Speak Out A 07/15/03

Spending priorities

I AM so glad that somebody finally put something on the front page about the Capaha Park Lagoon and how dirty it looks. I think it's a shame the city can spend so much money. Half the streets that are repaired don't need to be worked on, and the park gets ignored. There are little kids who like to play there. How can they play there when the water is so disgusting and stinks? People like to see the ducks, but how can they see the ducks when it stinks like that? Isn't it just a shame?

Military support

NO MATTER what the president and military say, our servicemen in Iraq need help to keep the peace. It is not fair to leave them there without enough men to do the job. They are at risk every day. We should start the draft to send more men to Iraq to get the job done. If we do not act immediately, we will bogged down with another Vietnam for years to come.

A city of parks

WHAT DRAWS people to a city such as Cape Girardeau will not be its churches and banks. It will be things like restaurants, the antique stores downtown and possibly the parks. Young parents need to realize this is a city with great parks. I know many times when our children were small, we utilized the parks in almost any city we visited.

Bicyclists mar trail

MY WIFE and I just returned from the walking trail near the Osage Community Center. We had intended to stroll until we got tired and then walk back to the car. It's a beautiful area in the wooded area. But we didn't go up more than a few hundred yards and returned to the vehicle because of the bicyclists. These young people blasted by us on bicycles at a high rate of speed. We often didn't know they were coming until they would go by. It was difficult for us to walk side by side for fear of being struck by a cyclist. We won't go back because it's just too dangerous, particularly for an older person who could be struck by one of these high-speed bicycles. It's just so sad. It's a beautiful trail, but I'm afraid that we'll have to go elsewhere.

Beautiful yard

IF YOU would like to see a yard with beautiful flowers, drive by the Ken Grigsby home at 1541 Valley Forge Lane.

Not just for the pros

IF THERE are a lot of swimming accidents, should we restrict swimming to the pros? That seems to be the attitude of people who want to ban fireworks because of a few accidents. People should use fireworks responsibly, and the vast majority do. There was one unfortunate accident in Jackson, but that doesn't mean everybody should lose the right to use fireworks. I think we should be allowed to pursue happiness as we follow our hearts.

Parking on property

PERSONALLY, I think it takes a lot of gall for people to park their automobiles for sale on others' property. It happens in our neighborhood. How would you like someone parking on your property? Think about it.

Contest is better

I LIKE the idea of a contest to pick a Cape Girardeau slogan and logo. I do not like the idea of schoolchildren picking. My kids have enough to do in school. I would rather them write a paper on what makes America great instead of coming up with a logo. The contest should be limited to juniors and seniors and college-age kids. I think $40,000 for a consultant is ridiculous when we're pinched for money. You could use the residents to come up with a good idea.

Scheduling games

I THINK coaches and superintendents are perfectly capable of scheduling their own games. Principals and superintendents are paid a lot of money. When my dad was the principal in a small town, he had no problem taking care of that.

Money for property

IF THE Jackson teachers want to gripe because their raises weren't big enough, they should complain to the school board about all the money it has spent in the last five years buying all that property around the school. That money would still be in the budget if they hadn't done that.

Carless student

THIS IS for those of you who think college students automatically come to SEMO with a car. I came here on a small Pell Grant and no car. My mother is barely affording to pay for my college. I am very thankful for that. Not every college student comes to college with a car and plenty of spending money. I'm lower-middle income from North St. Louis County trying to become a veterinarian. Surprised? Not every college student from St. Louis has a car.