SPEAKOUT

Scam artist at large

IN SEVERAL of the parking lots in Cape Girardeau there's an elderly woman who asks for contributions. She claims she has a little great-granddaughter who's going into surgery for cancer. The trouble is, as I recall, she told me the same story three years ago, and she's still apparently using that false story to solicit money. I think people ought to be aware of her. I understand she works in Sikeston's parking lots also and around the area.

Thanks for help

I JUST want to say thank you very much to the family on Bloomfield Road who helped me with a van on June 24. You're help was greatly appreciated.

Enjoyed fireworks

MY FAMILY and I just got back from the Cape Girardeau fireworks display. I just wanted to say how much we really enjoyed and say a big thank you to all the organizations that were responsible. Once again, we enjoyed it.

Rush defender

I WOULD like to comment on the controversy that seems to be swirling around the proposed mural for the floodwall. It seems to me that when Harry Truman was president not everyone was in favor of him. In fact, I remember he was a rather controversial president. However, history has treated him rather kindly. What I don't understand is the venom toward Rush Limbaugh. Yes, Rush Limbaugh is certainly a controversial figure. But he is a native of this town, he has done extremely well, he has published two best-selling books, he is on national television and radio and he has been recognized by many of the commentators as being a person who should be listened to, who should be given some credence. It wouldn't be right to leave him off the wall and to include someone with the reputation of Frank and Jesse James, notorious outlaws.

The Best Years

THIS IS in regards to TBY of July. This is one of the best things I have ever read in any newspaper, particularly Elmo Leonard's letter and a couple of others in there. It's lovely to get such nice things in the paper. Now if only we could get the Missourian to do something about the TV Update where we could find out something that's going on in the world of sports. I don't have to see movies all the day of my life. I would be willing to pay more to get something decent that would show sports when you have a national golf tournament on and they don't even mention it.

REPLY: Thanks for the compliment and the suggestion. Page 3 of each issue of TV Update is devoted to sports listings for the week. In addition, sports events that are broadcast on television and radio are listed daily in the sports section (with Scoreboard).

Not out of state

THIS IS for the Missouri Public Service Commission. I resent the phrase "outstate Missouri." We are not out of the state of Missouri. We are the state of Missouri. Contrary to what the public service commission probably believes, Missouri is more than St. Louis and Kansas City. As regards to the new area code, I would just like to say that if St. Louis wants to be isolated by itself, they should have the new area code. Then we would never have to call St. Louis, and they could be instate Missouri -- within our borders but out of our minds.

REPLY: "Outstate" and "out of state" are different things. Outstate generally means away from major urban areas. As to which area gets which area code, the decision has been made. Cape Girardeau and other areas away from the St. Louis metropolitan area will get the new 573 areas code.

Year-around farmers

THIS IS in response to the person speaking out about Christmas in June. The last statement was "In fact, I don't know anybody who is stupid enough to go out in freezing weather to keep watch over their flock." While you're sitting there eating your supper, we do go out and check our beef and our hogs, if it's 30 below zero or if it's 105. Rain, hot sun, cold wind -- we check them every day. When they're calving, four and five times a day and night, seven days a week. While you're sitting there enjoying your food, your cheap food compared to the processed stuff that the companies make, you're downgrading us. Get a real life.

Free enterprise

UNLESS I hit the lottery or receive an inheritance from some unknown rich relative, I'll never be a wealthy person. However, I don't dislike wealthy people like so many of these malcontents that keep calling Speak Out. Most of the rich people I know weren't born into money. They took risks and worked hard to become wealthy. According to an IRS bulletin published in last fall, only 3.3 percent of taxpayers make over $100,000 per year, yet this 3.3 percent pays over 40 percent of all income taxes received by our government. Fifty-six percent of all taxpayers make under $25,000 per year but pay only 8.1 percent of income taxes. This hardly sounds like the rich are getting a break. If these jealous callers chose a regular job with a steady salary, that's great, but don't criticize the successful people who use the advantages offered by our system of free enterprise.

Park-repair damages

ABOUT TWO months ago, a storm did severe damage to Dennis Scivally Park. City crews have worked sporadically since then to remove the brush and limbs, but the large trees remained until July 6. I realize that some people have complained that the cleanup had taken so long, but I do know this is a very busy season for the Parks and Recreation Department. However, I was appalled to see large trucks in the grassy area of the park July 5-6. We've had quite a bit of rain in the last few days, and the trucks are tearing up the park. I spoke with the gentleman in charge of the cleanup effort, and he explained that the work was contracted out but the city would have to repair any damage done by the contractor at taxpayer expense. Why didn't the parks department more closely supervise this cleanup and make an agreement with the contractor that the contractor be responsible for any damage done? Why do we have to foot the bill again?