Speak Out 8/29/06

Does he carpool?

MISSOURI DEPARTMENT of Natural Resources director Doyle Childers told us to carpool. I wonder how he gets to work.

Vote on burning

I MUST take issue with TJ Greaney's column on "Life, liberty and the burning of yard debris." I am most happy not to live near the person who loves to burn yard waste. Also I am not impressed with the 400 signatures collected for burning. That's pretty small potatoes for a city of this size. I cannot believe the city council was swayed by this one person. So they are going to give those of us with breathing problems a break on certain days. Get your facts straight. This smoke affects us every day, not just some days. So this person will move out of town if the burning is stopped. Some of us have no choice but to live here and breathe their smoke. Burning affects everyone, not just a few. This should be voted on by the whole town, not just a chosen few.

Thanks for mowing

THANK YOU to the person who mowed the right-of-way on Route U. The weeds were becoming a safety issue.

Girls wear them too

OFFENSIVE SHIRTS aren't only making their way to young men, but also to young women. Young girls are presenting themselves as sexual objects and in other offensive ways.

PTA material

I AM outraged at a recent development at Franklin Elementary School. While waiting to get my son from school, I was speaking to a mother who had tattoos and piercings. She was upset that she was informed that she was not PTA material. Doesn't being a parent of a child in school mean that you are PTA material? What does it matter that she has tattoos and piercings? She seemed to me a wonderful and caring mother who wants nothing more that to support her child and school. The children are what matter. Think of the children and the good of our schools.

Needless airing

I'M DISAPPOINTED the judges of the 32nd Judicial Circuit resorted to using the media to discuss the creation of a new dress code for attorneys in our area. Legal professionals throughout our state have since enjoyed quite a laugh at our expense now that there is an impression that our area produces attorneys who dress like the Beverly Hillbillies. Surely any perceived issue could have been resolved by a private discussion with those thought to have taken too many liberties with their wardrobe. The rule is arguably gender-biased as it lacks sufficient text relating to female attorneys' wardrobes. I urge our judges to remember what it was like as a Southeast Missouri attorney to endure hundreds of active cases in several rural counties where travel and hectic schedules are common.