Dear Editor,

I have been following the DREAM program that the state of Missouri launched a few years ago.

Dear Editor,

Having been a resident of Neosho for over 50 years, I am aware of the good guys at the Methodist Church reaching out to help others in our community.

Dear Editor,

I would just like to mention that Todd Baines and his parks department workers did an excellent job installing the new billboard sign at the intersection of highways 59 and 60 by the big flag on Wednesday of last week! The new sign is really nifty, too!

Dear Editor,

The one thing upon which Mrs. Smith and I agree is we wish more of Neosho’s citizens were involved in the design for the Square. It appears that the low turnouts at the informational meetings are an indication that people are either apathetic or too busy with other things. Beyond that, I disagree with a number of items in her recent commentary printed in the newspaper. I hope others who favor the design for improvements to the Square as presented by Hurst-Rosche don’t take offense at her comparing them to “children at Christmas.” We all love Christmas, but my observation is that many of the citizens involved in these discussions are thoughtful, educated, and not mere children.

Dear Editor,

A week has passed since I sat among old friends in a smoky cellar on the Square and reminisced about my “formative” years in Neosho.

Dear Editor,

On Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 27 and 28 of this year, Southeast Missouri, Northeast Arkansas and Western Kentucky were shattered by a major ice storm. Some reports estimate that nearly 1 million people were without electricity. Approximately 20,000 electrical poles were on the ground. In some areas, entire electric grids had to be rebuilt. Life ground almost to a halt. My wife and I live outside the tiny town of Qulin, Mo. What was the chance that anyone was coming to rescue us? I figured two to three weeks with no electricity. But on Thursday, a few yellow trucks were moving around our neighborhood. We later saw that the trucks had New-Mac in big letters; eventually, someone figured out that the crews were from Neosho.

Dear Editor,

I read in an article recently entitled: “Clinging to a Different Cross” by Susan Campbell. In the article, she traces her roots in the literalist Church of Christ to the realization in her adult years she had, I quote, “dated the wrong Jesus.” She stated that if you did not adhere to the Church of Christ “dogma” then you was going to hell. You can read her book, “Dating Jesus,” for yourself.

The current contemporary economic state is a frightening situation for many non-profit organizations, including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Jasper & Newton Counties. As a non-profit organization, CEOs and the board of directors face making decisions that may include mergers with like organizations, taking out temporary loans to keep afloat, and the most dreaded decision to dissolve altogether. Unfortunately, the first response to CEOs or directors is to be reactive rather than proactive when faced with making decisions for the organization.

Dear Editor,

Tuesday night, our city council voted to approve the changes in Code 405, the zoning ordinance of the city. I would like to express both my gratitude for and my deep disappointment with the
entire city council.

Dear Editor,

There are so many misconceptions about our government. For example: The president is the Commander in Chief of all the people. WRONG! He is Commander in Chief of the military only!

Dear Editor,

The family of Jimmy Bryant would like to thank the following business for donating to their recent benefit:

Dear Editor,

Once again, the revisions of Chapter 405 will be on the agenda of the city council. It is to be a discussion item, tabled for more review or voted on.

Dear Editor,

As a Missouri pharmacist, I'm so grateful to Congressman Roy Blunt (R-MO) for looking out for the profession of pharmacy and Missouri patients when debating the Economic Stimulus Bill on Capital Hill.

Let your voices be heard at council meetings. The next council meeting will be Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. Council could vote on passage of 405 code. Plan to attend on Jan. 27 the state of the city address at the Neosho Auditorium. Also plan to attend on the 29th at the same location for public input on Square streetscape design sessions 2-4, 5 to 7 p.m. I agree with Mrs. Judy Haas Smith — when the Square had a retail business in every building on the Square, the sidewalks we now have were big enough. Don’t widen the sidewalks and cause the traffic lanes to become more narrow.

It’s easy for me to see the Square becoming a thriving commercial and residential area, but it won’t happen without a focused effort and everyone’s support.

Dear Editor,

Like the rest of the nation, Missouri is in debt and I read that Missouri’s debt is $340 million.
Changing the traffic pattern and widening sidewalks or putting in fountains seems to me to be totally unnecessary and I cannot in good conscience consent to tax dollars being spent that way at this time. If pedestrian traffic and automobile traffic grow, we could consider changes later.
Shops or professionals or tradesmen who may take a position on the Square would better be able to say what their needs would be. Constantly redecorating is not good business sense.

Dear Editor,

We know a retired mechanic who supplements his income by repairing cars. His shop is in his carport behind his house, facing an alley and not visible from the street. His little business is not smelly nor near as noisy as barking dogs or trains that rumble through his neighborhood. He provides a wonderful service to senior citizens and others by charging reasonable rates that they can afford.

Dear Editor,

I have a few points that I would like to bring up to all of the citizens of our city. We all need to keep in mind everything that has gone on in our little community and who is responsible for those changes. Some instances are the name changes of some of our cherished older buildings and the changes to our zoning ordinances that could be infringing on property rights.

Dear Editor,

The Neosho Police and Fire departments would like to extend a sincere thank you to all who contributed to Shop with a Cop 2008. Due to the generous donations, 60 families and 160 children were served.  An event of this magnitude would not be possible without the support given year after year from citizens of Neosho, Newton County and surrounding communities.  It is only appropriate to recognize those who go above and beyond to make the program a success:
 n The Neosho R-5 School District-became the largest contributor by raising $4,142.31 and by providing the largest number of volunteers; 48 students and teachers assisted with shopping.

Dear Editor,

We don’t need any more parking spaces!