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The Columbus Packet, P.O. Box 53, Columbus MS 39703
Roger Larsen, Editor/Publisher - Phone/Fax: 662-329-1741


Mr. Larsen:

On behalf of Gulf States Division of Nucor Corporation, I want to thank you for your very generous and well written article about our Citizen Soldiers and our Flag Surround Dedication. There is good news out there and I applaud you for finding it whenever you can. The event was very meaningful to us all and no General Manager has ever been more proud of his people.

If you don't know our local Gold Star Mothers, take time to get to know them. They are a wonderful group who need our support. I don't know if you noticed it, but the Gold Star we affixed to our building had the signatures of Gold Star Mothers and the names of their fallen sons written on the back by these ladies.

We were very honored to see our state and local dignitaries and especially so many veterans who joined us in our dedication. It was truly a good day for our region. I was thrilled with your coverage and wanted to express my personal gratitude for such professional news. One very satisfating moment was when General Freeman shook the hand of Private Steven "Jay" Miller, the bearer of the US Army Flag and the son of Jeffrey Jordon, the craftsman at Gulf States who cut out our many shapes. Jeffrey told me that Jay's heart jumped into his throat and he thought he was going to "pass out."

I invite you back as our 155th BCT return and we celebrate with a picnic in our new Patriot's Park.

Respectfully, Danny Coggins
President
Gulf States Manufacturers

Editor:

To the citizens of Columbus, Lowndes County and the Golden Triangle area:

I would like to take this opportunity to “thank” each of you for your outpouring and continued support of our 6th Annual Freedom Fund Banquet.

Mrs. Lavonne Harris
President, Columbus-Lowndes County NAACP

Editor:

Health Care Blues
by Saul Vydas

There have been some harsh words of late
In our hated healthcare debate.
The "haves" greatly fear
Their advantages may disappear
Thus they would leave "have-nots" to their fate.

Letter to Mr. Obama:

Dear Sir,

I've heard about your offer of big bucks to all the taliban terrorist who will switch and join our side in the fight for liberty in Afghanistan. Well I'm not a terrorist but I do want to join the fight and I'll not ask for a bonus of big bucks to join up. I'm retired from the U.S. Air Force and I proudly volunteer to serve for one year in Afghanistan, back home for six months then another year in either Irag or Afghanistan. I'll gladly return to active duty in the Air Force or will go into the Army. I have expert ribbons for shooting the M-16, the 30 cal. carbine and the 38 special. My trigger finger works as good now as it ever has. I'm pretty sure I can operate any vehicle the Army or Air Force has over there and I presently have a class B commercial license with a P endorsement and the air brake qualification. Plus, I have towed several Acft., the KC-135, the B-52 (even loaded with bombs and 250,000 lbs of fuel) , the C-141 and the T-38. I have worked as a mech. and crew chief on all these Acft and as a flight engineer on the C-141. I can still do either of these jobs today. Heck, I'd even go back as a C-5 or KC-10 flight engineer . Also, I served as Superintendent of Acft Maint. Quality Control in the 97th Bomb Wing and Maintenance Supervisor in several Organizational Maint. Sqdns.

Sir, I'm ready to go today, send me.

Raymond Gross
Columbus

Editor:

Finally...a political figure worth listening to. I am refering to Bill Gavin, in your issue #850. Why isn't he mayor for Columbus or have more input for the people? Maybe Columbus would go some where instead of standing still. West Point will pass Columbus up next, I would bet money on it. I grew up here and moved away for 10 yrs and I have been back here 5 yrs and this place is still the same, in some ways worse and people who have always lived here just don't see it or just don't care. There's nothing here for young people or for people in their 30's and up to do unless you want to eat in smokey restaurants. Retail here is 5-10 yrs behind. So much better shopping in Tupelo, Jackson, and Birmingham. Retaurants and Sports Bars don't stink like ash trays there. That's what happened to Santa Fe Restaurant, most of the people I know wouldn't go back after their first visit because of the big --- fan blowing smoke all over the place. Alot of people have allergies and respiratory problems and it's not fun to be around stinking cigeratte smoke. And smokers it is not sexy to be a smoker, those days are over, it's gross! Non-smokers choose not to smoke due to health reasons or to better themselves so it's not fair to have it in your face when you don't choose to smoke (Lowndes County would so benefit from banning smoking, especially economically at bars and restaurants, I've seen this happen before). I have noticed that the few establishments in Columbus that don't allow smoking are doing very well (Hmmm makes you wonder doesn't it). Young people are very smart now days to want to get out of school and get out of here. It's actually to their best benefit to get out of here, to find out what the real world is like and maybe bring some of that back here to help Columbus. It's sad Columbus hasn't been smarter through the years. Why not make your children proud to say their from here? We need to stop letting our political leaders in Lowndes County sit back and do nothing while they stuff money in their pockets and nobody benefits but them! That's something I would like to see.

Michelle Lawton

Editor:

While the "W" was holding its Eudora Welty Symposium for Southern fiction writers and artists, British historian and author of WWII works on the movers and shakers of WWII, David Irving, was scheduled to hold a Real History Conference in Jackson to speak on Hitler and Churchill, using the recently declassified German and Japanese decoded messages.

I made reservations for 21st of October;reservations are required to prevent certain groups from disrupting peaceful gatherings through violence and intimidation. Threatening violence against hotel chains that have booked his seminars will usually result in a cancelation. Due to rabid Limbaugh-like talk radio , the Rabbi of Jackson threating demonstrations and anarchist groups preparing to disrupt the meetings, only a very small group appeared for his talk that was later revealed to be held in Madison. The location of the meeting is kept secret until about half a day before the meeting. Irving announces the location through E-mail or phone calls. For some reason, I never received confirmation of the meeting place. My fault, not his, because he had given me his private telephone number.

It is sad state of affairs when certain citizens of the State of Mississippi, who like to portray this state as "The Hospitality State," virtually ran Mr,. Irving out of the State by the threats to disrupt a peaceful gathering of folks just wanting only to hear Mr. Irving, historian and author of over twenty-seven books dealing with the events of WWII, offer "inconvenient truths" of what really happened in the period leading up to WWII, during the five -year war and its aftermath. What threat did Mr. Irving pose to the people of Mississippi by his talk? As George Orwell said:"If Liberty is ever going to really mean anything, it must be the freedom to tell people things that they do not want to hear." That is Mr. Irving' s forte!

I ran into this sort of intellectual intolerance at Dr. Tom Velek's International Studies Seminar held in April of 2008 at the "W". The guest speaker at that event was Professor Emeritus of Milliken University, Richard Pacholski. The subject of his talk dealt with the holocaust (the Jewish one): "Why the Holocaust Should Matter to Americans, and Why It should Not." After his presentation, he asked for questions and I responded with a question. Sitting in front of me was a non-student who turned aside and made some condescending comment to me. I ignored him and I later determined his identity to be that of a retired history professor emeritus from this area. I am not positively sure, so I will not name him. I cannot remember another question being asked. At the close of the seminar, Dr. Velek asked for suggestions for the next year's guest speaker. I suggested David Irving, of course. At that point this non-student turned to me and said that( an appearnace) was not going to happen, because "there is no way that we can guarantee his security!" Dr. Velek was present when those words were spoken. I considered his words a thinly veiled threat of physical harm. Mr. Irving had been attacked by student mobs at UC Berkeley back in the 70s when he attempted to speak there. He had been invited to speak on the campus.

After the shabby treatment accorded Mr. Irving in crime-ridden Jackson—he said he would return to Mississippi—I wondered if the Friendly City, steeped in Nineteenth Century War history, would be a better forum for his Real History Seminars? With the recent deaths of Mr. [W. N.] Haggard and General [Shields] Sims, a lot of the oral WWII history is being lost. I think that I read in the Packet that Mr. [Bill] Threadgill was involved in the WWII bombing campaign against Germany? Mr. Irving's first book—written when he was just twenty three years of age and published in 1963—was "The Destruction of Dresden."

With two Universities, a USAF pilot training airbase and a military industrial complex burgeoning in the Golden Triangle area, why not Columbus, The Friendly City?

Does anyone have any suggestions as to whom one would contact in arranging for Mr. Irving's appearance in Columbus? Meeting at a facility open to the public would guarantee that no physical harm would come to Mr. Irving. With over twenty-seven books to his credit, I would suggest that the public library would be a proper venue for a Real History Conference.

The link below is from a speech discussing the writing of "The Destruction of Dresden." Please contact me at 601-584-7825 if you have any suggestions.

Tommy Gentry
P. O. Box 147
Crawford, Mississippi 39743

Editor:

I just wanted to remind your readers that the MUW Writers' Symposium is this Thursday (7:30 p.m.) and Friday (all day) on the MUW campus. I attended last year for the first time and was really knocked-over by the entire event. I had incorrectly assumed that it was something just for very literary people and it is not. It offers a personal glimpse of the authors' creative processes and is often humorous, emotional, thought provoking and just plain fun.

You will walk away feeling renewed and invigorated even if you don't intend to read any of the authors' books. The events are personal and give you an intimate look at the personalities and talents of the various writers. You mingle with these authors and the non-participating authors who attend and are able to ask questions, get autographs, purchase their books, or just say “Hi.”

The symposium is a local gem that really shines in its intimate setting. If it were to take place in a major city it would be a huge event without the book club atmosphere that the campus setting allows...and it's not a black-tie affair.

