AS FAR as I know, unless something changed, it was voted that there would be no cameras at the stoplights in Cape Girardeau. Well, I'd like someone to explain why there are cameras at the stoplights in Cape Girardeau all of a sudden -- at the new, very dangerous intersection of Sprigg and Normal. How did they get away with this when they were told no, we won't allow it? I think the city council, whoever's involved, needs to explain themselves. When people say no, they mean no.

It's so easy

THIS IS a tip about the dreaded chore of putting out your garbage in Jackson that was in Friday's paper. The easiest thing to do is put the 33-gallon garbage bag in your garbage can and then put your garbage in all week, and all you have to do is lift out the garbage bag, put your twisty on it and put it out to the curb. Nothing could be easier.

Concerned senior

I WANTED to speak just a little about Proposition A, about charging an extra 55-cent tax that's supposed to go to the seniors for prescription drugs and such. Actually, that is very vague to start with. I am not a smoker so it doesn't concern me that much other than the fact that money will go into some bureaucrat's pocket rather than to fund prescription drugs for seniors. I am a senior and I am concerned about that, of course. But I see nothing coming for the seniors, and I don't even feel that that is going to make a dent in anybody's pocket or whatever in regards to funding for the seniors. Until they get a proposition on the ballot that is complete, I say vote against it.

Can't believe it

I CAN'T believe the Speak Out caller in Friday's paper who said that we should get off St. Louis' back in regard to the highway money that they're getting. When we drive to St. Louis and see all of the sound walls being built with public funds and also see every major highway being rebuilt, not just once but maybe for the second time since we've had any kind of highway funds in Southeast Missouri, then in reality, that money is excessively going to the metropolitan areas. Ask them to come down and drive Highway 34, which no one will drive because it's so bad, instead of trying to make a case for additional money going to St. Louis just because they're hollering for it.

Consider the future

THIS IS regarding the article about nursing home neglect. I am employed here in Southeast Missouri at a long-term care facility and, yes, sometimes there isn't enough staff. But there are plenty of dedicated nurses and aides who really work hard to make the elderly happy, healthy and comfortable. This gives us a bad name. And to those out there who are neglecting the elderly, you should keep in mind that one day you will be elderly and have to swallow your pride and have to depend on someone for everything.

It didn't work

THE CAPE Girardeau Chamber of Commerce's attempt to appease local firefighters by honoring them apparently did not deter the firefighters from supporting a worthy constitutional amendment giving them the well-deserved right to collectively bargain.

What to do

JACK STAPLETON raised the question as to what a good citizen is to do. To me, a good citizen can either practice good citizenship or read Stapleton columns as to how to do it. However, time constraints would prohibit doing both.

Good argument

THE OP-ED piece by Henry Waters, publisher of the Columbia Daily Tribune, was the best-written opposition to Proposition A that I have read. He was right on target in all the areas he covered. Proposition A is reprehensible because it is a cowardly way to raise more revenue. I have noticed that the major proponents of this strange proposal seem to be in the medical profession; they are spending millions to get this thing passed. And why not -- they will be the ones to benefit from it.