SPEAKOUT

I WANT TO THANK everyone who helped with my sister, Beverly Long McFarlin. I want to thank the doctors and nurses at St. Francis Medical Center's emergency room, the chaplain, the helicopter attendants, paramedics, and each person who came in contact with her during this tragedy. Thank you for all you did. I greatly appreciate everyone who helped. I thank you from my heart. May God bless.

The preceding letter was submitted by Deborah Basham, sister of Beverly McFarlin, in behalf of herself; Dale Long, a brother; and Junior and Linda Long, parents of Beverly McFarlin.

I WANT TO thank the band members who made Wednesday summer evenings so enjoyable. You and your guests do a great job. We're looking forward to next summer. Thank you.

I WAS WONDERING if Speak Out could explain the difference to us between extended 911 service in which the residents of the municipality have a certain amount added on to their phone bill, as is being proposed at Scott City, Kelso and Commerce, and the 911 service that Cape Girardeau has in which no amount is added to the phone bill for that service.

The 911 service being proposed in the 264 exchange in those three communities provides a digital display of the telephone number and address from which the call is being made, said Donna L. Burk, Southwestern Bell area manager of community relations. The service in Cape Girardeau does not provide the display, she said.

I'M CALLING CONCERNING the vote on 911 in Scott City. It was stated in the Aug. 26 edition of the paper by Mr. Crump that the cost for the system could not be finalized until after the election. Mr. Crump states that if the three towns split the vote, it would be necessary to install the system for the entire exchange. Does this mean that if Kelso and Commerce vote it down, then Scott City will pick up the entire cost of the exchange? Doesn't this mean that Kelso and Commerce could vote it down and then get it later for a much less cost? I would like to know how the cost is to be shared. I don't know of anyone who would be willing to approve it without knowing the cost first. Thank you.

Burk said the system would be installed in the entire 264 exchange should voters in any one of the three communities approve the proposal, providing officials of the community or communities in which it passes decide to get the service. Should Kelso and Commerce defeat the proposal, and Scott City approve it, a maximum 15 percent surcharge that would be applied to Scott City business and residential telephone customers' basic rate for telephone service would generate enough money to fund the system, she said. Too many contingencies are involved to determine at this point whether Kelso and Commerce could later come onto the system at a lower cost, said Burk. A decision on sharing any additional costs above money generated by the surcharge that might be necessary to fund the system would have to be made by officials of the community or communities in which voters approved the proposal, she said.

I WOULD LIKE to take a moment to let the citizens of Scott City, Commerce, and Kelso realize what issue they will actually be facing in the November ballot. I quote a Southeast Missourian article from the Wednesday paper of Aug. 28. Les Crump says that cost for the Scott City, Commerce, and Kelso 911 system has not been finalized and won't be until the measure gains voter approval. Think about this, people. They're asking you to approve something but they're not telling you how much it's going to cost you. The cost for 911 is like a tax. It's a percentage. It will depend on how many of the towns approve it. The fewer towns involved, the higher the cost is going to be. They can't tell you what this cost will be. Would you vote for a tax if they wouldn't tell you how much it was going to be before you voted for it? You wouldn't go to the polls and vote on a sales-tax issue, and have them say they want to approve an increase in the sales tax but they're not going to tell you how much it's going to be until after the election. You don't vote an increase on your property tax and have them say just vote yes, just vote approval and we're going to tell you how much it's going to be after the election. Don't be railroaded into voting yes on this issue. Scott City does not have to have enhanced 911. We can have ordinary 911 at no additional cost. Enhanced 911 lets the operator know where you are without you telling her. Do you think that if you can get to the phone and dial you will not have the breath in your body to say your address? Please think about these things carefully before going to the polls in November. And please go to the polls in November. Every vote counts.

Burk said voters know the maximum amount the surcharge could be: 15 percent of the basic rate for telephone service. The maximum surcharge on the residential phone service rate of $7.55 monthly would be $1.13 and the maximum surcharge on a business rate of $16.85 would be $2.53 monthly, she said. The more people paying the surcharge, the lower the percentage will be, she said.

I'M CALLING IN reply to the woman who wrote about her son who's 31 years old and still lives at home, depends on her and hates her. Well, if he hates her then maybe he shouldn't live with her and maybe she should do something about that. I'm not a doctor and I don't have a lot of advice but it seems to me, if he lives with her, he better start respecting her, especially his mother.