A good web-site to check-out for specific dates/times for these and all other events in North Mississippi is; www.do662.com

Bob Raymond

Editor:

I am writing in response to the absurd letter written by a lady living in the Lakeover subdivision. I am the "anonymous" owner of the brown lab she has taken what appears to be hours to devise a letter to you about. We rescued this dog from the Columbus-Lowndes Humane Society back in the spring. I myself have inside dogs & have never had an outside dog. We have tried many ways of keeping him in the backyard, but he digs out. My dog has never been picked up until about a month ago. However, during the summer, an animal control officer visited several homes in our subdivision and informed us that neighbors had complained about several dogs. He also informed me that the person calling lived at her address. So, when I received reports from neighbors that the people at their address had been witnessed pushing and kicking my dog, I decided it was time to reconcile the issue. I work and am not home until dark. So, yes it was dark when I arrived on her porch and I am sure she felt threatened by me (since I am five feet tall and pregnant). Her husband answered the door and I stated that I was the owner of the dog and was willing to pay for anything he had destroyed. He was unable to get a word in before she flew to the door and began shouting at me. At no point was she willing to settle this like adults (made obvious by her letter to you) While she was busy telling everyone what the "law" is reguarding pets and how concerned she is one of them will get run over or cause a child to get run over: She fails to mention that she is the mother of a teenage son who repeatedly speeds through the neighborhood in an obnoxiously loud Dodge truck. When I confronted her about my concern for this, she told me to shut up and slammed the door in my face.

I agree with the leash law. My only problem is the way it is enforced. Animal Control services informed me that there is a law but it is not enforced unless someone complains. I feel, if it is a law, enforce it. Just like if one police officer would watch her son drive through our neighborhood once, he would be given a citation for wreckless driving.

In conclusion, I want to add that there are roughly 15 dogs that run free in Lakeover. But I guess all other 14 choose to "poo" (as she put it) in their own yards. My dog must be the only one that feels the need to venture to her yard to do so.

Leslie Villeneuve

Editor:

If we have learned anything from the recent devastating financial crisis it's this-allowing financial institutions to become too big to fail, regulate or manage is a failed policy. And if we are to create lasting reform of our financial system, the corporate giants that almost wrecked our economy must be held accountable.

Fortunately, there are a number of reforms we can implement to help protect against the risks these mega-institutions pose to our economy. Legislation pending in Congress would require the nation's largest banks to pay higher premiums to the FDIC to compensate for the increased risk of insuring them at a time when deposit insurance is a critical safeguard for bank customers. This additional premium would provide the FDIC with greater resources to protect both depositors and taxpayers.

The bill, introduced in June by Representative Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.), also would require these financial giants to pay their fair share of deposit-insurance dues by basing fees on total assets, not deposits. This would more fairly fund the deposit-insurance system and more appropriately account for an institution's risk to the FDIC.

Community bankers like me are focused on holding deposits and making loans in our communities, not taking dangerous risks on Wall Street. Congressional passage of the Bank Accountability and Risk Assessment Act of 2009 (H.R. 2897) is important to help put our country and our economy back on track to restore common sense, balance and confidence to our financial system.

Andy Johnson
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Bank of Vernon

Editor:

If an institution is a private one, the its passionate supporters can call that institution whatever they want. However, if an institution is one that is sponsored by the government and taxpayers, you can’t have a name that implies it is for a particular race, age, religion, gender or national origin.

Having a government-sponsored university named “Mississippi University for Women” makes the Town of Columbus and the university look very ignorant, especially since it is a co-ed university and has been one since 1982. If the Town of Columbus is going to have a university named “Mississippi University for Women,” then why stop there? Let’s have a “Mississippi University for White People,” a “Mississippi University for Mexicans,” and a “Mississippi University for Catholics.” It sounds so silly for a university sponsored by taxpayers to have a name based on race, age, religion, gender or national origin.

Jeff Pitts, Columbus
Editor’s note” This letter refers to a recent article about Wilbur Colom in the Commercial Dispatch by Garthia Halbert.
Editor:

I read Ms. Barnett's glowing tribute to Will Colom as a great humanitarian and I couldn't help but think back to that report in the Packet of Colom and family, along with Haley Barbour, jetting over to Houston to schmooze and dine with the Episcopalian capo of the Bush Crime family--George H. W, Bush--and no doubt shaking his bloody hand. I had the story saved, but Outlook Express apparently deletes old e-mails without warnings.

Anyway, I saw that Colom had taken his humanitarian mission into Tanzania and that is odd too, since Tanzania is in the middle of a Central African battlefield surrounded by Rwanda, Burundi(the Tutsi/Hutu genocide),Democratic Republic of the Congo(Zaire), Chad , Uganda and Kenya. I just received reports from DC investigative reporter Wayne Madsen, that General Kip Ward's AfriCom is holding a 10-day "humanitarian crisis" exercise with the US-supplied armies of some of those countries. "Humanitarian relief" is not General Ward's forte;AfriCom is in the business of carrying out covert military operations in Africa. And that is sad because Tanzania is the one of those "jewells of East Afica" with its Serengetti National Park and Lake Tanganyika to the Wast and Lake Victoria on its Northern border. A former colonial possession of Germany, it was taken over by Britain after WWI.

The Barnett story relates Colom's efforts to bring mammagraphy to the rural women folk of Tanzania. That is a noble cause, but according to Colom's website his forte is Environmental Tort as we already knew from his Moss Tie and Phen-Fen court room successes. So why did Colom not use that expertise in providing humantiarian efforts to "vigorously investigate and litigate against the rights of those who poison and sicken innocent people in the name of profit(from his website)" in Tanzania? Why not strike at the root causes of the people's illnesses and deaths?

Mr. Colom must be aware of the environmental catastrophes that Barrick Gold, Int. and FreeportMacMoRan are now inflicting upon the impoverished people and their ancestral homelands in rural fAfrica, New Guinea an Indonesia? And just three weeks ago, the "W" invited former DoD Secretary William Cohen, Barrick Board member and "technical advisor," to speak. Did anyone ask Cohen about Barrick Gold's bloody environmental record in Tanzania?

Roger, do you think you could reprint that Bateman article on Colom's flight to Houston with Haley Barbour?

A link to Barrick Gold's bloody record in the pursuit of gold in Tanzania: http://www.protestbarrick.net/article.php?id=500

Tommy Gentry

Editor:

First of all I would like to say thank you to all the voters of Caledonia that elected me as alderman. I am glad to have your vote of confidence and support.

I would like to address a few issues of importance. I told each of you that if elected I would keep the citizens of Caledonia at heart. My view has not changed. When I vote, the citizens are on my mind. I keep in mind what would be best for all. Not just one or two. I do not have a personal agenda. Just because I do not vote the way that some think I should, that does not mean that I have a personal vendetta. I have no, and I repeat no personal vendettas against anyone. I vote what I think is best for the town. Period !!!! Next, I do care about this town and what goes on in Caledonia. I have spent a lot of time working on projects for the Town of Caledonia. Back in the ’80s and early ’90s when we had a Civitans Club, I as well as some others in the community wanted to get the Christmas parade started back. We spent countless hours cutting out Christmas decorations to hang up in town. Another board member, who is currently serving, and I went to the Columbus Parade to get floats to come to our parade, the following night. In 2000 I served on the committee that was asked to get baseball and softball started at Ola J. Pickett Park. I served in that capacity for 5 years. I said all that to show that I do care about this community and its citizens. I was elected to represent all citizens of Caledonia .

I spend an average of seven to ten hours a week studying and going over municipal laws every week. I spend an average of three to four hours preparing for each board meeting each month. I want to work hard for you. Because I do care.

The Commercial Dispatch and the Columbus Packet do a great job reporting our board meetings and keeping you informed. But if you want to experience the atmosphere of a board meeting first hand, come to one.

Steve Honnoll
Caledonia Board of Alderman

Editor:

Apparently it is a common and generally accepted rule in the Southeast corner of Lowndes County, to allow your dog to run free. However, if by chance, the loose-running K-9s are apprehended by Animal Control Officers, it is because one of the neighbors complained and not because the owner was permitting a violation and could care less where or what their prize-winning, well-trained pets were doing, or whose yard they were trashing or defecating in. All I can do is suppose, that in an unscheduled/unplanned neighborhood meeting, it was decided that the rat of a neighbor was me and the spokesperson showed up at my door, well after dark to voice her complaints and accuse me of calling the authorities on her treasured pet. It is not so much that she allowed her large brown Labrador to run free in the supposed upscale homes of Lakeover Addition, but the sheer fact that some dirty scoundrel had the audacity to call in and have it picked up like a common criminal. I truly believe that this family pet will be devastated by the hours and days spent behind bars. I don't want for this to sound like I am against pets, that is truly not the case. We are pet owners as well. The only difference is, our dog stays in the house a majority of the time and when he is let outside to perform his bathroom duties, he is either in a dog run designed for him by me, or on a leash. Which brings me to another point. It is very difficult to walk your dog on a leash, when every time you get 25 yards from your own front door, you are bombarded by every butt-sniffing dog that is within a quarter mile to annoy and harass you and your dog. It is really not worth the time, effort or the aggravation. We enjoy our pet and believe that all families if they wish, should enjoy their pets as well, however, I really am tired of "enjoying" their pets for them. It is not my life desire to continually pick up toys, trash and doggie do-do out of my front and back yard every day of every week, while the owners either sit on their porch and watch or do nothing at all. My main concern would be for the unknown driver of a vehicle that would either hit one of the these loose-running dogs, or strike a child in the area, when they would swerve to miss an animal that should have been fenced, leashed or controlled by electronic means. Last point: if these types of actions or lack thereof, occurred in another neighborhood, city, county or state, the owner would be subject to fines and penalties for allowing their animals to be left unattended or allowed to poop on another person’s property without cleaning up after them. I am truly sorry that my neighbor had to pay a fine and get her animal released from impound, however, if she had been a conscientious and responsible owner, she would not have to worry about her animal getting picked up and she wouldn't be out trolling the neighborhood and pointing fingers at those not involved in her despair.

