Speak Out 01/31/04

Dishonorable critics

I THINK the people criticizing state Rep. Rod Jetton for calling Gov. Bob Holden's hand on his distortion of the truth are a disgrace. They allow politicians to lie and distort facts and think no one should call their hand on it. Where is their honor?

Spending money

THE LOCAL school officials' forethought was demonstrated when, after spending millions of tax dollars on a new school, they had to beg the public for donations to buy desks. The issue isn't future spending. It's how poorly money has been spent in the past. An audit would have to be embarrassing. How else could you account for the extraordinary per-student cost?

Stick to needs

BEING A firefighter I realize the need for good working equipment, but I believe the fire department has overestimated the cost of new trucks. Last year at the fire expo in Columbia, Mo., I looked at a brand-new commercial cab pumper that cost $70,000. The only thing it lacked was being outfitted with equipment. Equipment isn't that expensive compared to the $300,000 or $400,000 for a new pumper. We do not need to purchase the most expensive trucks. Come on, Cape firefighters, let's stick to what we need and not what we want.

Good representation

TO THE resident of Bollinger County who was embarrassed by state Rep. Rod Jetton's comment to the governor: Be thankful you have a representative who isn't just going to sit around and not say anything.

Exception to the rule

THE PLANNED closing of Cottonwood Treatment Center is an unpardonable crime. Unfortunately, it's typical. Programs that give assistance to those most in need of help are usually the first to go. Why? Their clients usually don't vote and their advocates don't have enough clout with the politicians. Let's make Cottonwood the exception to the rule and keep it open.

Clear the street

ON THE drive in to work after the snow, Highway 72 was completely cleared of ice and snow from Patton into Jackson. In Jackson, Jackson Boulevard had a snow and ice pack. There was an accident. Traffic was backed up. Immediately upon leaving the Jackson city limits at Center Junction, the highway was completely clear into Cape Girardeau and on Broadway. Why can't Jackson clean the main thoroughfare through town so commuters can get to work on time and safely?

They're there -- really

SOME MAY not believe that there have been sightings of mountain lions in the Tilsit and Gordonville area, but it is really true. These sightings have been made by more than one person. Those who don't believe it think the mountain lions have been mistaken for bobcats. There is a big difference between bobcats and mountain lions because of the size and tail of each animal.. The ones that were seen had long tails and large bodies, which had to be mountain lions.

Prudent policy

I WANT to say that I appreciate Cape Girardeau and Jackson working together to ban fireworks. These cheap rockets are a menace to life and home. It's time they went away. Both cities deserve praise for their prudence. If kids go ahead and buy these things elsewhere and shoot them off here, I say arrest the little buggers.

Social programs first

KUDOS TO state Rep. Rod Jetton for speaking up while the governor lied to every person in this state. Education funding was higher this year. It was Holden who withheld $223 million from education and only $19.5 million from social services and health and human services. Now you can see Holden would rather support social programs than schools across the state.

Save teachers first

I AM a huge supporter of the arts, and I am glad that the band director position in the Cape Girardeau School District is safe. However, isn't band an elective? What about the teaching positions at the middle school? If the district were to save one position, why didn't the board try to save the teaching positions that will teach core classes?

Matter of integrity

THE CAPE Girardeau School Board and superintendent Mark Bowles must think the community is full of idiots. They claim to want to maintain education at its highest quality, yet they cut what really matters: teachers. The middle school will lose three teaching positions next year, putting far too many young adolescents in each classroom. The board's priority is to protect administrators such as the director of personnel. I question the integrity of the board and Bowles, who are thinking of themselves and not our future, the children.

Didn't get his way

SO WHAT if there are two empty buildings in Farmington? If Cottonwwod Treatment Center closes, we will have empty buildings here, 80 jobs lost and more expense and inconvenience for the families of those who need the center. Call the closure of Cottonwwod what it is: The governor is acting like a child who did not get his way. This is his way of striking back at our legislators for not giving him an economically damaging tax increase.