Speak Out 8/8/05

Important topic

THANK YOU, Sam Blackwell, for your column, "Making sure there's a there here." It hit the nail on the head, and the topic is one that everyone in the community should be mindful of. For now, the majority of the population still believes that having big-box stores along highways is a statement for how aesthetically pleasing a community can be. If we keep this up, along with demolishing fine old homes and businesses, the phrase "There's no there there" may already apply to Cape Girardeau and Jackson.

Grass in streets

I LIVE in a nice neighborhood. Most people who blow grass clippings in the street when they mow take it off the street either by broom or with a blower. But some people leave the grass in the streets, and it looks terrible. It doesn't take that much longer to get that grass off the street. Please keep our neighborhood looking good.

Thousands of butts

I'M AT the intersection of Mount Auburn Road and Route K, and the woman in the car ahead of me threw a cigarette butt out her window. Looking down the roadway I can see thousands of cigarette butts. Does that qualify as littering? If not, then what do lawmakers have to do to make it littering, because it's becoming a major problem. Cape Girardeau police, let us know what we can do about these cigarette butts.

Vote on inspections

THE STATE vehicle inspection is a waste of time and money. Put it on the ballot and let the people decide if we want this inspection or not.

Long vacation

I'M WONDERING how President Bush can take a four-week vacation when our troops in Iraq would love to have four weeks off.

Handicapped shopping

I AM a handicapped person. I have a cardiovascular condition, and I can use a cane to get into a store. But I cannot walk around. So I shop where I can use a riding cart. At the checkout counter, there's always someone who will go to my car and help me. It is a serious parking issue, and it is abused. But you can't look at a person and always see the problems.

Learning new science

IT IS sad that some have criticized U.S. Sen. Bill Frist for supporting federal funding for stem-cell research. Proving he can think outside the box mandated by the fundamentalists, Frist has taken the time to study and come to a wise decision. Too bad we don't have more politicians capable of learning new science instead of revisiting the failed sorcery supported by the White House.

Expensive sodas

I AM calling about the price of sodas when you go out to eat at a restaurant. I have a family of three, and for sodas for our family it's $2 apiece. So we're paying $6 for three sodas. That's just crazy when you can get a two-liter bottle of soda for $1.

Intersection safety

IF THE Missouri Department of Transportation and county road crews are not going to mow highway right of way this year, could they please trim intersections so we can enter another roadway safely? Our periscope is just not tall enough for the high weeds.