OpinionNovember 20, 1997
SPEAKOUT
THERE HAVE been many recent comments in Speak Out and an article in the newspaper about people running red lights and the police enforcement of this. In order to increase safety, and since every person can't be ticketed every time that he runs a red light because we don't have enough police officers to enforce this, what I would suggest is that after the light in one direction turns red, there should be a three-second delay before the other run turns green. ...
Use delay between red, green lights
THERE HAVE been many recent comments in Speak Out and an article in the newspaper about people running red lights and the police enforcement of this. In order to increase safety, and since every person can't be ticketed every time that he runs a red light because we don't have enough police officers to enforce this, what I would suggest is that after the light in one direction turns red, there should be a three-second delay before the other run turns green. While that may slow down traffic just a bit at some of the intersections, it could help save lives since enforcement is so difficult.
Social Security or a job: Choose one
THERE SHOULD be a law that senior citizens have to make a choice: either keep on working or just draw Social Security. They cannot draw both and other pensions. It sure would help Social Security. They claim they don't know what to do. It would give a lot more jobs for people who need a job. Some people have big bank accounts, stocks, CDs, two cars and both work and draw Social Security. No wonder Social Security's going broke.
Stolen dogs belonged to 5-year-old
TO THE person or persons who took two black and white male and female seven-week old beagles from County Road 206 on Nov. 8: I hope you are very happy and can live with yourself, because there is a 5-year-old boy very sad and lonesome for his dogs. Please return them for his sake.
Need straight talk on school finances
A FRONT page story recently indicated that the public school budgetary problem was caused by substantial teacher salary increases in earlier years. There were no such raises. What years are being referred to? Last year faculty salaries were frozen or virtually so, and they were already below the state average, and the problem only got worse. Something doesn't compute here. We need some straight talk or perhaps an independent investigation of school finances.
Teacher salaries aren't the culprit
I THINK the Southeast Missourian should do a investigative report on the Cape School finances, not necessarily that the school officials are doing anything illegal, but just compare the last five years of pay increases to Jackson, Scott City, Poplar Bluff and Sikeston and look at those overall salary schedules and see who gets paid more. I think you'll find it interesting that the Cape teachers have probably received lower pay raises in the last five years than any of those districts, and the overall salary schedule compares poorly to those districts. Also, I think you should also do an investigative report on the stress of working at those schools as far as discipline and issues that come up in comparison to Cape schools to see just what the Cape staff is up against. I really resent the fact as a longtime employee that the blame for the current financial crisis is being placed on salaries of teachers, which do not compare favorably to Scott City and Jackson and those other districts I mentioned. I think that bears noting, and I wish the newspaper would uncover that for what it is. The reason the school district is in a financial stress is because of the poor leadership on the previous Board of Education and the superintendent that we had. I wish that this administration and this board would recognize the fact that we have a lot of good, hardworking, dedicated teachers. Our educational programs are second to none based on the number of academic scholarships that are given at the end of each year, the number of kids we have going to military academies and everything else. But to lay the blame for the current financial problems on the salaries is simply wrong.
What's in your heart really counts
I'M CALLING about Tamara Zellars Buck's column in Saturday's paper. Her writing and her thoughts are just another example to show like Jesus told the pharisees about washing up to your elbows and doing your little rituals do not mean anything to God. It's what's in your heart. It had nothing to do with rituals and services at any church or so-called church in today's world.
Now you know how I feel
THIS IS to the white male that spoke about being mad for not getting jobs because he was white. Now he knows how we feel. I'm a black female, and I'm in a worse position. I've been laid off from good jobs so that the boss' nieces and nephews or daughters and sons could get the job. I'm been turned down for many jobs, and I know it's because of my color, but I don't go around saying anything about it because it's almost expected. Good luck in your job hunt in the future.
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Don't use same engineering firm
I JUST wanted to say that I hope the state, when it decides where it's going to put Highways 34 and 72 between Cape and Jackson, doesn't get the same engineering firm that did the work on the intersection of I-55 and Route K.
Surely there are more important issues
I FIND it laughable that Southeast is so concerned with public perception that it's considering changing its mascot. Surely there are a few more major issues concerning the university. While they're open to suggestions, why not the Southeast Hazers, or the Southeast Rules Violators?
Officials knew about financial woes
IT'S AMAZING how Cape schools are in such financial problems, especially when certain items were brought to Dr. Tallent's attention in August and September and to the board's attention in October about overspending. Dr. Tallent's comment was, "I don't care what the cost, just do what it takes to get the job done." This is not someone that I want to put my money into the hands of to control the school.
Worry about academic standards first
JUST WHEN the university should be worrying about raising its academic standards, it seems to me the most important question of the day is what will they choose as their mascot. Good God.
Time to straighten country out
THIS MAY surprise a lot of people out there, but the fact is that the decision whether or not to impeach the president cannot be based on the state of the economy or how well we like the president. It's based on the fact at hand, and the fact is that we as a country cannot allow an individual to be above the law. It's really that simple. I wish people would get their heads on straight and get this country straightened out.
Closing schools won't help overcrowding
I HAVE never called Speak Out before but this is one hot issue. The Jackson School Board is on its close-the-school kick so they can send the kids to the new schools. Recently, parents were given a choice between sending their children to Millersville School or Jackson schools. Millersville parents want Millersville to stay open. Jackson voters were told that the new schools would help overcrowding. Instead, the board wants to close two other outlying schools and make over 150 kids spread out into town. Jackson voters were told that overcrowding was going to stop. Instead, 150 extra students next year, I would think, would make it a lot more crowded. We parents want Millersville and the Gordonville schools kept open. How is closing Gordonville and Millersville going to help overcrowding?
Thanks for sharing beautiful column
SAM BLACKWELL'S column on his parents' 50th anniversary was beautiful and thought-provoking. I'm sure it's the best anniversary present his parents received. Thanks for sharing this gift with us, your readers, as well.
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