SPEAKOUT

I WANT TO thank the person who called in letting me know that cocker spaniels could spend the winter on the outside as long as they had a nice, warm place to stay. I really appreciate the information. Thank you.

THE GRAYS POINT school reunion was a great success. Almost 150 people attended from many states. Three teachers from the late 20s and early 30s were present. Just want to thank everyone for all the work and help. We will see you next year. Thank you very much, Speak Out.

WE JUST MOVED here and one of the things that really impressed me about Cape Girardeau and made us want to move here was the family-oriented community, including the little children's carts at the stores. I appreciate the stores that have that kind of thing and I appreciate the parks here. It encourages people to move here.

I'M REFERRING to the article that was in the paper concerning the highway patrol effort on combating drugs. I believe that they ought to start at the city level and combat drugs by testing all the law enforcement agencies from the city on up to the city council and on through to the legislature, and also to continue the war on drugs. Thank You.

I WAS JUST calling to say that George Bush is one of the dearest, fine presidents we've ever had. As far as it goes with him and Ronald Reagan, Ronald Reagan wasn't anything. I just want to get that across. I read the ad they put in the paper the other day about Ronald Reagan. George Bush saw the crisis in the Middle East. Did he not say he did? He did, and I just want to say that he is darn fine for doing so. I'm taking my hat off now to George Bush because he is a very prudent man. That's all there is to it. Thank you.

I WAS JUST calling in regards to an incident that happened about a month or so ago. I was northbound on Interstate 55 when a young Marine that was traveling home on leave accidentally fell out of the back of a pickup truck he was riding in. The response from the local Scott City emergency people was amazing. By the time I drove to the next exit and gave them a call and got back, they were there beginning to treat the young man. He just called me and said he was doing well. He's heading over to Saudi to help our operations over there. I just thought I'd like to call and compliment our first responders here in Scott City. These people don't get enough credit and they're really impressive. I believe everyone should help them either financially or any way they can when they need support. The next time someone is in an accident it could be you. So everybody get behind them and support them. Thank you.

IN NOVEMBER WILL I be able to vote for a new franchise for Union Electric and against purchasing a water system or will it be presented as a package deal with only one question on the ballot?

Actually, three questions will be on the ballot, said City Manager J. Ronald Fischer. One will ask whether a franchise for Union Electric electrical service should be granted, one will ask whether a franchise for UE gas service should be granted, and one will ask for authority by the city to purchase UE's water system in Cape Girardeau, said Fischer.

I'D LIKE TO know just who runs Cape Girardeau since we pay a city manager and have a city council and neither of them seem to have any say about the Greyhound bus situation. Who does the zoning and why can't a place like Spanky's, with good conditions for service, qualify? But yet a place on busy Sprigg Street, with just-adequate conditions, and the place on William Street in the residential section, with no place to load or unload passengers, qualified. At the time we were told it was zoned for that, and the neighbors had to complain and visit the city council and keep on complaining before they stopped the service. You keep pushing tourism; I hope you tell them there's no transportation in or out of town. Thank you.

I CAN SYMPATHIZE with the ladies in their 50s and their frustrations at not being able to find employment in Cape Girardeau. I just want them to know that it is not only people in their 50s being discriminated against. I am barely over 40 and have been facing the same discrimination for many months now. In fact, during one interview I had several months ago, the manager interviewing me brought up my age and advised me that I was older than everyone in that particular office with the exception of the owner of the company, who at that time was only 48. I found this not only rude and insensitive but very unprofessional on his part, especially since age discrimination is very much against the law. Other than reporting this particular manager to the owner of the company, is there a government agency where this type of discrimination can be reported? If so, I'd appreciate an answer through the Speak Out column. Thank you.

We suggest you direct your question to the Missouri Commission on Human Rights in Jefferson City. The telephone number is 751-3325.

THIS IS THE way my mind works. Feet come in all shapes and sizes. Have you ever thought about how they hardly ever are compensated for work they do? My size-5 funny-looking feet have carried me around at my command and supported my weight every day for 60 years. For the past 42 years they've had the burden of 113 to 125 pounds a day. That is commendable. My feet deserve an applause and some TLC. Thank you.

