Speak Out 05/06/04

Act of kindness

I WOULD like to thank the kind stranger who paid for my purchases at Carol's Hallmark at Town Plaza. The thoughtfulness made me and the employees want to return the gesture by being kind to someone else. Thank you from the young mother in a hurry.

Ballet of horses

WE HAD an enchanting evening of watching the ballet of horses. It is wonderful to take the children to productions that are appropriate for them, and the adults around me were just as impressed.

Just not possible

THE SOUTHEAST Missourian editorial criticizing the state legislature for trying to sock it to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch was right on target. However, the editorial concluded with a call for the end to childishness in the state legislature. That comment makes Pollyanna look like a pessimist.

City dinosaur next?

WITH A new slogan and a new song, maybe the next great idea from Cape Girardeau officials to attract tourists would be an official city dinosaur.

Police get last word

I READ a comment regarding a driver passing through a yellow light and being surprised to get a ticket. I am not surprised that the cop would lie about it in court. I am, however, surprised that the person would even waste his time to go to court. In municipal court, the cop's word is gospel. Next time just pay the fine and forget it. Or if you really can't stand it. Buy a good camera, stand by the same intersection, and take pictures of the police doing the same thing. Just don't expect anyone to pat you on the back for it.

Negative review

IN REGARD to the review "Stallion show entertains but goes on too long" and other reviews written by Kathryn Alfisi: I have been disappointed again and again. Her reviews are negative and show no appreciation for the performing arts. As a community, we should be fostering and encouraging an appreciation of theater and all the hard work and passion that goes into live productions. Referring to Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical "Cats" as "bad 80's music," she shows no expertise or knowledge of what she is supposed to be reviewing.

Police are top priority

I SEE several comments in Speak Out that bother me and should bother everyone in the city. The first problem is priorities. The arguments to have the municipal band in Capaha Park, to have a spring cleanup (which is a big benefit to the elderly) and other city services are all very valid points. I can remember as a small boy listening to the band as we sat in the grass in the park and I want everyone to have that experience. But priorities for the good of the community must be defined by need, not politics. The police department is 10 officers down from where it is supposed to be. This is a dangerous situation for the citizens and the police. When you are in need of assistance, you want the police to be there for you and know what they're doing. Before the residents vote for, approve or allocate money for some other frivolous city service, let's get the priorities for city in check.

Emergency calls

I STILL do not understand why the fire departments in Cape Girardeau and Jackson do not run their own ambulances. The fire report recently showed that 12 out of 14 calls in three days were assisting a private ambulance service. That is 85 percent of the calls.

Three-ring circus

THREE CHEERS for your editorial putting state legislators in their place for their retaliation tax against the free press and their overall immaturity from the get-go. If only they'd charged admission and sold popcorn and peanuts for this under-the-big-top session, our legislature could have made a nice profit.

Sirens in Jackson

THE ONE-YEAR anniversary of Jackson's destructive tornado is here. Unless I missed it, I haven't heard anything about Jackson having or getting warning sirens. I think it would be a good investment for us living in Jackson.

Does not compute

SO, THEY'RE stupid in Jonesboro, Ark., and we should be stupid too? I'm not getting it.

Great choral concert

THE JACKSON choral department's spring concert was great. It's such a good idea to bring the different levels of choirs at different schools together at one time so that the students and parents and public can see what great course instructors and participants we have in Jackson.

Flag was backwards

WE WENT to see the Lipizzaner stallions, and the show was wonderful. We loved it. However, the American flag in the Show Me Center was backwards. If it had been raised, it would have been upside down in a distress symbol.

Fighting words

I WOULD like to see the person who suggested Jackson should change its school mascot go to a town meeting in Jackson and bring that up and see how fast he gets run out of town. Jackson enjoys its mascot.

Cramped parking

I LIVE on a quiet, dead-end street in Cape Girardeau. It is amazing the number of people who have nice, double-wide driveways and garages and leave their driveway halfway empty and park on the street or have friends park on the street instead of in their driveway. When we back out, we have trouble getting out. Folks, these are not the widest streets in town. Use a little courtesy and don't park along the street where people can hardly get out of their own driveways.