Speak Out 3/21/08

Thanks, cleanup crew

IT'S SUNDAY afternoon, and the crew just came by and cleaned up the street. The workers picked up a lot of debris and tree limbs that had come down in the ice storm. They did an excellent job. They didn't tear up any of the yard. They got all the limbs. I want to thank the city and thank the crew the city hired. They did an excellent job. The city is getting its money's worth.

Costly limbs

WE DID not know that if you have your tress trimmed the tree trimmers can throw all the limbs on your lawn for the city to pick up. That's what our neighbor had done. That is a good way to save money. Next time a storm comes that is what we will do so it doesn't cost us so much.

Time for tax cuts

I'D LIKE to know when our real estate taxes are due to go back down again. If someone could explain that, I would appreciate it.

Oil company profits

LAST YEAR, the oil companies made profits of billions of dollars. This year they gave us a three-strikes and you're out. First strike: 10 percent ethanol. Second strike: 10 percent ethanol gives us 12 percent less gas mileage. Third strike: higher prices for less efficient fuel. Guess what? More profits for the oil companies. Guess who's side they're on.

Loud motorcycles

THIS IS for all the midlife-crisis bikers running around with loud exhaust pipes, shaggy facial hair, black leather, Tupperware-bowl helmets and temporary tattoos. Come on, enough is enough. You are disruptive to everybody in traffic, at home and even businesses with the silly, loud pipes. Your adolescent behavior has got to stop. Grow up. It needs to stop now. I am a motorcyclist, and I enjoy motorcycles, but what you people have done to motorcycling in general has been quite bad. It needs to come to an end.

Thanks for cleanup

I WOULD just like to thank Cape Girardeau for picking up the limbs and storm debris. The crews have done such a wonderful job, and my thanks goes out to you again. Thank you.

Prescription samples

I'M A nurse. Doctors don't like to give out the samples, and I've never understood why. It's a vicious cycle. Doctors write prescriptions for the drugs reps' products. The drug reps take the doctors to ballgames and out to dinner. It's not about the patient. It never has been. I have thrown away countless samples because they were out of date. It's sad. As a nurse, there isn't anything I can do. I've wanted to give samples, but we can't take samples out of the cabinet because our nurse manager said that would be theft. So I guess the samples are just there for looks.

Road to recovery

WITH THE help of volunteers and city employees, Jackson City Park is on the road to recovery. Our thanks to everyone who has helped our town recover from the ice storm. It takes time, but we will do it. Thank you.

In a crisis

OUR NATION is going through a crisis right now. Everyone is worried. Maybe this is God's way to bring our nation back to the values we once had. Money is the idol of many people. There are too many rich people and too many poor people. There are too many people who worship Satan. I wonder how much longer God will put up with the sins of our nation. Remember how the Israelites wondered in the desert for 40 years because they fell away from God and worshipped idols? God has blessed us with a great nation. It's time for us to return to God who loves us and will bless us once again.

Tax holiday

OH, BOO-HOO. It is so sad that the tax-and-spend ways of the city and county fathers have finally caught up with them. They want to take the sales tax holiday away from families who need a break from endless taxes and from merchants who need a boost in their dismal sales. It's time that our elected officials think of someone besides themselves. They can tighten their belts just as the rest of us are having to do.

Waste of tax dollars

IT IS scary when you have a green dye, red dye and fuel floating down the Mississippi River. But what really is scary is we pay the fire department, the Department of Natural Resources, the Environmental Protection Agency and other so-called officials who can't figure out what it is. What a waste of taxpayer money.

Crews deserve thanks

I'M CALLING about the comment complaining about the way Jackson is cleaning up the damage from the ice storm. City employees are working hard to do their regular jobs and also do the cleanup work. The people of Jackson owe them a big thank you instead of criticism.

Tax-free weekend

CORRECT ME if I'm wrong, but is Jay Knudtson mayor for all people of Cape Girardeau or just individuals who received our hard-earned tax money? Thank God we have some individuals in Jefferson City who care for the poor people and are giving us a tax-free weekend.

Use the surplus

DEAR MAYOR Barbara Lohr of Jackson: I understand our area won't be cleaned up until approximately late August or early September. I also understand we have a surplus of $6 million in our electrical fund. Do you think maybe we could use a little of this surplus to clean up our town?

Cut city expenses

WE NEED to live within our means. More tax increases like park tax is not the method. Cutting expenses is. We need to have more money in our pocket to spend to help the retail business. Cut the city's expenses just like most of the people living in Cape Girardeau do at home during a recession.