SPEAKOUT

THE NEIGHBORS ON Greensferry Road want to thank the Jackson fire department for their fast response and for saving a home from ruin. It was a job well done, guys. You did good. Thanks again.

IN RESPONSE TO the person who has the good, used toys they'd like to give, Head Start at 260 N. Middle in Cape, no doubt, would be glad to get those toys for the children that attend school there. The number is 335-4313. Thank you.

I WOULD LIKE to know when the city is going to wake up and return to the twice-a-week trash pickup. I'm sick and tired of using my friend's dumpster to dump my excess garbage out. It's interesting to note that neither the mayor nor the council members have questioned the actions of our city manager and his assistant on this decision. I think something should be done to make our city a clean city again.

I'D LIKE TO state that I feel that my right as a citizen and as an individual has been violated. I know that smoking isn't good for you and I realize that some people are against it. I don't smoke in stores or places that state or ask that you can't, but, when I am forbidden to walk across school property on my break and smoke and am talked down to because I don't happen to agree with certain people, that is carrying it a little bit too far. I paid $3,000 to go to this program. I follow the policy on what I have to wear and the grades I have to make. I don't smoke in the building or on the property. What right does anyone have to tell a grown person he or she can't smoke off the ground on break? In my opinion, the administration needs to spend its time and the taxpayers' money on something more important than telling grown adults they can't smoke across the street or carry sodas in the classroom. Thank you.

I'D LIKE TO rebut the person in Speak Out on Tuesday morning who said their school taxes were only $98 and what a bargain that was. If anybody would care to figure that out, apparently they only have less than $3,500 in personal property. They apparently don't own their house and their car must be only worth $3,500 or less. My school taxes amounted to $1,050, and that's based on two trucks and one car and that's it. Thank you.

THIS IS IN regards to the person who called in talking about the stupid quilt being sent to Southeast Missouri. I would just like to say that, if they're going to call this quilt stupid, they should call the Vietnam War Memorial stupid too, because these AIDS victims are also fighting a war. Thank you.

THIS IS THE Fraternal Order of Eagles. We noticed in the paper that someone said we could contact you, that they had a bunch of toys they wanted to give away to the needy. We give out Christmas baskets every year for the needy in our community and we have some toys and we were interested in the lady's toys she wanted to give away. Call us at 335-0931. Thank you.

I JUST RECEIVED a personal letter this morning in my Southeast Missourian saying that Friday, Nov. 29, will be his last day. He said it has been a real privilege serving his customers. Well, Josh, it has been a privilege having you as a paper boy. I will miss you. You were so faithful; rain, shine, hot, cold, dark, light, you were there. As you stated in your letter to your customers, I would like to say God bless you and happy holidays to you, too.

I WONDER HOW many people have ever thought about how hazardous it is to drive in the rain, fog or at dusk without their lights on. What is on their minds or what isn't on their minds? Who do they think they're kidding? Thank you.

WHY ARE PEOPLE so down on people who are on welfare and food stamps? This is a rich country and we are giving billions to foreign countries and bringing thousands of refugees over here and taking care of them. They don't work. The taxpayers take care of them so I don't intend to work either. If I am sent for a job interview, I will goof up my application so they won't hire me. I am going to get all I can without working. If you are stupid enough to work, that is your problem.

IN REGARDS TO the Ollie North book, he says he thinks Reagan knew all about the Iran-Contra affair. Well, he knows that can't hurt Reagan now. And, regarding Bush, he'll wait until Bush serves his term and then he'll write another book. I wouldn't put his book in an outhouse.

INVADING A CHILD'S privacy is the fastest way to lose their love.

EVEN THOUGH I don't agree with schools passing out condoms, I think everybody should get it through their thick heads that Jackson and Cape schools do not do so. Thank you.

THIS IS TO the person who called in and didn't like abortion, and said the first male child of every family should have a vasectomy. How would you like it if you were the first male child and had to have a vasectomy and you wanted to have kids so bad but you couldn't?

AS SOME OF the other people did when they received their taxes, they figured out what percentage of their taxes went to the schools. I figured my own and now I think we understand why Proposition B failed. Figuring the county taxes, personal and property, as well as Jackson city taxes, personal and property, it figured up to be 64.69 percent. When you take off the city taxes, which Jackson doesn't collect, and pay school taxes and use only the county real estate and personal property taxes, the percentage going to the school on my taxes was 80.2 percent.

I'M WONDERING WHAT President Bush is going to do about his newly-appointed person to speak before children and other groups about AIDS. If you will recall, he has selected Magic Johnson. In my estimation, I believe 90 percent of the people would say that he made a poor choice to have Magic Johnson represent anybody the way he has done. He had sex when he knew he was infected with AIDS; he therefore infected many women. I just don't understand why President Bush doesn't withdraw his name and have nothing to do with him. That's what a lot of people are going to start doing; have nothing to do with him. He is not an idol; he is what I'd call a bad person to do what he has done and expect people to look at him as though he is such a fine role model, a fine person. I feel sorry for him, and I imagine that everybody feels sorry for him. He has been a great basketball player, not the best, but one of the best. I'll tell you the reason. It's the same reason he chose Clarence Thomas for nomination to the Supreme Court. He just wanted a black in his corner, in his party.

I'M AFRAID I'M having a big problem with my 15-year-old son. His problem is, it seems, that all he wants to do is hang around the house and study all the time. This is okay part of the time, but I keep telling him when I was his age I had more girlfriends than you could count, and I was always known as a lady's man. I have even offered him use of our car and a little money for dates, but he seems too shy. Next weekend I'll be out of town, and I have told him to bring over some girlfriends to the house if he wishes. I hope he overcomes his shyness and can turn out to be a chip off the old block. Thank you.

I HOPE MAGIC Johnson represents the Olympics. Thank you.