IN THIS DAY and age when we have so many different religions in this country and so many different people practicing these religions, I think it's important especially today seeing the scenes from Wichita, Kan., about the abortion situation that the people of this country realize that in an issue such as this there is no clear-cut, right-or-wrong or black-or-white answer. We need to remember not to push the government to take an issue on like this because that would violate one of the things that has enabled this country to be the great country it is: the separation between church and state.

EVIDENTLY SCOTT CITY does not have a meal-on-wheels service. I'd like to invite anyone against having their house numbers in proper order or properly displayed to come with us when we try to deliver a meal for the first day. When we must look for numbers it can cause cold meals and many of us lose time and use lots of gas. Thank you.

I'VE BEEN READING with interest the articles in Speak Out about the shoe factories. Seems everyone is blaming the government and that Florsheim is trying to put the blame on the consumer for buying shoes produced overseas. I'd like to read you the last paragraph of an article that was in a Jacksonville, Fla., paper last weekend about Florsheim stepping outside the U.S. in an effort to expand its shoe business. The last paragraph says 60 percent of Florsheim shoes are now produced overseas, generally in low labor-cost countries such as Brazil, Taiwan and India. So, folks, let's relax the put the blame on Florsheim, not the government and consumer.

THANK YOU, MARTY Mishow, for the support and encouragement you've given our young people. You are the kind of role model that they need in this negative world. Thank you.

THIS IS FOR person with the lazy 31-year-old son. You do not have to put up with an adult drone in your home. If you are serious about getting him out of the house, tell him he will have to be out a certain date. If he is not out by then pack his clothes. When he leaves the house put them outside. Change the lock, and, if he starts trying to break in, call the police. It may be the best favor you have ever done for him and yourself.

I READ IN your paper where they were arresting homosexuals in the park because it was an illegal activity. I want to know how an institution such as SEMO can make their students pay a fee to support that group when it's illegal. I resent being made to contribute to an illegal activity, and I think that definitely violates my civil rights. I wish other people would call in regarding this.

THIS IS IN regards to the person who wants to shoot their guns at 100, 200 and 300 yards safely. There's supposed to be opening a range at Apple Creek on the Missouri Department of Conservation land up there. It's supposed to be a Missouri Conservation Department-sponsored shooting range. Thank you.

WHENEVER PEOPLE TALK about abortion they talk about the rights of a woman to chose what she wants to do with her body. But what about the rights of the child? The constitution guarantees every living being the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Scientifically, everything that grows is alive, and from the time of conception a baby grows. To kill an unborn baby is legal; however, to kill a baby 1-hour old, even 1-minute old, is illegal. Either way it is the mother's choice if she doesn't want the baby. What's the difference? Murder is murder.

I WOULD LIKE to say to Shirley Young, mayor of Scott City, that you are one terrific lady. You are able to keep your dignity in every difficult situation. I represent the silent majority who really appreciate what you are doing. Thank you.

YOU KNOW WHAT would be nice in this town? A drive-up postal window. It sure would save a lot of time. Thank you.

THIS IS IN regard to the person who called in to Speak Out about going ahead and getting the lake anyway without giving any consideration to Bollinger County people. Well, people in Cape, why don't you just get off of it and leave it alone? Leave us alone. We don't want the lake. We've told you that. They've taken a poll and we showed you we did not want the lake. So get off of it and give it a rest. Thank you.

I WOULD JUST like to make a statement to all the people who are opposing abortions and calling themselves Christians. No. 1, do you know the background or conditions of the person who is pregnant? No. 2, who are you to say she should want her child to go through what she had possibly lived in or been through? Walk a mile in anyone's place before protesting or judging them. No. 3, I've never heard one of these good Christians say: Let me take you into my home, let me pay your bills, let me take care of your baby and let me help you get your life in order. If we could hear a positive result from these protests, it would be great. When I find it in my heart to be able to do the above, take them in, love them, help them, then I feel like I'd done a good thing. I'm definitely not for abortion, but just to protest and do nothing positive is a waste of time and energy. Take a poll and ask each one if they could or would take them into their home, and you'll find their answer is: No, I can't; I already have too much responsibility. Then stay home and take care of your own. Only those who are ready, willing and able to help should be there. Reach out, do something positive. Let's see and hear results.

I WOULD LIKE to comment about the figures published concerning the number of people using Kent Library weekly. I believe these numbers to be exceptionally high because of one reason: the turnstiles at the entrance will often turn twice when one person enters the library. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has noticed this. Please have a recount and come up with some figures that are more believable. Thank you.