IF MY MEMORY serves me right, a few weeks ago the mayor was in quite a bit of trouble because he did not quite understand how the ordinance was written. Well, the accusers seem to be caught in the situation of what goes around comes around. It seems that Mr. Barklage should have known exactly what the ordinance said about a bus stopping at Spanky's Convenience Store on South Kingshighway. If he is so concerned about the blood bank and the hospital, why didn't he check this out first? Also, concerning the Show Me Center attendance being down, I think the attendance is down because of the quality of shows they've been having recently and a lot of the free or $2 conventions don't attract as many people as the big-name concerts, be it country or rock. Thank you.

A MAN RUNS on Mount Auburn with no consideration for traffic. This man is going to force a motorist to make one of three choices: a head-on collision, wreck his auto, or run over the runner. The decision will be made at the moment the motorist tops the hill and finds this man in the road. Not a very pleasant prospect.

FOR THE READER wanting to remove sticky labels, peanut butter rubbed on the sticky will remove the sticky. It will also remove gum out of children's hair and gum from shoe soles. Also, the beauty product, Skin So Soft, will help get the sticky off without damaging the product. Thank you.

WAKE UP, SCOTT City, and join the '90s. This is a computer age. Mail is going to be sent to you through a computer. It is impersonal, it does not care if your John Doe is a special person, and it only accepts a number. Instead of worrying about changing your house number, I'd be checking to see if the city is sure they're doing it correctly. I want my mail, don't you? If I live in a house that is correctly numbered, I might win the lottery.

REGARDING QUITTING SMOKING cold turkey: I, too, did that seven years ago and have remained smoke-free, and, boy, I'm glad of it now. Just a tip if you're thinking of quitting smoking: Finish your cigarettes one night and clear out the ashtrays out of sight, and start the next day with plenty of sunflower seeds and chewing gum. That was a tremendous help to me, but most of all prayer got me through it. I hope I've been of some help.

I JUST WANT TO remind all the Delta seniors of 1976 that 15 years have passed and we've not had a reunion. Come on, somebody get organized. Let's have our reunion.

I THOUGHT I was embarrassed by the lack of good air traffic between Cape and any other city, but I'm a heck of a lot more embarrassed about the situation with the bus line. Any small town in the United States can have some kind of bus service; why not Cape Girardeau? I think it's silly and embarrassing. I hope someone will do something about it.

WELL, I AGREE with the man who said we borrowed trillions of dollars during the '80s and threw ourselves a party. I don't agree that we all had a party, but it made Reagan look good. But I always knew that the pay day would come, and I think it's here. I know one thing: I missed the party some how.

IF YOU WOULD like to make any comments concerning TCI Cable TV you may write to Perspective at 5630 Terminal NX in Denver, Colo. 80217. They'll air these comments and complaints on channel 21, CNN, at 1 o'clock daily. Thank you.

I HAD A wreck the other day and I'd like to know why it's not in the paper. My insurance people have to see it in the paper, and I'd like for it to be put in the paper. A city employee hit me and I want to know why they didn't put it in the paper. Thank you.

We don't report every accident that occurs in the city. We report those in which injuries or deaths occur, those in which someone is charged with drunken driving or leaving the scene of the accident, and those in which a driver whose identity is unknown leaves the scene. We also report accidents of an unusual nature that we consider newsworthy even though the preceding circumstances are not present.

I WOULD like to know the address of the recycling center in Cape Girardeau. Thank you.

It's at 120 N. Broadview.

I THINK IT is very disgusting to pick up the paper and read what people are saying. It says that the California tax on snacks would be beneficial to Missouri. Let me tell you something about taxes. Every time you turn around it's tax, tax, tax. I've never seen a town so crazy about taxing the people. If they would pass the law to pay decent wages in this town like they do in California, then I would say, yes, I'm for taxes. But when they don't care about the wages for the people I think there's something wrong. I think there is something wrong with the government having to have big raises every time you turn around. A factory worker makes $4.25 an hour. They wanted $4.55 an hour but the president said it was too much. But you saw what he did: he got a big raise, didn't he? They keep taking from the working man and pushing deeper and deeper. One of these days it's going to stop, and that's when the Lord comes back. Let's see if you tax him. No, he's going to say: I don't know you. Depart from me to eternal hell. Thank you.

