Speakout 10/19

In today's City Court there was someone who was fined for failure to register and in parenthesis it said "dog." Is there a new city ordinance where you have to register dogs and if so, is it just for certain breeds? The ordinance which went into effect July 4, 2003, for the city of Sikeston, specifies that pit bulls and/or any dangerous dog be registered with the city at Sikeston City Hall. This registration is mandatory.

In reading the "Change is necessary" article in Sunday's SpeakOut, I must say to the writer and agree with them to the extent that yes, I think change is necessary but certainly not in the way that they voice in the article. The Crosslines group was put together at the request of the Ministerial Alliance because churches were being asked for assistance by individuals and families and the churches did not have the time or network to do good casework. We who believe in the "Christian" way (whether we believe in Allah, God, or Yahweh or whether we believe that Jesus was a prophet, Savior, or a teacher) have heard Jesus' teaching to take care of each other. Doing good casework is not just saying yes and giving handouts. Sometimes good casework is saying "No." Crosslines wants and intends to do good casework. Finding out what the problems are and helping them to better their lives through a faith-based community, education, job training, referrals to other agencies who can find mentors to help these families, treatment centers (if that's what it takes), teaching a mom how to take care of her children, or make a grocery list or even how to make a menu, or the big one of how to live within your means. Yes, Crosslines is made up of "well meaning Christians" but we are not a giveaway program. We are just trying to do what we have been told to do which is "to take care of those less fortunate." - Toni M. Dee, chairperson, Crosslines Steering Committee

In reference to fund-raisers and benefit suppers for persons who cannot afford insurance, especially when the cost is $10-$15,000 up front for the operation, I thank God for friends and family who have love and compassion in their hearts and want to help in times of need. This is the way God intends for Christian people to help, and not let the government pay the bills. If we want friends, we need to always be a friend.

I'm calling about the article you ran in the paper about someone wanting to rake a yard in Morehouse. Call me at 667-9087.

The person in Morehouse who needs someone to rake a yard can call me at 481-0371 if they still need help (they will need to provide a rake).