LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

I-66 CONCEPT NEEDS LOCAL SUPPORT

To the editor:

In a recent Southeast Missouri front-page headline, one of the Cape Girardeau County commissioners said that our county isn't interested in Interstate 66. I would like to present a different point of view as to why we should be interested. Some of our local elected officials appear to continue to fiddle as the east-west road debate continues to burn.

The debate on the issue of improving the interstate highway system goes on without any apparent concern from Presiding Commissioner Jones or Jackson Mayor Sander. If their idea of lobbying for an improved east-west highway through the county is to claim no interest other than a two-lane upgrade of Highway 34 between Jackson and Van Buren, then please explain to me how this negotiating tactic works. It seems to me that they are signaling loud and clear up front that they are not only willing, but eager, to settle for second best. If our county considers itself to be a regional center of retail, medical, education and government services, why are we not interested in planning for the future to ensure that remains true?

To regionalize our perspective of transportation's impact on our economy, look at our largest industrial employers such at Procter & Gamble and Dana Corp. All of these companies transport and receive goods on a nationwide basis. Our local trucking companies do the same. Without an east-west corridor through our area that extends beyond our local boundaries, transportation costs and the ultimate cost of doing business in our area will continue to rise at a rate higher than other communities better served by an expanded interstate system.

As an example, one local trucking company, with a fleet of 46 trucks, estimates that the annual cost to drive to Sikeston to enter an east-west corridor of Interstate 57 and U.S. 60 is $119,340. If the company expands, as planned next year, to 66 trucks, the cost would increase to $172,380.

Another example is the impact the opening of I-57 had on our local hotels. One hotel alone estimated the loss in tour bus traffic to be 97 buses a year. AT an average of 50 passengers per bus, that alone accounts for almost 5,000 fewer tourists through our community. Now those buses come down I-57 and stop at the Sikeston outlet mall and eat at Lambert's. As an aside the outlet mall estimates that each tour bus passenger spends an average of $65.

These two examples could be multiplied many times over to gauge the total economic impact in our area. By the Missouri Department of Transportation's own estimates, the completion of U.S. 60 as a four-lane highway from Sikeston to Springfield in conjunction with the planned upgrade of U.S. 67 to four lanes from St. Louis to Little Rock would decrease traffic on I-55 through our county by 50 percent. Does anyone doubt that this alone would have a significant negative impact on our local economy?

I applaud Cape Girardeau Mayor Al Spradling's comments in the article on the importance of the I-66 concept to our area. As he stated, if I-66 goes through Sikeston and not Cape Girardeau, it would have a devastating impact on the continued economic viability of Cape Girardeau County. I agree. The emphasis must be placed on the word "continued." If our community does not continue to be proactive in planning for the future, other communities will gladly step up and fill the void.

This issue is important to every citizen in our county and the surrounding region. It is not an individual Jackson, Cape Girardeau or county issue. I implore Commissioner Jones and Mayor Sander to reassess their views and look beyond the narrow confines of their offices. Those who have no share in planning for the future will have no share in future growth.

RANDY HOLDMAN

Cape Girardeau

STATE NEEDS HIGHWAY TO ROLLA

To the editor:

I have traveled the state of Missouri extensively, and it is a known fact to many people that Southeast Missouri and Cape Girardeau in particular are isolated from the central, western and northwestern parts of the state by our highway system. Many times I have heard the statement, You cant hardly get there from here. This is in reference to traveling to Jefferson City and Columbia.

The greatest improvement to Southeast Missouri would be to upgrade Highway 72 to Rolla to connect with I-44 and U.S. 63. U.S. 63 has been upgraded from Rolla to Columbia.

Another improvement to the Cape area would be a highway through Southern Illinois to Brookport and I-24.

In my opinion, lobbying for I-66 is ill-advised and nothing more than a bad dream. U.S. 60 is being upgraded to a four-lane, divided highway from Sikeston to Springfield. To have I-66 virtually running parallel to U.S. 60 is just not feasible.

I also applaud our county commissioners for not contributing our tax money to the I-66 lobby.

HAROLD M. SCHMITT

Cape Girardeau

HOW GOLF COURSE AME -- AND WENT

To the editor:

Taking their cue from Southeast Missourian editor Joe Sullivan, a group of investors and golfing enthusiasts constructed a golf course in downtown Cape. It lasted but one week.

On Day One, a badly, hit ball bashed in the front window at Main Streets Broussards.

On Day Two, a thrown club careened off a judge emerging from Capes downtown courthouse.

On Day Three, a ball hit the floodwall, reversed course and flattened a patron emerging from Port Capes Water Street entrance.

On Day Four, a mistakenly hit tee turned into a missile, seriously injuring a SEMO student as she was walking to work on Spanish Street.

On Day Five, Southeast Missourian publisher Wally Lage sustained moderate injuries when he tripped over a wags misplaced golf bag on Fountain Street.

On Day Six, an angry golfer hurled an entire set of clubs through Hutson Furniture Stores front window, demolishing a dozen divans.

And, on Day Seven, it is reported that a golf ball hit a girder on the Mississippi River bridge in downtown Cape and was, some way, some how, catapulted heavenward and hit Him while He was trying to rest. In retaliation, He flooded downtown Cape with an estimated 400 billion golf balls.

From that day forth, downtown Cape ceased to exist as it had for so long. However, it and the golf ball-filled portion of the Mississippi River off Water Street became a popular tourist attraction.

Years later, the Cape Girardeau City Council decided to rename the area so as to pay tribute to the Muddy Mississippi and the strange events that had taken place during the week the downtown golf course opened. They named it the Golf of Cape.

STEVE MOSLEY

Cape Girardeau

FEDERAL RESERVE MUST BE ABOLISHED

To the editor:

There can be only one fair tax for the rich and the poor, and that is a flat tax that has a basic exemption equal to a years minimum wage.

The Federal Reserve System must be abolished, and the U.S. Congress must take back its constitutional right to issue money. Congress must fund the countrys budget by issuing debt-free U.S. Treasury notes, and it must repudiate the $6 trillion national debt.

The Federal Reserve System has a lousy track record. Since 1913 it has caused a depression and several recessions.

At present, Fort Knox holds 5 percent of the 700 million ounces of pure gold held in 1949. So forget about gold-backed money.

We are using Federal Reserve notes right now, and we can use debt-free U.S. notes tomorrow.

RICHARD KLINE

Gipsy