Speak Out A 11/04/02

Remembering values

I'M A senior citizen. I'm a little senile, and maybe I'm not with the times. But does anybody remember when no one would ever consider an abortion? People really believed in God. You could walk in any part of our city without fear. I never heard of a gay lifestyle until going in the service. Or a pedophile or transvestite. I couldn't imagine a same-sex marriage. I would have never dreamed of getting into criminal activity. I would have been too ashamed to face my parents. I cared so much for my wife and family, I could have never cheated, even if I'd tried. They were my life. I watch our society and values drop to a new low every year. When you think it can't sink further, it does. But I'm so glad I knew a time when the family and morals and human dignity were the norm. So many will never know there once was a time when most people really had values and class.

Bad patching job

ANYONE DRIVING Highway 25 south from Jackson can't help but notice the sloppy job of patching with the unevenness almost becoming hazardous. If the highway department contracted this work, I hope it did not pay for such a mess. And if the highway department did this with its own maintenance crews, then I suggest it contract it out to a contractor that knows what it is doing.

Scooter nuisances

MY CAR has to have a muffler designed not emit any noise, but motorized scooters can zip up and down on the public street contributing an annoying and aggravating loud noise. I'd like to know if they are legal to be on the public streets at night without lights. These motorized scooters can go very fast and are very loud.

Gravel Hill church

TO THE persons who are looking for a traditional church. We go to a Methodist church in Gravel Hill. These are friendly people. Anybody is welcome, and I do believe you will find what you're looking for.

Thanks for the help

I WAS calling to thank the community for its efforts in fund-raising event to help the diabetes camp. It was a pleasurable event to attend. I just wanted to say hats off to everyone for helping the kids.

Looking for road work

I WAS wondering when the county is going to blacktop or at least oil the last mile of County Road 241.

Small increase

I'M CALLING about the Social Security raise. I got a 1.4 percent raise in 2002, and Social Security raised Medicare insurance 1 percent, so I ended up getting $2 raise each month.

Complete agreement

THE GUEST column entitled "Liberals, conservative revisited" by Russ Kullberg, a retired professor of biology, is something I completely agree with. I'm glad to see such a column on the Opinion page. The thing is thoroughly researched and something that I believe in. I'm an unemployed naval aviator with over 20 years experience of fighting the Cold War.

Ask them

TO THE Speak Out call titled "War is a failure" I'd like to respond by saying I wonder if the people of Afghanistan feel that the war was a failure.

Cut some expenses

THERE WAS an article about the Jackson School District budget and the overcrowded schools. Jackson schools are so crowded because a lot of students from other districts are moving into the school district because of all the extra trips Jackson students get to take. You see our buses on the road all day long going somewhere. What does the student learn going to apple orchards and pumpkin patches and Flickerwood Arena? Then we have to pay bus drivers to sit there and wait. The superintendent wants taxpayers to pass another bond issue to build more schools. Save money for the district. Let's cut out some of these extra trips that are not necessary.

We needed help?

I WOULD like to thank all of the high-powered politicians and special interest groups who have come to our state to tell us how we should vote. It's a pity that we're not smart enough to figure how we should cast our votes.

Canadian drugs

IT'S REALLY a dirty shame in this democratic country that we can't get something done about seniors getting their drugs cheaper. They have to go to Canada to buy their drugs. That is really bad. This really looks bad on our economy. They're even advertising on TV for people to go to Canada to get their prescription drugs.

Freedom of expression

FOR ANYONE to compare anti-war protesters to Russia's hostage-taking is ludicrous. It's like comparing apples to oranges. Russia has its own messes. We have a situation where we are thinking about perpetrating war on another country. I think it's wonderful that local people get out and stand up for what they believe in. I may not agree, but good for them to get out and exercise their freedom of expression.

A matter of safety

AS A Cape Girardeau resident, I am deeply concerned about the proposed location of the sports bar on North Kingshighway. It has nothing to do with the owner's reputation. It has nothing to do with legalities. It has everything to do with the safety of the citizens of Cape Girardeau and the surrounding communities. If you have ever traveled the road entering Cape at this point, you know that motorists travel way beyond the 55-mph limit coming down that hill. To leave that establishment and turn left on Kingshighway would be a total nightmare. There are no other exits from the establishment. Alcohol can even in small amounts cloud judgment. All other bars in town are located on less traveled, less busy streets with stoplights and other exit roads to accommodate traffic. Safety should be the only issue that determines whether a license should be granted. Surely the city council's hands are not tied in protecting our citizens. How many lives must be lost before common sense prevails?

Aquatic center viewpoint

OBVIOUSLY THE recent caller to Speak Out who goes to the Farmington aquatic center hasn't availed himself of the information that the city of Cape Girardeau has put out at its public meetings regarding the city budget. The city itself does not project that this facility would ever pay for itself. It would pay for its operations during the three months it is open each year, but it is not projected to ever repay the $5 million to $6 million cost of construction. The city says this facility wouldn't create jobs. Capaha Park pool would be closed, and those employees would be shifted to the aquatic center. If this could be a money-making proposition, then I suggest that caller visits his bank, crunch some numbers with a loan officer and hope that he doesn't get laughed out the door. Our city is in a financial crunch attributable to its questionable spending practices. Let's not worsen the situation by constructing another white elephant.

A little patience

I HAVE called the high school on several occasions. There are several telephone options to choose from. It is time Cape Girardeau realizes we have 1,200 students in that school and there are several different people who need to be notified at different times. A little bit of patience and understanding from the public would help tremendously. If you would like to see how the functioning of the high school is, I'm sure the principal or assistant principals would be glad to show you.

Let us breathe

WHEN IT comes to leaves, I say churn them, don't burn them. Let Cape Girardeau breathe.

Trench work

The new trench in the northbound lane of Sprigg Street near the new traffic light is getting worse.