Speak Out 01/17/04

More sales

I JUST returned from the Osage Community Centre, waiting an hour and a half for my number to be called for the winter and spring garage sale. I felt I was playing bingo. If the city needs revenue, why not have the garage sale monthly or every two months? That way, more people would have a chance for tables, and the city would benefit.

Spend, spend, spend

EVERY TIME new money becomes available, Cape Girardeau officials apparently only see one thing: how to spend this available money on some new project. At issue is the $450,000 of motel and restaurant tax which will be available between April and November. I understand it can't be spent for basic city services, but why can't it be spent to help retire the River Campus bonds early and save additional interest? Why is spend, spend, spend the only solution to anything as seen by the city council?

Special parking

I'M PAST 71 and in good health. I walk as far as I like. I have an idea that might help some of the people who are my age or older don't have a handicapped parking permit or don't really need or want one. Stores with large parking lots could provide some parking marked for people over 70 closer to the store. I think that would be a good idea.

Mexico's jobs

I'MCONCERNED about the president's idea of allowing illegal aliens to come into the country when we already need jobs for our own people. Charity begins at home. We need money for schools. Senior citizens are making choices about taking their medications. With the idea of opening up the new space venture that will cost millions along with billions going into Iraq and the aliens coming in to take the few jobs that are left, we'll be going into Mexico to work before long.

Spending priorities

THE CITY says it doesn't have enough money for police cars and fire trucks but spends millions of dollars on parks and the Convention and Visitors Bureau. These things aren't needed as much as fire trucks and police cars and police officers and firefighters. Now they want to do a better job of communicating with the voters so they can get more money. And the schools do the same thing. They have a meeting to learn how to have better communication with the voters so they can pass tax increases. Let's do a better job of spending the money the taxpayers are already giving you.

Flying kites

WHEN I was a kid, I stayed with my grandmother a couple of weeks while my parents went on a business trip. I began to spend the money they left me by buying a kite, candy and things that I don't even remember. But I do recall that in just a couple of days I was out of money, and it was quite a while until my parents returned. This reminds me of the spending habits of the city council and school board. When they ask me for another tax increase, I will regrettably tell them to go fly a kite.

Special concert

I WOULD like to thank Lynwood Baptist Church for the concert featuring John Storms. I'd been to several concerts, and this is the most blessed one I've been to. Again, thank you, Lynwood Baptist Church for bringing Storms in. He was definitely anointed by the Lord.

Stop-and-go lights

I HAD a red light at Mount Auburn Road and Independence Street. All of a sudden I had a brain spasm. For some reason I thought red light was like a stop sign, and I started to go. Then I remembered you can't do that. But nobody else was there. Why would it hurt to go through a stoplight after you stop if nobody else was there? Maybe we ought to change the rule.

Comforting noise

I HAVE lived in Scott City for years. The train whistles are about the only thing happening here. Anyone who moves near the railroad tracks should know they can hear the trains. I would miss the noise very much.

Loud mufflers

I FEEL sorry for the people in Scott City and everywhere else where they're putting up with noise from trains. In Jackson we're putting up with loud mufflers. It is an epidemic. You don't sleep night or day in this town. Something should be done about it.

How it's used

WHEN THE Cape Girardeau School District spends over a third more per student than Jackson, I don't see how anyone can say that money is a problem. It's the use of money that is a problem.

Something useful

IF GOV. Bob Holden and state Sen. Peter Kinder would come up with ways of bringing business into Missouri and ways to get our schools the full funding they need, they wouldn't be able to come up with nonsense like banning cross burning. You can't ban ignorance, and there will always be ignorant people.

Big blood drive

I AM a member of American Legion Post 158 Ladies Auxiliary at Jackson. I just wanted to let you know there were 100 blood donors at our blood drive. There were more who couldn't wait after they saw how many donors were waiting to give. The auxiliary furnishes the best homemade chicken noodle soup in Cape Girardeau County at these drives. I think the bottom of the stew pots could be seen at the very end. I also think this was the largest drive we've had since 9-11.

Immigration benefits

I BELIEVE if people who come to the United States illegally work successfully, after some period of time they should be allowed citizenship. I think you learn from each other, and I don't think our country benefits when a group is brought in and isolated from the rest of the population.

Things to do

I THINK Cape Girardeau is a fun city. The person who says all there is to do is eat, bowl and see a movie just isn't thinking very far. Plays are offered by Southeast Missouri State University. There is community theater. Schools put on plays.

Better menus

I MUST agree with the caller regarding the lunches in Jackson. Why not have nutritious, kid-friendly food? This lunch may be some children's best meal of the day. Why not have food that will be eaten?

Aiding and abetting

THE BANK robbery leads me to ask this question: If there are people who know where these people are and have been and they don't come and confess, should they be charged with harboring a criminal? It seems to me they might be liable for that. I think that is something that should be prosecuted vigorously.