Speak Out 5/11/08

Public review

CAPE GIRARDEAU County Commission meetings should be webcast and available for public review all the time as Jay Purcell, 2nd District commissioner, has tried to initiate. Those good old boys running the county need serious public scrutiny and more accountability.

Un-Christian belief

THERE IS only one way that a homeless shelter will ever be built in Cape Girardeau. That is when Cape wakes up and gets rid of the un-Christian belief that if a person is homeless, he is lazy.

Knowledge comes first

IN MY opinion, a knowledge of the subject matter taught is much more important than a degree in education. My children have had many teachers who knew all about making pretty bulletin boards but were clueless when it came to knowledge of mathematics.

Saving gasoline

HERE ARE two ways I save money on gasoline. Organize and plan for every place you need to go. That way you only have to make one or two trips during the day. If you're in a drive-through lane and the line is not moving, turn off your car until the line starts moving again.

What we voted for

I AM appalled that Jay Purcell, Cape Girardeau County's 2nd District commissioner, would be stripped of any duties. I knew Purcell before he became an elected official. I know his judgment to be pretty good. To take away his duties is crazy and shows that the good old boys club still exists. I think Morley Swingle, prosecuting attorney, and Larry Bock, 1st District commissioner, need to realize what they did is going to come back to haunt them if we finally get somebody elected who's going to uphold what we voted for.

Neighbors' dogs

I LOVE dogs, but not barking dogs in the middle of the night. One couple in the neighborhood lets their dogs out to relieve themselves at 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning. The first thing the dogs do when they get outside is bark, waking up the whole neighborhood. I don't know why they can't have more respect for their neighbors.

It's only grass

PEOPLE ARE griping about grass clippings in the street. It's only grass. Most of it is going to blow away. How are grass clippings ruining a neighborhood?

Bumpy road

I DROVE on Route U about two weeks ago and almost blew my tires and rattled everything in my car. Yesterday I was driving down Highway 34 and wanted to visit my friends, but I couldn't drive on that road. Please fix Highway U.

Taking back power

CONGRATULATIONS, GERALD Jones and Larry Bock on the Cape Girardeau County Commission for taking back your power.

Something smells

THE SMELL in Cape Girardeau County is getting almost as bad as the smell in the White House. Second District Commissioner Jay Purcell is trying to correct some of the things going on in this county. I also believe that Auditor David Ludwig was trying to do what was right. What is happening with the woman who forged the checks at the prosecutor's office? Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle needs to take better care of his duties instead of his book writing. Since he violated the county's rules before he was given permission, shouldn't he be just as guilty as Ludwig?

Issues exposed

IT'S AMAZING how one of our elected officials, 2nd District Commissioner Jay Purcell, could bring out certain things about how Cape Girardeau County is governed, including Sunshine Law violations. But as soon as those issues are exposed, the next thing you know the the other two county commission members take part of his duties away. Why are my taxpaying dollars being used to promote books from a county official on the county Web site? That does not seem right. That is illegal, in my opinion.

God's creatures

ANOTHER RACEHORSE had to be put down. Why can't people realize these animals are important to God too? Oh, Lord, please protect our horses and the people who use and abuse them.