Speak Out A 06/01/02

Holiday listings

KUDOS TO the Southeast Missourian for printing the TV schedules for Memorial Day in the Sunday edition. This was a special consideration for readers who depend on the daily listings. We missed getting the paper on the holiday, but the day-before TV listings were a pleasant and appreciated surprise.

Illinois may benefit

THANKS TO some statewide discontent and waffling in the General Assembly, Cardinals president Mark Lamping is talking to Illinois Gov. George Ryan about moving the Cards across the river. So by saving ourselves from spending money now that would only pay itself back later, we're going to give up the sales tax that comes with every purchase made by the 3 million fans attending games each year. Nice job, Missouri. Thanks, Illinois.

Thank you, veterans

I WOULD like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who was responsible for the Memorial Day service at the Osage Community Centre. It was the first time I attended a service of this kind. I was surprised at how much it moved me. To look at the men and women who served in military service so I can enjoy the freedoms I have today really humbled me. Thank you to all veterans everywhere.

It's up to motorists

I HAVE a real problem with all the flak MoDOT is getting over the Diversion Channel bridge construction and the traffic backup that has resulted since it started. If people would follow the instructions on the signs as soon as they see them -- like merging into the right lane and yielding to cars coming off the ramps -- the problem wouldn't be so bad. MoDOT is not responsible for the way people drive or people don't follow instructions or fail to show courtesy to other drivers. MoDOT isn't responsible for the flooding. There are other factors involved, such as making sure no lives are lost due to a weak shoulder collapsing from all the traffic driving on it. I wonder how the people who love to complain would react if MoDOT had just left the shoulder alone until it collapsed. Maybe you can mull that over the next time you happen to get caught in traffic on I-55.

Kelly information

I WOULD like to voice my opinion on the comment made about Kelly school catering to the rich as far as the bond issue goes. We are definitely not rich. We're not poor either. We're somewhere in between. Meetings on the school bond to renovate Kelly schools have been open to the public, and I have seen parents passing out brochures door to door. I would love to see a driver's ed program at our school, but we must have an instructor who is certified to teach the class, which means we have to come up with the funds to pay for the program. If Kelly can't afford the renovations for a much-needed high school, how in the world can it afford to pay a certified instructor to teach driver's ed?

Bypass Jackson

YES, JACKSON alderman. Bypass Jackson. Bypass it with both highways. We do not want a roundabout at the courthouse. Bypasses expand business opportunities and expand cities.

Wind beneath his wings

THANK YOU, Dr. Peter Hilty, for mentioning Pearl Scully, Mark Scully's wife, in your beautifully written letter to the editor. Pearl was modest, almost to the point of self-effacement, but everyone knew she was the quiet wind beneath the wings of a very capable president of what was then known as Southeast Missouri State College.

Local principles

I DON'T care if other communities have exploited the TIF program and used it for purposes for which it wasn't intended. This is Cape Girar-deau. We are a community based on a consensus of commonsense principles. Our city government shouldn't even consider committing TIF dollars to a project designed to benefit the plutocracy.

Police ignore noise

I WAS on Broadway when a vehicle came past me with two young girls inside. The music coming from this vehicle hurt my ears and rattled my car. This so-called music was a repetition of the f-word and the n-word. I followed the vehicle. We met three Cape police cars with uniformed officers in each. The first and second officers were talking on cell phones and paid no attention. The third was drinking from a huge foam cup and kind of gave the girls the evil eye.