SPEAKOUT

Suggestions for improved access

THIS IS a follow-up to a call about the dangerous entrance at Kmart. He's exactly right that it is dangerous. The city could do several things to help that without closing it completely. It would be terrible if the only entrance and exit to that lot were on Kingshighway. But they certainly need to close up the one right next to Walgreen. Things have gotten much worse since Walgreen located there, and surely they could see that coming. Kmart could help by redesigning its lot so you wouldn't have to drive a circuitous route just to get by the building, and it could also help by keeping the alley-way open behind Kmart. If it's not open, it should have a sign out before a person turns into the alley saying that it is closed to traffic. Only right turns out of the lot would help tremendously.

Conservation tax paying dividends

I WOULD like for everybody that gets the Conservationist magazine to get the July issue and turn to page 31 and read the lower left-hand corner on that page, "Turkey talk tallied." There were 50,000 birds killed in the spring of 1999. I can remember when there was not one wild turkey just a few short years ago here in Cape County whatsoever. Cape County was a small percentage of that 50,000. But now we have turkeys to hunt. We animal habitat. We have an abundance of turkeys here, and we didn't have that before. And we owe that all to our state sales tax that we let the Department of Conservation have so it could fund programs like this and rejuvenate the animals.

Please support Humane Society fund raiser

I WANT to encourage everyone to attend the Humane Society Ice Cream Social July 18. This is a wonderful opportunity for people who love animals but don't get involved to do something for the shelter. It's going to be at Mollie's, which everyone knows is a wonderful restaurant, and this is a wonderful cause. I talk to so many people who take wonderful care of their own animals. But what about the animals that don't have anybody and need the care that only the Humane Society can give? So please, I'm appealing to everybody who has compassion and kindness for animals to please support the ice cream social at Mollie's July 18. Please come and buy a ticket and eat some wonderful ice cream and dessert.

Bike riders: Use common sense

TO THE person who said the bike rider had the right to be on the highway: It's one thing to be there, but it's another thing riding out in the middle of a highway. That is a highway. Use common sense. You don't ride on a highway when there's two big companies out there. You've got M&W, you've got Procter & Gamble. They have hundreds of people on shift changes. You've got them coming and going. If they round the curve and there's a bicycle out in the road, there's no place to turn off. If a bicyclist wants to put himself or herself in that kind of position, that's his problem.

Weeds, junk cars are allowed

IF I can get what I want out of my house, I'll move to Jackson where the people are treated like human beings. And when they vote for the city to get things done, that's who I care about. I voted for everything that the city wanted. They wanted the water treatment. I voted for it. But never again will I vote for anything here in Cape Girardeau again. They let weeds grow up. They let people park junk cars in their backyard and never say a thing about it. Why? A bunch of liars and hypocrites.

Air show was wonderful experience

I WANTED to comment on the air show and what a wonderful experience it was and how I know anyone that attended thoroughly enjoyed themselves. I want to encourage those who did not attend to try to make future events. It was just so touching to see the old World War II planes right up next to everything, including the most current fighter jets in our services. It was a very wonderfully done, touching event, so exciting. I especially want to comment on including the Vietnam-era rescue show that they put on with the explosions and the pyrotechnics. It was just exciting and so touching to observe. I'm glad they're starting with this show to recognize some of our younger veterans as well as our older veterans. It was just very well done, and I cannot wait until next year to see what they add to it.

Rooting for which team?

I WAS so excited when I opened the paper and saw that our women beat the Chinese team in the World Cup soccer final. As I told my wife about this victory, I explained it had become much more than a soccer title and, in fact, the Clintons were there. She said, "Oh, really? And which side did they sit on?"

Dog leads a miserable life

MY NAME is Sadie. I'm a beautiful German shepherd. I'm almost a year old. I live on North Frederick Street. I'm on a short leash, and my owners won't feed or water or care for me. When they first got me, I got the best of care, even walks and grooming. Then all at once they started to abuse me. I've got real good neighbors though, and they feed and water me every day. My neighbors even thought enough of me to call the authorities when they noticed me with my leash stretched as far as it would go to get a drink from the gutter down spout when it rained and doing other disgusting things for food that a pretty girl like me should never have to do. I'm gaining some weight now and feeling better thanks to my neighbors. Thank you, Speak Out, for printing my story. Even though the authorities came to see my owners several times they continue to abuse me. But my neighbors are taking real good care of me now. Please help all of us abused animals. Sadie.