THE PUBLIC MIND: FOR SCHOOL'S SAKE, SHOW COMMUNITY PRIDE

To The Editor:

In April of 1992 I ran as a candidate for school board in the City of Cape Girardeau and was defeated. There was a certain amount of disappointment but yet a sense of pride and accomplishment that I had publicly "put it on the line" and stood up to be counted. I had not hidden behind another name nor feared television, radio or the print medium.

I found myself in April of 1993 speaking out for another school issue, the School Bond and building maintenance fund. I spoke to friend and foe on this issue, put a sign in my yard, made calls and gave support where I could. I did not deny anyone access to me nor deny the press the right to see me for what my convictions were. Again, I stood up to be counted and I lost again. This time it really hurt because it not only affected myself but my family, friends and children and families that I had never met.

The Bond issue and Building Fund should have passed for the right reasons but failed for all the wrong reasons. Its failure was not about bricks and mortar, earthquake safety, overcrowding, the middle school nor hidden issues. It was about pettiness, complacency and a tremendous loss of pride and respect.

The Cape Girardeau public schools lost and the citizens against the school bond issue won, not really, the young men and women that make up the student population of our schools lost. Again a message is sent to our youth that we can not put aside small issues that block the big picture.

Yes, this bond issue would have cost each of us several hundred dollars, but what is a quality education really worth. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I, too, am worried about Mr. Clinton's tax increase, Mr. Carnahan's tax increase and the school tax increase, but what is an investment in the future worth? I realize times are hard, extra money is non-existent and a $25 million school bond issue seems like a "Star Wars" project.

With all the negative comments about the $25 million I failed to see the opposition offer a counter proposal. It is easy to criticize but difficult to produce a new plan. How many years has it been since a bond issue was placed before the Cape voters? Statements like "I didn't know about it," "The school has a lot of money," "Let the people move to Jackson" or my favorite "They didn't give us time enough to make a decision" are statements that give strength to the Southeast Missourian's article on why the issue failed.

As I write this letter several questions come to mind. Number one, what will the cost be next year or what will the interest rate be next year? Whatever the bottom line on April 6, 1993, it will surely be higher on April 6, 1994. Two, what industry was watching the results of the election? And please don't tell us it doesn't matter. It matters greatly to new industry. Third, how many families will choose other area towns over Cape. It appears that Jackson has taken a large step to the future. Finally, maybe attendance at Cape Central activities is an indication ~~ our support for our schools.

Please don't feel sorry, misconstrue or take this loss as a sympathy, sour grapes shot at a certain group. If you did you must have missed the point or felt guilty.

This letter was intended to say let's look beyond our personal vices, let the past be behind us. Step forward and show the rest of Southeast Missouri and the state, Cape Girardeau has community pride, school spirit and a willingness and want to grow. If we plant the seed now it surely will grow and return many times over to reward us.

Jeff Daniel

Cape Girardeau