OpinionJuly 14, 2001
SPEAK OUT
JON RUST'S column about Gov. Bob Holden's weak leadership causing him to pay off the unions hit the nail on the head. But Rust didn't go far enough. Holden's executive order is corrupt, plain and simple. He gives the unions millions of dollars a year in forced union dues from nonunion state workers. ...
Sleaze, corruption
JON RUST'S column about Gov. Bob Holden's weak leadership causing him to pay off the unions hit the nail on the head. But Rust didn't go far enough. Holden's executive order is corrupt, plain and simple. He gives the unions millions of dollars a year in forced union dues from nonunion state workers. The unions in return give him money for his inauguration debt and promise to help re-elect him. That's called graft, corruption, sleaze. It's a disgrace, and Holden can kiss my vote good-bye next time.
SEMO lacks leadership
THE PROBLEM with the River Campus is not the idea of having a performing-arts school at Southeast Missouri State University. The problem is that SEMO needs to fix its own house before it starts to ruin another. There is no true leadership at the university. Instead of trying to be creative about this Holden budget crisis, the university's first response is to cut salary increases. Let's be honest, the current Southeast administration does not believe in salary increases. They have been licking their chops at a chance to stick it to the faculty and staff. Holden only gave them an excuse to do what they have wanted to do for several years. Salary increases are not the real problem at SEMO. The real problem is presidential leadership. There is no positive motivational force to provide a clear, positive direction to the university. The current president may be a great accountant or great administrator, but he is a horrible leader. This type of micromanagement is systemic throughout the executive staff. Every decision goes from the top down. An organization that doesn't empower its employees to make decisions is an organization that does not function. SEMO is a classic example of too many chiefs and not enough Indians.
It fits the Democrats
I FIND it amusing that Republicans must always hide behind a shield of morality and religion, yet anyone who understands the principles of Christianity can see that a Republican lifestyle is pretty contradictory to a Christian lifestyle of doing away with material goods, living humbly, stewardship of the earth and helping the poor. Yet what comes first in life to a Republican? Money. What is a Republican's goal in life? Make more money, and make sure the government can't have any of it to give to those in need. Along the way, they destroy God's earth in search of more wealth. In fact, the teachings of Christ sound more similar to Democrats. Remember, the meek shall inherit the earth, not the greedy.
Too much traffic
CONCERNING THE First Assembly of God construction on Old Hopper Road: My husband and I have been residents of Old Hopper Road for almost two years. We moved to this area because of the country atmosphere and fair value of the property. The concern that we have is the traffic increase. Since we have lived on Old Hopper Road, we have had a truck in our front ditch and our mailbox has been hit three times. The road is narrow, hilly and has sharp curves. This is no place for the amount of traffic that would be traveling along this road if the church is allowed to build. Since the opening of new Hopper Road, the traffic on Old Hopper Road has been reduced, though getting out onto Mount Auburn Road is still a challenge. Plans for the safety of the residents that live on Old Hopper Road and Kage Road should be the first priority. The church should have its own access road and leave our road as is.
More roundabouts
THANKS FOR widening the roundabout. Not only will be it be a lot easier on our vehicles, but it will certainly be easier on traffic than these miserable four-way stops everyone seems to love so much. My first recommendation: build another at Lexington and Route W. That intersection has long needed something done to it. If a roundabout were in place, I would not have to drive two miles out of my way to avoid it and get home (in quicker time than if I would have waited at that stop sign).
Basic human right
THE VICIOUS anti-collective bargaining vitriol spewing daily from the mouths of Speak Out callers, Southeast Missourian columnists and editorialists and even some coffee-shop savants should serve as a signal to the working men and women of Southeast Missouri that many around here think you undeserving of a fundamental and basic human right: the right to organize and bargain for better wages and working conditions, a right which saved this country from falling prey to the purveyors of communism.
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Visionary, pragmatic
THE NUMBER of laissez-faire conservative politicians at the state and national level is zero. Conservatives are always correctly advocating subsidies (ethanol), tax breaks and tax incentives (for small business and various types of investment) for one cause or another. State Sen. Peter Kinder's recognition that a modest public investment in the St. Louis Cardinals will reap benefits for the state many times over and preserve a priceless heritage is not anti-conservative. It is visionary and pragmatic conservatism worthy of the highest praise.
Fabulous fireworks
THANK YOU to Cape Girardeau for the most fabulous fireworks display. It was very enjoyable. Cape did a great job, and we appreciate the effort.
You'd want one too
IT IS none of the caller's business about the vice president's pacemaker. This is a mean-spirited person. Remember, he is the second-highest person in the United States. He deserves this. Would you want one if it were you? I got one two years ago. It was paid for by my insurance. I bet Cheney's was too.
We pay for it
SEMO PRESIDENT Ken Dobbins stated on KFVS news that out-of-towners pay the hotel-motel tax. Where is his head? Please do not be misled. Everyone in Cape who eats out in any restaurant also pays a restaurant tax. I think this money should be for air conditioning in schools or something related to our city. I can't visualize any of my family walking on the trails of south Cape. The Show Me Center without the SEMO basketball program would be a complete fiasco in the deep red. Let's not build another SEMO building with our city funds.
Local diners pay tax
I LISTENED to Ken Dobbins spit out a big lie on the news. He said the River Campus would be paid for with the hotel-motel tax, which is paid by out-of-towners. Maybe he just forgot the other part: the restaurant tax. I don't know about you, but most of the restaurant patrons are local.
I'll make cutbacks
AS A parent of school-age children, I get tired if hearing about what the teachers spend out of their own pocket. It has been like this since I was little. Most times you turn to the PTA or come to the parents to help out, and they will. I have volunteered time and equipment, and you don't hear me complaining. The school district nitpicks about saving money on dishes and copies. Why not let some upper management do some cutbacks? Do we really need alternative education? Billboards thanking us for maintaining the mission? Or $50,000 spent on engineers when you could put that money toward a new boiler? I will volunteer to go to the board office to do cutbacks myself if you will let me.
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