Speak Out A 04/28/03

Hope of the world

A SPEAK Out comment referred to the United States as the bully of the world. No one likes a bully. America is the hope of the world. If you're a real patriot, you believe this.

Secret ballot?

THE MAYOR has asked for a survey to be sent out with the city utilities bill to ask people why they voted no on the tax increases that were on the April ballot. This is so he can find out who voted yes and who voted no.

No explanation needed

EXPLANATION OF a no vote? You've got to be kidding. People have a right to vote as they choose and owe no explanation to anyone. Gauging the outcome of the vote by Speak Out comments, there were opinions both ways. This survey will cost money too.

Don't block entrance

THIS IS to the parents who drop their kids off at West Lane Elementary School. You pull up in the street in front of the entrance to the junior high school, block the entrance and let your child out at the street. Pull over to the side. At least don't block the entrance. There are people trying to get in.

Don't speak for me

I DON'T think Alec Baldwin, Martin Sheen or Barbra Streisand can speak for average Americans. Those actors are the wealthy and privileged. By not been living day to day and just getting by, they lose touch. They don't really know anymore what it's like to be like the rest of us. They've certainly never said anything I've ever wanted to hear.

Hire a consultant

INSTEAD OF the city of Cape Girardeau mailing out a questionnaire in everybody's utility bill this month to find out why the tax issues did not pass, I think they should hire a consultant to let them know why it did not pass.

More taxes, no results

I WOULD like to comment about the taxes we voted on. The mayor and other city officials are upset because that got voted down. Now they're going to send around a survey. I believe we have a right in this country to vote how we want without anyone telling us how to vote. That's the privacy we enjoy. Maybe voters in this town are tired of paying taxes and not seeing much results. I voted no. I'm tired of paying taxes and not seeing any results. Maybe the mayor can afford those taxes. But the working person has other things to pay for.

Unnecessary spending

CAPE GIRARDEAU, you waste too much money. We didn't need a roundabout or to straighten out Snake Hill or to straighten out Main Street by the old shoe factory.

Reasons to vote no

IN REFERENCE to the survey to ask Cape voters why they said no to the taxes on the April ballot: There wasn't enough publicity about what each tax was for. People want to know what their money is going for. Another reason: I don't like the mayor, and I don't think he can spend our money wisely. I have tried to get city officials to help fix our streets and street lights. I've been put off now for 15 years.

Giving and helping

CHURCH IS about giving and helping others. If you are looking for a social organization, join a club. If you want to act like Jesus, join a church.

Ignored by church

I STAY home and watch church on television. My husband and I have been ignored by deacons in the church through a crisis we've had. We've been ignored by a load of these so-called religious people who sit on the bench on Sunday and Wednesday night and do nothing the rest of the time.

Unbecoming threats

SECRETARY of State Powell made the statement that France is going to suffer the consequences for opposing the war in Iraq. It's not very becoming for Powell to be an intimidator. Is that how the Bush administration operates? Who are they going to threaten next?

Not part of the clan

I'VE BEEN in Cape Girardeau over three years and go to church every Sunday, but I have never been invited to be part of any of the functions. We put our offering envelope in every Sunday. I believe Jesus knows we're there. I just feel like I'm not part of the clan.

Roundabout turnaround

I'M ONE of the original complainers about the roundabout because it was so small. Now I'm a supporter of it. I would be pleased if they would put the one they're talking about down by the new federal building, but it definitely needs to be larger. There us no sense having a roundabout as small as the one we have now.

Workers need a raise

I CAN sympathize with the city workers who aren't getting a raise because I know it would be hard for our family if my spouse hadn't got a raise. It's nice to have a raise each year.

Simple explanation

DOES CAPE Girardeau's mayor not think that the citizens and taxpayers know what to do without any input from anybody else, even Speak Out? We do not want more taxes.

Let's keep them active

IN REFERENCE to the skateboard liability: Let's not build a skateboard park and let's let the kids get in trouble for skating all over town like they do now. Or let's make skateboarding illegal so we can add to the number of couch potatoes. As a physical educator, I think it's important that kids stay active and that we give them the places to do that in. A skateboard park is just about the right idea.

Can't afford taxes

I'LL TELL you why a lot of people voted no against the Cape tax increases. There are too many taxes in this town. A lot of people are on a fixed income or minimum wage. We're getting tired of taxes. Every time we turn around, there's another tax. The more taxes you have in this town, the more the industrial people are going to stay out. You ought to have my doctor bills for a while. You ought to get what I make a month and what I put out on medicine and then try to live on that.

Safety issue is important

THE POLITICAL cartoonist had it wrong. There are many who felt like what was being shown of the war shouldn't be shown. The Laci Peterson case is very important to women. I heard statistics about pregnant women who are killed by their husbands. I think that this is something that women have to be aware of for their safety. It's something that we need to talk to our daughters about.

Check dog's collar

THIS IS reminder to people who have a dog that wears a permanent collar. You need to check the collar periodically to make sure the dog hasn't outgrown the collar and that the collar is not choking or cutting into the flesh of the dog.

Not a new idea

I'M CALLING in regard to putting the classes together at Gordonville. My kids went to school at Gordonville. They had first and second grade together. They had third and fourth grade together. They had fifth and sixth grades together. So why is it so awful now?