SPEAKOUT

Call 471-6636

Why in the world would you publish Malcolm Montjoy's obit twice, once was with a picture and one without. Both of those items stated he died in New Madrid County. Just because whoever it is in Scott County is knocking off the African-American men (that's the third one), after founding two in Scott County limits, they decided to take Montjoy's body to New Madrid County. Where are they going to leave the next one, Mississippi County or Stoddard County? Or both?

If you read both obituaries, you would have noticed the second one was a paid announcement. The family chose to run it a second time closer to the date of Montjoy's memorial service. The information stated he died in New Madrid County because that is where his body was found, according to law enforcement officials.

Thank you, Eagles Club, for scheduling bands for the next two months. How about it, American Legion?

I would like to respond to the call about Red Peppers initiations, about the girls having to sit on boys' laps. If that is true, I agree with the article. They do not need to do that. There are a lot of other things they can do. If the sponsors don't check with what they have the girls do, then they need to start.

In response to the parent's cry about the Red Peppers initiation, give us all a break. The Red Peppers are as much a tradition at SHS as anything. The organization is a choice and not an obligation. I happen to know several dozen women and girls who have gone through initiation and don't think any of those would complain about any back pain or any other problems that have resulted from their membership. You are obviously either not from here or weren't a member of the Red Peppers and shouldn't criticize what you don't understand.

My granddaughter is being initiated into the Red Peppers. I do not want her sitting on a senior's lap. I think whoever came up with that idea should resign whatever position they hold. That person does not make very good decisions.

I need some information. In the fall, when you rake your leaves and cut the limbs, you have no place to put them. The garbage truck won't take them. Can someone tell me what you're supposed to do with this waste? I'm going to have lots of leaves to rake up in the fall and will be trimming some trees, but I don't have anywhere to dispose of this material.

You can take yard debris to the compost site, across from the original Riggs store off North West Street. The site will be open from 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 6 and 27; from 7:30 to 11:45 a.m. and 1 to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 17; and 8 a.m. to noon on Nov. 3 and Dec. 1.

Back on Aug. 17 your editorial asked why there is a lack of public participation in city affairs. You answered your own question in the same issue with the front page story about the illegal rezoning ordinance rammed through by the City Council. In an effort to do a personal favor for one of their political cronies, so he could line his own pocket, the City Council ignored city input, citizen petitions, their own Planning and Zoning Commission and their own taxpayer-funded comprehensive plan. These politicians don't even believe they should have to pay taxes themselves, much less pay attention to the opinions of real taxpayers. So what good is public participation in hearings and meetings? Huh? The public participation we need is at the voting booth so we can throw these rascals out.

I heard that Wal-Mart bought out all Lowe's stores. Is there any truth to that?

We called the Wal-Mart home office in Bentonville, Ark. "We do not comment on rumors like this."

To the people who voted for President Bush, I just found out this morning when I watched the stock market on TV, I want the people who voted for him to know that President Bush just signed an agreement with OPEC and the countries that are united with OPEC to keep the prices of oil around $20 or higher. In December 1998, a barrel of oil cost between $8 and $10. What kind of president is that? You know why? Because last year he made over $2 million off his oil bonds. What kind of president is that to keep the price of oil up? You can look into it and put it in the paper because President Bush is breaking this country.