Speak Out 8/1/07

Friendly dog

IF YOU live in the Hillcrest Subdivision and have a problem with my big dog, don't talk to the neighbors about it. Be a good neighbor and talk to me. Then you can see that she is the friendliest dog around. She doesn't bite, but she might lick you to death.

County marketing

I WONDER if Presiding Commissioner Jamie Burger of Scott County has ever thought about attempting to market Scott County for Industry, retail, tourism and recreation in order to increase county revenue. All I have heard him talk about is how low revenue is and how he wants to pass a sales-tax measure to increase revenue. People are tired of all of these sales and school tax increases. Have Burger and his fellow commissioners thought about exploring a recreational lake in the north Scott County region? They have to get out of the courthouse and market the community and show interested parties what we have to offer in Scott County. That is what businesses do when they want to increase revenue.

Class schedules

THIS IS in response to the July 25 article "Building and busing" addressing the problem of Southeast Missouri State University students getting from River Campus to the main campus in time for their classes. I am a fine arts student at SEMO and wish to correct what has been said in this article. A representative came in to our department's class meeting and addressed our questions and concerns about River Campus. A student voiced concern about getting to the main campus classes on time. The representative said the same thing that the officials said in the article, "When the semester does start, River Campus classes will begin at different times than classes on the main campus so students can better schedule classes on both campuses." They also assured us that we would have 30 minutes between River Campus classes and main campus classes to eliminate tardiness. This is not true. We've already signed up for classes, and River Campus classes are scheduled exactly the same as our main campus classes, giving us 15 minutes to get to class. Referring to the shuttle expected to run between River Campus and the main campus, the article states, "The trip is expected to take 15 minutes each way." That's cutting it close for us. I know that many students are concerned about this issue. I suggest that the officials tell the truth about the lack of action being taken or find an actual solution for the problem.

Good for the country

EXTENDING FOUNTAIN Street from Morgan Oak Street to William Street is in the national interest, and the $1.4 million of federal money we're getting to pay for it should in no way be judged pork. The reason it is in the national interest cannot be revealed because it's classified.

Brain power

I HAD an even better idea than the one called in about dropping the accelerated reader program. Teach the children how to write a book report. It'll do more to teach them writing, spelling and grammar than those stupid computers. Come on, teachers. Teach our children how to do something without the use of a computer. Teach them to use their brain.

Government handout

I SEE people complaining about the farm subsidies and wonder if they realize the farmers get subsidies for planting, and then ethanol producers get 51 cents a gallon for producing the ethanol. The question that must be asked: How much does ethanol cost per gallon when all subsidies are added to the bottom line? It does not add up. The taxpayer and consumer are getting the short end of the corn stalk.

Private club

HERE IS a simple solution for the private businesses that are being called public places so as to enforce smoking bans: Each one should declare itself a private club and charge as little as one cent to join. This was used in Kansas at bars when that state tried to enforce some kind of liquor-by-the-drink law.

Living on the street

RECENTLY I had the opportunity to meet with a homeless lady. She has been homeless since December. She is all alone. She can't stay at the women's shelter because she isn't being abused, nor can she stay at the recovery center for she isn't on drugs. Where can she go? Nowhere but her car. It has been almost 90 degrees this week. Why does Cape Girardeau allow anyone to live on the streets? Don't i pay enough taxes that these people can get help? Yes, some people abuse the system, but why should everyone suffer?

Super performance

WE WENT to see Mike Dumey's performance of "Sing, America, Sing." The talent was super great. So enjoyed it. Couldn't beat it at Branson. Hands off to Mike Dumey and friends.

DeMolay ice cream

THE ARTICLE about the Jackson Homecomers said the ice cream was made by the Elks. It was the DeMolay Chapter in Jackson, which has been making the ice cream since 1964.

Bumpy roads

JUST WHAT we need: two brand-new roads when the roads we have are enough to break a dozen eggs as you drive down them. Have the city fathers driven down Independence Street lately?

Faster and faster

I SAW the article about U.S. 61 getting wider shoulders between Fruitland and Bloomsdale. I've lived along U.S. 61 all my life. The highway department reworked it about 15 years ago and made it easier to go around the curves and go faster. People are doing 70 to 80 mph on this road, and that's the problem. It's not as wide as it should be, but 30 years ago we could drive farm equipment along the side of the road and we didn't even have to get on the highway. Now we have to drive on the highway with farm equipment. The highway department made the highway wider and faster. I don't think widening the road will help that much. It's just going to be the same old thing: faster and faster.

Truck traffic

BIG TRUCKS have been going up and down Perryville Road, and it is ruining our road. There are so many people who walk on this road in the afternoon who aren't using the new sidewalks that were put in. I'm disappointed with our mayor. Let's see him do something good for once.