Letter to the Editor

Your View: three from June 4th

Tuesday, June 4, 2002

It was inevitable that partisan right-wing Republicans would somehow end up blaming Bill Clinton for the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and that is exactly what your newspaper recently claimed ("Gephardt's behavior is embarrassing"). When will you start blaming Hillary and maybe Tom Daschle as well? How ignorant and stupid are you?

The fact of the matter is, Congressman Gephardt is doing exactly what he is being paid to do - putting the interests and welfare of the American people first, by calling for Congressional hearings into what the Bush Administration knew prior to the 9/11 attacks. It appears they knew a lot, and it also appears that they have misled the American people by covering up what they knew.

The Bush Administration has a lot of dirt on its hands and it doesn't look good for media outlets such as the Sikeston Standard Democrat to be slinging mud at well-meaning politicians like Rep. Gephardt who are trying to help average Americans know the truth. Shame on the Sikeston Standard Democrat.

Congressman Gephardt's behavior is admirable. He is doing the state of Missouri proud by calling for Congressional hearings. More power to him and others who seek the truth.

Stephen Clayton, Columbia

After reading several brochures given to students by the R-1 School Board, it has occurred to me that one of the central themes is dwindling student population in the district. While a lot of plans are undoubtedly being made to consolidate elementary schools by building new schools at Howardville, there is no mention of any plans to promote population growth in the district.

In the last few years, the City of Matthews has started a plan of action to promote the growth of our little city and the north end of New Madrid County. The T/A and Flying J Truck stops and the property leading to them has been annexed by the City of Matthews and water and sewer lines are being installed at this moment. Plans are being made to add two new subdivisions to the city for homesites. Plans are being studied to run water and sewer lines from Matthews, north along Highway 61 to just south of Sikeston. Matthews provides water to Canalou and the Colony just south of Morehouse now. Sewer lines are being constructed to Canalou from our system at Matthews at this time also. All these things are being done to promote this area as a quiet place to live and raise families. Not everyone wants to live in larger communities; they enjoy the quieter way of life.

As you have read in the papers, plans are being made to run a new four-lane from the Paducah, Ky., area across the river south of Wickliffe, Ky., to join up with Highway 60, south of Sikeston. This will increase traffic through the north end of New Madrid County and promote continued business growth on the south end of Sikeston. New businesses create new jobs. Jobs create the need for homes, services, churches and schools.

To summarize, we are "putting our money where our mouth is" by investing in infrastructure improvements, planning new subdivisions and working to improve the north end of New Madrid County. We need to keep our school in Matthews for this purpose.

Gene Curtis, mayor City of Matthews

Welcome to summer 2002! School is out, routines are relaxed and we throw ourselves into the "joys" of the season. Life is good! The American Red Cross recognizes just how "precious" each life is to you and they are "precious" to us. It is our passion to do all we can to preserve, protect and enable each life to live to its fullest potential. We attempt to do this in many areas, but one important aspect of that effort is through the various blood drives we will host this summer.

We began our life-saving effort with a kick-off blood drive on April 22nd at the First United Methodist Church in Sikeston. As always we saw many of the same faces that have become our friends..rolling up their sleeves to give blood. We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Each time you give blood its life for a new day and new beginning for someone that needs it just to stay alive. There is nothing you could do that is more important!

We would like to express out gratitude for those who contributed. We would like to thank Ryan's and Domino's who contributed refreshments, the Rotary for sponsoring us, KSIM and their excellent promotion and of course The Standard Democrat for their consistent, commitment to support with commendable passion.

We will be having many additional blood drives this summer as this is our greatest time of need. Please, have a heart, if you have never given blood consider it. It only takes about 45 minutes of your time-but will add a lifetime to someone else-maybe even your loved one! The dates and times will be listed in the Democrat, I hope there will be one convenient for you. I am looking forward to seeing you!

Please give the "gift of life" because help can't wait - and "life" is sooo good! (Will someone please pass the lemonade)

Freida Cardwell, American Red Cross