Speak Out 5/15/05

Thanks to mayor

MY COMMENTS are in response to the "time away from lessons" call in Speak Out. I am a fifth-grade teacher at Central Middle School and am very sorry that our mayor was attacked for speaking to our fifth-graders last week. He came at the request of the fifth-grade social studies teachers. As part of our social studies curriculum, we have several economics objectives. Who better to teach these objectives than an experienced bank vice-president and mayor? He has such a dynamic personality and was able to engage our students in discussion about bank services, taxes and supply and demand. We are very fortunate to have parents who are willing to take time away from their jobs to come and speak with our students. In the last two weeks, my students have been privileged to listen to the mayor and two different speakers from NASA. What a wonderful opportunity! These speakers have taught curriculum objectives and actively engaged the students in expanded learning. I hope other parents will continue to volunteer their time at the Middle School. It does take a village to raise a child.

Fire foresight

HOORAY TO Cape Girardeau fire chief Rick Ennis and his foresight concerning the need for fire sprinklers in the older downtown buildings. He has also taken the initiative to find a way to make this happen without causing the downtown property owners any extra expense. It's nice to know we have a realistic thinker holding one of the city's leadership positions. Thank you, sir, for all you do.

Wake up to doughnuts

IT'S A crying shame when people become so brand-name obsessed they would rather buy cold, stale doughnuts from a convenience store rather than hot, fresh ones from any number of excellent local bakeries. Even the Southeast Missourian jumps on the bandwagon by running polls and stories like this is news rather than an illustration of the power of advertising. Wake up, people. Doughnuts are simply fried dough with a sugar glaze, and there is very little difference between brands. Support the local bakeries, not the faceless corporations.

Jefferson City backward

CAN SOMEONE please wake up Jefferson City? If they don't wake up soon, they will find themselves completely isolated from the outside world. First, one cannot depend on the train arriving or leaving on time out of Jefferson City. Next, one cannot catch a ride on a bus unless you go to Columbia, all the services leaving Jefferson City have gone out of business! And now, the main newspaper, the News-Tribune, has opted to end itsWeb site. This is the capital of the state. Must it insist on backward ways?

Disappointed in KFVS

I AM very disappointed in KFVS12. They have saddened the hearts of many local children who got excited after being told that they would be on TV. The eighth annual Festival of the Arts concert was amazing with 400 local school children singing. KFVS12 said they would be on the news at 10 p.m. Instead, KFVS12 spent eight minutes telling us which athletes may or may not be consider for the major leagues. These kids worked hard all year. KFVS left many heart-broken children very upset.

Art opinions

THOSE WHO criticized professor Ronald Clayton for expressing his opinion about the mural commissioned for the River Campus may not be aware that decisions at most state universities are not made by one man. Most universities would utilize the experience and knowledge of the art faculty when making a decision about art. Not at SEMO. It appears that the administration's contempt for the opinion of the faculty is only exceeded by the community's. Southeast Missouri State University needs to be dissolved and replaced with a vocational school.

Mayor's visits

IN RESPONSE to the comment concerning the mayor appearing at the schools taking away valuable lesson time, I disagree. My daughter has enjoyed the visits the mayor has made to her school. It inspires kids to take an interest in their community and become more involved. It takes the mystery out of who's running our city and helps them better understand government's purpose. No, I don't think I voted for him, but I certainly don't have anything against him. The messages he has conveyed to the kids at my daughter's school have been positive and inspirational. There's more to learn at school than just math and reading. If he runs again I will more than likely support him this time.

Reading Scriptures

LEONARD KUEHNERT of Altenburg quoted some Biblical Scriptures which are quite selective about peace, swords and capital punishment. He might read Matthew 10:34, which quote Jesus: "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword." These issues are much more complicated than reading selective Scriptures.

Outraged employee

AS A longtime employee of Southeast Missouri State University I am outraged. This new computer system they have purchased for millions of dollars does not work and will not provide a high percentage of the features our current program provides. What a waste of money. Not only that, but the Board of regents continue to insult the intelligence of the faculty and staff at Southeast by giving them a 2 to 3 percent raise.