R.C. Purcell

Editor:

About a year ago I sat on an airplane somewhere on the west coast eager to get back home after a few days of hard work. It was mid-morning and I struggled to find the elusive seat belt buckle as the stewardess went on and on about the cabin door being shut, seat backs being upright, and all portable electronic devices being turned off. I finished my lukewarm cup of coffee and asked God to watch over our flight because, as always, I had completely ignored the whole spiel about the oxygen masks deploying in the event of an emergency and the flotation device under my seat. At some point between our taxi and takeoff I reached for my USA Today and began to read.

I skimmed through the typical headlines, “OBAMA THIS”…”GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR THAT”…..and of course the generic” FINANCIAL CRISIS” piece. But, nothing could have prepared me for what happened next! I let out a slight yawn as I turned the page and BAM, it hit me!! It was an article about the stellar football program in Batesville, MS and the one million dollar turf they installed to limit bumps and bruises as the South Panola High School football team walked all over opponents. Ok, it didn’t exactly say that, but that’s what I gathered nonetheless. It was a difficult moment for me emotionally. I was one part excited that a program from Mississippi was being featured in a national newspaper and two parts infuriated as I thought about the glory days of Columbus High School football!

I was very fortunate to play under the best group of football coaches CHS has ever employed. Roy McCrory and staff took over the football program at CHS in 1997 after a string of losing seasons dating back to 1992. The pre-Roy era was a “good ol boy” system that retained incompetent coaches just because they had years in the school system. CHS hadn’t won more than five games and the idea of our football team advancing to the post-season was about as crazy as pigs flying! However, with a lot of patience, even more hard work, and a winning attitude Roy and his staff built one of the best programs in the state by 2000 (ranked as high as #5 in the state). So, why was Roy McCrory the most successful coach in CHS history?

I am sure you if you asked a handful of players, teachers, coaches, and administrators that question, you’d get a handful of different answers. But since I have the floor my answer will have to do for now! Coach McCrory worked extremely hard to make sure we had every opportunity to succeed. During the summers his staff worked everyday….. yes everyday! They opened the weight room from 7-11am, took lunch until about 2pm, and did odd jobs (installing sprinkler systems, laying turf, painting fields) around the stadium until 4pm when the weight room re-opened for evening workouts. Parents that had sons on his team and wives that had husbands on his staff knew exactly where to find their kids/husbands during the summer.

Coach McCrory didn’t make excuses! Since I graduated from college in 2005 I have been back to Columbus every fall at least once to catch a game. Unfortunately, as you probably know by now, I have witnessed more defeats than victories. Occasionally I have had the opportunity to ask a coach or two about our issues as a program and I got the same lame answer every time, “These kids are so much different than you guys were”. Seriously? South Panola, in a city of 8,000 sitting on 11 square miles of earth, ripped off 5 consecutive state crowns from 2003-2007! How did they manage to keep cookie cutter kids for all those years? What magic potion did they use? It’s quite simple, coaching!

Coach McCrory cared about his kids. “Care” in this instance isn’t referring to the genuine concern for the well being of the kids in the program. I know, without doubt, that every coach to ever walk the sidelines at CHS has cared for the football players he coached. Instead I’d like focus on the relationships he made over the years and used during his time at CHS to get his players into college. His contact list was extensive and college scouts and coaches lived in our weight room. He never met a college coach he didn’t like or establish a bond with. There were small schools and big schools, private schools and public schools all wanting a piece of the action. Most of us were lucky and had the opportunity, whether we accepted or graciously declined, to play college football at some level. This was his greatest strength. He cared more about our future than he did wins or losses. But he understood that for most of us, being a part of a winning program was the first step toward securing the personal futures we all dreamed of achieving. Some of us might never have thought about higher education if not for the visiting college coaches that spoke to us regularly about the importance of succeeding in the classroom and the advantages that came with a college degree.

I could go on and on for days about why Coach McCrory was successful. But the most important message I’d like to convey is that a winning program in Columbus is essential. It is relevant to parents, kids, and our community as a whole! Parents with young children in the system have the most to lose. If immediate action is not taken to change the conventional mind-set and establish a winning culture in Columbus, your kids will be in the same position (consecutive losing seasons) in six or seven years! Consider this, if Dan Mullen or Houston Nutt put two .500 seasons back to back we’d all be demanding a coaching change! This is incredible because most of us don’t even have step cousins in either of those programs! So why shouldn’t we be as enthusiastic about our high school football program? The athletes on the field wearing the mighty purple and gold are our sons, brothers, and real cousins! I think they deserve the same dedication we lend to the college programs in our area. I’m sure it might only take one .500 season at South Panola before a coaching change was made!

Finally, on her way out to run errands one day my wife overheard me having a phone conversation about the football program at CHS. She paused as she gathered her things and asked, “Why so much fuss about football? Shouldn’t other teams get as much attention as the football program?” She was gone before I could give her my “It’s football, you don’t understand!” answer. So I thought about it and I was ready when she returned! It was simple, if South Panola or any other 6A school in the state of Mississippi had its badminton team featured in USA Today, I’d have two questions:

1) Who is the head badminton coach at Columbus High School?

2) Why the hell does he still have a job?

Jonathan Lewis
CHS Class of 2001

P.S.
Madison Central is ranked #6 in the country by Rivals.com, South Panola is #61, and Meridian is #75. Roy McCrory beat all three schools during his tenure at CHS! www.hireroymccrory.com
Jonathan Lewis graduated from CHS and went on to the U.S. Military Academy, where he played cornerback on the football team. He is now an officer in the U.S. Army. Ed.

Editor:

All eyes in South Mississippi are on the Public Service Commission hearings that are to begin in Jackson on Monday, regarding the $2,400,000,000($2.4Billion) Miss. Power Co. experimental and untested IGCC(Intergrated Gas Combined Cycle) lignite-based power plant proposed to be built in Kemper County. MPCO employs scare tactics in claiming that they will not be able to meet future electric power demand without this plant going on line. Louie Miller of the Sierra Club claims that there are already twelve(12) NG-fired power plants-- built and financed by private investors-- capable of producing three times the amount of power the ENTIRE state requires at peak times. These twelve plants lie idle 85% of the time due to lack of demand. Just one of the idled NG plants is capable of producing the electrical power capacity that MPCO claims will be generated by the lignite IGCC.

Twenty-eight thousand-eight hundred (22,800)acres of farmland will be stripped-mined away to get at the lignite. Another 500 acres will be used to dump the spent ash. Miller says that the 585 Mwatt plant is not needed, dirty and will result in increased rates for the 23 counties in South Mississipi that it serves. This will hit the dispalced persons from Katrina hard. The poverty rate in Forrest County(H'Bug and USM) is 24%

Thanks to members of the Miss. Senate, including Senators Chism and Brown, who also supported the Governor in stripping property rights away from Mississippi property owner A and deeded them to private property owner B, the ratepayers of South Mississippi will foot the bill for the lobbying, planning and construction of this experimental power plant. MPCO spent thousands of dollars in lobbying Miss. legislators to enact this new and untested 2008 State law. MPCO is under no obligation to complete construction of the plant if power demand does not meet the projections, or if the projected costs of construction accelerate. However, before the PSC allows a permit for the plant, MPCO must meet two criteria: Prove that there is a demand for increased power generation; and prove that the IGCC process is feasible , will not create pollution and environmetal hazards, and not create economic hardships for MPCO ratepayers.

Chip Pickering says that the IGCC plant was the "crowning achievement of his thirteen-years in Congress." And I thought it was Chip's sponsoring HR 1101--an amendment to the Energy Policy Act of 2005 that repealed the economic depression era Public Utilities Holding Act of 1935. Critics of the deregulation of the electric utilities claim that the text of the language in Chip's amendment(co-sponsored by Wicker,too) came right out of the corporate legal offices of the Atlanta -based Southern Company, the parent company of Mississippi Power. The amendment was included in the final version of Energy Policy Act of 2005. This may help explain why Chip was able to report an income of over $1,000,000 in his last year in office. If the truth were known, I suspect that the actions of Chip(and Wicker) in repealing the 1935 PUCHA law, are directly related to his connections with MPCO and its parent company, Southern Co. International, based in Atlanta. Southern Co. Int., now owns the privatized, but once public, London Power Co. utility and has plants in Argentina, the Carribean and other parts of the world.

Tommy Gentry

Editor:

What a great Tennessee Williams Tribute and Tour of Victorian Homes we had this year in Columbus—known throughout the world as the birthplace “of America’s greatest playwright—Tennessee Williams!!!

Thank you for your support through pictures and stories. And—may I be given this opportunity to thank publicly the wonderful volunteers who have given so much time to make this a now well established festival—recognized nationally and internationally. Please give a round of applause to George Courington and Kazie Richardson—they take care of all the financial details through the Columbus Arts Council—and a standing ovation to Bridget Pieschel, who organizes the scholars each year on the “W” campus. A round of applause for Marthalie Porter and Nancy Carpenter who do so much to make a smooth week-end-- Marthalie with the printed program plus many details and Nancy with the bus tours of the Southside and the Victorian Home Tours with her wonderful Edwina Williams scholar—Steve Pieschel. Hip-hoorah for the Tom Hatcher, the David Owen and the Allen Kerby families for opening their homes to travelers from nearby Alabama, Louisiana, Florida and far away places like England and Scotland. The Robert Ivy‘s for opening their home for a luncheon with delightful music by the Suzuki String Quartet. Sam Kaye and Mrs. Jack Kaye opened their homes to actors from Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, California and New York-and these folks grew to love Columbus—so much so that Nancy Cassera--- who acted in the play at the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library is bringing her mom and daughter back to visit Mrs. Kaye at Pilgrimage!!!

