OpinionApril 2, 1997

I WOULD like to say congratulations to the Nell Holcomb School on its accreditation rating from the state board of education. The rating received was accredited with distinction and performance, which is the highest rating possible. I'm sure other parents join with me in saying we're very proud of our school and a job well done...

Congratulations, Nell Holcomb

I WOULD like to say congratulations to the Nell Holcomb School on its accreditation rating from the state board of education. The rating received was accredited with distinction and performance, which is the highest rating possible. I'm sure other parents join with me in saying we're very proud of our school and a job well done.

Ban smoking near JHS

I DO not believe smoking should be allowed on or around the Jackson High School campus. Not only is it degrading to the school system, but most of the smokers are smoking illegally. The law says you must be 18 to purchase cigarettes. Seventy-five percent of the student body falls below that age group. Please, Jackson School Board, address this issue and ban smoking on campus.

Take away visitation

I HEARD where they're going to take the driver's license away from the dads that don't pay their child support. I think it would probably also be good to take away visitation. That would probably do more good, because they're probably going to drive without that license.

Sterling works tirelessly

I WANT to say that Michael Sterling of the NAACP works tirelessly for the people in his community, and these people don't realize what he does to bring the whole community together. I really appreciate all the things that he has done for me, and I wish that everyone else would.

Show Me, not Missouri

I'D LIKE to address the Old Geezer, who says the states have Indian names. Great. I get his point totally. So let's just change the names of the states to the mottoes of the states. Missouri, therefore, would be called Show Me State etc.

Chemicals on crops

THIS IS to the person who said that marijuana was sprayed with chemicals. If it's insecticides and herbicides and what not, you can say the same thing about corn and wheat and soybeans, because my family has a farm, and we use a lot of chemicals on our soybeans here in Missouri.

Student parking complaint

I'M REALLY concerned with the parking tickets that the city of Cape Girardeau has given to the commuter students at Southeast Missouri State University. I realize we're a visitor in your town, but I can't imagine if the tuition doesn't kill a student at the university, the parking tickets will. And I'm sure you think the city expects every student to know about the ordinances, but some ordinances are confusing, like parking on an uncurbed street on Alta Vista. Where's the curb? Is it the railroad tie, or is it the gravel that's by the railroad tie? I believe someone's getting just a little ridiculous on these rules of where to park. For example, are we supposed to know about a 5-foot ruling on a driveway? Why wasn't it marked, or why was there no parking sign? I believe the city is being unfair to commuter students who drive maybe 70 to 100 miles a day just to come to the university in the beautiful city of Cape Girardeau.

Goes with the territory

A LETTER to all waitresses: You have taken the job knowing that you will make below minimum wage. Until all waitresses stand up for themselves and realize that you deserve a living wage and shouldn't have to rely on tips to make that, then it will continue. You have to understand that usually when someone asks for something, they need it now, not when you get time. I realize your boss gives you too many tables at once, but you took the job.

Logic of saving lives

I'VE HEARD several things before about "If it saves one person, then it's worth it." Well, following that logic, cars and electricity and every modern convenience known would be outlawed. In my opinion, that is just a bad argument. Second, I want to make a comment about suicides of these cult people in a suburb of San Diego. I am quite certain that in the future we will hear things like ban the Internet. To this I say, refer to comment No. 1.

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Tips pay for the service

THIS IS to all the people who don't believe in tipping the server at a restaurant. When you go to a restaurant, you expect nice, friendly service as well as good food. I'm a server. I get paid $2 an hour. The rest of my income comes from tips. When you dine out, you expect you're not only paying for the food, but also for the service. If you want someone to bring your food, pour your coffee and clean up your mess, you must tip them, 15 to 20 percent normally, but a little more if you're with a larger party. If you don't want to tip, go to a fast-food restaurant and serve yourself.

National Guard reunion

I WANT to express my thanks to the people that work so hard and long in order to make the National Guard reunion the great success that it was.

Let prisoners work

SINCE I work in Jackson, I pass the county jail quite often. It's very depressing to me to see deputies out washing their own automobiles and the prisoners inside watching "Oprah" or whatever else they do. It's a cinch they don't do much work. I think if I was the sheriff, I could probably change that situation around.

Inconsiderate on Easter

ON EASTER morning, a little after 7 in Jackson, somebody is outside sawing stuff with an electric saw, making all kinds of noise. Now isn't that the way to spend your Easter morning and wake up the whole neighborhood? I love how considerate some people can be.

Outrageous statement

I WOULD like to address the person who called the appointment of Mr. Ellis an atrocity. What is an atrocity is your prejudicial attitude of assigning ulterior motives to the situation. What you are in fact implying is that Mr. Ellis is not qualified for the position and that the school board appointed him anyway. As a parent of a child in Washington School who happens to white and a parent of children currently and in the past being students in the Cape Girardeau school system, I am expressing my outrage at such a slanderous statement. To the Cape school board and Mr. Ellis, please don't let small-minded people like that get your down.

Let everyone attend

I CALLED just to tell everyone that I think that for the Southeast Missouri State inauguration of Dale Nitzschke, all of the employees, staff, faculty, everyone involved in Southeast Missouri State University should be able to attend.

Enforce parking limits

I HAVE a suggestion for the parking problem in uptown Jackson. First, enforce the 2-hour parking limit. The signs are right there on the sidewalk and are never enforced. If they were, there would be several courthouse employees and city hall employees who would have to find another place to park, and that would leave parking for customers.

Temperatures are back

I'M JUST calling to say I really appreciate you all putting the high and low temperatures back in the paper. I really missed them for a few days.

Cemetery spruced up

I'D LIKE to thank the workers of Fairmont Cemetery in Cape Girardeau for the grounds. Over the Easter holiday, they were trimmed and mowed and everything looked really nice. I wanted to say thank you.

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