SPEAKOUT

Reality of taxes

I DO not want an increase in taxes any more than anyone else, but we need the streets in our city to be improved, repaired and rebuilt. The only way to do this, as I see it, is by taxes. We don't have a fairy godmother who can wave a magic wand and do this for us. I think the fairest is a sales tax. This way everyone who uses these streets will help pay for them instead of just those who live inside the city limits.

Traffic hazard

I DRIVE Lexington to Mount Auburn Road to Doctors' Park every day to work. Lexington, from it's beginning at Cape Rock Drive all the way the end of Mount Auburn Road at Bloomfield Road does not permit parking on either side of the road at any time except for the residential area on Mount Auburn Road from Ford and Sons Funeral Home to the intersection of Mount Auburn and Independence. To me this creates a traffic hazard, because most of the time there's a car parked on the right side of the road going south. And sometimes in the evening there are cars parked on both sides of the street. With most of the street having no parking, I think it should have no parking signs all through.

Rush and shopping

I HEAR they're going to put a mural down there on the floodwall. If they put Rush Limbaugh's picture on that flood wall, I will never trade in the downtown area again. I have no use for him at all.

Ban garage sales

I THINK there should be a law against garage sales for the simple reason that right now there are so many cars in front of my house it's impossible for me to get out. Why can't they set aside space in the park and have one big garage sale where everybody brings their stuff and sells it and cleans up after it instead of having all these garage sales every time you turn around? You can't get through the streets here. Somebody's going to get killed.

Other Limbaughs

HAVE THE powers that be in this city gone mad? Why would anyone want Rush Limbaugh on a wall with those who have made such significant contributions to society as a whole like Mark Twain and Harry Truman. Rush (Rusty to those of who remember him personally) is in his profession for the money and attention. If you want to place a Limbaugh on the wall, the choices of his father or his brother would better serve the city.

Cardinal trading

WELL THE Cardinals had five good players. They traded one for an aging, injury-prone pitcher and two unknowns. I'm not a Cub fan.

Photo of gang graffiti

I THINK the picture on the front page of the Southeast Missourian today June 17 was not very wise. Many of the cool teens are going to try to imitate some of the graffiti that was shown. I think a little more wisdom could have been used for the newspaper.

REPLY: Recent discussions with law enforcement officials regarding the impact of reporting about and photographing gang-related information indicate most youths are already quite familiar with the graffiti, clothing and activities of gang members. The Southeast Missourian thinks it is important to make readers aware of what is happening in the community. Parents who exercise control over their children's activities aren't likely to have problems with gang involvement.

The landlord's side

I WOULD like to direct this call to the party in Sunday's Speak Out who complained about not being able to find housing in Cape Girardeau. I have a house with two apartments, and I have decided to leave it set empty. Perhaps these people should stop and think when they move into someone else's property that it has to be taken care of. The last three renters that I have had have done nothing but try to tear the property up, and I have decided to no longer rent to people. They will tell you anything and promise you anything to get into your property. After they're in, they do as they please.