I HAVE A question for our city councilmen. Why can't the city of Cape Girardeau put an earnings tax on these people who are coming in taking jobs away from us? They're driving on city streets and paying no tax. They come into town to make their money, and then take it out of town to spend it. We have people here in town who do not have jobs and the taxes keep going up.

I'd LIKE TO KNOW why every time I've called my message isn't printed in the paper. Thank you.

We are unable to answer you without knowing the contents of your messages. Call us at 335-6611 and we will be happy to discuss it with you.

I'D LIKE TO commend the Missourian on their excellent service. I had a problem with my newspaper delivery and I called the office. Not only did they take care of the problem but they called me back the next day to make sure I was satisfied with their service. They're doing a great job. Keep it up.

Thank you for the compliment.

I'M CALLING REGARDING a portion of the student activity fee at SEMO going to help pay for the Gay and Lesbian activities at the university. I'm totally against this. I feel if they want to do this type of thing they should have to pay the bill for it. They shouldn't expect me to pay their bill. I might say too I'm continually getting fund-raising things from the university wanting me to send them money. The university will receive no money from me as long as this type of thing is allowed to go on. Thank you.

I CALLED THE the Fruitland area fire department to ask where I was to send my donation. They informed me that as of Dec., 1991 the fire department was charging taxes. I do hope this means they will be updating their equipment. We moved here from an area with a volunteer fire department. We have class A equipment and I'm very aware of how essential good equipment is for the volunteer men to do their job in fire service. Thanks.

IF ANYONE HAS ever listened to Robert Hilton on television they would realize that he is not interested in saving any souls; he is only interested in separating the people from their money. Why TV is so bound and determined to keep this guy on apparently forever is a puzzle. They have a plethora of television evangelists on this station but they also have dirty programs on the same stations. Thank you.

I'M CALLING IN regard to the person who called into Speak Out Thursday, July 25. They said that Scott City changing the house numbers is a major problem and a problem to the elderly. Maybe this person should realize it's for the benefit of the good. Yes, I'm having my house changed, and, yes, I think it's right. It is for emergency purposes. I think considering the ambulance could get here faster and a paramedic could save one of my kids from dying is something to have your house changed for. Thank you.

I DON'T KNOW where some people get the guts to do some of the things they do. The lady that was seen taking the inserts out of newspapers in front of the grocery store in Cape should be reported to the police for stealing just as if she took merchandise off the store shelves in the grocery store. They are breaking the law. People think they have a right to take from everybody else. They're stealing from the newspaper company and from the manufacturers that put out those coupons. Take down their license number and call the police. Maybe that'll stop some of these people.

FOR THE PERSON who called in about the cocker spaniel: Yes, they can be outside dogs. We keep ours out all winter except when it's like 10 degrees or below; then we put him in a garage.

I'M CALLING IN regard to smoking and non-smoking areas in restaurants. These smokers, saturated with good food, relax, lean back, light up, and enjoy a good cigarette. An ashtray is right there on the table for their convenience. Well, not all use tobacco to puff and blow; some spit and others dip, snuff and dribble. I'm sure the smokers would agree that a spittoon should be placed at every table right there beside the ashtray. What's so bad about a little cigarette ashes and tobacco juice dribbled over the food? People are just too finicky. The smokers, spitters, and dribblers are being discriminated against. I vote for a spittoon on every table right there beside the ashtray in all the restaurants.

TO THE PERSON in Scott City who is concerned about all the expenses, I don't know where she went to school but titles to your property are not identified by street numbers; they're lot numbers and block numbers, and so on. Wills identify individuals, not a street address. Stocks and CDs and so on are a matter of calling whoever sold them to you and telling them you have a new address. Personal checks can be used until they're used up. What you might want to look at is what does the 1800 block of Warner, the 100 block of Oxford, the 900 and 200 blocks of Princeton and so on and so forth have in common? They're all in the same block immediately behind each other. If you drive around in Country Club and look around you'll find that emergency vehicles have a very hard time locating where you are because nothing is consistent in Country Club except the inconsistency. Thank you.

ON JULY 25 I was driving home up Interstate 55 and I noticed a cement truck pulled over and a driver was helping a lady change a tire. I thought that was a wonderful thing for him to do. I thought I'd just call and let him know that. Thank you.

