SPEAKOUT 471-6636

Hats off to officers

I'd like to SpeakOut in reference to whoever wrote the article about the East Prairie police. First of all, I'd like to say you don't pay them very well. I personally know that a lot of those officers live in public housing, which is a shame. They should be commended for working with other agencies and combating the drug problem. If you suggest they get back to the grassroots and patrol the streets a little more, then so be it. But I think your SpeakOut went a little beyond that. I commend those officers for working for such a low pay and doing a good job at getting drugs off the streets.

Think, then speak

Would you put this in heavy type when you put it in your newspaper? I'm not your "Hey, girl." So often in the workplace I hear people say, "Hey, girl." If we don't hang out together, and that means if you don't come over to my house and I don't go to yours and we don't do anything together outside the workplace, then I'm not your "hey, girl." One day, those people who so commonly use that "hey, girl" and "girl" will get their feelings hurt. That is not something that you use commonly with people who are not your friends. That's a friend thing and some people are not your friends. Sometimes they use that as a way of putting you down. So those who use that phrase commonly, watch out because you just might get your feelings hurt.

Looking for help

Is there anyone in Sikeston who cleans the duct work to furnaces and air conditioners? Please put your number in SpeakOut.

A big gold star

We have a young lady who delivers mail in North Handy, North Frisco, North West and in this area. Her name is Shelly and she's very friendly, always has a smile on her face and always speaks to you. She is just a nice, nice person and we need more people like this working for the government who show respect for the residents when they drop off our mail or pick up mail. She always says, "thank you," and is just such a nice person. I know the mail carriers today, in some parts of town, have a dangerous job. I just want to thank the Postal Service for such good employees such as Shelly and all the others who bring the mail. Keep up the good work.

Chief on right track

I am calling to say a great big thank you to our new police chief. He has our city at heart and he's trying to do all that is humanly possible to straighten out our city. Clayton Addition is not the only trouble spot. People, get behind him. The police force has to know what's going on before they can do anything about it. That's why we're in this mess. Too many people tuck their tails and do nothing. Thanks, Mike Jensen, for speaking up.

I would like to commend Chief Juden for his forwardness in embattling this problem on the west side, setting up these road blocks and arresting these folks. I think it's a wonderful idea and I think the people here on the west side should also help the police department. When you see people do wrong, you need to call the police and let them know about it instead of sitting back and not saying or doing anything, and then complaining about it. I support him 100 percent and support our police department. I think everyone in Sikeston should.

I would like to thank our police officers in Sikeston for the way they handled the situation down on Ruth Street about the crime. God bless them, God keep them and watch over them while they're doing their job. They're real nice and they're doing a great job to help us all. Thank God for our police officers. Me and my family love you with all our hearts.

Out of gas

Mr. President, if you're not smart enough to know that the oil companies are gouging the public on gasoline prices, then we need to worry about you. Inflation is a euphemism for theft, which is caused by the simultaneous and arbitrary price increases by the collective monopolies. (A collective monopoly is where less than 10 companies control 90% or more of the business in a particular category) Certainly the oil companies qualify as a collective monopoly.