Take a bow, Marlene Hansen, for bringing the state Bed and Breakfast Association to the TWT and bouquets to Jennifer Miller for the tea on Sunday for the out of town guests from Meridian, Jackson, and Tunica as well as local B+B owners and writer Lyda Kay Ferree of VIP Magazine.

Thanks to Brook Hanneman who gave a great performance in “A Streetcar Named Desire” with a wonderful regional cast and production team from the “W” drama department. Claude and Elizabeth Simpson made the set of “Streetcar” easier to build for the students with their untiring efforts and a van to transport actors. For five performances –audiences from near and far gave a total audience attendance of over 1,000 in the Rent Auditorium at MUW. And then came the icing on the cake for Columbus—Olympia Dukakis gave an evening of Tennessee Williams’s remembrances and readings from his plays on Saturday night to a mesmerized audience at the “W”. She was thrilled to visit with “W” drama students for two hours to share her experiences on the world-wide stage and to encourage them in their aspirations in the theatre. Warm applause for Sid Caradine who served Ms. Dukakis her breakfast request of an omelet ---and her accolade —“this is the best seasoning in an omelet I have ever had—Sid”.

Most of all we wish to thank the citizens who supported the TWT and Tour with their friendliness and funds ---a tip of the hat to the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau, Billups Garth Foundation, Marcia Lane, and the Mississippi Humanities Council. Kudos to St Paul’s Episcopal Church (the sermon, luncheon there and the “art songs” of the Williams poetry performed by Molly Jane Carpenter and Dr. Debra Atkinson were a fitting conclusion to the week-end parties and performances) A curtain call to all the other local, regional contributors and institutions who honor Mr. Williams, the preservation of his home as our beautiful Welcome Center(decorated each year by floral design students from MSU under the guidance of their instructor, Dr. Jim DelPrince) and give encouragement to this volunteer driven festival.

Brenda D. Caradine, TWT Chair

Editor:

i just want to say how un professional a person you are!!! you always want to put things in your paper that is not true!!!! just like people that are put in jail for the wrong reason. just like you have put my father in law in there this week for theift! you need to get all the facts before you put someone in there!!!! the truth is a dope head put a warrent for his arrest due to he supposely stole a trailer from the dope head which he didn't steal. actually the dope head stole some stuff off of our family land and we caught him and now he is trying to get back at us!!! but i dont have to explain anything! you owe mr john david rogers a im sorry due to you didnt have all the facts!!! you know its sorry of the lowdes co police department to let some low down dope head go free but us good folkes that tries to do right we do one little thing wrong we get treated like just murdered somebody!!!! i think u need to write in your sorry paper you are sorry to john david! you have to stop putting all the bad and starting putting in something good!!! now thanks to you everybody knows about what you put in the paper about john david and the sad thing its over nothing!!! i promise you i will put an article in every local paper about how sorry you are and how your company is sorry!!!! this isnt the first time you have done this to someone!!! how would you feel if this was you! beacause of you putting that in the paper you have tore this family apart but u dont give a dang!!! as long you are making money that's all that matters!!!! well i promise you your business will come crashing down when i get done because i will take this court and fight it to the end!!!!!!

Kristie Rogers

Roger:

I don't mean to rain on anyone's parade at the Welty Gala William Cohen speech, but I'd like to take one more shot at William Cohen-- figuratively speaking, that is. Too bad that there is not a little Danish boy out there in the crowd to holler ",The Emperor is naked!" as the emperor parades around in his new clothes.

Btw, Roger, aren't you of Danish extraction?

In the lead-up to WW2, the dark forces of the war party were beating the drums for intervention in the war in Europe, using the same methods of lies, disinformation, deception, intimidation and war hysteria that the Neo-Con advisors of George Bush used in turning the people of the US against the Islamic peoples of the Middle East. The fabricators of the Bush war policy are well known today:Cohen,Lantos, Kagan, Wolfowitz, Feith, Perle, Frum, Holbrooke, Armitage, Friedman, Chertoff, Krauthammer, Kristol, Pipes, etal. And, some of these very same "advisors" are formulating Obama's AfgPak war policy and advising him on the conduct of military covert operations in the heart of Africa. The latest political assassination of an "islmaic insurgent" in Somalia just days ago was carried out by AFRICOM on orders from the oval office of President Barack Obama! There is very little opposition to Obama's war policy from Congress.

Over a year before the US entry into WWII, the non-interventionist American First Committee was formed by many prominent Americans. Its most prominent spokesman, the great aviator Charles Lindberg, Jr, gave speeches for the America First Committee from Madison Square Garden in NYC to Los Angeles, warning of the perils of US involvement in the wars in Europe. Their names and labels have changed, but the same dark forces that are driving US foreign policy today were spreading the lies, disinformation and creating war hysteria in pre-WII America.

Undoubtedly, Charles Lindbergh's most famous speech was given in Des Moines, Iowa on 11Sept1941. "Coincidently," on that very day, ground-breaking ceremonies were being conducted in Washington for construction of the Pentagon. And in another "coincidence" sixty-years later to that date, the Pentagon was targeted by darker forces yet to be identified and exposed.

I have included a link to the Des Moines, Iowa speech that is available on YouTube. The still photo that accompanies the audio is from his NYC Madison Garden speech over WMCA radio. If that link doesn't work, just key-in "Charles Lindbergh Des Moines , Iowa speech."

Tommy Gentry
Crawford

Editor:

Hi. Just wanna say thanks to the Packet for running us an ad for Reed Andrews’ benefit. It was very successful and everyone had a great time. We raised over $10,000 for him thanks to all the bands and the donators—I may have failed to mention some of due to me having so much on my brain at one time that day, running around like a chicken with it's head cut off as some say. Reed sends all his thanks and hopes to be back in the swing of things soon.. Special thanks to Scotty D, Scott Farrell,Christy Nelson, Larry Mcelhenney, K94.9,Sunny 93.3, Miss 98 and WTVA for helping us with advertising, the security forces from Columbus Air Force Base who gave us their day off to help with parking, the city of Columbus for sending officers to help with security, all the nursing students, the door girls, Family Funtime Food, Jumpers inflatables, the U.P.S. store, and the American Legion for donating the building.

If I forgot you I"m sorry—that’s all I can think of at the moment. Let’s all keep praying for Reed.

Thanks,
Paul Trimm

Editor:

I’d like to add a few more comments to the coming appearance of former Secretary William Cohen at the Welty Gala on Sept. 24.

First, I would like to say that Dr. Tom Velek could not have made a better choice for the Posterboy for the Military-Industrial-Congressional Complex.

As an Isreal Firster in the Senate, Cohen has been resposible for the sending of tens of billions of miltary armanents to Israel that are ultimately used against civilians.And he serves as senior counselor at the CSIS, a Neo-Con militarist think tank that is bent on dragging Americans into more foreign wars.

At CSIS, Cohen rubs shoulders with the likes of the following: Richard Armitage (Congressman Gene Taylor's "foreign policy" advisor, gun-runner, drug trafficker and organizer of the political assassination teams in Viet Nam during Operation Phoenix);Frank Carlucci (former head of the CIA, Chaiman Emeritus of the Caryle Group and alleged to have been in on the planning of the murder of Congo's Patrice Lumumba back in 1961—a murder authorized by President Eisenhower); Henry Kissinger (a bonafide war criminal, according to Christopher Hitchens); Frank Ikle(Stinger missiles to Afghanistan); and Zibgniew Brzezinski, Jimmy Carters's Russia-phobic foreign policy guru, now conducting Obama's saber-rattling foreign policy with Russia.

I'd like to see the following two questions directed to Mr. William Cohen:(1.) Now that General Kip Ward's Africa Command(AfriCom) is carrying out covert combat operations in Central Africa and Somalia in the Horn of Africa, do you support US Forces providing combat support, logistical aid and intelligence information to the mercenary armies that are providing security to International mining operations like your Barrick Gold and Dr. Richard Adkersen's Freeport MacMoRan?;(2)How do you think race relations in the US will be affected when those Al Jazeera Fallujah-like atrocity photos start appearing online, showing the corpses of improverished African civilians rotting in the equatorial sun as the result of General Ward's covert operations?

Maybe Birney Imes will let Ms. Burnette "grow" and ask Cohen that last question?

For a Who's Who on the Neo-Con militarists driving US Foreign Policy follow the link: http://www.rightweb.irc-online.org/

For more information on William Cohen's Barrick Gold and its worldwide mining operations: http://www.protestbarrick.net/article.php?id.205

Tommy Gentry

Roger:

I just wanted to send you a quick note of thanks for your article regarding my retirement that appeared in this weeks Packet (Army/Air Force News) . My mother would have been very proud. I would also like to thank you for your continued support and recognition of our uniformed service men/women who are serving our country around the world. I request that you and your readers continue to keep them and their families in your prayers, as their sacrifices for our country are vast and numerous.

Thanks again,
1SG(Ret) Paul D. Webber

Editor:

I would like to thank the Packet for their coverage during the Caledonia board meetings. Since there have been so many executive sessions lately the only source we have is you. However, I do have concerns from reading your articles. I may not be the smartest person, but I can certainly tell that Mayor Gerhart and Mr. Parham have some personal issues that seem to creep into each board meeting. For example, everything that Mr. Coleman, from the water department, presents is immediately called into question by Mayor Gerhart and Mr. Parham. I would like to ask both of them if they are sitting in their positions as mayor and alderman because they want to better the town of Caledonia or get back at the people that they do not like. I would also like to ask Mr. Parham if he knows someone in our government that can help me with my quickbook problems since that seems to be his solution to the town's problems also.

Concerned in Caledonia,
Nancy Roberts

Editor:

I regard to the 24SEPT appearance of William Cohen at the "W," I would like to make a comment.

