Speak out 7/15

Local contest first

I'VE READ Scott Moyers' column in which he defends the Convention & Visitors Bureau's decision to hire a consultant to spend $42,000. Moyers insulted everyone with his smart-alecky comments about how we couldn't come up with anything but stupid slogans. I'm sure if there were a contest, there would be some stupid ideas, but there might be some very good ones. How about the Convention & Visitors Bureau first sponsor a contest with a warning that if there are no winners found in the community, $40,000 will go to a consultant? Give a $5,000 prize if someone in Cape Girardeau wins.

Missing the point

SCOTT MOYERS' "Biz Buzz" column relative to the need for a tourism consultant for Cape Girardeau completely missed the points that many people have tried to make in Speak Out. It's not that we think a professional firm might not come up with a useful slogan, but the key word is "might," and Cape Girardeau does not have sufficient money to gamble during the current economic condition. And, believe it or not, not everyone in Cape wants to see more tourism and population growth. It is a nice, quiet town in which to raise a family or in which to retire. Keep it that way.

Something useful

I KNEW this was coming. I've been waiting for it. Outlaw mulch piles, indeed. Do you not understand the meaning of compost? Do you not understand what mulch is for? These are helpful things. You'll ban something helpful so that you can avoid banning something destructive. Blame the victim, right?

No respect for others

DON'T think the discussion about fireworks has anything to do with older people wanting to ban all the fun that young people are having. I believe it boils down to the total disregard and respect for other people's property. When we were younger, people that set off fireworks, but they did not do it for two weeks before the Fourth of July. They waited until to close to the holiday. They did not shoot them into people's yards.

Jackson fireworks

I LIVE in Jackson and I wanted to say I thought the fireworks display this year was tremendous. I've seen a lot of them in my 75 years, but I don't believe I've ever seen one this good.

Fountains prevent scum

IN REGARD to the pond scum at Capaha Park: If the fountain sprinklers would be turned on again, a lot of this pond scum would not happen. You need to keep the water fountains going in order to keep the water aerated. Spend the money and get the replacement parts for the two fountains.