SPEAKOUT

Thanks to Jackson's parks crew

THERE HAS been so much bad news in the paper recently about Jackson I thought I would report some good news. I have been coaching Little League baseball and soccer for the past two years. I was so happy when the city hired the parks and recreation director. He has made it so much easier for the coaches and all involved. I really enjoy the fall league which gives the boys who really want to play baseball a chance to hone their skills. Mr. Anderson and the park crew have made such a difference. He and Jack Martin have worked so well together this year. The field maintenance and the mowing have improved so much over last year. I would like to thank the park board, the mayor, Alderman Hitt and all the other aldermen who saw the need for the recreation director and made it a reality. I'm sure we will all see great things in the future from this.

Concerned about board member's letter

TWO THINGS concerning the letter that the vice president of the school board, Mark Carver, wrote to the editor. Was that an official letter from the Cape Girardeau School Board? He signed it "Vice President, Cape Girardeau Board of Education." Was he acting on behalf of the school board when he wrote that letter? I certainly didn't like the arrogant tone of that letter. The Southeast Missourian does a wonderful job of covering all the activities. There was a front-page article on the band festival that gave credit to the retiring band director at Central High School, Ron Nall. I can tell you, if this is the attitude of the Cape Girardeau Board of Education, they can be sure I'll vote no on the bond issues theyre planning to present. I just wanted to speak my mind.

Let students socialize at school

I RECEIVED a phone call on my answering machine. My 5-year-old son heard the message and started to cry. The phone call involved possible employment for his mother. He does not want me to work even though he's in school all day. I discussed the job with my husband, and he said it was up to me, but the trouble with our youths started about the time mothers went back to work. I know a lot of moms have to work because of divorce or medical hardships. But a lot of people work because they spend beyond their means. People, we need to let our children socialize in a school's lunchrooms. You can't tell me that teachers stay quiet while they're eating. And we need to keep recesses in our schools.

Invasion of ladybugs is here

IS EVERYBODY ready for the ladybugs? They're on their way. I find four in the house already. Be prepared.

Next time bonfire could burn home

IN RESPONSE to the bonfire girl on County Road 444, you may realize the importance of a disastrous fire and hazardous burning. The next time the news is on TV and in the papers not to burn, you may realize why they push this. Next time, your bonfire could be your own home.

Slow response at scene of accident

I HAD to call about something that really bothers me. I witnessed a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of William and Mount Auburn Road. Both cars looked like they were pretty damaged, and I don't know if there were any injuries. I'm sure there were, because the ambulance showed up about an hour later. It took the Cape police forever to get there. There are Cape police all over town, and I know someone must have called for the police because a man in a suit ran out to the accident a minute later. I tried to call them from my cell phone, but I couldn't remember the number. It took them forever. When they did come, they didn't use their lights or sirens. They drove up like it was just another day. They get more excited about parades and stuff. Before the second police car came, there were civilians out there directing traffic. It was just pitiful. We were in walking distance from St. Francis Medical Center, but it took 45 minutes for an ambulance to get there. At that point, I left. How long should it take to get the police to an accident at a busy intersection at 5 p.m.? It was pure chaos, and I just don't understand why it took them so long to arrive.

Cau