Two years ago I attended Dr. Velek's Spring seminar at the "W" on the subject of the MIC(Military/Industrial/Congressional Complex). Dr. Anderson, billed as a "terrorism" expert, gave talk on Iran and the implications for the world if that nation succeded in putting a nuclear reactor online for peaceful purposes. Iran is a signator to the NPT and is monitored by the IAEA, which has not found any evidence that Iran is in violation of protocol in regard to the pursuit of nuclear wapons as is the case with Israel. The presentation lacked balance and, IMHO, was aimed at presenting Neo-Con disinformation.

The next spring, Dr. Velek's guest speaker was a "holocaust" speaker who presented his case for keeping the holocaust industry alive. At the end of the talk, Dr. Velek asked for suggestions on guest speakers for the Fall speakers program. I e-mailed Dr. Velek and suggested Wayne Madsen who is the author of several books on the MIC, including Genocide and Covert Operations In Africa, 1993-1999 and Jaded Tasks. He was in Africa during the Hutu/Tutsi genocide and was invited to appear at the ICT-Rwanda war criomes trial. Mr. Madsen is a "yankee" graduate of Ole Miss and received his US Navy commission there. He offered his services for compensation for expenses only.

So I contacted Dr. Velek with Mr. Madsen's offer, but he said that they had already chosen a speaker. Then, I see that former Secretary of State William Cohen will speak. For those with short memories, it was Cohen who danced on the deck of the USS Kittyhawk with female pilots after their return from their terror bombing of the people of Serbia, their churches, their cemeteries, their public buildings and their bridges and roadways.

And the "W" wants to honor this man by his appearance?

Cohen also lists his association with Barrick Gold, a global minning company that has an atrocious human rights record in Central Africa. A company that employs mercenary armies in the pursuit of gold, diamonds and Africa's resources. Barrick Gold's wealth was created on the backs of improvished Africans.

So, Dr. Velek, why a William Cohen rather than a Wayne Madsen?

Tommy Gentry

Editor:

I read Rev. James E. Samuel, Sr.'s letter to the editor. I really enjoyed how he masterfully employed his use of wit by beginning a letter about the plight of the accused as they move through the justice system to the tune of a catchy song. I have to assume that the people he encountered within the hallways of the courthouse that day have not been convicted of any crime although you would not know that considering how the good reverend had obviously already rendered his verdict. Reverend Samuel later informs us that he was present at the courthouse on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Have you checked whether or not the author was at the courthouse to serve jury duty on those three days?

Nace Gerhart
An American who fully supports the 5th Amendment

This letter came last week but got covered up. Ed.
Editor:

A New Possibility for Soccer Complex: Columbus Country Club Golf Course

The article was well written and thought provoking—

Yes, it would be an excellent place to place a Sportsplex (Soccer complex), but we need to think a little further.

To take this valuable piece of land off the tax rolls would be a mistake. This piece of land is large enough for a very nice curb-and-gutter subdvision, creating revenue for the city and county. There are not many, if any, places in Columbus that can be developed into subdivisions. We need to use this land to the best advantage—maybe een have a committee to look at “best use” of this land.

I’m sure there are developers who would love to have this property to develop.

This would be a win-win situation for everyone if developed properly.

Jerry Kendall
Editor’s note: Mr. Kendall is a former Ward 6 Councilman. He is referring to an article in the Commercial Dispatch but I expressed the same opinion he does a few weeks ago. I added that accessibility is also a problem for the CCC site.

Editor:

To the Columbus Lowndes Parks and Recreation Board who voted unanimously for Burns Bottom as the site for the soccer complex, thank you. And to the ad hoc committee who also supported the site – thank you as well. Serving on a public board has taught me the importance of respecting the decisions of the people charged with a mission. More thank you’s to the Board of Supervisors who developed a plan to pay for the soccer complex, a new Health Department building, and a building to house the tax office – freeing up valuable space in the court house. In the process I recall two votes that effectively supported the Burns Bottom site, one official and one a straw vote. To the City Council who voted to support the site, thank you as well, it demonstrated your commitment to keeping good things inside the City when you can.

Were all the votes unanimous? Not that I recall. Does that make them wrong? Certainly not. In a democracy, some of the best decisions come from a diversity of thoughts and opinions, and a respect for the majority. In this instance, there were a number of options, each with its own positive and negative. But at the end of the day, Burns Bottom was the best choice of all.

I’ve heard the critics talk about flooding. As someone who spent a lot of time in john boats and hip waders taking people and their possessions out of the Bottom during floods, I can honestly say – Hogwash! That house and little store on the corner by the Hitch (no “ing” on the end) Lot belonged to my grandparents. In those days, the Bottom was a place for families. Working class families, black and white, mingling together around neighborhood groceries, farmers selling their crops on the Hitch Lot, hay being traded at the Hay House – and helping each other when the Tombigbee came visiting. But that hasn’t happened since about 1979 for pity’s sake! Moore’s Creek has gotten a little rowdy sometimes when its culvert’s got stopped up with trash, but it was back to behaving in a day or so, and the knowledgeable people I have asked tell me that won’t hurt a soccer field or football field one bit.

Nothing about families buying goodies at the market and then moving on the day’s soccer games is going to hurt the ambiance of Downtown ! I wish everyone could see this area from the air, and see with it the vision of what it can be. City planners, the expensive, educated kind, across the county are recognizing the value of green spaces to a community. Green spaces that aren’t a thirty minute drive away but are instead truly a part of the community. Families and friends enjoying the Riverwalk. Shoppers treating themselves to local goods at the Farmer’s Market. Young people learning the joy of sports. All in an area that is readily accessible and can bring Burns Bottom back to the family life it once supported.

The surprise here, if there is one, it that there is no real downside to the Burns Bottom site. The overall cost is reasonable, and the financially challenged City can contribute most of its portion in land and infrastructure it already owns , as well as in-kind services. The increased activity in the area won’t create dangerous bottlenecks; there are multiple points of ingress and egress to the site. “Up the hill” as we used to say, there is property that is realistically attainable for residential development or quaint shops – or both.

It’s easy to sit on the sidelines and criticize, but we’ve had enough of that. You can argue forever about the details, dollars and cents and all the little nuances of what everyone likes or doesn't like. But for once, let’s get behind a good decision and make it a reality. Cheerleaders, ballplayers and fans - welcome to Burns Bottom! It has missed the life that you will bring, and only good things will follow you there.

Beverly R. Broocks
Columbus

Editor:

("Sung to the Tune Of “Summertime”)

“It’s court time in Lowndes County, and the Drug dealers are Jumpin’ and molesters are scared. Your Momma’s Broke, and the Lawyers are Grinning, so hush little Druggie, Don’t you cry!” As I perused the sullen hallways of the county Judiciary, it was impossible to be impervious to the warehoused bodies of young men and women; black and white, and Hispanics alike. You couldn’t miss them. Further more, it was impossible to go untouched by both their number and their plight. It was overwhelming! One young man stated to me that he was their trying to avoid a charge…, that the courts wanted to place on him. I told him “They’re not trying to charge you, you are here because you have been CHARGED! Why is it that they don’t get it? I expressed to him this bit of wisdome. When you break the law in a carefree way, you create your own destruction. The only thing that comes out of being caught up in the system is that Lawyers get richer, and your fines finance the same system that is now incarcerating these young wannabes. They don’t get it, they usually get arrested…, hanging with people who are doing the same things that they claim they are not guilty of. In other words they do the crime, then drag their families into their hell. And so…a vicious circle is born. A circle of crime, arrest, incarceration, release, violation, Crime, etc. The thing that bothers me about these people, is that they are destroying financially, socially, spiritually, and criminally the very folks they claim to love. Then they blame everyone else for their downfall. Their actions befuddle and bewilder me, because we are all endued with the same capacity to desire and dream, to build and acquire, the same responsibility to our children, and family… Yet these for some reason have figured out a way to use, abuse, and destroy their own lives and all those who come in to their sphere of influence. Some of these parents, cousins, lovers, brothers and sisters, and even employers have a responsibility to enlighten the people with the truth. One day the Pharisees came to Jesus saying, Good Master…, Your disciples are causing a great commotion in the square, Go there and tell them to be quiet! Jesus said, “If these were to be silent…, the very rocks would cry out! I’m crying out against wrong doers, wrong spirits, wrong hurts, wrong living, and the loss of a complete sector of God’s children.

It is time to wake up and stop hurting yourselves. It is time for us to cry out against this self-destruction. I cried out on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday In the courthouse. I hope some of them heard me. My prayer that they will awaken and change…, before it is too late. Cry out…I did!

Rev. James E. Samuel, Sr.
A Father Who Lost A son to Lost

Editor:

Thank you so much for the write up on the blood drive for Reed Andrews. It was a very nice article. I really appreciate your response. Your paper does not have to decide if an article is worthy to print or not. We had over 50 units of blood donated. Everyone was so concerned and willing to help.

Thank you for your help in this matter.

Dot Andrews

Editor:

According to the congressional website of Louisiana 4th District Congressman John Fleming, “Under the current draft of the Democrat healthcare legislation, members of Congress are curiously exempt from the government-run health care option, keeping their existing health plans and services on Capitol Hill.”

Congressman Fleming continues by stating that, “If Members of Congress believe so strongly that government-run health care is the best solution for hard working American families, I think it only fitting that Americans see them lead the way. Public servants should always be accountable and responsible for what they are advocating.”

If it is good enough for us, those who they were elected to serve why isn’t it good enough for them, our elected officials? Will Mississippi Representatives Travis Childers, Bennie Thompson, Gregg Harper and Gene Taylor, as well as Senators Roger Wicker and Thad Cochran publicly commit to supporting House Resolution 615 which requires that they too must use the same healthcare plan enacted upon their constituents?

