Stories from Monday, July 29, 1991

A $5.5 million bubbling-bed boiler that supplies power to Southeast Missouri State University has been operational only about 30 percent of the time since early 1990. But the director of the university's power plant said Friday, because of the boiler's relatively new technology, problems are expected...

PADUCAH, Ky. Cape Girardeau's Board of Education ended its retreat Sunday with a pledge to launch its middle-school plans with a careful and deliberate campaign. The board, meeting in Paducah, decided Saturday that it would ask voters to fund construction of a new middle school...

Friends and colleagues of John Dennis praised the senator as a person who cares about people, is a great compromiser, a low-key leader devoted to the people he represents, and the kind of person you turn to for solid advice. Sen. Roger Wilson, D-Columbia, said: "He's a gentleman and a true statesman, and has been a stabilizing force in the General Assembly and especially the Senate all through his career. ...

Area officials said they are pleased with a House committee version of a new federal highway bill, especially with its distribution formula and recognition that highways are important for economic development. Under the present highway authorization bill that expires Sept. 30, the formula does not take into account the amount of gas used in a state, so states like Missouri are paying more in federal gas tax than they are receiving...

The sixth annual Missouri Freedom Forum kicked off here Sunday night as 206 Missouri high school students listened to their first lecturer of the three-day event. Blair Moran, a special agent for Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. in Sikeston, presented "Freedom: Do We Take It For Granted?" at the University Center on the Southeast Missouri State University campus...

The Southeast Missourian asked people how interested they would be if they were able to watch "Court TV," a new cable television channel devoted to courtroom proceedings. Don Wallace: "I would be interested in watching it, because it would let us see how our court system works and the importance of our justice system. I already watch C-SPAN a lot for public affairs programs."...

As children savor the last few weeks of summer vacation, West Park Mall merchants have again joined with St. Francis Medical Center and Southeast Missouri Hospital to present Building Blocks for Better Health and Safety. The daylong, free children's health and safety fair will feature free entertainment, prizes, games, screenings and educational displays. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday...

A number of local residents have gained first-hand knowledge of how satisfaction from helping the less fortunate can transcend the desire for life's finer comforts. Dr. Richard and Susan Martin and family, along with former Southeast Missouri State University student Scott Roth, recently returned from a medical and dental group mission in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica...

The Missouri Bar Association's Board of Governors proposed earlier this month that the state Supreme Court allow cameras and microphones in courtrooms. Speaking for the news media and the public they serve, we say, "Thank you." Missouri is clearly behind the times on this issue and needs to catch up. We encourage the high court to act positively on this proposal...

To the Editor: In a most recent column, Pat Buchanan decries the "trashing" of Ronald Reagan for the deficit piled up during his administration, while the federal deficit is mounting at an increasing rate during the present Bush administration. In simple terms ... we borrowed several trillion dollars during the 80's and threw ourselves a party. It felt so good, we're simply spending more and more to keep the party going...

To the Editor: The July 23, 1~991 issue of the Southeast Missourian contained a cartoon by Benson dealing with the nomination of Clarence Thomas to the U.S. Supreme Court. The cartoon offers a classic study of mindless bias. Clarence Thomas is sketched as a cowering dunce, seated on a dunce chair, wearing a miter (a ritual headpiece) to denote his subservience to the Pope...

To the Editor: To the people along the railroad tracks throughout our nation, I don't recall the exact date in which the railroads asked the federal government for them to take the federal inspectors off. This was about 1960 to 1975 - these federal inspectors were required to inspect tracks, engines and cars. ...

Daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Richard Rushin of Jackson, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 9:11 a.m. Thursday, July 18, 1991. Name, Jillian Christeen. Weight, 8 pounds. Second daughter. Mrs. Rushin is the former Deborah Bierer, daughter of Sandra Montgomery of Lakeland, Fla., and Fred Bierer of Murphysboro, Ill. ...

CHAFFEE -- Emma Erwin, 92, of Chaffee, died Sunday, July 28, 1991, at Chaffee Nursing Center. She was born Dec. 17, 1898, at East Prairie, daughter of Conover and Emma Swan Ryker. She married Fred Slayden May 7, 1919, who died March 27, 1952. She then married Turney Erwin Jan. 10, 1961, who died Aug. 5, 1969...

MARBLE HILL -- Orville Marlowe, 76, of St. Louis, died Sunday, July 28, 1991, at Bond Nursing Care Center. He was born Nov. 22, 1914, at Bonne Terre, son of George A. and Lillian Goforth Marlowe. Marlowe was a retired construction worker. Survivors include two brothers, Lyle and Hyman Marlowe, and a sister, Eva Colyer, all of St. Louis...

PERRYVILLE -- Frieda E. Bergman, 83, of Perryville, died Sunday, July 28, 1991, at Perry County Memorial Hospital. She was born Feb. 4, 1908, at Perryville, daughter of Edward and Louise Guth Deimund. She married Hubert Bergman Dec. 26, 1926. He died Feb. 2, 1971...

McCLURE, Ill. The McClure Homecoming Association will sponsor the 15th annual homecoming event Saturday. The morning program will be from 9:30 to noon in the McClure Grade School cafeteria. A meeting and social time will be held from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Purple Crackle in East Cape Girardeau. Cost is $10 per person for dinner, coffee and tea. A band will provide music for dancing...