Speak Out 4/10/2005

Grass in the streets

NOW THAT spring has sprung and we can look forward to plates and cups littering the streets, we can also look forward to grass in the streets. People mow and put the grass in the street. I think it is just as trashy to see grass in the streets as it is seeing cups and plates. The city should do something about that.

Helpful engineer

Setting low goals

I AM one of the citizens in Cape Girardeau who took an abbreviated MAP test two to three years ago. I think the lowest score in our group was an 81. I find it appalling that the school district is so happy that the goals are so low this year. It's just atrocious.

Lock up the dogs

I LIVE on Sena Fawn Drive, which runs between Lexington and East Cape Rock Drive. There's been a couple of young beagles chasing a deer over here. I wish whoever owns the dogs would lock them up. I have a neighbor who was shooting at them last night. Lock them up, because I don't want to see them killed.

Appreciated help

Trash in Rockview

WE'RE ALL concerned about trash. We should be. I just drove through the little town of Rockview just north of Chaffee and west of Scott City. Rockview has always been a beautiful little town, but I am amazed at the trash and old mobile homes. The town is trashed something awful. Something needs to be done.

Tax the obese too

IF WE are going to tax smokers, then we might as well tax the obese as well, because they're both doing harmful things to their bodies. Eventually they're going to be using tax dollars for their health care.

Great music

I APPRECIATE the contributions the black community have given the American culture with its soulful music, spirituals, jazz and blues.

Thanks for post office

Faith in electorate

MY FAITH in the American electorate got a significant boost on Tuesday. Well done, Ward 3 voters, and congratulations to Debra Tracy.

Basic math

KNOWING HOW to count change not using a calculator or computer is an important skill. Parents and math teachers, give your children a test: $3.40 out of $5. See what change you would receive back. This makes children use their head, not push buttons for answers. Employers will expect young adults to know this, but so many don't. If your child does not know this, please ask your child's math teacher to teach this.

Poor vote turnout

I WOULD like to say how disappointed I am in the election -- not for those who lost or who won, but for the turnout. We're going to lose the right to vote if we don't exercise it. Please exercise your right to vote.

No tax increase

Problems with van

I READ the article in the Tiger newspaper from Central High School about the van. The part about the power steering was not funny. That is dangerous. How does the van pass inspection to get retagged? What does the school district's insurance company think about this vehicle? Why can't the van be a school project for the automotive classes? Don't boo-hoo about the items you can fix yourself.

Clean yards in McClure

THIS IS pertaining of the election of the McClure trustees. Let's see if they can keep their promises about keeping yards cleaned up.

Legal prescriptions

SOME PHARMACISTS are refusing to provide birth-control pills even though people have prescriptions for them. If pharmacists aren't going to follow the rules when doctors write a prescription, they need to get into a different line of work. These are legal drugs. The pharmacist has an obligation to fill the prescription.

Drop the issue

THE JACKSON School District bond issue has not passed for the second time. Can it please be dropped? I do not appreciate the teachers preaching to our children and trying to brainwash them that it has to pass. Does no one ever consider the historic buildings that would be destroyed?

More revenue

WITH two million jobs created throughout America, there will be a huge amount of Social Security revenue flowing into the Social Security program for future retirees.