No representative, senator, president or member of their respective families is more important or valuable than your family or mine. After all, they work for us, don’t they?

Wayne Whipple
Tupelo

Editor:

It has probably been puzzling to most people why there is a backlog of work in our City. For instance, why is it taking so long to fill pot-holes in our streets? To name a few, 15th ave. N., 8th st. N. and 8th ave. N. Another for-instance: the Mayor and city council unanimously approved, with no reservations, reworking a speed bump on Highland Circle six months ago. The chief of public works said it would require about one day to do the job and that it's at the top of his list. We're still waiting for this to be done.

Well, after talking with our new ward 5 councilman for about five minutes, we concluded that the main reason for this problem is the “closing down” of our city on Fridays and that it just doesn't make good sense to continue doing this. Basic math tells you that you can get more production in five days than you can in four days. And, speaking of math, lets do some addition. Fifty-two Fridays plus eight paid holidays equals two months, which means our city is “closed for business” two additional months each year . So, 52 of those three-day weekends plus paid holidays adds up to about six months that our city is closed each year. You see, just by using a little basic math, we figured that our city needs to be “open for business” and working five days a week from now on' so we can better keep up with what needs to be done.

I am impressed so far with our new Ward 5 councilman and I think he has a genuine concern for our city, especially Ward 5. He is working hard already to get some things done to help get us caught up. So I ask the mayor and councilmen from all the other wards to join in with Kabir and make this change for us—back to a five-day work week. Hopefully, then we can get our speed bump fixed on Highland Circle and our residential areas pruned as pretty as Main Street.

Raymond Gross

Hey Roger:

Normally, I pay for the Packet around my birthday, but around that time, Kitty and I were getting ready to cool off a little. As the temperature was 98° here, I took her to the Canadian Rockies and the Columbia Ice Fields. That did the trick. Cooled her off real good.

Bro. Roy Myers, pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church, was the host. Had folks from California to Virginia to New York and all the Southern States. Great time seeing God’s wonders and made some good friends. Now we’re hoping Bro. Myers will take us to N.E. Canada. Time will tell.

As I told a lot of folks, if I had known retirement was this good, I would have retired right out of high school! Wouldn’t even fool around with that work stuff. Yep, God is good.

Take care of me for another year.

The old dawg himself,
Boyd Sullivan

Editor:

I was reading Thursdays paper and I saw Scott Glasgow’s picture in there. He can get away with anything. I remember March of last year when he went on 21st St. N. and broke this ladies arm for nothing. And no one said anything about it and he was wrong, that lady hadn’t done anything - just outside talking to her son when he jumped out the car and threw her to the ground. I know, I was there. The Packet did not say anything about it. The Commercial Dispatch did not say anything about it. Like no one cared the Chief of Police, the Mayor, the City Council said or did anything about it. They need to take him off the force. He needs to pay for what he does.

Thank you,
Rosie Jones
I misplaced this letter and found it this week. I don’t know when it arrived. Ed.

Hi Roger,

I wanted to pass along my experience with your readers about our current health care system. I stayed in hospitals for a 9 month stretch and felt like I had excellent service and received service from Blue Cross that was beyond reproach. I had a team of 6 doctors for the first six months that did everything in their power to keep me alive. I wonder if I would be here today under a government run system. A government that struggles with Cash for Clunker's program.

Frank Imes

Editor:

A Ward 5 meeting was held last week at the municipal court building. All the seats were taken and several people standing. Our police chief and several other police officers were there to give talks and answer questions about crime in Columbus. The briefings were a little long for those who had to stand but were informative and worth the time and effort. Many questions were answered and good advice given on some uncertainties about crime in our city. The meeting took an hour and a half so everybody was given a chance to ask questions. Be on the look out for dates and times of future meetings.

One of the main concerns was “what to do when uninvited suspicious people come to your house or property .” Many in our city are experincing this and because of their good nature have been taken advantage of—some even beaten up and robbed. The chief advised not to shoot and ask questions later, but to call 911 immediately with a complete discription of the suspect or suspects and let the police do their job. However, I think it's good to be ready to defend yourself if someone enters your dwelling unvited because they don't do that just to say hi and have a chat. So please remember to be suspicious of all unvited strangers coming onto your property, they could be up to no good, and call 911 ASAP, giving a good description of the person or persons so the police can better know who to look for. It's best to be safe so you won't be sorry. Also, look out for your neighbor too by doing the same thing in their behalf. Always be on guard and take action ASAP. Doing so can possibly save lives and property. We can help reduce the crime in our city by having a plan and using it. Don't be afraid to call 911, they are there to HELP us.

Another concern was trash thrown from passing vehicles. When you see it happen, always get a tag number and report it to 911 asap. The police will respond. There is a fine of $250 for throwing stuff from an automobile onto our streets! It will help with the city budget by reporting those who want to be litter bugs, if they do the crime, let them pay the fine!

Raymond Gross
Editor’s response: The police can’t arrest someone for littering on the basis of what a witness tells them. Littering is a misdemeanor and a police officer must see a misdemeanor committed to make an arrest. However, a citizen can file an affidavit against the litterer and then go to court and testify against him/her, but few will do this.

Years ago, the supervisors were under pressure to do something about littering. Dist. 2 Supervisor Art Neal came up with a plan to give citizens a reward for successfully testifying against litterers. I can’t remember if the board actually passed the proposal but if they did no one ever successfully brought charges against a litterer and collected $250. It was just a way for the supervisors to pass the buck and claim they had done something about littering.

Ten or 12 years ago a group was discussing littering and I asked the late Tommy Wallace, who was municipal court judge for over 20 years, how many people he had ever convicted of littering. He first said a couple of dozen, then maybe a dozen, and finally said he didn’t remembe ever convicting anyone. But, he added, he’d managed to raise the fine to $250. I told him that it would be better to have a $10 fine for littering because then police would be more likely to write a ticket for it and he’d be more likely to find the person guilty. During those discussions someone else said that police never see people littering, because it’s something done furtively. I replied that we all see it happen from time to time and it’s inevitable that police see it too. They might not see someone throw a fast-food sack out the window as often as the rest of us, but they surely see paper and cans blowing out of pickup trucks. Yet no tickets are ever written.

Around that same time the county hired a litter-control officer. He had just picked up litter along a stretch of highway when he saw something fly out the window of a UPS truck. He ran down the truck and gave the driver, Jamie Lott, a ticket for littering. The officer couldn’t find the litter but thought it was a piece of paper. Mr. Lott said it was a banana peel. He ate a banana every day and saved the zip-loc bag he carried it in and re-used it. The case was thrown out. That case created questions (from me) about how the justice court judges handle littering. It turned out that the only solid state statute against littering involved smoldering cigarettes. I think that Judge Peggy Phillips had convicted someone of that crime once, but I think it was the only littering fine ever imposed in our justice court at that time. I suggested lowering the fine for littering and writing more tickets and finding more people guilty (an elected judge is more likely to convict someone of littering if the fine is $10 than if it’s $250, and the experience and lost time would still be a deterrent).

The litter problem, at least in the county, is much better than it was a few years ago because the county now has litter crews working constantly. My recollection is that Nick Hairston took the lead in this and that Sheriff Butch Howard gave full cooperation.

Editor:

It's nice to easily receive to Packet here in Dallas. Much more info than Internet Packet. If you are the only photographer, then you are very busy.

The pictures/info on the Felony Arrest Report are like looking into a window on personal mistakes. One would never suspect towns, such as Millport Alabama, as having problems. Drug problems are a symptom of cultural disease.

The message from Birney was revealing. Here is a person with thin skin and an attitude who thinks he deserves special treatment. A professional person would just accept your reporting.

Lacey Mims

Editor:

Local stations have been dispensing gasoline with 10 percent ethanol additive starting earlier this year. I apparently misread a story stating Mississippi required compliance with certain directives pertaining to how it is mixed and requiring the station to post a notice reflecting the 10% additive. I thought it had said Mississippi required the additive. I have been angry with our congress for directing such stupidity, when apparently they didn't.

A station on 45 north has a sign advertising gasoline with no ethanol additive. I can't understand why anyone would willingly put ethanol in their tank. The miles per gallon decreases by 10% to 20%and it causes damage to some engines. We have 2 vehicles. One's mpg decreased from 22 to 19 mpg after using the fuel with additives, and the other vehicle decreased from 35 mpg to 30 mpg. If my arithmetic is correct that is a decrease of 15% and 16+%. Therefore, I must buy 15% more gasoline to drive the same number of miles. Even though I have a credit card that gives a 5% rebate for using the fuel from the station closest to me, needless to say I will be using the fuel without the "fabulous" ethenol additive. I am thankful for the station and hope the idiots in US congress promoting the use of ethonal wake up. Can anyone tell me any advantage?

John H. Redwine
Columbus

Editor:

Given the abundance of national news about health care reform, Mississippians may have failed to notice Gov. Barbour’s “reform” in their own back yard. He vetoed $7 million that the state would normally provide to community health care centers to match federal Medicaid funds. This forces the mental health centers to come up with $22 million to pay the state’s share of Medicaid. Since the centers already provide services at low or minimal cost to people wh otherwise could not afford any care, they are unable to raise such sums. The result will be closure for some centers and drastic reduction of services at others.

Perhaps most Mississippians have not imagined consequences of these events. Have we thought about jammed emergencey rooms or jails full of people who need treatment, not incarceration? Have we thought about sick people, partly or completely out of contact with reality wandering the streets and endangering themselves and others? The misery quotient for many will go up ten-fold. What will increase for the rest of us are robberies, other violent crimes, suicides and homicides. Is this a great way to save $7 million?