I WAS APPALLED to see a young girl walking two pit bulls in Dennis Scivally Park the other day. I say she was walking them; they were pulling her around they were so strong on leashes. I feel the police should be informed. This is a residential area around here with small children. I thought it was real risky to be close to pit bulls.

I PERSONALLY ABHOR pathetic egomaniacs such as those who have recently voiced their dissatisfaction with a portion of the student government's $25 activity fee going to support the Gay and Lesbian Student Association. However, I would still like for them to ask themselves two questions: No. 1, were you at the March 18 student government meeting when the activity fee was elaborated, and, No. 2, have you ever actively participated in Southeast's student government funding process, which, by the way, adamantly encourages participation? If you answered no to one or both of these questions you should refrain from wasting your time creating useless debates in the Speak Out column. Instead, why not channel some of your bitterness into active participation in Southeast student government? Because you have neglected your right to participate in your student government, you have only yourself to blame for allowing your money to support a group you are morally against. Argument closed.

I THINK THE Southeast Missourian is a fine paper; however, I want to make a comment about the article about the person driving to Illinois and people were drinking on Good Hope Street. On Good Hope from Lorimier to Frederick, any time, day or night, you can see them out gambling, drinking, making public nuisances of themselves and also exposing themselves. Also, on Middle Street from William to Morgan Oak and south, you can also see the same identical things. We live in this area and we have not seen a police car in the area for the past three or four months. What's the matter? Are they afraid to come down to this end of town? We're taxpayers, too. Let's get on the ball, police department, and send your patrolmen down in this area of town. Thank you very much.

You are wrong about police not patrolling the area, said Capt. Steve Strong of the police department. The city is divided into four basic patrol zones and two overlapping zones, which means at least one officer is assigned to that area 24 hours a day, he said. Additionally, an officer patrols in all zones, moving from one to another, and he may frequently be in that area, said Strong. Strong said also that he and other officers who are not on patrol duty occasionally drive through that area in marked cars, and unmarked cars frequently are in the area. Strong said that in July five complaints were initiated by police as a result of incidents in that area, and there were an unknown number of other incidents in which police were involved and no complaint was initiated.

IN RESPONSE TO the health-care worker who is a smoker: Have you ever thought that your hospital banned smoking because your second-hand smoke has been proved to cause diseases in non-smokers? I do not smoke and I'm not overweight. I've been a patient in a hospital and I'd prefer to have an obese person caring for me than someone who smells of smoke. There's nothing more nauseating than smelling smoke on the clothing of someone caring for you. A smoker is not only harming himself, but harming others around him. Also, an obese person is only harming himself. Thank you.

I SURE WISH my husband appreciated me. I would be happy if he'd just talk to me nicely. I'd be happy if he'd even smile at me. I'd sure like it if he'd appreciate all I do for him. Maybe he'll miss me when I'm gone. Thank you.

I'D LIKE TO respond to the smoker who thinks it's a shame that the city of Cape passed a law where you can't smoke in grocery stores. This person says that they don't see how you hurt somebody smoking a cigarette in a store or anywhere else. My son has asthma, and when he walks through a crowd of cigarette smoke he begins to cough and struggles to breath. So as far as their comment that it doesn't hurt anybody, they're quite wrong. It just amazes me they can read all the literature about smoking and second-hand smoke and assume they have the right to pollute everyone else's lungs just because it's something they want to do.

I AGREE WITH the people who have been calling in about the job discrimination. I'm over 50, unemployed, and like a lot of people they promise to call and let you know about the position after you applied but they never do. I think this is very rude. Thank you.

I AM AN AVID hunter and shooter and I know that there are many others living in and around this area who share my interests. Is there a place where one may fire 100-, 200- and 300-yard shots safely, legally and at any time of the day? If not, have Cape officials contemplated installing a shooting range? It would be cheap, and after start-up costs, admission fees could easily maintain it. Lacking this, we're left with the Diversion Channel, where there's no way of checking how our rifle's grouping. I have a large supply of 30-06 cartridges burning a hole in my magazine.

If anyone knows of such a place in the area, feel free to call Speak Out.

