SPEAKOUT

Parents at schools

WE ARE new in the Cape Girardeau area, and we have a only child. She is in kindergarten at Clippard School. We had spring cleanup last Saturday, and I was just really disappointed at the turnout of the parents. I'm not sure how many kids attend Clippard, but I imagine it's way over 500, and I think there were only 20 parents at the spring clean up. I just cannot believe that in a town this size or even a school this size that more parents don't get involved in help with the cleanup, because it really made it hard on all of us, the ones of us that were there to have to do all that work. We have to stick together if we're going to improve the school district. So please, parents, when there's something with parent involvement, please get involved. It's very important.

Militia information

I'M APPALLED that the Southeast Missourian would condone the formation of a Southeast Missouri militia by printing the information such as the address and phone number on the front page of the newspaper. Why don't you just print the phone number of the Ku Klux Klan while you're at it?

Excellent picture

I'D JUST like to tell everyone that I ordered a picture that was on the sports page in the Southeast Missourian a couple of weeks ago. It was my son playing in the Cape Central basketball game, and it was the best-quality picture. I don't mean to keep you guys busy here, but they are excellent, beautiful pictures. Thanks, Southeast Missourian.

Debra for school board

THIS IS in regards to the suspension of Debra Mitchell-Braxton. I've known Debbie since 1980 when I was a freshman up at SEMO, and I'd have to say that she was a very helpful, friendly person back then. I've known her through the years ever since, and I find it very hard to believe that she would get to the point that she would be suspended like this. I think that a very wise choice possibly to run in the Cape Girardeau school election in 1996 would be Debra Mitchell-Braxton. She is a lady, she's black and she has nothing but the welfare of kids and staff at heart.

Clippings or kids

NO GRASS clippings in Cape's streets, but let the children play to their hearts content, until a few of them are killed or injured, then blame the city or their parents.

Vacation plans

THIS IS for all the people who apparently missed the note that was in the paper from the school board. The last day of school for the Cape Girardeau public schools is now May 26, and it's a whole day. So if you've got vacation plans, make them accordingly.

Transportation spending

FROM SEEING and hearing the city council in action, the city needs no transportation tax. What the city needs is to spend the tax money where it is needed. Too much has been spent already on Lexington Avenue, which will help a lot of people to really sell property in that area. It will not help over 10 percent in the traffic control of the whole city. No matter if they make a count on the traffic flow, they will make it sound in their favor.

A cheerful giver

IF SOMEONE does a good deed for someone or give a gift to an organization or to a person, then they are admired. But let them get out and boast from time to time about it, then that seems to cheapen the giver in my estimation. I say give and then forget it. If someone does a good deed and then they complain about having too much to do, what about this?

Proud of Viet vets

MY MOTHER has two brothers who were in Vietnam for nearly three years each. I'm very proud of them.