Speak Out 4/4/06

Measuring students

WHAT A crazy, convoluted cop-out to public education by the editorial board of the Southeast Missourian. Statewide tests like the MAP have been dumbed down, and schools have been granted federal exemptions from sanctions for poor student performance. Yet you endorse the continued use of MAP over the more accurate measure of high school achievement, national tests such as the ACT, SAT and National Assessment of Educational progress. The two tests are not mutually exclusive. A schoolwide high school ACT would be a much more accurate measurement of student achievement.

Puppies for sale

A MAN notices a guy on the street corner selling puppies. He wanders over and asks: "What kind of puppies are those?" The guy answers: "Republicans." The man walks away shaking his head. Two weeks later, the same man sees the guy selling puppies, and he still has some left. He walks over and asks: "What kind of puppies are those?" The guy says: "Democrats." "Democrats?" the man exclaims. "Two weeks ago you said they were Republicans." The guy looks over and says: "Their eyes are open now."

Not end of the world

AS I drove east on Broadway Thursday morning, I looked in vain for the pall of smoke from the burning ballfield stands. There were no smoldering hulks of cars or trucks littering the park or on the streets. Police barricades were not evident. And I wondered: Are the holding cells in the police station overflowing with miscreants filled with free beer available during the Southeast Missouri State University-University of Missouri baseball game? Perhaps the apocalypse will occur tomorrow.

Backyard court

MY GRANDPA also spent considerable time in the shed trying to instill some discipline in his wayward grandson: me.

Bus service needed

I AM anxiously waiting for the Southeast Missourian to print the assets and price paid for the cab company by the Cape Girardeau Transit Authority. I don't understand why the transit authority couldn't have purchased some new vehicles and a handicap van for the service. Cape Girardeau still needs a bus service. There are a lot of people who need transportation to and from work. More people who could work if they had transportation. Transportation is a big deal. Let some of the city and county officials go just a week with no vehicle and see what they think. Please don't overlook how much Cape Girardeau needs a regular route bus service.

Trains and fires

AS A former Chaffee resident, I have seen Mayor Cannon stand on the tracks and tell UP that the trains have to be moved and cannot block intersections. Mayor Cannon has told UP that if the trains are not moved, tickets will be written. The best advice I can give about the field fire is to bring it up at the next city council meeting. Chaffee is a volunteer fire department.

Courier competition

THE CAPE Girardeau County Transit Authority stated it would not compete with area businesses. However, it intends to run a courier service for extra revenue. Isn't that competing?

Trains came first

WHICH CAME first? The trains in Chaffee or the people? If history is correct, the railroad laid out Chaffee, and the town went from there. Everyone complaining about the trains knew the railroad was there when they moved there.

Lower the rents

HERE IS why I think no new apartment building permits were issued last year by Cape Girardeau. There are so many apartments. Who needs more? The rents for these apartments have risen in the past few years. Mostly students rented them in the past, but since those rents have gone up, fewer students can afford to live in the city. If you want more apartments, lower the rents.

Cape's reputation

I WAS visiting a family member in a large hospital in St. Louis. For small talk, people asked where I was from. When I said Cape Girardeau, I was asked by three people if it was really true that when you leave a restaurant you are pulled over by the cops wanting to give you a breath test. They said they are afraid to come to Cape because of the reputation we have about being harassed about alcohol.

Get it in writing

ALERT TO anyone who is looking to rent or is currently renting: Get every agreement you make with your landlord in writing.

Alzheimer's help

ARE YOU a caregiver for a loved one who has Alz-heimer's? If you need help, we have a local woman who has a Web site based on taking care of her husband, who has Alzheimer's, for 11 years. The Web site is alternatecare.net. I know this will help you.