. Thanks once again, and be safe.

Cleared campus

A SPECIAL thanks to the Southeast Missouri State University staff for clearing the parking lots, sidewalks and streets so students, faculty and staff could walk and drive safely on campus when we returned on Thursday. It had to take many hours working in the cold to make the campus safe. Your efforts are very much appreciated.

Thanks to everyone

I WANT to thank everyone -- city workers, utility crews, police and firefighters -- for doing an amazing job during the storm. I see utility trucks around every corner or on the way to make repairs. I also am proud of all of the citizens of Jackson and Cape Girardeau for pulling together and showing what our towns are about. Although we may see the devastating results of this storm for a while, we should count our blessings. Once again, thank you to these people for everything they do.

Good indicators

NATIONAL RETAIL gasoline prices dropped for the eighth consecutive week. The unemployment rate sits steady at 5 percent. Local home sales rates remain steady. These are things you won't read about in the liberal media.

Driving around

I AM disgusted by the number of motorists driving around to see what damage people have. They congested the passable roads and made it difficult for those who need to be out helping or checking on family members without power. Do everyone a favor and stay home and out of the way.

Pay it forward

PART OF my job is to provide assistance where and when I can. As I was chopping ice from around a vehicle at the owner's request, two men stopped what they were doing to provide assistance. Thank you for your random acts of kindness. I'll pay it forward every chance I get.

You're appreciated

I WANT to express my neighborhood's gratitude and appreciation to all the electrical and telephone workers who took time out to come to the aid of Jackson and all surrounding areas. Most of us know it takes time to get to everyone. We don't want you to go away from Cape Girardeau County feeling unappreciated.

Season opener

WE HAVE the mortgage crisis, recession, the war in Iraq, 52 million Americans without health care and Osama bin Laden still on the loose. And what does our Congress do? It takes a whole day to hold hearings regarding Roger Clemens. Congress has no business interfering with Major Leauge Baseball and its players.

Being prepared

I AM 33 and disabled. I served my country, worked harder at my various jobs than most Americans and did everything I could to be prepared for not being able to work. I'm greedy? I think those who criticize are the greedy ones. You also have no respect for the elderly or the disabled. Most of these people did not choose to be where they are. Most tried to prepare the best they could.

Hot-cocoa thanks

WITH MY electricity being out, the temperature in my house has plummeted to 33 degrees. But it doesn't bother me, because I know our electric crews are out working long hours to do what they can. Thank you for all your hard work. If I see any of you close to my home, I'll bring you a cup of hot cocoa.

Chaffee workers

I WANT to thank the city workers in Chaffee, Mo., for clearing the streets so nicely for people to get around. I appreciate it. They are a great bunch of workers.

Jackson workers

I WANT to thank the Jackson city crew for getting our power back on tonight after being without for 12 hours due to the ice storm. You guys are awesome. Thank you, and God bless you.

Power restored

I WOULD like to thank the men who worked to restore my electricity where I live off Highway 177. I heard people were coming from Perryville and Ste. Genevieve to help. I couldn't get out of my area. I tried to drive out and couldn't get out, even though I saw cars going, Fortunately, I made it back home.

Paper delivered

I WANT to compliment the fellow who delivers our Missourian on Grand Avenue in Scott City. Bless his heart. In all this mess, he's gotten the paper here and thrown it up close enough to the carport that I didn't have to get out on the ice. That is wonderful. I appreciate whoever is doing that.

A great job

I WANT to compliment and thank the AmerenUE crews for working so hard to restore electricity. I know it's dangerous work in the middle of the night with ice-covered trees breaking down the electric wires, and they're still out there trying to fix them. They've done a great job. We appreciate it.