SPEAKOUT

I WANT TO thank the members of the committee who were responsible for organizing and arranging the reunion for all former students of the old Millersville two-year high school that occurred on Saturday, July 20, at the Little Ole' Opry at Burfordville, Mo. The only living former teacher and the oldest former student were in attendance. A good time was had by all, and I hope we can do it again in two more years. Thank you.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE woman who quit smoking cold turkey five years ago and has remained smoke-free. How about the rest of you women?

HERE WE GO again; surely another big controversy on the city council. It looks very much as if it was politically motivated. I'm speaking about the decision to stop the buying of bus tickets and processing of freight at the new bus station at Spanky's on Kingshighway. I'm no fan of Mr. Barklage, but I feel as if someone is out to get him. How long will the citizens of Cape let this go on before demanding a recall election? Thanks for allowing me to speak out.

I WONDER IF Mr. Barklage forgot to tell anyone of his plans. I guess everyone was expected to know what he was going to do with that extra room at his business on Highway 61. Thank you.

SEEING AS HOW Councilman Barklage jumped the mayor about his infringing on the charter with his asphalt company, what's the deal on the bus business? Doesn't he know the city's rules and regulations on zoning? Thank you.

I WAS READING in the paper tonight where somebody wrote Cape County doesn't want the lake either. Let's let the voters decide whether Cape County wants the lake. I've had some friends die so we can have the freedom to vote. Let us vote on it and see whether we want it. Let's not be like Bollinger County, okay? Thank you.

I AGREE with the person who called recently about job discrimination. I'm also over 50 years old and unemployed. I've talked to several different people. They've always promised to call and let me know about a position; they never do. People wonder why Cape Girardeau's population is not growing. Too many people have to leave to find a job. My generation has lived here, paid taxes, raised our families. Now, when we're over 50, we must seek work elsewhere. The City of Roses should wake up and smell the roses. Thank you.

REGARDING YOUR ARTICLE in the Thursday, July 25, Missourian, we want to congratulate the graduating class of '91 from Notre Dame High. These pupils are great achievers and should be recognized. As you go on now to your various colleges, please know that we Cape Girardeans are proud of you. Thank you.

WE WOULD LIKE to thank the Optimist Club for sponsoring the girl's softball league. We feel our daughters have learned a great deal from their coaches and we appreciate the effort that was made to study the rules and proper plays and to pass them on to the girls. A special thanks to Chris Gross and his team of umpires. They have really done an outstanding job this year and deserve to be applauded for a job well done. We are looking forward to next year's ball season.

RON FISCHER SAYS there will be no tax increase to buy the water system, but he didn't mention anything about my water bill going up.

I WOULD LIKE to comment on the snitching of the coupons from the Sunday paper. I have seen it happen here in Jackson two different times. It's always when they're on the outside of the building. So, the only way to avoid that is to have home delivery. Thank you.

JUST WONDERING IF Mary Wulfers will write David Barklage a letter of reprimand for not disclosing his violation of zoning laws.

I WAS JUST reading in the Speak Out where the Cape Girardeau school board is going to waste the taxpayers' money, $1,200 to $1,500, for the board members to go whoop it up at the Executive Inn at Paducah, Ky. I think this is a ridiculous thing. If the school board members want to party they should do it at one of their own homes and not waste our money. Thank you.

The retreat is not for the purpose of partying, but to discuss school matters.

IF THE SHOW Me Center would get George Jones I would be there.

George Jones has appeared at the Show Me Center twice since its opening in 1987.

I'D LIKE TO make a comment on the Greyhound Bus Depot being out there. Mr. Barklage was the one causing so much trouble for Mr. Rhodes. It looks like he would have known it wasn't zoned for a bus depot. But personally I don't care if the bus depot is there or not because I called there two days ago to talk about tickets to Poplar Bluff and I found out one round-trip ticket is almost $30, and you had to go to St. Louis, then from St. Louis to Poplar Bluff. That's the only way they had of going. I think that is ridiculous. There's not very many people who will ride on a bus when they've got to pay that much. That's all I have to say about it.

PLEASE LET US know what the final cost of the school board's retreat in Paducah is when it is over and all the board members have presented their costs. Thank you.

We will.

CAN YOU IMAGINE how much it would cost if every school board in the state of Missouri would go out of state to have an annual retreat? That seems like very much a waste of taxpayers' money. Thank you.

MY CONGRATULATIONS TO the Cape Girardeau Capahas for winning their recent tournament. Could you tell me why the tournament was referred to as the state tournament when there were a number of teams from Illinois and why they are now being referred to as state champions when there were teams in the tournament from Illinois? A clarification would be helpful. Thank you.

The Illinois teams were permitted to participate in the Missouri tournament because they are closer to the Missouri tournament site than they are to the Illinois tournament site. This is common practice.