Speakout 8/17

Can anyone tell me how many days it rained in July? I would appreciate it.

Rainfall was recorded at the Sikeston Power Station for 10 days in July.

I live in the 800 block of William Street in Sikeston. I have empty lots on each side of my house and the city does not keep it mowed or the tree limbs cleaned up. Who can I call about getting this cleaned up, because I have a 6-year-old son and have killed two snakes in my yard today. Who can I call about getting this grass mowed and the lots cleaned up?

Call Tom Burns at city hall, 471-2512.

I hear so much of the West Nile virus and now I hear about hepatitis. When are we going to get smart and stop the money-grubbing farmers from raising rice in our neighborhoods in the United States and send it back to China, where it started? Bring our work they have back to the United States. If mosquitoes are the cause of these diseases, why not get rid of them and the things that make them, like rice fields? Dummies.

In the Standard Democrat recently, the headline noted the budget crisis the Scott County Health Department is facing and the resulting imposition to be placed on both the staff and its clients. Certainly, all governmental agencies are being placed in the same position just as it happens with individuals and families from time to time. The health department's "crisis" is of their own doing and they have no one but themselves to blame. For the last several years, through the direction of their Board, the Scott County Health Department has hoarded money from normal tax receipts and operations saving for a new building which is currently under construction. They amassed $1 million over the past few years by not spending for services to benefit their clients and saved it for a new and out-of-the-way building which does nothing to serve clients. If fact, the expensive new location was chosen to benefit the management and the staff, not those who desperately need their services. Under the direction of their Board members, they chose to relocate in the far north part of the city, away from the majority of those in need. Many will now have to find a way to travel north out of the way, spending money for gas to get there. The million dollars could have been and should have been used for services as well as be saved for a "rainy day." It's raining now. They are complaining, wanting more money fro those they were to serve and higher taxes from all of us now. Government should be open for review and transparent with their actions since we, the taxpayers, are all paying for it. The Board should be accountable both to the taxpayers and their intended clients, of which the number will now have to be reduced due to money problems, most of which is self-imposed by the Scott County Health Department.

I lost my black tri-fold wallet at Wal-Mart somewhere between register 16 and the parking lot. I am hoping that some honest person has located it. I can be reached at 472-6161 if it has been found.

All of us know that renters pay a high price for apartments and homes in Sikeston. A large portion of a family's budget goes to their landlords each month. It seems, however, that in Sikeston, some owners neglect to maintain the property for their tenants. Many dwellings have become eyesores in the neighborhood. Consider the residents who work hard to take care of their lawns and homes, only to look out their windows to see other property needing repairs and upkeep. A gallon of exterior paint at Wal-Mart costs only $12.94 plus tax. Subtract that from the $300 received each month from a renter, and the landlord still has about $288 left over. For most of us, that is a substantial profit. I know several property owners who do take pride in their rental properties and work hard to keep its appearance at its best. Do the right thing. Get that new can of paint and take some pride in yours.

On behalf of all the people who serve food and drinks, whether it be a car hop, waiter, waitress, bar tender, pizza delivery, we would like the public to know we make our living on the tips we make. That's how we pay our bills. The average server only makes $2.14 to $3.50 an hour and we would appreciate even small change, even if it's only 50