Comments from Patchland: Finding the Superheroes Among Us

This week's roundup of your comment highlights brings a distinct theme. A few of you commented about various kinds of heroes among us—or, if not quite heroes, at least do-gooders. They range from Joplin helpers to people who recognize our military to a few who wear Spandex and help us get our quota of summer popcorn.

Plus, there are a few other commenting highlights for good measure. Enjoy and, as usual, please click the links to add your voice to the conversation.

We're tired of these bugs bugging us

"Consider this: If your 85-year-old neighbor gets in her car and a cicada gets in her face while she is driving, she could potentially lose her focus and run into your son's car, causing $3,200 worth of damage. Oh, wait, that's not what POTENTIALLY could happen, that's EXACTLY what happened….Cicadas have definitely lost their charm at our house."
— Deb vonder Heide, Fenton-High Ridge Patch


"We camped over the weekend, and what an experience it was with the cicadas! I'll be sure to block out the entire month of June 2024 as a 'no camping zone.'"
— Pam Gordon, Eureka-Wildwood Patch

Well, we couldn't have said it better ourselves

"I want to say thank you to the Boy Scouts for taking the time to place a flag on my parents' grave at Jefferson Barracks...God bless you always!"
— ELAINE, Affton-Shrewsbury Patch


"Sinise was personable and heartfelt in his thanks to our first responders and military service people, particularly quad amputee Cpl. Todd Nicely of Arnold, the beneficiary of the concert."
— Doug Kaufman, Wentzville Patch

A vote of confidence in our youngsters

"Now that school is out, I would not be surprised if the amount of crimes double compared to last year during the same time period. Everyone needs to take more responsibility in removing items from their cars."
— Keith Keating, Ballwin-Ellisville Patch

The invisible helpers

"I never even thought about needing extra funeral directors in a disaster before today. Isn't it amazing just how many services we take for granted? Thanks for opening my eyes and kudos to Chris Roth for doing something that I am sure will bring comfort to so many."
— Ann Harbert, Kirkwood-Webster Groves Patch (via Facebook)

Your smoking-ban comments of the week

"People get to vote on this issue every day. They do it simply by voting with their dollars and not at the ballot box. Why should you get to vote if smoking is allowed in a private club? Why should you get to vote if smoking is allowed in a privately owned bar?"
— Tony Palazzolo, O'Fallon Patch

"Let the business owners decide to go smoke-free or not. After all, it is their business that will fail or not by the decision."
—Leo, also O'Fallon Patch

Your red-light-camera comments of the week

"So, how many constitutional rights do these camera ‘violations’ trample? Let's see if you can think of more to add to my list: How about the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty? How about the right to due process of law? How about the right to face your accuser in court? And have your attorney cross examine witnesses against you?…Perhaps the better question is, how strong does the city think its case is for collection? When I can legally beat the ticket for $50, the obvious answer is not very."
— John Smith, Arnold Patch


"I'm not a huge fan of red-light cameras, but I would prefer to see the cameras being used as they are in Wentzville. Wentzville takes photos of the driver in the car so there is no doubt about who is driving when the ticket is issued."
— Elizabeth O'Fallon, Florissant Patch

A second tornado hits the planning and zoning committee chambers?

"The meeting was very unfair to the homeowners who were actually affected by the tornado. Most of the people who objected don't even live on Court or West Watson. I did not recognize one of these people as anyone who came out to help us when our house was destroyed. The area we are talking about is already 90 percent commercial. Who is going to want to purchase these lots in the shape they are in now?"
— Christina, Sunset Hills-Crestwood Patch

Would you go with the green Spandex or the red, white and blue Spandex?

"(Green Lantern) is going to really surprise people and be the best comic book movie this summer. You say it looks unimaginative? I don't know what you think is great or amazing when it comes to looks overall, but this looks amazing. I personally think that Captain America is going to fail."
— magic, University City Patch

One forlorn outlook about the local school

"There must be a reason why we have to look outside the district and folks are leaving our district for other districts. Or is it possible that we do, and the state of our school district is such where good people do not want these positions? I wonder if this new principal will live in the district."
— Bob Emling, Hazelwood Patch

Apparently, these people don't like doughnuts as much as we do

"How would a Dunkin' Donuts EVER benefit a community more than a fitness center? Hmmm, should I go stuff my face with a deep-fried doughnut or exercise my body? Please, give me a break. Citizens are sharp enough to figure out that it benefits the landlord."
— Michelle, Mehlville Patch

"I fail to understand how putting a doughnut shop in place of an exercise center will 'benefit the community.' Aren't there enough doughnut shops in the area?"
— Tom Klimczyk, also Mehlville Patch