I HOPE THE person that is always calling in to Speak Out and griping about Bollinger County voting out the lake gets tired and quits calling in. To me Bollinger County did us a great favor. Most of Cape County didn't want that lake anyway; that's why it was fought against from the beginning. But a few of the big shots thought they could just push it through. To me they are poor losers and can't give up. For one thing, we have all the taxes we can handle.

I'M TIRED OF people putting down people on welfare. People on welfare have low self esteem. I was on welfare for two months because my husband lost his job and our self esteem was so low that we almost could not pick up our feet. But we finally got a job, both of us, and got off welfare.

HERE WE GO on the reapportionment issue; Democrats sitting there letting the Republicans sock it to you. Ten Democrats running against each other in the same district. Why can't you wake up? Why did this happen? I'm a Democrat and I'm sick and tired of the Democrats letting this happen. Shape up or get out. If you're a Democrat, then act like one.

YESTERDAY WAS Aug. 25. Our young son talked us into letting him visit the Salvation Army Sunday school, where a friend of his was attending. We knew we would be a little late but we decided to go. When driving onto the parking lot, we noticed someone had swept glass out onto the blacktop. It hadn't just been broken; it had been scattered evenly. When I looked at the glass in the tire, I knew it was going through. I headed down Morgan Oak to find a station to check the damage quickly, and by the time we got there the right front tire had already gone down. Needless to say, we did not attend church services. I wish to thank the person who was stupid enough to sweep the glass onto the blacktop instead of picking it off of the lot. I wish to thank him for the flat tire.

THE LANDOWNERS INVOLVED in the controversial new lake for Cape and Bollinger counties pay their taxes to contribute to everybody else's welfare as well as their own. To expect them to give up their land or homes for everybody else's benefit is the most uncaring, ill-bred, presumptuous attitude imaginable. If people want jobs, they shouldn't come by them at someone else's loss or expense. Find a job somewhere else. Just get up off your inconsiderate, lazy duff and look. Or do you hope to make yourself comfortable off of someone else's discomfort? Thank you.

WE ALL KNOW THAT the caller who said farmers have been on welfare for 25 to 30 years is one of the cry babies who's mad because the Bollinger County farmers didn't glady turn over their land to be turned into a water hole for him to play in while he waits for his welfare check. I would just bet that he's lob-lolly fat from eating all the good food farmers produce. Before he spouts off about the price of groceries let me inform him that farmers get the pennies from food sales; processors and grocers get the dollars. Thank you.

IS THERE A city ordinance that states how long you can display your garage-sale articles in your yard? There are a couple of houses that have kept their garage sales going for 24 hours a day for the past week.

There is no such ordinance.

I'M FALLING AND I can't get up.

I LOVE THE clock that Farm and Home has for us to see as we drive along Route K. It doesn't have anything but the time and that's great.

I'D LIKE TO make a comment about parking in Capaha Park. I started to take my grandson to the park this morning but I couldn't find a place to park because all of the college students had taken up parking places. I think this is a disgrace. It's a place for the citizens of Cape Girardeau and surrounding communities to enjoy themselves, but how can you when the park is full because college students parking there all the time? I think it should be stopped. I'd like to address this to the city council. Also, how about them having their canoes in the lagoon? If a private citizen was to do that, they'd be arrested. It's not fair and I think something like that shouldn't be put in the paper in the first place. Thank you.

I DON'T AGREE with the sentencing of Gail Fuchs. She should have gotten the same treatment as Mrs. Jackson. Since she embezzled three times more money than Mrs. Jackson, she should have gotten three times the sentence. She should have been sent hundreds of miles from home like Mrs. Jackson was. So she had a 10-month-old baby. Mrs. Jackson had three boys and they're in school. They need their mother at home to help take care of them just as much as that 10-month-old baby does.

WHY IS IT if I call the police department and report that my next-door neighbor is growing marijuana in their backyard, the police department will converge on my next-door neighbor and investigate them for illegally growing drugs? However, if I call the police department and report to them that I suspect my next-door neighbors are abusing their children, I'm referred to a child-abuse hotline and am told that in order to do anything about it I must have proof: i.e. photographs, physical evidence, and so on. I just don't believe in the system the way it works.

PLEASE TELL ME why it is while searching the channels of our local cable company the sound remains constant on all channels except channel 32, which is VH1. I am a fan of VH1 but I would prefer to adjust the sound on my own rather than having the loud music come on at a time which may not be convenient.

