Source of mutants
SAM BLACKWELL'S column comparing centuries was a hoot while being quite profound. My only complaint is that his bias showed through about the origin of superhuman mutants. Only a handful are playing the PGA tour. The bulk of them were first seen in the NBA.
Highway needs
I-66 HAS been a hot issue with many different opinions. Between Cape Girardeau and Paducah, you must use two-lane country roads. The Poplar Bluff and Sikeston areas already have four lanes of state highway running between them. Which community sounds more needy?
Gap in school pay
THOUGH ON a smaller scale dollar-wise, the gap between public school administrator salaries and classroom teachers rivals in obscenity that of many corporate CEOs and the rank and file who work for them. This outrage is worthy of a state investigation, hopefully headed up by Jason Crowell.
No time for a party
WHILE I am glad that Qusai and Odai Saddam Hussein are no longer a threat to the Iraqi people, I think it's very sad at how we celebrated the deaths of two human beings. I realize that eliminating them was necessary, but we needn't throw a party.
Close encounters
I DECIDED to dig out my rollerblades and use the city's walking and biking trail. People are correct when they say others are rude and are trail hogs. I saw it first-hand. If people would use common sense and make way for others, it would be so much more enjoyable. Walkers can use the grass a lot easier than someone on rollerblades. Why people find it necessary to walk three abreast I will never understand. The problem will not be fixed if those who are sworn to uphold the law can't even follow the posted rules. Two of Cape Girardeau's finest were in uniform on bikes and were riding side by side in blind spots. I nearly ran one of them over. I guess city laws and common-sense rules do not apply to our officers.
Long-term benefits
I HOPE all Cape Girardeau residents realize the great opportunity we have in landing I-66. The economic benefits, as well as the prestige of a coast-to-coast highway running through our town, make this a fantastic thing to have. Anyone who seriously opposes this has to be nuts. More traffic only means more recognition and more visitors, and that only means more business and money for our city. The short-term costs are nothing compared to the potential long-term benefits.
Setting curriculum
PUBLIC SCHOOL curriculum should not be tailored to the needs of individual students. It may sound good, but it's really edubabble for business as usual. The school curriculum should be challenging, rigid and the same across the board in all schools. Staff and students alike should be held accountable.
Need buses in Cape
I SURE do hope we get bus lines in Cape Girardeau. That would just be great.
Dangerous gunplay
IN RESPONSE to "Restaurant shoot-out": A more realistic scenario would be the drunken patron carrying a concealed weapon in a bar and shooting someone because he spilled a drink or a motorist with road rage shooting at another driver. The days of Tombstone are long behind us, thank goodness. Let law enforcement officers who are properly trained carry concealed weapons, not trigger-happy wannabes.
The CliffNotes version
I WOULD like to translate the Cape Girardeau School Board's conceptual framework. 1. Everyone in each school has equal opportunity for making things work. 2. Every student in each classroom has equal opportunity to succeed. 3. Get ready for in-services on classroom-community management.
Goals are too vague
I AGREE with the parents who think the goals set by the Cape Girardeau School District don't make sense and are too vague. One of the things that you're always taught in management courses is that goals should have a time frame, should be measurable and should be specific. These goals aren't measurable and are not specific. As a teacher, I can tell you right now that these goals are meaningless. They're a bunch of double-talk. I've been to a couple of Rick DuFour seminars. He's got some wonderful ideas, but the Cape district doesn't have the money to implement them. As it is, the district has some vague dream, and I don't think the board can define these goals.
Where the money goes
THE COMPARISON of school administrator salaries was interesting, but the full story was not told. Now I wish the Missourian would follow up by ranking where Jackson and Cape Girardeau school administrators rank in the state and then compare this to where the school districts rank on per-pupil expenditure in teacher salaries. I think you will find that Cape and Jackson administrator salaries rank average or above in the state, but they rank below average in per-pupil expenditure in teacher salaries. Where do we want our education money to be spent? On the kids? Or on the school administrators?
Always a friend
I WAS never personally acquainted with Jean Bell Mosley. I never had the opportunity meet her, but I always felt she was a friend. Years ago, before I moved to this area, I read Jean Bell Mosley's books and got my first introduction to the Old McKendree Chapel. It was such a wonderful story. I have treasured that particular location ever since. We all will miss Mrs. Mosley very much and appreciate what she has done.
Cowboys in Speedos
REGARDING THE bikini bull riders: Perhaps we should see a photo or two on the back page of the newspaper of a couple of local cowboys in their Speedos.
More train problems
TRAIN WHISTLES are just a part of the problem the trains are causing at Scott City. There are some trains that literally fly through town at speeds that shake homes and rattle windows. It is a disaster waiting to happen. I know a young man who was given a ticket on Main Street in Scott City. The speed limit is 35 mph. My husband and I have driven Main Street at 35 mph, and trains outrun us all the time. Why don't the trains get ticketed? I say get rid of the trains. Let them be a thing of the past.
Fun in New Hamburg
MY HUSBAND and I are newcomers to the Benton area. We decided to go to the New Hamburg picnic. It was the most enjoyable experience we have had since we've lived here. The food made by the women at the church was delicious. The fair was very nice. The people were wonderful. New Hamburg is a wonderful community. I would recommend it. We're going back next year and the next.
Phones fees are taxes
MY TAXES just went up again. I'm talking about the hidden fees. Do you ever look to see what you're paying on your telephone bill? See how much the fees have increased.
Perfect drivers
ACCORDING TO a Speak Out caller, all teens and elderly persons should be tested every two years on their driving abilities. The people between those age groups must be perfect drivers.
Not a happy camper
I'VE LIVED here almost 20 years, and I wouldn't give a plug nickel for most of the neighbors in my neighborhood. I don't find them to be friendly. They're just nosy. As for those who go away and can't wait to get back, they must be pathetic people if they find this to be the place they want to return to.
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