SPEAKOUT

Sikeston is not Cape

Calling about the school bond issue, Sikeston is not Cape for one thing. They keep basing things on Cape Girardeau. Sikeston does not have the tax base that Cape has. Sikeston is not Cape, has never been Cape and will never be Cape. We got a group of people in Sikeston that are very ambitious, and bless their heart. But Sikeston is not Cape and we can't play keeping up with Cape. Also, I have some rental properties, and if this thing passes I can guarantee you one thing, the rent will go up. The people we have moving to Sikeston and living in Sikeston do not pay property taxes. That is part of the problem. They don't pay property taxes and it's going to put an added burden on the ones of us that do pay them. I don't think these older people can afford to pay these tax increases.

Customer service lacking

The license bureau is a busy government business, especially during the lunch hour. Someone in the Feb. 26 SpeakOut said they had been in there with 21 people standing in line and one of the workers gets up and goes outside and smokes a cigarette. I was there on my lunch hour recently and there was a long line of customers. It appeared the one worker was late coming back from her lunch break. There were two young girls working and a guy in a big pickup pulled up right in front of the door blocking the drive. The young girl jumped up during my transaction and said I have to go get my soda. The guy brought her a large fountain soda and she stood and talked with this guy for awhile while in the middle of my transaction. Perhaps the license bureau needs to consider hiring some older workers who know how to work and have loyalty to their employer.

Walk talk

I'd just like to say that I'm very upset with government housing. Over at the Wendell Apartments, elderly live there that are living there because of the risk of falling. During all these ice storms and snow, the sun is out melting and the sidewalks are a solid sheet of ice out there. Even homemakers can hardly get in and out to take care of the clients. I think it's a shame our senior citizens housing, and I'm sure Wendell Apartments aren't the only one, that they don't clean off these sidewalks for the elderly.

Just to be correct, Wendell Apartments are not government housing.

Wise to vote yes

From a pure economic view, the passage of the school bond issue on April 8 makes sense. There will be four different construction projects put out for bids that will result in the hiring of local workers for several years. The school board has placed emphasis that local firms and businesses be used for subcontracting and purchases. The timing of the selling of the bonds cannot be better in that there will be a saving of $7 million over the life of the bonds due to the lower interest rates. Ask any realtor and they will tell you property values will increase with new schools. Businesses wanting to locate in Sikeston always look at the school system and its facilities. With the new schools, Sikeston will be able to show Sikeston Pride. If you are voting your pocketbook on April 8, you would be wise to vote yes.

Tanning in Benton?

If there is anyone in the Benton area that has a place where you can get tanning sessions, could you please put it in the paper?

Don't be cruel

Comments in this space that say, "I still believe in the Bible." I am going to go out on a limb and say this person is picking and choosing what Bible verses they are concentrating on. Why not leave the judging to God? Why not concentrate on your neighbor as yourself? It's disgusting to watch the so-called Christian family valued people being so cruel to our gay family.

Ring those chimes

I just got through reading about the chimes that go on at noon. Somebody had put something in the paper that they were terrible and interrupted everything. Oh, I love those chimes! I wish they could go on longer.

Paying it forward

I am calling in support of the school bond issue. I am a senior citizen and I believe in providing the best education for the students now and the ones in the future. It is the best insurance we can buy for the future of our town, state and country. I hope others will also see the benefits of paying it forward.

Make a difference

Please vote yes on the school bond issue on April 8. I am currently a student at Sikeston High School. I plan to go to college and then move back to Sikeston. I want better schools for my future children. I don't feel safe in the C building now. The walls don't come down all the way to the floor. We need new buildings like the Math and Science building. It makes a huge difference in our education.