SPEAKOUT

Oscar-winning children

WATCHING the Oscars, always a big production, makes me proud of my own production, with my husband's help, of course. Makes me wish I could give each of my daughters gold statues of our pride so the world will know of their accomplishments. This really isn't necessary. They know, and so do I. Why don't more of today's families have more of this rapport?

West end location

I THINK whoever came up with the idea of putting the federal building in the west end of town between Lowe's and Wal-Mart really has the best idea, as I have to be at the federal building a couple of times a month for two days and have to go to that end of town, stay all night, eat and to shop. I think this is an ideal location. No parking problem, no old, rundown buildings to look at or anything like that. I think this is an ideal location.

Site suggestions

REGARDLESS OF where the GSA picks for the federal building, the city should buy the old St. Francis hospital building, tear it down and level it off to fill the south of Happy Hollow with the bricks and concrete and finish it off with the topsoil from the old hospital area. The city could make thousands of dollars and a great improvement in those areas.

Public ought to know

ABOUT THE flood buyout at Cape Girardeau and Commerce: The taxpayers are paying the bill and should be told the name of the owner, the amount paid to each and address of the property sold. This should be printed in all the local papers.

Praise for columns

I REALLY missed Heidi Nieland's column last week. It is usually the first thing I read. Please don't leave it out again. Also, best wishes to Jay Eastlick. I will very much miss his column as well.

Branch banking

I THINK the state of Missouri needs a branch-banking system like California has. If you live in Los Angeles and if you happen to be up in San Francisco or wherever, you can make an inter-branch deposit to your checking accounts. That's why I feel like if you have an account in St. Louis, you can make a deposit down in Cape Girardeau, or if you have an account in Cape Girardeau, you can make it up in St. Louis. Have one board of directors where there's one main office. Let's cut out this little local board of directors on these banks. That way you won't find bank scandals. It will be good for the common people and the poor.

REPLY: While Missouri's banking laws aren't exactly like California's, some banks already do what the caller is suggesting. Some banks provide deposits and withdrawals for customers at any facility (even at some offices out of the state) while others only allow withdrawals but not deposits. And, of course, some banks only offer these services at the bank where a customer has an account.

Russian quality

I JUST celebrated my 75th birthday and got some nice presents. Out of the four gifts that I received, one just said "Imported," one was made in the United States, one was made in China and one was made in Russia. The Russian manufactured gift was a beautiful jacket made better than any of my U.S.-made jackets. The unions had better quit striking for more money and do a better job.

Some job switches

I SUGGEST Heidi Nieland write the sports column for Jamie Hall and Jamie throw the newspaper for the circulation department. Then we all could be happy.

A sound plan

IT IS simply amazing what some people will complain about. The budget billing for electric customers being offered as a voluntary program in Jackson is basically the same as Union Electric now offers. Any residential homeowner in good standing is eligible to sign up. Apartments are not included because people constantly move in and out. I feel the city of Jackson and Union Electric are offering a valuable, optional service to their customers. It certainly doesn't hurt those who don't qualify. Being a progressive city or company doesn't always satisfy everyone but this service is certainly a great asset for Jackson.

Quoting God

TO THE person who wanted to see a quotation from Jesus Christ on homosexuality, I want to call your attention to 2 Timothy 3:16. It says "All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction and righteousness." It means, the entire Bible is the quote from God.

How about a reward?

I'M CALLING about the automobile windows that were broken recently. I had two cars with the windows broken. I was wondering if all the people with the broken windows want to pull together and raise a $500 reward. I am sure we can have the vandals arrested before they strike again. We could put the money in one of the banks in town.

The whatchamacallits

WHEN ST. Louis had a basketball team, what was its name?

REPLY: Several years ago the Spirits played for a couple of seasons in St. Louis. Before that, it was the Hawks.

ADD and psychiatry

I FOUND your article concerning the use of Ritalin interesting. However, I think it would have been a lot more interesting and probably a lot more informative if the writer had contacted one of the three child psychiatrists who practice in Cape Girardeau. Drs. Theodore Glenn, Reeta Rohatgi and David Taylor are all trained psychiatrists. If anyone should be an expert at treating this condition, it would be them. I'm not downplaying Dr. Dinkins expertise in pediatrics, but Attention Deficit Disorders are considered a psychiatric problem, originating in childhood or adolescence. Therefore, it would make sense that the child psychiatrists in the area could provide some very important information.

Astronaut's background

WHERE DID Linda Godwin go to school, Oak Ridge or Jackson?

REPLY: Linda Godwin is from rural Oak Ridge and is a graduate of Jackson High School.