IT'S NOT SURPRISING that the increases in our collegiate incidental fees at SEMO contribute to the cause quite contrary to educational interests. I've attended this university for three years, and for two years I've consistently informed of the secrecy at SEMO that's symbolic of Cape's attempt at becoming something that it will never be: a city with honest council members and educational staff. The day the payoffs won't keep the truth from being told is the day that the newspaper will print the truth of its involvement and obligation to the university to print half truths about what really goes on behind the scenes. I'm astounded that the news of the activity fee was revealed to the extent it was in Speak Out. Print the rest of the secrets so all of the city will know what it's too naive to see.

Your accusations of payoffs and that we print half truths because of some obligation to Southeast Missouri State University is ridiculous, as is your allegation that City Council members and educators in this city are dishonest. Over the years we have published many stories about the university, including some on controversial topics that may or may not have been considered positive publicity. And as far as funding of the Gay and Lesbian Student Association is concerned, we reported four years ago of its existence and its funding by the university. We will continue to cover university affairs and report on them without obligation to school officials or anyone else.

I WOULD LIKE to make a comment on TCI Cable. With cable, you have at least three sports stations. Why do we have to watch the sports on HBO, which is a pay channel? If we want to watch sports, we can watch them on the other channels. I don't understand why they take up all our time with all this tennis and other stuff. Thank you.

IT'S A SHAME life is so short for family members to be pitted against one another. It's a shame when siblings have to feel that they have to rival one another and spread lies to make themselves look bigger in the family. You know who you are and you know what lies you have told. Now you are the one who has to live with them and sleep at night. My conscience is clear. I did not make any phone calls.

I'M CALLING IN reference to the article in Speak Out about giving police more power. I'd just like to say that if we give police more power they'll run rampant. I will use the incident with Rodney King in Los Angeles as an example. They will begin to abuse the power and pretty soon the police will become a vicious gang.

I'M CALLING ABOUT the Speak Out ad saying that the Russians taking over our country wouldn't be prudent. I just sent Gorby a little gift set the other day. That was prudent. We have to stay the course, keep everything in line, and keep our source; we have to establish foreign relations. Stay the course and maybe, the good Lord willing, we, along with the Soviets and maybe the Chinese and Japanese, can all sit down for Japanese checkers while we are watching a Sony TV and eating some good Russian dressing over some homemade American apple pie. So, if you have a little gift set laying around, send one to Gorby.

I'M CALLING ABOUT the price of gas here in town. I remember when it was up to over $1.30 a gallon. I know that we had federal oil reserves that were giving us enough petroleum products to last almost two years with or without the gulf crisis going on, and they still raise the price of gas around here. I think they really shafted us.

I AGREE WITH the woman who said that about the find-a-friend people. I agree with her very much because overweight people can give a whole lot more than slim people can. Thank you.

I'D LIKE TO comment about the person who wrote in about Norman Schwarzkopf, who believes in shooting and asking questions later. What kind of army would we have if we all asked questions first? Thank you.

I'D LIKE TO comment on the bus station. I believe that Spanky's on Kingshighway is a great location for it because it is on Business Loop 55.

CAPE GIRARDEAU has got to be one of the most pessimistic towns in Missouri. Certain people of this town, probably the ones who are sneering at this article the very minute they are reading this, just can't get along. We gripe about everything and you can bet people who visit Cape notice the cynicism. I've lived in Cape for 22 years, and during the last two years attended school in Kansas City. When I come home for the summer one of the foremost things that I noticed is the way people gripe and complain about what the other is doing, whether it's any of there business or not. It's sad that this town has so many critics because Cape will not reach it's great potential if this negativism keeps up. For those of you who just can't wait to get on the phone and make a sarcastic response to this article, go ahead; you'll just be keeping the train rolling. If you're critical of others, then expect others to be critical of you. Come on, Cape, let's start being a little more optimistic then pessimistic. This town could be a wonderful place to live. Thank you.

I WAS JUST wondering about people having to pay 29 cents to mail a letter. I get so much mail that costs little or nothing. For instance, this morning I got two first-class, sealed letters from Southeast Missouri University and it cost only 8 cents each to mail. How come?

The post office offers bulk-mail rates to mailers who meet certain requirements, said a spokeswoman for the post office here. The university has the lowest bulk-mail rate of eight cents, she said. To qualify for the rate, mailers must pre-sort mail, which the post office otherwise would do, and meet other requirements, she said. The mail is third class and third-class mail does not carry the priority of first-class mail in delivery time, she said.