SPEAKOUT

Enough of Mosley's claptrap

WHAT A comfort to know that we have Steve Mosley to enlighten us about others' opinions, as in his retort on "fancy language." Also, why does he comment only on local opinions? Why not George Will's or Paul Greenberg's? What claptrap. Incidentally, "retort" is from the Latin for bend, as in bend the truth.

Far-reaching assessment proposals

IT'S OBVIOUS after reading Speak Out that some citizens are totally in the dark when it comes to just what is before the City Council and why some property owners are trying to change this street-assessment proposal. In the past, street improvements were considered on an individual basis. In most all cases, the city met with the property owners and came to an agreement on how a particular improvement would be handled. What is before the City Council now will end any dialogue between the city and the property owners involved. They have been asked to set a policy, a policy that says the property owner will pay a set amount per foot plus the cost of acquisition of the property. In other words, whatever the city paid the property owner they will charge them back plus the cost of construction. This not only affects the property owners on the west side of the city but each and every property owner in Cape who has a street or the possibility of a street on their property. Wake up, Cape Girardeau. This fight is for everyone.

Some barking-dog doggerel

MY NEIGHBOR'S dog barks day and night. He barks for joy. He barks from fright. He barks when he sees cat or dog. He barks at dark. He barks at fog. To make him silent is quite a feat because this dog only stops to get something to eat.

Using city water as blackmail

I PLANNED on building a house on Route W. I went to the city of Cape to see how much it would cost to run water to my property. Cape's answer: "You have to sign an agreement to be annexed into the city first." I do not want to build in the city. They are using city water to force us people into the city. If I would have signed that paper, I and everyone would have to pay for it just like the people on Hopper Road are having to do. That is blackmail.

Sobriety checkpoint created a hazard

THIS IS to the police chief of Cape Girardeau concerning a wreck at Memorial Park on the eastbound side going towards Cape. The police were conducting a sobriety test at the bottom of the hill and had traffic backed up clear to the crest of the hill to the west with no lights on or police cars or signs to warn motorists. A young girl coming from Jackson topped the hill and ran right into the parked car ahead. It is a wonder she was not killed or the girl in the car she hit was not injured more. I am not against having checkpoints for sobriety tests, but you don't do it with no warning or no lights or signs for the backed-up traffic.

Enforce existing animal ordinance

I JUST want to give my thoughts on our new ordinances for animals. I have called several times as far as a loose dog in our neighborhood. The dog is usually loose every morning. I have waited an hour or an hour and a half to see if animal control would show up after I've called. They haven't. So why do we waste our time passing new ordinances when they don't even follow through?

Confused about hospital plans

OK. I am very confused now that I read Speak Out regarding hospital sterilizations. I plan on having one more child, and I plan on having a cesarean. I planned on having a tubal ligation during that cesarean procedure. I am getting the feeling that if the hospitals merge that will not be available to me. Surely they are not implying that I would have to go to Sikeston or that I would have to have two surgeries.

Feels betrayed by Billy Graham

I READ with interest Cal Thomas' piece about Rev. Graham, chiding him for the stance that he took toward the president. I'm a Pentecostal pastor, and I've always upheld Billy Graham's integrity. I always respected him as a great man of God. However, I feel betrayed that he has taken this stance. I've been trying to figure out why he would do such a thing. It really bothers me.

Support for the cowboy capitalist

IN HIS letter endorsing the extinction of the kangaroo rat, Ron Farrow eloquently makes the point that any human want, however minor and insignificant, should have precedence over the existence of any other species. It's a shame that the first letter that Mr. Farrow has written that addresses an issue should be on behalf of the cowboy capitalist and planet rape-pillagers who would destroy this world for future generations.

Need to save island of forest

WHY IS it when anybody wants land for anything, the first thing they want is Klaus Park? This beautiful little park is an asset to our county and should always remain that way. The county has made and maintained this little island of forest amid encroaching development. Let's not lose this to more bulldozing and burning. We should be trying to expand our park system, not losing them to every cause that comes along.

Thanks for spring music program

CONGRATULATIONS TO Mrs. Nall and the Franklin School children. The spring music program was simply delightful.

Worried about teen lifestyle

I'M THE parent of one of those teen-agers with the baggy clothes and the dog collars. At first I thought it was a bizarre but relatively harmless form of teen-age expression. Now I realize how deeply these kids are enmeshed in the drug and alcohol lifestyle. If we don't try to reclaim our kids, we're going to lose them. Some of them already drive, and we all know what happens when you add drugs and alcohol.

Willing to help with fireworks

I'M A little upset with the tone of the VFW ad in Sunday's paper canceling the Fourth of July fireworks. It seems pretty crotchety, and it paints everybody with the same nasty brush. My family and I would have been more than willing to help organize and raise some funds, and we always clean up after ourselves. They say we've come expect everything for nothing. We're not mind readers, and if you don't tell us that you need help, we're not going to know it. I really think this is very unfair that they didn't warn us that they needed some help and just decided to go ahead and cancel it.

Everyone's in the stock market today

MR. DEGENHARDT is putting down maintenance workers and shoeshine boys when he quotes old Joe Kennedy. If these put-down workers were discussing investments, they at least weren't on welfare. Just about everyone is involved in the stock market today. If your company has a retirement plan or you have an IRA, a 4O1(k), annuity or life insurance or own stocks individually, you're involved because those funds are invested to grow until you retire or sell your own stock. One doesn't have to be too rich or too smart, just persistent. I know from 40 years of experience.

Other comparisons of teacher salaries

I'VE WATCHED with interest your comparison of school districts, salaries and performance. I've also been underwhelmed by the pathetic failure of the education of our children compared worldwide. If your point was to encourage throwing more money in education in the form of salary increases of teachers and administrators, we know that doesn't work. To be accurate and relevant, why don't you show the real compensation for teachers who are generally paid for nine months a year by including prorated cost of health and life insurance and retirement compensation. While you're at the comparison, how does Notre Dame salaries match up with ACT of their students compared to Central and Jackson high schools? Are higher salaries the solution when there are hundreds of applicants for the jobs?