SPEAKOUT

Students overrated

I AM so sick and tired of hearing about how the economy jumps when the SEMO students come back. What about the residents who aren't students? I guess we are just mush or dirt beneath everybody else's feet. We're the ones who have put up with their parties, their drunkenness and their just downright immaturity. So stop giving them all the glory and tell them to grow up and behave themselves, and maybe they'll get the recognition they need.

REPLY: The year-around residents of Cape Girardeau provide the solid economic base that is enhanced by institutions such as the university and its students. The students make an economic impact. In addition, the university is a major employer and consumer of goods and services, which adds even more to the economic mix.

Do small streets first

I WOULDN'T have voted for the city road tax if I had known they were worried about paving the blacktop going to the Jaycee golf course that's out of the city limits. Why not worry about the streets that are in town? Let's start with some of the smaller ones. Start in with repaving some of the streets like Hopper Road or Kage Road.

Big win, Indians

COACH MUMFORD, please tell all your boys on the SEMO football team that last year's win against SIU, was sweet but we're looking for a big win here in the Cape.

Library vote

WE LIVE in Northfield Subdivision, and we're required to use the Riverside Library in Jackson. Since we're Cape residents and we're effected by the combining of the Jackson Library and the Riverside Regional Library, shouldn't the Cape Girardeau city council have to approve such a vote, just like the Jackson city council did?

REPLY: The Jackson Board of Aldermen was involved in the decision because the Jackson Public Library is a part of the proposed merger. The Riverside Regional Library is a separate, independent entity that isn't part of either city's municipal services.

Looking ahead

I KNOW there's a lot of confusion in the world today but I really believe by the year 2000 things will be better.

Bond contract: When?

I WAS wondering when the city council would sign the contract with Boyd Gaming Corp.? It was supposed to be signed by the end of Congress. I think everybody should be calling the city council to see if they're going to sign this contract or if they're going to throw it in the trash.

REPLY: The caller's reference to Congress is puzzling, since the contract is between the city and the riverboat casino company. The city and Boyd are currently refining the language of the contract, which could be signed almost any day now.

Season of change

TO THE caller who wants everyone to vote a straight Democratic ticket: The Democrats have had the ball for all these many years, and look what it has done. We are allowed to be free and strive for a successful life. However, liberal social attitudes have brought on higher taxes, drug use, low morals and disrespect for authority. People are tired of this and voted for change in 1992. Yes, we voted for change and got Bill and Hillary. Their attitudes and appointments to high office have shown they are corrupt. Last November, we voted the bums out of Congress. It's only been a few months, but the changes have started. The caller says these new changes are going to go after old people on Social Security and starve little children. I think this person should find out what changes are going to be made instead of repeating lies and half-truths that the president and his people are telling you. Tell the truth. Regarding those who work for minimum wage, it's a starting wage, not a lifetime wage. Do your work well, and you'll get a raise.

Thanks to Emerson

I WOULD like to say thank you to Congressman Bill Emerson and his staff. They work to see the offices do their proper duties. It's most satisfying to know that there's still some titleholders that work to accomplish the goals that were promised to receive that title.

Tough education

WHY SHOULD I want to send my child to a school system in northern Bollinger County where, if people don't agree with or think you have an opinion, they ruin your tires and cut your brake lines?

Farm support

I WOULD like to take this opportunity to thank the generous taxpayers of this great country. You see, I'm a farmer but I also hold a public job as well where I manage to make a few a thousand a year. I decided I'd like to build a pond for my cattle and also have my own private fishing place. Lo and behold, I contacted my friendly Agriculture Department official, and he said, "Sure, we'll be glad to pay most of the construction cost of your pond." Now wasn't that nice of him? I hear that in Washington they're trying to reform the welfare laws. I think it's about time. I don't appreciate my tax dollars being used to pay for all those illegitimate babies these young girls are having. Well, got to run. My friendly ag man is coming out again, and he's going to tell how much your generous taxpayers will pay me if I promise not to raise a crop on some of my acreage. God bless America.

Closet smoker?

I'M FROM Texarkana, Ark., 30 miles from Hope, and I can tell you this to be a fact: Bill Clinton smokes cigars only in public. He smokes his cigarettes in hiding.