Enforcement: Q&A with smoking ban group
Enforcement of the proposed smoking ban is the hot topic of the day here at City Beat. (See my {http://www.semissourian.com/story/1702226.html story on the subject} if you haven't yet.) The gist of the...
View ArticleNoise demonstration set for March 9
What does noise sound like? For me, it's the co-worker who sits directly behind me in the newsroom, conducting a shrill, high-decibel interview where she's blaring to a "source" about how much she...
View ArticleThe tyranny of the majority
When talking about smoking bans, Bill Hannegan quotes a 17th century French political thinker. "It's the tyranny of the majority," he said. Hannegan is well known in St. Louis as a vocal opponent to...
View ArticleWhy a 15-year-old story matters today
Since the stories about the crimes of Russell Bucklew began running this week, I've received quite a few calls, emails and messages. Some were complimentary, some critical. Three have stood out. The...
View ArticleArea nurses endorse smoking ban
With just a little over a week until the election, another group has weighed in on the smoking ban. The {http://hapnn.tripod.com/ Heartland Advanced Practice Nurses Network} on Saturday announced its...
View ArticleSmoking ban: Who said what?
Here's a few more quotes from Saturday's debate -- um, I mean discussion -- between Stand Up Cape and Citizens for a Smoke-Free Cape. The quotes are from Doc Cain of Stand Up Cape and Sheri House of...
View ArticleCape continues search for new parks director
The city of Cape Girardeau is moving forward in its search for a new director for its Parks and Recreation Department. Dan Muser, who was director for 21 years, retired March 11. City manager Scott...
View ArticleAmendment to restore airport subsidies withdrawn for negotiations
The vote didn't happen today, after all. Rep. Bill Schuster, R-Pa., on Thursday withdrew his amendment to restore $200 million in yearly funding for the Essential Air Service program, which funnels...
View ArticleO'Fallon official says ACS donations to smoking ban groups violate nonprofit...
This is from the {http://www.riverfronttimes.com/ Riverfront Times} in St. Louis: Sarah Fenske reports in her...
View ArticleLog your election predictions here
"Quit bothering these people." That's what my wife Lori told me this morning when she was at the Arena Building casting her vote. She was walking in and she saw me standing outside, pad and pen in...
View ArticleWill the government shut down?
If Republican and Democratic Congressional leaders don't reach a deal by Friday at midnight, the federal government will shut down -- the 16th such shutdown since Jimmy Carter was president....
View ArticleEmerson supports bill that prohibits contributions to climate change panel
U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson today joined legislation that she says would save $13 million by barring taxpayer funds for the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. "At a time when we ought to be...
View ArticleOdds 'n ends from the council meeting
A few items that happened at the Cape Girardeau City Council meeting Monday that were not included in my story today, because of space limitations. *** Outdoor music permit The council did give...
View ArticleKinder strays into politics during naturalization ceremony
For a time Monday morning, I thought Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder was giving quite a fine speech. He was articulate as always and he was speaking passionately and with a great deal of knowledge. He invoked...
View ArticleLet's call it the 'words matter' bill
Retarded. I have three children that range in age 7 to 19 and I hear this word from their mouths from time to time. One will tell the other to quit acting that way or mock what is said by saying it...
View ArticleDomestic partnerships
There's an old joke about allowing gays to get married. The punch line goes something like this: "Why shouldn't they be as miserable as the rest of us?" Humor like that serves as a self-deprecating...
View ArticleAn open letter to Red Shirt
Dr. Mr. Shirt, I'm addressing this letter to you, Mr. Shirt -- may I call you Red? -- in the hope you'll share its message with your friends. Folks like French Fries. Red Devil. Mobushwacker. Dr....
View ArticleCouncil to hear final public input tally for Broadway corridor options Monday
Do you like option one or option two? If you like the first option, you're apparently in the minority. From Cape Girardeau's city staff to the chairman of the city's Historic Preservation Commission,...
View ArticleKinder still mum on campaign plans
Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder is still keeping quiet about his intentions to run for the state's top job. In an {http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011107280355 interview} with the...
View ArticleNew ward boundaries take effect Friday
It's 2011. Do you know what ward you live in? If you're a Cape Girardeau resident, that may have changed. The ward map, which is being adjusted to more accurately reflect new U.S. census data, took...
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