Speakout 3/27

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Folks in Sikeston better wake up. The recent proposal to carry on the half cent sales tax by Scott County commissioners is nothing more than a ploy for the citizens of Sikeston to pay improvements on roads and bridges in the northern part of the county. Think about it. Approximately 70-80 percent of the sales tax revenue for Scott County is generated here in Sikeston. We are the ones who will be paying the bill. Ask yourself the last time the County paid for anything of concern for you. Additionally, do any of us think that any of the voters in Chaffee, Kelso, New Hamburg, Benton or Scott City spend the majority of their money in Sikeston? I'd wager not. They spend their money in Cape. Folks, if we in Sikeston want to take on the burden of an additional tax, wouldn't it be to our interest to apply said tax to our own community? Aren't we in need of more money to fund our own services? Come on people, help yourselves. Don't fund the ambitions of those in Benton. Vote down this one-

sided proposal. As the old saying goes: Nero fiddled while Rome burned. The commissioners of Scott County are laughing while we pay.

Just a little question. I know you won't print this, but why is it that gas prices have sky rocketed out of control? I noticed that ever since 9/11, and then the hurricane, that gas prices have never gone down. The government used to cite people for price gouging, but I don't think they do that anymore. Because if they did, they would have to cite every gas station in the whole United States. I have a belief that we will never see gas prices below $1.50 a gallon again. And I believe that gas will soon approach $5 a gallon soon because the government will not put a cap on the prices.

If anybody out there has some old junk cars or washers and dryers or anything like that, we will haul it off free of charge. Call 472-6322 or 380-8497. We will haul it free of charge.

I would like to know why some handicapped parking is not enforced in Sikeston in Scott County and New Madrid County that don't have handicapped license plates or stickers? Especially at Wal-Mart. We need some kind of handicap enforcement officer to check on this handicap parking at all times.

Here is a simple solution for the parent with the 2-year-old who was charged $4 for a basketball game. He or she said he does not understand basketball but he likes it. My advice to them would be to leave the child at home until he understands it. The prices that are set are not anything to do with Sikeston High School. They are mandated by the Missouri Athletic Association.