Stories from Monday, April 20, 1992

Lewis Melahn, director of Insurance for Missouri: This letter is written to you in your capacity as a member of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). I am writing this letter based on my knowledge of the NAIC's advisory committee on assumption reinsurance, as an avid subscriber to The Insurance forum, and as a concerned citizen...

Russell Renka, Phd., is Associate Professor of Political Science at Southeast Missouri State University. This election year is the best of times for politicians to proclaim support for tax reform, and the worst of times for actually doing so. President Bush, for example, proposes as a centerpiece of his national domestic program that the capital gains tax be reduced. ...

Keith Russell, Phd., C.M.A., is professor of Finance in Accounting, Southeast Missouri State University. To better understand why the United States is engaging in economic class warfare, it is educational to look back in history. To finance the Civil War, an income tax was passed in 1862. ...

Despite record high procurement of organs and tissue last year, officials of Mid-America Transplant Association say the need for donated organs and tissues is greater than ever. Currently, 484 people within the association's service area of Missouri, southern Illinois and northeastern Arkansas are waiting for transplants, a number 50 percent greater than a year ago. Nationally, more than 25,000 people are on waiting lists...

Joe Domian is an investment representative at Edward D. Jones and Company. Today we hear much about the fairness question regarding the taxation of long term capital gains at a preferred rate. Besides the fairness question, I believe it is important that we also explore the economics of the question and how it benefits the prosperity of a free society...

Rick Althaus, Phd., is Associate Professor of Political Science at Southeast Missouri State University. The main problem in recommending reform for the U.S. tax system is that reform, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. There is really no part of a tax structure that can be created without incorporating one's personal values and preferences into the end product. To demonstrate this point, examine the tax system from the very beginning, the way a policy analyst would...

Rebecca Summary, Phd., is chairperson, Department of Economics, Southeast Missouri State University. A capital gain is the difference between the buying and selling price of an asset. For example, if a person buys some corporate stock for $100,000 and sells it some time later for $125,000, a capital gain of $25,000 has been realized. Under the current tax code, the taxpayer will pay a maximum capital gain tax rate of 28 percent on the $25,000...

Later this week, look for additional columns on Tax Reform by Certified Public Accountant Gary Stanley, and Julia Kridelbaugh, Executive Director of the Taxpayers Action Network of Southeast Missouri. Next week's Perspective topic is: Pros and Cons on Concealed Weapons, which will look at the concealed weapons bill currently working its way through the Missouri legislature. To participate in Perspective, write to: Perspective, Southeast Missourian, P.O. Box 699, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701...

Dear Editor: It has been gratifying to read the editorial in the Missourian April 14, excerpting the recent speech by Sen. John Danforth, decrying the current condition of the U.S. Congress. Much media time has been spent, of late, depicting the low estate of the U.S. ...

Hoping to better manage and hasten play at the Cape Girardeau Jaycees Municipal Golf Course, the city has hired a full-time manager to operate the course. Robert Casey, 27, of Kansas City, previously worked as assistant manager of a public golf course there...

An Easter chapel dedication at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau means residents of the home will now have a makeshift chapel on the grounds. Desma Reno, administrator, said some residents have expressed a need for a place to worship, and a temporary, or portable chapel is the best immediate answer...

The City Council tonight will hear a report on the Cape Girardeau business incubator. Linda Cochran of the Small Business Development Center at Southeast Missouri State University will present the report to the council. It will include results of a study conducted by the city and the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce to determine the feasibility of a business incubator in Cape Girardeau. The council isn't expected to take action on the report...

The Southeast Missourian asked students at Washington Elementary School how they felt about the use of animals by scientists for testing new medicines. Erick Harris: "I think they should try new medicines out on animals. That way there won't be so many people dying."...

State Reps. Dennis Ziegenhorn and Ollie Amick, pitted against each other in the Democratic primary this year due to re-districting, both say they are concentrating on finishing this year's legislative session before shifting their campaigns into high gear...

A dress rehearsal and performance will be given by the Girardot Rose Chorus of Sweet Adelines International Tuesday at 8 p.m. in West Minister Presbyterian Church. The performance is in preparation for regional competition that will be held Saturday in Peoria Illinois...

The Southeast Missouri School Counselors Association recently named Betty Deardorff counselor of the year. Deardorff is a counselor at Scott County Central School near Morley. In her four years at the school, Deardorff has initiated several new programs for students. She has served as Beta Club sponsor and as senior class sponsor. Deardorff has also serves as the counselors association secretary for two years...

SIKESTON -- Dorothy A. Merryman Garrett, 48, of Sikeston, died Saturday, April 18, 1992 of an extended illness. She was born May 8, 1943 in Dorena, daughter of Huter and Dot Latamondeer Merryman. The married Travis Garrett on Dec. 31, 1960 in East Prairie. He survives...

EAST PRAIRIE -- Wayne Burl Free, 70, of East Prairie, died Saturday, April 18, 1992 at the Miner Nursing Center of an extended illness. He was born Jan. 3, 1922 in Alberquerque, N.M., son of Harve L. and Ada Hill Free. He had lived in Mississippi County since 1945 and was a retired truck driver...

Morene E. Rampley Propst, 66, longtime resident of Cape Girardeau, died Sunday, April 19, 1992 at Southeast Missouri Hospital. She was born Dec. 18, 1925 in Zadock, daughter of Leonard Elmer and Verbie Mae Morris Rampley. She married Bloyse O. Propst on Aug. 8, 1946. He survives of Cape Girardeau...

Norma Jean Karraker, 65, of Cape Girardeau, died Sunday, April 19, 1992 at her home. She was born Sept. 27, 1926 in Anna, Ill., daughter of John Milton and Virgie Poole Rinehart. She married Dennis O. Karraker on Oct. 7, 1945. He survives. She was a member of the Church of Christ in Cape Girardeau...

SIKESTON -- Frank A. Pearcy, 81, of Sikeston, died at Hunter Acres Caring Center in Sikeston at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, April 18. He was born July 20, 1910, in Lyon County, Ky., son of Willy A. and Martha Kelly Pearcy. On Nov. 30, 1944, he married Willena Winter. She died March 16, 1985...

Son to Kikia Fullenwider and Darrell Hayes of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 6:03 a.m. Wednesday, April 1, 1992. Name, Austin Diron James. Weight, 7 pounds 7 ounces. Miss Fullenwider is the daughter of Carol Fullenwider of Cape Girardeau. Hayes is employed at Cottonwood Center, and is the son of Aaro Hayes of Caruthersville...

The Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring a modified impact aerobic class at the A.C. Brase Arena Building. Classes will be for eight weeks on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5:40 to 6:40 p.m. The fee for the class, available for anyone ages 16 and older, is $20 for residents and $21 for non-residents. Classes began April 14...

Local lawmakers who support a bill that would allow private citizens to carry concealed weapons once they obtain a permit are playing down fears that passage of the bill would lead to more violent crime. The concealed weapons bill will go before the Missouri Senate Criminal Jurisprudence Committee Tuesday for debate...