REGARDING THE CALL in Speak Out about the bulk mail the university gets to send out for 8 cents a piece and all non-profit organizations getting to send out mail at special rates. The difference is made up to the post office by congressional appropriation. There's a current bill in Congress to do away with it. If that would happen the post office would of necessity have to charge the same for this bulk rate as the business mailer pays for bulk rate. Incidentally, this is the only taxpayer money that the postal service gets. Everything else the post office makes up through postage. Thank you.

EVERYONE WHO can read should read the articles by Pat Buchanan and Peter Kinder in the Sunday, Aug. 4, Southeast Missourian. Even the cartoon at the top of the page says it all. Wake up, America. Thank you.

MAYBE WHEN PETER Kinder gets dry behind the ears he will see life as it is, not what it was, and not what it could be. The conservatives are every bit, in my book, as bad as the liberals. Thank you.

EVERY DAY BIG, speeding trucks are killing people. Drive on any highway. Ninety-nine percent of the trucks are going over the speed limit. Politicians will do nothing about it until a few politicians are killed by heavy trucks. Our politicians and patrolmen are not doing the job they're being paid for. Thank you.

I WOULD LIKE to complain about the Sunday paper in its reporting of long-time anniversary couples. When I look in Section C of the paper I see huge stories and pictures of weddings, and not too long later I see where divorces have occurred; people making no commitment, just fulfilling a fantasy for a while. But with the stories that deal with people who have really made a commitment with their marriage for 40, 50, 60 years, I find a microscopic picture and very little information about the family. I think we need to change our priorities and give more spotlight to a couple who really make the wholehearted commitments with their marriage. Play up the pictures and play up the news stories. The marriages of today don't last, but the marriages of yesteryear need to be spotlighted more. Thank you.

I'M CALLING ABOUT recycling. I am really amazed at how people are so ignorant to the fact of how much help it is to our environment to recycle. Some people just think they'll throw it away because it's too much trouble. It's so easy to sort everything and take it by there once a week on your way from work or on your lunch hour. It's going to help save our trees and eventually it'll make everything a little better for us. Everybody should wake up to recycling. Thank you.

I'M SICK OF everybody calling my house and hanging up. I wish it would just end. If it doesn't stop I'm going to report it to the police.

I AM A DECENT lady and I want to know why the women that holler rape don't have their names in the paper. If you go to a bar and go home with a man, what do you expect to get? What else would you call it? They're out to get the money. Think about it. I am a woman and I know. Thank you.

To protect rape victims, this newspaper has had a longstanding policy of not reporting their names. We don't plan to change that policy.

I'M CALLING IN reference to the day cares in this area. Apparently there must be a money shortage in this industry if it has to charge parents for the days the child isn't there. My day care previously wrote me a letter stating that they needed a fall schedule of the days my son would be there since I work a sliding schedule. Later they wrote me another note saying I have to bring him at least one day a week so that they can charge me. This is completely ridiculous. What is the point of paying for a babysitter when you don't need one? If I don't bring him they will charge me for that day anyway. Isn't this against the law to charge for services not given? Why do day cares get by with this? I've got news for them: I'm not paying for it. Signed, a very highly motivated citizen.

I SEE THE Missourian has nothing but the nice things about Republicans. What happened to the Democrats? I know there are some good ones too, because I've been in this world a long time. Thank you.

A SMALL CORRECTION on the Iran-Contra deal. I didn't say the lawyers told the story on Bush's part he played; it was Bill Moyers on channel 8. When he tells you something you can believe it.

HEAVENS TO BETSY, for goodness sake, Bollinger County doesn't want a lake. No matter how many times you're voting, we don't want no one from Cape here boating. So listen here, Cape, we know you're wishing, but we don't want you up here fishing. So just once more to make it clear, Bollinger County has all the lakes we need up here.

NOTING YOUR ARTICLE on leukemia vaccinations for cats, I must add there is a percentage of cats that die from this vaccine, and Siamese cats seem to be more likely to die from the shots. I was told this by my veterinarian after the fact, when my perfectly healthy Siamese died from the vaccine. She had received her initial shots but the yearly booster killed her. Thank you very much.

I'VE ALWAYS HEARD of a section of the city referred to as Haarig. In a recent 75-years-ago column there is reference to Haarig. Can you research and determine how that area came to be known as Haarig? Thank you.

The generally accepted explanation of how the name for the Good Hope business district came about is found in a Southeast Missourian article in 1904. It states that the district, which was in the southwest part of the city in its early years, derived its name from a man whose name was Haarig, the German name for Harry, who settled in that district. The account, incidentally, says Harrig's face was covered with a heavy beard.