SpeakOut 2/27

Call 471-6636

Mr. Jensen could not be more correct about people blaming society for an individual's actions. Society does not raise the children nor should they be expected to. Unfortunately society is forced to help provide the needs of a child, such as clothing and food, but how can we be responsible for their individual inherited traits, such as stealing, fighting, drug use, and bathing? If the parent or guardian cannot provide this type of help while the rest of us provide everything else, then the children should be taken away. When should they be taken away? It's not an easy question to answer, but surely before an abundance of crime has turned into murder. The NAACP for all the good that they do should never blame society for something an individual has done.

I just came from the Bell City vs. Risco game. I'm from Bell City and I think they have a good coach. He's a good basketball teacher but he needs to get control over some sportsmanship. I'm ashamed because we pressed with a 90 point lead and Risco had two starters out with injuries. They had players taking their shirts off out on the floor, half-dressed out on the floor. I would like to apologize for Risco. I am an alumni and I am ashamed.

Is there some kind of ordinance in Sikeston that would make people put their trash cans behind their homes after the trash runs? On some of the streets, the cans are left out, some of them are turned over and there's still stuff in the bottom of them where the trash isn't in bags, and the dogs that run up and down the street looking for food get into them. It's just a mess. They ought to want to beautify the streets a little better. Trash cans belong behind the house, not on the street.

I would like to SpeakOut about the PILOT amendment that was defeated in early February. Phil Boyer, you've lived around Sikeston a long time and have seen it grow. Your dad has helped it grow by building and all that. But 20-25 years ago you used to be able to get money from Jefferson City and Washington, D.C., for sewer bonds, electric expansion, water stuff. What's the matter that you don't get help for this stuff anymore? You claim you're in a tight place. After the April election I would like to see the aldermen sit down with the City Council and you and some of them others and see if you can't ease the tight money situation by drawing money from Washington, D.C., or through some of those bonding companies or from Jefferson City. You can't tell me some of these out there can't help you out.

I went into a store in New Madrid to do some shopping. When I walked in, there was a girl behind the counter at the register, working the register. I proceeded to do my shopping and then when I went to check out, the girl was still at the register. When I asked her how old she was, she said she is only 10 years old. Imagine a 10-year-old operating the register. She couldn't even count out my change without help. Don't we have a child labor law? The girl also proceeded to tell me she was the manager's daughter. Needless to say, if that's the kind of establishment they intend to run, I would rather shop elsewhere. If you have experienced anything like this, call (502) 237-5444. I did.

This is to the man who drives the rust-colored Jaguar (I believe he has a personalized license plate) who passes people in a school zone, if he doesn't know the laws of driving, maybe he should go to the license bureau and get a book and retake his test. If he passes me again, I shall become the law. I can make a citizen's arrest and I will be the one to do it.

I got a real nice package this afternoon placed inside my storm door. It said from the Altrusa Friends. I want to thank them for it. I live on East Gladys Street. I sure do appreciate them for being so nice and I really enjoyed it. Thank you for being so nice, whoever you are.