Speak Out 5/11/06

Enforce the law

I'D RATHER politicians put teeth into legislation dealing with illegal drivers rather than worry about drivers with cell phones. If we eliminated illegal aliens, those driving with a suspended or no licenses, we'd have safer roads for everyone, including cell-phone drivers.

Cell-phone decision

I WORK in retail. If two people walk in the store at the same time and one is talking on a cell phone, I will help the other customer first, because that one is ready to be waited on. The cell-phone customer is not ready to be waited on until the phone call is over. If withdrawal symptoms happen because of this simple common courtesy, so be it.

Man of experience

CAPE GIRARDEAU School District administrators have never had to deal with someone who knows their jobs inside out. Charlie Bertrand was a successful superintendent for 16 years in Texas. Board members would be wise to listen to him.

Always distracted

IT'S IRRESPONSIBLE distracted drivers who cause crashes, not cell phones alone. I saw a woman applying makeup while going 75 mph down the interstate. I saw a man eating a burger and drinking a soda while on the same trip. He was steering with his knees. I wasn't watching where I was going because I was distracted by all the idiotic other motorists. We are always going to be distracted while driving. The smart drivers will deal with it. The stupid ones will suffer the consequences and, unfortunately, take some of us with them when they do.

Ask questions

CAPE GIRARDEAU School District teachers may get a small raise this year, around 2 percent, which explains why the superintendent wanted to discuss salaries behind closed doors and why the topic has been tabled until employees are out of school. Statistics from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education indicate that the Cape superintendent's salary ($132,500) ranks 48th in the state, while the teachers' average salary ($35,734) ranks 124th in the state. The superintendent has one year of experience with the district, while the average teacher has 10 years of experience with the Cape district. Both Scott City and Jackson's superintendents make less than Scala but have more experience with their districts, 19 and 7 years respectively. The overpaid superintendent has appointed (without opening up the position) an assistant superintendent who is getting a $30,000 raise for next year. Her raise is more than many new teachers in the district make in a year. The people who are working with the children daily are making low wages while the administrators are making huge salaries. Please call board members and ask questions.

Great jazz

I WOULD like to say, "Job well done." The jazz lab band at Southeast Missouri State University was awesome. We went to write a paper on the band and discovered it was awesome. It was our first time listing to a real jazz concert, and it was great. I wont miss another jazz show.

Farmers need illegals

THAT WAS a great editorial tribute to farmers. I am thankful to them for what they do. In addition, I am thankful to taxpayers for subsidizing farmers so that they can remain in business. I also hope an exception will be made to allow illegal aliens who work for farmers to remain in the country. Farmers need them.