Rep. Brown
supports Tour
To the editor,
As a citizen of Missouri and as the state representative from the 149th district, I would like to express my disappointment in Gov. Nixon’s decision to pull funding from the Tour of Missouri bicycle race.
The House of Republicans has worked tirelessly to promote Missouri and Missouri jobs. This decision by the governor is exactly opposed to what we should be doing in Missouri.
A lot of companies, organizations and cities have put a lot of time and money into planning and making this race an annual event for our state.
The Tour of Missouri is voted second behind California in the United States by the world cycling organizations. This $1.5 million investment by the state yields between $25-30 million in income and extra jobs for the State of Missouri. By most measures that is a good investment.
The upside is we get people from other states and communities who may invest more in our state.
I call on our Sen. Frank Barnitz and other state representatives to stand with me against this 11th hour poorly thought out decision by our governor.
This appears to be a political stunt by the governor directed at Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder. This is not acceptable to play politics at the 11th hour with jobs and income for people of the state of Missouri.
A lot of our cities, towns, and organizations have a lot of “skin in the game.”
— Dan W. Brown,
149 District State Rep.


Choose your battles carefully
To Mr. Stan & City Council,
Never argue with a woman.
One morning the husband returns after several hours of fishing and decides to take a nap. Although not familiar with the lake, the wife decides to take the boat out.
She motors out a short distance, anchors and reads her book. Along comes a Game Warden in his boat. He pulls up alongside the woman and says, “Good morning, Ma’am. What are you doing?”
“Reading a book, “ she replies, (thinking, isn’t that obvious?)
“You’re in a Restricted Fishing Area,” he informs her.
“I’m sorry, officer, but I am not fishing. I’m reading.”
“Yes, but you have all the equipment. For all I know you could start at any moment. I’ll have to take you in and write you up.”
“If you do that, I’ll have to charge you with sexual assault,” says the woman.
“But I haven’t even touched you,” says the game warden.
“That’s true, but you have all the equipment. For all I know you could start at any moment.”
“Have a nice day Ma’am.” and he left.
MORAL: Never argue with a woman who reads. It is likely she can also think.
— Millie Cole,
Rolla


Health care
may suffer
Dear Editor,
If you can choose who your doctor is, you at least have the chance to develop an ongoing relationship whit that doctor. he or she will know who you are, what your health history is and what health problems you have had in the past.
With this so-called “socialized insurance,” however, yo will be told which doctor you are assigned to and that doctor will be told what kind of care they will authorize for you. You can bet that care will be the cheapest and most limited possible. That kind of health-care system will not consider the kind of care you need.
In fact, they will tell you what kind of care you are going to get and you will just have to accept their judgment. It doesn’t sound like the kind of health-care system you want to have, does it?
Sincerely,
— Edward Johnson,
St. James

Take A Stand
begins Friday
Dear editor,
The 14th annual Take a Stand will again show how much we care about children in Phelps County.  On Friday, July 17, and Saturday, July 18, the community will join together to trade cold, refreshing bottles of lemonade or water for donations of $2 or more.
Every contribution will be used for a project that impacts child abuse and neglect here.  They are projects that might not happen otherwise.  None of the money can be used for overhead or administration.
The expenses of the fund-raiser have been covered by the generosity of Phelps County Bank and the other sponsors: The Bond Clinic, St. John’s Clinic-Rolla, Brewer Science, For Your Convenience, Phelps County Regional Medical Center and Mitch Esquibel, DDS.
I hope that everyone will stop by several stands and help make this the most successful Take a Stand ever.
Sincerely,
— Margaret Miller,
President, Phelps County Child Advocacy Network