OpinionJuly 27, 2007
Speak Out 7/27/07
Taxing issues; Taking shortcuts; Giving extra; Memorial location; No more taxes; Iraq's borders; Dark danger; Work on health care; Hiring teachers; Thanks for the fix
Taxing issues
WHY DRIVE businesses and workers out of Cape Girardeau and into surrounding communities by continuing to increase the cost of doing business here? Forcing small businesses to invest in expensive, permanent signs instead of allowing them to use inexpensive banners is one example. Raising the sales tax so high that it makes it worthwhile for customers to drive to neighboring communities for big-ticket items like building materials and appliances would be another bad move. Notice how people flock to the city's businesses during the sales-tax holiday. Why not encourage this swarm of customers year-round by lowering the sales tax so that it is the most competitive in that area? Driving high-wage earners and the businesses that hire them out of the city with an earnings tax would be the final nail in the coffin. The city council needs to study St. Louis and other cities where there is an income tax. High-wage earners and businesses are deserting the city in droves for the suburbs, and the city continues to decline. Per-capita income adjusted for inflation has declined dramatically since the implementation of this tax in St. Louis. The city council needs to understand that increased tax rates do not necessarily mean that tax revenue will increase. Making a friendly environment for business to grow and prosper is a tried and proven method of increasing revenue.
Taking shortcuts
I'VE NOTICED that heavy dump trucks come up and down our street day and night. They use it as a shortcut between Kingshighway and Lexington Avenue. By law, they are required to use those main arteries. They come up our narrow street and cut through neighborhoods, endangering the lives of children. When they have a full load of rock or dirt from a new subdivision, they come down our hill so fast past a private day-care center that if the parents are pulling out of the driveway in their car, they would be killed instantly. I wish the police would enforce this law. Otherwise, take it off the books.
Giving extra
TEACHERS ARE already paid well enough in Cape Girardeau, and doing extra work to help ensure that students won't drop out sounds like a good thing. One can only point to the neighboring community of Jackson where teachers are more than willing to stay after school at the middle school and support after-school activities and give of their time. Jackson has set a precedence for teachers who care and give extra, so why shouldn't Cape Girardeau?
Memorial location
WHEN DRIVING through Cape Girardeau the other day, I came upon a spot that would be a beautiful spot for the proposed World War I memorial. Freedom Corner would be a beautiful spot, and you can see it from the hospital.
No more taxes
I'M CALLING concerning tax increases. Please, no more tax increases for Cape Girardeau. My county property-tax reassessment has shot up 58 percent. The prices at the swimming pool and Osage Community Centre have gone up. Even the basic price of staples like milk have soared. Medical costs are eating me up. This mayor and city council have no compassion for the people. They are milking us for all we have. It doesn't do any good to attend council meetings to complain or explain your situation. They will tell you they will look into your problem, and the next day you read where they went ahead and did what they were going to do in the first place. The only way to stop these people is to go the polls and vote.
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Iraq's borders
I KEEP hearing about Iraq, but I've never heard about the U.S. or Iraq trying to secure the Iraq's borders. They say that's where all the weapons and explosive materials are coming from. So why hasn't that been a priority? Either we aren't informed of it or we are letting ourselves down greatly by not focusing on border security.
Dark danger
WALKERS AND joggers should not be in the street in the morning or evening if it is dark. It's ironic that they do something so dangerous in hopes of improving their health.
Work on health care
WHY DOESN'T state Rep. Nathan Cooper translate taking credit for lowering state expenditures on energy to taking on the job of providing universal health care for Missourians and make our state a model for the nation?
Hiring teachers
IN RESPONSE to the caller who was disappointed that her child's teacher hasn't been properly trained in the content area: It's nothing new. The powers that be in the Jackson School District know who they want to hire for specific jobs when the jobs become available. There have been countless times when a highly qualified candidate was passed over because those doing the hiring felt that it was more important to play politics than select the best teacher for the children of the school district. I am an avid supporter of the Jackson School District, but the school board needs to realize that some of the candidates aren't the most qualified.
Thanks for the fix
I WOULD like to thank the city for fixing the bad curve on Lombardo Drive. That fix was long overdue.
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