Speak Out A 11/17/04

Quieter in Jackson

HOORAY, RESIDENTS of Jackson. It sounds like the city council is looking at enforcing the current noise nuisance laws. If you are tired of the loud car stereos and loud cars, trucks and motorcycles, let the mayor and your alderman know that you support the effort to make Jackson a quieter town. Give them your support.

Health cost factors

A READER asked why we can't pay lower prices for medicines like Medicaid does. It's because Medicaid and other government plans reimburse so little the providers have to make it up somewhere. So the hard-working taxpayers are paying for welfare and Medicare twice, once in taxes and again in higher health-care costs as providers recoup their losses from Medicaid and Medicare. Higher health-care costs started when the government began dictating charges. The unrealistic paperwork and low reimbursement are primary factors.

Thankful for voting

THOSE OF us who are younger and have better eyesight were probably working or in school on Election Day. I had to point out my name to the poll worker too. It was a small enough price to pay for the right to make my voice heard. Instead of whining about every little thing at the polls, find a soldier, sailor, airman or Marine and say thank you for preserving your right to be at the polls.

Getting an education

I AM a college student. When I go to classes, I see well-dressed young adults who pay attention, ask important questions and work hard for degrees so they can become better citizens in this country. I hope you will stop viewing college students as the scum of the earth.

Great to give time

HOW SAD was the complaint about the older poll worker not being able to see the names. These seniors who are working the polls are so great to give up their time to do this for us. Who are you going to get to work the polls, if not the seniors? Younger people are at their jobs, too busy or not interested in working all day and evening for a pittance.

For firefighters, police

I VOTED for a public safety tax to benefit fire and police. We need to retain well-qualified men and women for these positions. Fire and police positions are harder to fill than public works jobs.

School finances

WHY IN the world, given the budget restraints of the Cape Girardeau School District, would the school board quote a salary for a superintendent that is so out of line with the bigger neighboring school district in Jackson? The Jackson superintendent makes $118,000 a year, and that distinct has a thousand more students. Our district is proposing a salary of $125,000 to $140,000 for the new superintendent. It is time that the public get a clear picture of the intentions of the board and the way they are mismanaging our money. The board is elected to represent the taxpayers. If board members are not qualified or comfortable with hiring a new superintendent, without using $15,000 to fund a search, then it is my opinion they have no business being on the board.

Rapper is a student

TO THE person who asked why Murphy Lee was the guest of honor at Southeast Missouri State University's homecoming. He was invited because he is a student there.

It's still sin

WRONG IS wrong, and right is right. And sin is sin.

Waiting period

LET'S GIVE a new superintendent $140,000 a year, but let's make him get it in increments like the police and firefighters are getting. They still won't be getting what they are supposed to in comparison to surrounding areas. Let's give the superintendent that raise and then make it take 20 years to actually reach it. That is how the city is doing with the fire tax.