Gov. Barbour is perhaps angling to establish his credentials as a hard-nosed fiscal conservative. It appears to matter little to him that his planned step up is stepping on the most helpless and needy in our community. Stepping up can also lead to stumbling down and that is likely to happen when this state begins experiencing the disastrous results of his $7 million fiasco.

Sincerely,
Saul Vydas, M.D.
Dr. Vydas is a psychiatrist who practices in Columbus. He added a note to his letter stating that he is not employed by any community health center. Ed.
Editor’s note: Last week, after informing the public that the Commercial Dispatch had shut down its Jackson bureau after at least 24 years, I added this:
The Dispatch has pulled out of Jackson but it’s new newspaper in Starkville, The Starkville Dispatch, is in its second month and is still alive. Since the Starkville Dispatch is free and since Starkville’s population is now larger than Columbus’s, I assumed that the several thousand copies of the Starkville Dispatch would be delivered and read every day, but I’ve heard from several different sources (all unofficial, of course) that only 700 papers are being trucked to Starkville daily and that only about half of them are being taken from the racks. If true, this experiment won’t last long and the Dispatch decision makers will then have to decide whether to keep their Starkville office open to feed material to the Commercial Dispatch.
The item drew this response from Dispatch Publisher Birney Imes:
Roger:

Your continued readiness to print hearsay about The Dispatch is disappointing, if not irresponsible, especially since I’ve always been available to you by phone. If you’re going to rely solely on rumor as basis to slam our efforts here and in Starkville, I suppose that’s your prerogative. As it was, your report was far off the mark.

Had you called for comment about The Starkville Dispatch, I would have told you response has been enthusiastic and immediate. Starkville readers are picking up on average 1,700 papers daily at 50 locations. More than 100 Commercial Dispatch subscribers have elected to convert to paid home delivery of The Starkville Dispatch.

Birney
Editor’s note: The Starkville Dispatch was initially being given away at 37 locations—the locations were listed in the Commercial Dispatch when the new paper was launched.

Roger:

I have always loved reading your paper because I saw you as being fair but I was so disappointed when I did not read about city paid attorney Nicole Clinckscales being arrested by the Columbus Police Department. I read all of the articles that had been written about other local officials. Ms Clinkscales is not above the law and she should not have been treated like she was above the law. It is our tax money that pays her and furthermore do you really want a person like her representing you in court. Ms Clinkscales mugshot should have been right along the other mugshots published in your paper. For those who don't know Ms Clinkscales was arrested for disorderly conduct and disobeying a police officer because of an situation that occurred at her home involving her son. One of her neighbors had to call 911 because she saw a bad situation going on at Ms. Clinksclaes's home. She knows the laws but failed to obey them. It also angers me that the CPD covered this up. Thanks,
Betty Moore
Editor’s response: I agree. I heard about the arrest after it happened but kept forgetting to follow it up. There was no effort by the police to cover it up—in fact, a couple of police officers mentioned it to me. Ms. Clinkscales was not charged with a felony but the incident deserved newspaper coverage because she is not only an attorney but our new drug court judge. The most interesting part will be how the case is handled in court. I finally asked the police for information on the case yesterday, after receiving this letter, and the news report that I should have printed weeks ago appears in this Packet.

Editor:

My name is Karen Gruber and I'm a casting producer for ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Our show is looking to come to Mississippi and concentrate our search in the Tupelo and Oxford region, so I have attached a press release, as well as our flyer, in hopes that you can help us get the word out to your readers. We are looking for an inspirational and deserving family from Mississippi. We've always found that newspapers are a great way to find amazing families and to get the community involved. We want to let them know who we are looking for, how to nominate someone and how they can apply for our show.

Our deadline for Mississippi submissions is August 7, 2009. We're asking all family nominations/submissions to send their applications to the following e-mail address: castingmississippi@-gmail.com.

Thank you in advance for any help in getting the word out. Please feel free to reach me with any questions.

Best Regards,
Karen Gruber
Casting Producer,
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

Editor:

Sportsplex derailed???

The Park & Rec Board and Ad Hoc Committee, with input from community, chose three locations for Sportsplex and asked city and county officials to decide which of the three to use for the complex/sportsplex.

The city and county had a public hearing and the Park & Rec Board stated that any of the three would be acceptable to them and Burns Bottom was chosen.

Then the vocal few, who did not like the location, started crying “foul”— “let’s wait until another committee looks at this.” How many committees from outside are they going to have until they get their way? If this continues then the work of the people assigned to select a site will be to no avail and the process will have to start over—another two-year delay!

The vocal few ranted against the River Walk project, citing the same argument that it was a mistake, would flood, etc. Now everyone is enjoying the River Walk, and it is a source of pride with all the activities going on there.

Come on, People, if you want a sportsplex let’s get behind this and get it done! We need to hear from the people who want to build a complex and not wait another two years or more just to get started all over again.

Jerry Kendall
Mr. Kendall was Ward 6 Councilman from 2005 to 2009. Ed.

Editor:

Just how much and for how long are we (Lowndes County residents) going to have to endure the rantings of this idiot? This "gentleman" is an elected official, yet his rants remind me of a spoiled 5 year old that still wants a bottle. My apologies to the 5 year old for any negative comparisons. Each and every time that Mr. Brooks doesn't get his way, he goes off like a cheap firecracker. He's done it for so long, that most folks say "That's just the way Leroy is." and accepts it. Why do we need to continue to accept such unprofessional and foolish antics from our elected officials. For him to sit there and threaten Mr. McFarland is not acceptable, shows extremely poor judgment (as usual for Leroy), and reflects poorly on our entire community. The folks that vote to keep Mr. Brooks in office may benefit from his position, but Lowndes County certainly doesn't. I've said it before and I'll say it again; a vote for Leroy comes from foolish folks that only think in the short term. Is there anyone out there that is interested in "recalling" this elected official?

Mr. Brooks; you may not find my name in the phone book or on the tax rolls, but I'm real and you have my phone number. If you'd like to invite me down to your office again so that we could "discuss this face-to-face like men", call me, and like the song says, "I'll Be There".

Rick Love
Columbus
Editor’s note: This letter refers to a recent editorial in the Commercial Dispatch. Dist. 2 Supervisor Frank Ferguson responded to the editorial and his response was printed but this letter was not.
Dear Birney:

I have an idea. Why don't you run for office. You have all the solutions to all the problems. You seem to know what is best in every instance and have that wonderful elite mentality that gives liberals the sense that they know it all. Why not run as the Czar of Lowndes County. Maybe Obama will appoint you. He has so many Czars already what is one more?

As for being spineless, Frank Ferguson is courageous enough to actually get in the process and try to help Lowndes County. To continue the classroom analogy you seem to love..what sort of child are you in your little scenario? Teacher's pet? Class clown? Or that strange little fellow who sat on the last row pulling wings off flies.

Anne Burkart
Editor’s note: This letter came yesterday afternoon and refers to an article in yesterday’s Commercial Dispatch. This Packet carries the entire transcript of the meeting referred to in the letter.
Editor:

After reading that other Columbus paper's account of the disaster that seems to be the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors, I came to some interesting conclusions:

1. If I was McFarland, I would have asked Brooks if that was a threat. And if he said yes, being that its part of the public record, I'd have him arrested for said threat.

2. I've been around politicans all my life, and I've never, ever seen a bigger baby than Brooks. From his comments throughout the article, especially resigning from the Link board, it's just like a three-year old saying "I'm taking my toys and going home." Well, Leroy, Lowndes Co., would be 1000 times better off if you DID in fact go home.

3. Constituents of Brooks...wake up. He's not representing you. He's representing himself and what he believes is right. Self-importance is abounding here. Stop voting him in just because he's black.

4. Thank God I don't live in Columbus anymore. But I guess there should be some comfort in knowing that some things never change. Even if they need to.

Joey Vallarian
Former resident of Columbus

Editor:

My family and I moved here to Columbus about five years ago. It was a beautiful, quiet little city. We decided to live on the outskirts of town in the New Hope School District. We enjoyed the first couple of years here but lately it is becoming a nightmare. The traffic in this town, especially Hwy 45 through town is ridiculous. People speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, the trucks hauling rocks and doing 50 past Wal-Mart. There will be more accidents and deaths in the near future if a larger police presence is not put on that road. I barely ever see a police car on that road.

I am not sure when it became legal to not use turn signals around here, but I feel like the exception for using them and not the norm. I imagine if you are too busy eating and texting and putting on makeup to pay attention to the road it's okay. I think things have gotten out of hand in this little quiet town. Have you been to the Leigh Mall after dark on a weekend? I wouldn't recommend it unless you had a weapon. It looks like Thug Central there.

I spent 20 years of my life in the U.S. Army defending peoples’ rights and freedoms, and I am actually ashamed of that when I look at what is happening to today's youth. They are more interested in how big their wheels are and how loud the stereos can get instead of what they can do to help the community. It saddens me to say this but my family and I will be looking for another town to move to shortly if this path continues. Remember when Market Street was fun and now you worry about getting out of there with your wallet. It's a sad day that I sit and write this. If you see what I am seeing please do something. Report crimes, call the mayor's office daily and complain. Just because big business moves in to the area it doesn't mean we should accept the dregs of society that come with them. When you find people buying precursors to meth or having meth labs bust them to the fullest extent of the law.

I'm not sure if any one else notices but it seems like the car washes are a good place to start cracking down on drugs and the sleazy hotel parking lots. I go to Wal-Mart where I pay for my groceries with hard work and see people using EBT cards with five or more cards in their wallets buying lobster and things I can't afford. Maybe the state should put a lot more limits and control measures on those cards. I am sure this will never be posted but I just wanted to get it off of my chest. I would like to encourage people to not sit idly by and watch our town get overrun with thugs and criminals.

