Speak Out 7/10/08

Holiday losses

I WAS glad to be able to watch the fireworks display in Jackson City Park. But I was disappointed. That was the worst fireworks display I have ever watched. There were hardly any fireworks shot off, and the grand finale was awful. I think Jackson should try harder next year. It seems every year we lose something from the celebration. We have lost dogs in the park, beer in the park, mud volleyball and now the fireworks. What's next?

Salmonella questions

I KEEP seeing the hype about tomatoes and the salmonella outbreak, but I've yet to hear any proof that it came from tomatoes. The FDA is saying it doesn't think it came from tomatoes. Why do the news media keep harping on tomatoes? They need to find out what's making us sick, not guess at it.

Learning from mistakes

I COULDN'T let another evening go by without calling to thank the parents of the young man who hit Wib's restaurant in Jackson. I would like to commend them for being involved in their son's life, for paying attention to him and for making him do the right thing. As for the young man, don't keep your head low. Hold it high. We all make mistakes, some you can fix and some you can't. But one thing's for certain, we can learn from all mistakes. You'll be just fine.

Valuables in the car

I WAS reading about the arrests in connection with the vehicle break-ins in Jackson. A CD case with more than $300 worth of CDs and a bank envelope containing $260 in cash were stolen from a car. What were the owner's thoughts in leaving that stuff in the car?

Energy leadership

REGARDING THE gasoline solutions: Our leaders should lead us in a sensible direction away from oil or corn dependency and toward responsible fuel that will not cause high food prices. The choices exist. It is not necessary to continue producing sport utility vehicles and other gas guzzlers until thousands of workers have lost their jobs. Changes could have been made before such dire straits were reached. We need leadership that allows us to live in ways that do not lay waste the earth and its people.

Litter message

I FOLLOWED two teenage girls out of a fast-food restaurant and down Broadway. They repeatedly threw food wrappers out of the car window. I got the license number and called the Cape Girardeau information number. I was told to call the nuisance abatement number. I called that number several times on Tuesday and Wednesday with no answer. It is now Thursday, and I called the routine business number at the police department, was transferred to someone and was put on hold. I finally hung up. How much time am I to put in on a litter report? I know the police have more important things to do. This should be transferred to somewhere else, maybe a recording where I could have left a message.

Shingle gouging

AS A contractor, I've watched roofing shingles go up 10 percent every two weeks since February 2008. This is brought on by price gouging from the shingle manufacturers, not the local lumber yards that sell roofing shingles. Roofing shingles are oil-based, so the manufacturers have decided to gouge the American public just like the oil companies do.

Personal advertising

SINCE CAPE Girardeau decided to ban hand-held advertising signs, does that mean I can't wear my cap with my bank's name on it or wear my T-shirt with a restaurant name on it or drive my car with the dealer's name on it?

Paying for rent

PROPERTY OWNERS along Highway 72 were paid by the Missouri Department of Transportation for right of way for the widening project, but they didn't get what their property was worth. However, I found out that people renting some of those houses are getting thousands of dollars to cover their rent because they have to move. I don't understand that. Talk about tax dollars being wasted. They're going to be renting someplace anyway. Why should the taxpayers pay for them to rent for the next year just because they had to move due to the widening of the road?

Talking and driving

I WILL be glad when Missouri passes a law that prohibits talking on cell phones when operating a vehicle. I've been hit while a truck driver was backing up in the middle of an intersection. He couldn't hear my horn. A motorist at the bank could not hear my husband blowing his horn at her. I could tell many stories. People, wake up. Leave the phones off while driving.

Fort D show

I TOOK my children to the Osage Community Centre on July 3. They enjoyed a lot of the activities, but the one I enjoyed most were those guys who had the cannon and guns. They told us they were going to be at Fort D on South Sprigg Street, so I went down there. Those guys really do work, and they really put a good show for the people of Cape Girardeau. They didn't charge a cent for all the entertainment they gave us. I want them to know we appreciate all their hard work.

Fireworks danger

BAN FIREWORKS next year, because the children don't know how to act. They're shooting at people's houses and stuff.