SPEAKOUT

Change on interchange

I HAVE lived in Jackson many years. When the subject of a new junction on I-55 surfaced -- Jackson or Oak Ridge -- Oak Ridge received the nod. This promise was made to our good neighbors up north. However, after carefully reading Sandra Ressel's article on the Opinion page of the Southeast Missourian, a reversal of viewpoint was set in motion. The well-written column spoke of the many accidents at this present Cape-Jackson interchange. Here's an example of how things should not be. The highway engineers bungled. I witnessed at least two accidents at this place and many near accidents. The Ressel commentary suggests a second look at this important matter.

Cul-de-sac district

JACKSON'S $400,000 East Main Street cul-de-sac business district is an example of political decisions for personal reasons. The mayor, planning and zoning, aldermen and developers were in one corner. In another corner were many Jackson citizens with a petition. These citizens asked that we wait until we get the interchange before rezoning a muddy path in the middle of a residential area. No one listened.

Nice and healthy

IF YOU would like to lower the cost of health care, be nice to someone.

Inattentive drivers

THE ONLY problem I see with the I-55 and Highway 61 interchange is they let drivers come through there who shouldn't even be driving cars for different reasons. They do not concentrate on driving and what's going on. More money won't solve the problem. Give Oak Ridge the interchange they were cheated out of.

Branson sets example

I ENJOYED the June 20 column by Cal Thomas about Branson, Mo. and how the city of Branson does not allow slime in the town. We used to go out there with our young family years ago. Most out there didn't even lock their doors. Boy, how nice it would be if our whole nation of towns and cities would copy Branson. Maybe people wouldn't be afraid to step outside their doors after dark at the thought of being shot or something else bad. Think about it, people. It amounts a lot to what our cities let come in.

Poor role model

HERE we ago again. Another criminal being presented to our children as a role model. If the players' strike didn't convince you to boycott baseball, Darryl Strawberry's contract should. It would take me 27 years to earn the amount of money he will earn this year.

Appreciates the help

I WOULD like to thank Councilman Melvin Gateley and the city street department for helping me with a problem with all the brush and limbs that were blown out of my tree in the past storm. They have been very efficient. I appreciate the city workers so very much and also Councilman Gateley.

Where were councilmen?

I SEE in the paper that only five of the seven council members were present at the last meeting. I would like to know why these council members weren't present. If we voted them in, are they too busy doing other things? I just think if the council members want the job so bad, they should at least make the meeting.

REPLY: Two of the council members, as previously announced, had vacation plans that would keep them from the meeting.

Congrats to all students

I WOULD like to congratulate all the people who just completed another year in their education whether it be Head Start, kindergarten, grade school, high school, college or further educating themselves. I especially want to thank those who were not at the top of the list in their class, who did not make the honor roll, who did not receive awards and publicity for the work they did. They tried hard. They extended themselves. They persevered. We're proud of them whether they made the honor roll or not. We're proud of them for how hard they tried. We know that they are really special people to all of us.