SPEAKOUT

Straightforward about politics

THANK YOU, Rep. Jo Ann Emerson. I have voted and observed politicians and elected officials since 1952. You have displayed a new hope by giving us a light in the darkness and a breath of fresh air from party tunnel vision. Most Americans are sick and tired of political posturing by both parties and especially presidents, senators and representatives. They are far too engrossed in negativism that the other party is to blame for everything. Thank you for the integrity to point out that Republicans and Democrats play politics in their favorite gimmick of adding controversial or unwanted amendments to the disaster relief. You didn't just blame Democrats or the one who's labeled liberal. We need more Republicans and Democrats with your attitude. If the buck did stop at your desk, you're honest enough to come forward and state your party's self-serving actions were not in the interest of the people both parties supposedly serve. We need that attitude in our state senator as well as our state representatives.

Assessment goes way up

I'M CALLING in regards to the new assessments on our property. The paper stated about a month or six weeks ago that south of William, they wouldn't hardly raise the assessments at all. And when I got my notice to tell me how much it had gone up, it had gone up over a third. I called Jackson, and they was supposed to get back to me, but they haven't done a thing yet. I just wonder if everybody in this town is going to be charged a heck of a lot more money than we can afford to pay. Many of us are on fixed incomes, and the other people down here are making real low wages. That's the reason so many people are moving out of town: because the sales taxes are so high. They were warned several years ago this would happen. So they need to make up their mind. They raised the trash rates and the water rates. They're always doing something for more money. I can remember 25-30 years ago we had 35,000 people in town and we had low taxes, they picked up our trash for a reasonable rate. I think it's about time somebody looked into it and found out what the heck they're up to.

REPLY: Notices that were sent recently to property owners in Cape Girardeau County are reassessment notices, not tax bills. The amount of taxes that will be owed on the new property assessments will depend on tax rates set by various taxing entities. Tax bills are sent to property owners later in the year.

Concerns about creosote

SOMETHING SMELLS in Scott City. I was driving down Main Street where all the creosote-soaked railroad ties are on one warm afternoon, and I could really smell them. I was just wondering if the smell of creosote is harmful. I know creosote itself is considered a carcinogen. Can something be done about these railroad ties? I think this is an environmental hazard.

Best wishes to Shumate

I WISH Ron Shumate and his family the best. The way Southeast did him was a disgrace. It is a like a widow who buried her husband today and then she married again the next day.

Electric bill shoots up

I THINK that someone, maybe one of the representatives, should do something about the electric bill. My electric bill jumped $40 this month from last month, and I've not had to run the air conditioners. It was just electric use which was the same last month as it was this month and it jumped $40. For what reason, I would like to know.

REPLY: Have you called Union Electric to ask about your bill?

No Ozzie, no money

I WOULD like to comment about the Cape Girardeau baseball organization that scammed my money spent on the Ozzie Smith baseball camp. I am single parent raising two children, so my son attending the baseball camp was a major financial cost and very high privilege for him. I feel that half the cost of the camp should be refunded since Ozzie Smith did not come through and attend the camp as promised. Otherwise, I feel we have been robbed, and I think that's only being fair.

No-Show Smith

I'M CALLING about a man named No-Show Smith. My son was enrolled at the baseball camp with the hopes or promise that Ozzie Smith would be there to help instruct and also autograph. No-Show Smith left them high and dry with the promise that maybe he would come back sometime and autograph some things for these boys who were enrolled or send an autographed picture. I think people need to be warned that No-Show Smith is never going to be here when he says he's going to be. I'm very disappointed, and I think the organizers of the club or the camp owe all the participants and parents an apology for even counting on or advertising this man to be here. I am disappointed with No-Show Smith.

Unequal justice

THERE'S SOMETHING very wrong with the American justice system when Timothy McVeigh gets the death sentence and the men who bombed the World Trade Center and killed people get only life in prison.

No mention of Flag Day

I WAS very disappointed to see the June 14 newspaper. There was no mention whatsoever of Flag Day. And it's just disappointing to me that we have another holiday that should be observed and at least deserves some mention in the paper.

Beauty shop or ice cream

LAST WEEK the Jackson council voted down a lady to put a beauty shop in her home to accommodate people after hours, and I would like to ask how can they do this and let this out-of-state ice cream company that roars around at 11 o'clock at night take their tax money back to their state and throw open doors. I've almost been hit two times in Cape when they just slammed on the brakes and threw their doors open and parking on the wrong of the street. I think Jackson needs to clean up its act and put a stop to what really is a nuisance and not a taxpaying lady trying to make a living.

Nation and Christianity

I RECENTLY ran across several key facts about America's Christian origins I'd like to share with Speak Out. 1. America's Declaration of Independence parallels themes in the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy. 2. Presbyterian, Congregationalist and Baptist church government where members elected their pastors and church leaders laid the foundation for the emergence of American democracy. 3. The pilgrims, by carefully following biblical precepts, wrote and signed the Mayflower compact, establishing constitutional government in America in 1620. 4. Sermons during the Revolutionary War frequently portrayed George Washington as America's Moses leading God's people in the Promised Land. 5. America's Founding Fathers, as John Adams said, connected the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity.

Ozzie will come

I HAVE a problem with everybody flagging Ozzie Smith. You can't possibly think he would deliberately disappoint his fans, particularly children whom he really loves. And you can't also think he was coming here for the money. That $3,000 is not the point. He will come, and he will spend time with your children. Don't start slagging him because he's not on the team. I think we all know ther reason for that, don't we?

Hopalong's Topper

FOR THE person who called in wanting to know what Hopalong Cassidy's horse's name was, it was Topper.

Prayers are appreciated

I JUST wanted to say that I think the daily prayer printed in the Southeast Missourian is really nice and always so appropriate such as the day when it asked God's blessing on all the fathers of the world. Thank you very much. I appreciate all you do.

Other cowboy's horse

TO THE person who wanted to know Hopalong Cassidy's horse's name, it's Topper. If you want to know the names of other cowboys horses, look on page 33 in the book at the library, "Legendary Westerns." My favorite cowboy when I was growing up was Buck Jones. His horse's name was White Eagle.