Speak Out A 04/27/03

Benefits for MU

FOR THOSE who favor SEMO joining the MU system, first realize the ulterior motives that MU president Elson Floyd has. The MU system is taking such huge cuts in state funding. Smaller schools such as Northwest receive more money per student than any school in the MU system. By encouraging these smaller schools to join the MU system, their money is up for grabs. It goes into the MU pot and can be redistributed to Mizzou, UMSL, UMKC or elsewhere. The MU system benefits, but the students at the state schools will have money taken away.

Clean up area first

I SAW where the city is going to put a skateboard area in the park on Fountain Street. That is a nice idea. But does the city know that there are drug dealers in the area and perverts who use the bathroom at Washington Park just across the street? I would like to see the city clean up some of this before they let young kids become exposed to more crime.

No church interest

I COULD not agree more whole-heartedly with the person who called in about his church. I attended a church for a while but was never asked to join. When I stopped going, no one ever bothered to ask why. I still receive the weekly bulletin in the mail and many requests for cash support. One of the bulletins included information about declining membership and attendance. Shame on Christians who cannot see Christ in all his forms.

Need road warnings

CAPE GIRARDEAU County, please get signs out on Route U from Gravel Hill through Crump. Someone could get killed out there if they did not know the road, going through there at night and driving fast. The county would wind up getting sued because they didn't take the time to put up warning signs.

No extra dollars

OUR MAYOR and city council wonder why the people voted down the tax increases. Think about it. The city wants to spend the money to send out questionnaires. If the city has the money to throw away on something so trivial, then it should already know the answer. We have been taxed to death. We always hear that it is just a small increase, but these small increases add up. It takes all we take home now to live. Give the people a break.

Religion and school

EITHER QUIT complaining about public school schedules or pay to put your kid in a private school. Public schools are not responsible for catering to your religious needs. Good Friday is not a national holiday. Therefore, you do not get off school. If schools close for one religion, they'd have to close for all, and then we'd never have school at all. If church happens to conflict with a concert, give your kid a note, skip the concert and go to church. There are plenty of parochial and private schools that will meet your every religious need.

Pretty clear info

A CITYWIDE survey? A roundtable discussion? Revisit the issue in a year? The mayor and the city council just don't get it. The residents of Cape Girardeau do not want any new taxes. All four tax proposals were soundly defeated at the polls. How much clearer can the residents of Cape Girardeau be?

Subsidizing illegal drugs

WHEN SOMEONE is fired because of illegal drug use, which is a crime, why should that person be paid unemployment compensation to support his drug addiction? Taxpayers should not have to subsidize illegal drug users.

Personal responsibility

I WOULD think that a skate park would be the same as any other park. If you ride your bicycle and get hurt, is it the city's responsibility or your own? If a kid wears a helmet is pretty much up to the parents to decide. I would see a skate park no different than any other park where people are free to ride bikes, jog or walk.