SPEAKOUT

Some real problems

I CAN'T believe people call into Speak Out to complain about people throwing their grass into the street. There are drugs, teen-age pregnancy, rapes and murders going on, and their biggest complaint in life is people throwing grass in the street. If that's all these people have that they can find to complain about, then they better count their blessings. They're pretty lucky.

What money?

DUE TO the substantial amount of money given to Southeast Missouri State University, I look forward to not seeing any increases for students attending the university for quite a while. Also, with the even larger sum of money going to secondary and elementary education, I know the children really are going to enjoy their air-conditioned classrooms. Isn't this extra money a nice side effect of Missouri casinos?

Stay on the job

WHAT IN the world is Newt Gingrich doing on a 23-day promotional tour for his book? If he's paid to do a job in Washington, then why isn't he there?

REPLY: Even Congress takes a break. The House and Senate currently are taking their annual summer vacation.

A tax for raises

WHILE THE citizens of Cape Girardeau are in the mood to vote in taxes, I'd like to ask Sen. Peter Kinder and Rep. Mary Kasten to put a bill in the Legislature allowing us to have a half-cent tax for the city employees. We have a group of hard-working, dedicated employees, and they're woefully underpaid. I'd just like to see them be able to reap some of the benefits of their hard, dedicated work. I don't work for the city nor do any of my relatives, and I barely know one or two of the city employees. I'd like to see them get an increase, everything under the administration. Just the workers, the clerks, the people out there working on the streets, the trash people, the recyclers and all those type people. I'd appreciate it very much if Kinder and Kasten would consider introducing this in the Legislature. I understand now that it's not possible to vote a sales tax for city employees.

A+ coordinator

I THINK it is exorbitant to pay Lannie Barnes to be A+ coordinator when for years the Cape public school system had a director of elementary education and a director of secondary education, and they took care of all the business of the district. The enrollment of the district hasn't increased that much over the years. I think Dr. Niggle should be doing. Why are we paying two men salaries for what used to be done by one man?

Proud to be liberal

IN RESPONSE to the person who labels President Clinton and Hillary Clinton liberals and socialists: "Liberal" is quite a compliment. I am a liberal and proud to be so. But socialist, that's kind of a rash accusation. However, these Republicans slay me. They want the government off our backs, but when it comes to television they seem to want to go into it. At abortion clinics they seem to want to go into the room with the mother and tell her what to do. They want the government on our backs where it suits them. They're kind of hypocritical. So, let's be fair. I think the president of the United States is concerned about lung cancer which kills many Americans, and I respect him for it whether I agree or disagree. I think he's doing a wonderful job. He's a good American and a good Democrat.

Radio report

I AGREE wholeheartedly with Marc Powers column about Cape Girardeau radio stations. If you're not a country music fan or if you don't like listening to "Ode to Billy Joe" 15 times a day, there's nothing to listen to. There is one station out of Chaffee that I listen to on car radio all the time but it doesn't have very much power, because I can't get it on my radios in the house.

City grass in streets

A LOT of people are complaining about grass in the street that their neighbors blow in the street when they mow. If you think that's a problem, follow around the city people who mow the right of ways and curbs and stuff and see where they blow their grass. If we're going to nail it down, let's get everybody.

Wrong library location

I BELIEVE that the merger between Jackson City Library and Riverside Regional Library could be a positive move. However, the location is absolutely inconceivable. The location wouldn't be accessible to the average resident of Jackson, plus Arnold Street already is overcrowded and dangerous to drive on. Voters had better to check into things before they agree. Taxes are not the issue. Location is.

School uniforms

NOT ALL parents at St. Vincent's School in Cape Girardeau expressed support for the school uniforms. To my knowledge, the issue wasn't discussed at a home and school meeting. We were told that the lower grades would wear uniforms. This family never received a survey of parents. While uniforms might be part of the Catholic school tradition in some areas, it has not been part of the Catholic school tradition in most schools in the immediate area.

Try a hanging judge

I UNDERSTAND Judge Ito may or may not have to leave to O.J. Simpson case. It would be a shame for him to leave after all this time. But if he has to go, how about replacing him with someone on the order of Judge Roy Bean? He was a hanging judge of the Old West.

Thoughts on library

IN 1954, the out counties of Cape Girardeau, Perry and Scott Counties formed the Riverside Regional Library. As I remember, Jackson wasn't interested in becoming a part of a bigger picture at that time. Now Jackson is willing to work with Riverside Regional Library. But at what cost to out county residents? Riverside Regional Library's board has marvelous resources which are offered to residents of all three counties and even extend that courtesy to Jackson residents and those of Bollinger County without charge or question. Why would we residents out in the county want to raise our library tax from eight cents to 18 cents to accommodate Jackson? Will the county always have representatives on the library board, or will it eventually become only Jackson residents? Is there any permanent provision made for assuring us that we'll always have their representation? Jackson has encouraged this merger because they has the most to gain. They want a new building, more money and rooms set aside for their literary guild, and they want their employees hired. If the merger is voted in, I propose that the directors and assistant directors of both libraries be fired and new ones hired based on their credentials.

Jerry and Mickey

IN REFERENCE to Sam Blackwell's column about Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead and Mickey Mantle: I can't believe he truly believes the passing of either individual will have any effect "on what we will become now." If either of the two aforementioned individuals have any real lasting impact on the essential fabric of our society, our society is in really bad shape.

Good idea, wrong place

REGARDING the editorial Aug. 17, "Library merger in Jackson looks like a good idea." I agree with the idea, but I don't agree with the location. They say it's convenient, but it's very inconvenient.