OpinionJanuary 17, 2001

I DISAGREE with the person who griped in Speak Out about the African-Americans using that term to describe themselves. Much of my ancestry is Huguenot. We were driven out of our homes in France several hundred years ago. And because of our hatred of this, we call ourselves Huguenots, not French-Huguenots. ...

Understandable labels

I DISAGREE with the person who griped in Speak Out about the African-Americans using that term to describe themselves. Much of my ancestry is Huguenot. We were driven out of our homes in France several hundred years ago. And because of our hatred of this, we call ourselves Huguenots, not French-Huguenots. This causes me to understand why the people whose ancestors were sold into slavery and were hauled in chains to this country desire to remember when they were free in Africa. It's to honor a heritage that was stolen from them by the slave traders.

Double the pleasure

MR. SULLIVAN has a very wise wife. He got the gift, and they're both going to enjoy it.

Locked-in prices

I WONDER why AmerenUE wasn't smart enough to lock in gas prices last year like Vermont did. My gas bill was over $380.

Turn volume down

I WAS at the ball game when the Sundancers performed. I had to cover my ears. If you could just get the guy who works the boom box to turn it down to half of the volume, we'd appreciate the dancers more. They are really good.

Speeding on U.S. 61

ON U.S. 61 between Cape and Jackson, from the city limits to the other side of Jackson where Pioneer Orchard is, especially between I-55 and the old Wal-Mart store, people drive through there and nobody hardly drops to 40 mph. In the morning when kids are trying to get to school and buses and commuters are out, people are flying through there going 55 mph easily. If you're going 40, they get on your tail and honk. I've called the police department numerous times. In the four years we've lived here, I haven't seen a policeman out there during that time frame doing anything about speeding. They need to enforce all the laws.

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Tobacco roads

I SEE that the Missouri's Senate is proposing an increase in sales tax and gas tax to pay for their road projects. Why do we have to pay for it? What about all that tobacco money we got because people wouldn't take responsibility for their own lives? Why aren't they using that money to fix the roads?

Working hours

I'VE GOT a question about the Cape transfer station. It closes at 3:45 p.m. Monday through Friday, and it's not open at all Saturday and Sunday. Most people work until 4 or 5 p.m. So when are we supposed to use the transfer station? No wonder people call Speak Out and say Cape looks so trashy. We can't use the transfer station.

Equal treatment

YOU SAY we Democrats should be silent and accept Bush as being president. We'll be good sports like you Republicans were when Clinton was elected the first time. You said the only reason he won is because Perot messed it up for George Bush Sr. Then after he won the second time, you kept calling into Speak Out and making comments. You couldn't accept him as president. What's funny is that Clinton clearly won his elections by electoral and majority votes. I can't say the same about George W. Bush.

Potholes need repair

I WONDER if the street department has noticed those great big holes in the highway right by Ford Groves. I hit one of those the other day and nearly lost control of my car. There are so many holes out on the highway that need to be repaired.

Higher gas prices

ABOUT THE rate increases in our utility bills. You know, the people who voted for deregulating telephone bills and utility bills and wanted the government completely out it are getting exactly what they asked for: increased rates. Every time you have deregulation, you get an increase. We're under AmerenUE. Why have its rates jumped up so much higher than the prices in Poplar Bluff and other surrounding communities that don't use AmerenUE? You say supply and demand? It's price gouging.

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