OpinionJune 25, 2010
Speak Out 6/25/10
I have talked to several SB40 Board members from three surrounding counties, and none is straining financially. All three counties are able to support their workshops plus other units that help the disabled. They're particular on what the Senate Bill 40 tax money is spent for, because it is the taxpayers' money. They don't build fancy buildings. They supply what is needed. Senate Bill 40 funds are not just for sheltered workshops...
SB40 funds
I have talked to several SB40 Board members from three surrounding counties, and none is straining financially. All three counties are able to support their workshops plus other units that help the disabled. They're particular on what the Senate Bill 40 tax money is spent for, because it is the taxpayers' money. They don't build fancy buildings. They supply what is needed. Senate Bill 40 funds are not just for sheltered workshops.
Illinois taxes
ILLINOIS has one of the highest state income taxes in the U.S., and it is still out of money. As people realize they have a high income tax, they are leaving Illinois. That means even less state revenue. The next thing you know, Illinois wants to raise taxes higher. That makes the budget even worse. The real solution is to lower tax rates.
Mental health
I am an advocate for mental health therapy. I had individual therapy for 10 years and wish I could afford it for the rest of my life. Opening up to a therapist is like mental hygiene. It clears the knots of the mind, tremendously improves memory and makes one happy. It also affects physical health. It will put a spring in your step. Good group therapy is beneficial as well. It helps you understand communicating with an appropriate approach.
Party time
THERE have been critical comments about the CEO of BP going sailing on his yacht. What has President Obama done? He's gone golfing. What's the difference?
Spread the funds
I am shocked that there would be millions in reserves from the Senate Bill 40 tax and millions in an account belonging to VIP Industries. Meanwhile, autistic children in our county are underserved. I work at a children's counseling center. When we make referrals to Judevine, we know it will take months for the children to get the therapies that could help them, because Judevine can afford only one music therapist and limited physical and occupational therapists for these children. While Judevine cannot meet the needs of our area autistic children due to lack of funding, the SB40 revenue seems to be greedily stockpiled. I say give a large chunk of that money to entities like Judevine that are doing good work but need more money to serve more families.
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Great air show
THANK you for a tremendous air festival. Even my 3-year-old was enthralled for hours with all the aerial acrobatics of the Blue Angels and the many other airplanes. Thank you, too, to the emergency medical service and police and fire departments for providing, water, sprinklers and wet towels. That service was much needed, and we thank you. Thank you for a well-organized and well-run shuttle service. Thank you to all the vendors. It was tremendous. We can't wait for next year.
Beautiful show
IT was a beautiful air show, but I did not like the shuttle buses. We had to wait 45 minutes to get to the show and an hour and a half to leave. Other than that, the show was extraordinary. The performers were top-notch. You couldn't have done any better.
Jungle ramp
THE southbound on ramp to I-55 at Center Junction looks like a jungle between the ramp and Old Cape Road. The other side of the intersection looks fairly maintained. All this right of way is within the city limits of Cape Girardeau, so the city or Missouri Department of Transportation should be maintaining that southwest corner.
County charter
THE stories about the county commissioners have been helpful in putting context to what all the fighting is about. The fact is that our commission structure with only three commissioners is susceptible to breaking down. It's also susceptible to corruption. Instead of fighting among themselves, why don't these folks prove their leadership and help the county transition to a charter form of government where five or seven people would be elected and the day-to-day operations would be run by a professional? In the past few years, the current structure has proved itself a joke. Both of the offending commissioners are to blame. With a charter government, we wouldn't have these kinds of shenanigans.
A father's love
THIS past Father's Day I didn't get to see my father or talk to him. He won't allow me around him because I'm gay. Please don't turn your back on your children because they turn out different from you. I wish I had a dad who loves me still.
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