Mark Thatcher

Editor:

What is "Empowerment"? It is the enabling of an entity to realize its own destiny, through self-willed determination to effect a change in the status of its existence. In other words, the taking of power over one's own obstacles. Thereby, changing one's direction. African-Americans are now at the point of either self-empowerment, or self-deprivation. It is your choice. No longer can we blame our current state of economic decline on institutionalized “Economic Racism.” While it is true that local banks have historically closed the “Loan Office Doors” to our people in every endeavor, that alone can no longer be our clarion cry. Nor can we any longer blame those who take our money, and continue to hold dominance over our lives. No, we now must find the strength and inner consciousness to examine our resources, and how they are utilized, and to know where our economic weaknesses are.

I have observed how other ethnic groups have come recently into our communities, and built great wealth with no more material funds than we. What then is the Obstacle, that we must overcome? The answer is simple..., “Self Patronage.” It seems, in retrospective overview, that every group that sets up business in our community prospers, except us. Why? Because they have found “Safe haven and support” in our midst. We are by our history non-aggressive against outsiders. Secondly, we spend more of our personal income per capita than any other ethnic group. We save less revenue, and access more debt. Moreover, we teach our generational posterity to do likewise. We need to change what we are doing (economically), because it isn't working. “When you find yourself in a hole..., ‘stop digging’”! Status Quo is a depreciating asset. People who love you because of what you have, will only do so, as long as you have it..., and they don't! We must learn to channel and invest, not cast coins into a “Wishing Well” and wait. Our slice of the American dream is getting smaller. Therefore, the more we consume, and not reinvest or conserve, the less we will have in the long run. No…, job creation is not your nemesis' concern, or responsibility. It is Yours. It's time to wake from this life usurping fantasy, and realize that we alone must empower our community. To create wealth, jobs, a crime-free environment, a better educational environment, and a greater hope for our future, and that of our children.

Pastors, Politicians, Political Pondits, and Patriarchs, it is time to stop alluding through alliterations, and to start aligning in alliances. We need to build up our community, for that time of self-determination and economic fulfillment that we hope for. It's time, and it's now within our empowering to do so.

Rev. James E. Samuel
Editor’s response: Rev. Samuel notes that people of other races have prospered by doing business with blacks and he then suggests that blacks can prosper by doing business with themselves. But that seems to be a self-limiting, even self-crippling reaction. If other races can prosper doing business with blacks then why shoukldn’t blacks be able to prosper doing business with other races?

Editor:

This is a sobering message from a respected source. I hope he's wrong but the signs are all there for what he predicts.

Dr. David Bronner, CEO of the Alabama Retirement Systems, the 43rd largest investment fund in America, spoke at Rotary Club here yesterday. He is one of the most respected fund controllers in the United States today by his peers.

Bronner had the following to say:

1) Next month, July, California hits the wall financially, that will send a ripple effect across the US economy, AND over the next two years one state after the other will fall to it's knees financially as the federal government stimulus package ends by 2011. It has helped various states at different levels comparative to their economic condition. He says the stimulus package is what's been keeping the states alive for now...except for California which was in such terrible shape the stimulus package wasn't enough to really help them. "They go first" He said Alabama would hit the wall in February of 2011, late in the game as Alabama is in better shape than other states. Bronner says Alabama might dodge the bullet if the economy revives enough by then. But, he doesn't really think things will improve enough by then to avoid a crisis..."It will be the largest economic crisis in the history of the State of Alabama" Bronner says Alabama will experience such significant shortfalls by 2011 that taxes will have to be raised substantially to avoid collapse...probably on property. And that practically all states will face a similar fate.

2) Within 120 to 150 days from now the commercial real estate market nationally begins to collapse as stores, malls, and shopping strips, and industrial plant have enough closures (store and plant) and loss of rental revenue to make them unable to pay their mortgages. They will start going into foreclosure unable to pay their mortgages in a significant way at that time creating a second wave of economic disaster starting three to four months from now.

3) Unless oil stays above $70 a barrel Russian and Mexican economics will begin to unravel as 20 countries ("socio-economic collapse) economies require that much from oil to have an adequate revenue stream to feed their people and economies. AND, the only other big revenue stream for Mexico is illegal drugs sold in the US...so their economy will intensify their focus on selling drugs in America as a result, in order to survive if oil doesn't stay above $70...he said $90 would be better for them.

4) The US economy (according to Bronner) is today like a patient in the emergency room in the process of having a heart attack. He said people tend to think of it as being in the hospital for cancer or chronic disease. Without the huge Bush stimulus, and then the huge Obama stimulus, the economy would have already flat lined...(i.e. we'd be experiencing a Great Depression style economic collapse heading toward 25% unemployment or so as the tumble would have continued and intensified at an increasing rate, with the stock market hitting around 2,000) Bronner said the depth of the crisis was greater than ANYONE realized and agrees today, after learning the extent of the crisis, that the federal government simply had to start "shoveling" money at it to prevent a true and complete collapse of our=2 0economy. He said he, at first, was mad at this shoveling of money until he learned the truth about the amount of money necessary to prevent a total collapse which he believes would have happened.

5) Inflation will not arrive for 3 to 5 years as the economy is in a deflationary stage due to the economic plummet...and will not experience inflation until people start "buying things" again, and that's going to take while! He also believes 3 to 5 years is probably the term until true economic recovery establishes in the US and world economy.

6) China must start selling their products to people in their own country and paying their workers enough to buy them. This would increase their products prices, reducing their exports (and "besides they will lose interest in having more US dollars anyway") and enabling other countries (US) to compete with them.

7) The greatest threat to the US economy is one of around 9 world events that could heap misery on top of misfortune at exactly the wrong time. A nuclear incident with N Korea, a plague, Israel attacking Iran (oil shock), or such could still throw the US economy into a Great Depression style situation. He said the greatest risk of this is anytime from now until the world economy gets somewhat back on it's feet...in 3 to 5 years.

I thought you might find what Bronner had to say interesting. You may or may not believe it. But, at least it's from a credible and intelligent source.

Chuck Shook

Mr. Larsen:

We have not been taking your newspaper long, but until now have been satisfied with it. Therefore, after arriving home from vacation, I was eager to read the June 18 edition we had missed. As editor and publisher of this weekly paper, I understand that you or your staff sometimes may inadvertently overlook details in pictures that are part of personal advertising as you are putting together all parts of each page of the paper. I would like to think the details of the “Sex Machine” personal advertisement just went unnoticed in this family publication. I actually hope such is the case; but I must tell you that it was in very poor taste, not worthy of your journalistic capabilities nor your weekly publication, and downright disgusting. Since I like to give everyone the benefit of a doubt the first time, we will continue our subscription for the time being.

Please ask your staff to check such details in pictures before they go to print. We cancelled our subscription to the Commercial Dispatch because it had become such a liberal rag and do not want to be disappointed in this paper for printing sexually suggestive pictures that wouldn’t even make it into that paper.

Sincerely,
Nancy Blaxton
The criticism is justified. I regret that the item appeared. Ed.
I held these next two letters out for three weeks because of lack of space and then forgetting to go back and pick them up. Ed.
Editor:

During the break between semesters, I took the opportunity to get these photos of the new Trent Lott Building at USM without the clutter of student autos at every nook and cranny on the campus. The official name of the Lott building is: Trent Lott National Center for Excellence in Economic Development and Entrepreneurship. It is also referred to as "the house that Lockeed Martin built;"I don't know if that is true, though. Surely, the building is at least a $30,000,000 structure, and that does not include the interior which is still unfinished and the inside construction seems to be at a standstill.

I peered through the brass and glass doors and there are no room ceilings or finished walls , just more marble floors and marble door casings. But the waterfall works out front. One wonders if Lockeed Martin and others have cut off the funding? I seems as though construction began sometime around Hurricane Katrina.

It's too bad that the ugly USM stadium in the backgroud looms over the Lott building. And the Greek-style building seems so out of place on the crowded USM campus which resembles a maze of one-way streets with student parking on every spot of ground. Certainly nothing like the Ivy League campuses dominated by students that actually walk or bicycle to class.

The building is supposed to house a staff of "experts" dedicated to research ways to bring new jobs, entrepreneurship and technology to the area. I find it a little bit ironic that it was Trent Lott's efforts as pointman for the Bushes and Clinton that fast-tracked the NAFTA legislation around Congress. And I am convinced that it was Trent Lott that kept ICE (Immigration and Custom Enforcement) agents from acting on the presence of the 500 illegal Mexican and Central American workers at the Howard plant in Ellisville.

Tommy Gentry

Editor:

Subject:: Change you can believe in?

Was Barrack H. Obama bragging about one of his changes when he told the world that we are no longer a Christian nation? Sounded that way to me. Don’t you agree that he was speaking mainly for himself, his administration and most of the Dems who have been in control of our Congress and Senate since 2006? Surely not for the hard working taxpayers of our country.

I think though that most Americans should know by now that this administration believes that all pre-marital sex (a non-Christian act) is okay in their book and consequently have broadened the use of abortion (another non-Christian action) by making it a lawfully legal form of birth control, available to all those who become pregnant during the process.

Aside from all the other non-Christian issues on their platform, these two by themselves clearly shows everybody that they really are a bunch of non-Christian leaders. So it is true then that this [resident and the Democrat leaders of our Congress and Senate are actually non-Christian. Hopefully, it’s not true about the majority of our nation’s citizens.

I believe that most of our nation still stand for the Christian principals established in its beginning by those God fearing men and women who had a Christian vision for the U.S. of A. I thank God for all those who began our Nation while following God’s guidance and I ask you to continue the fight to keep it that way, don’t ever give up. Let us stand together and stop evil leaders from permanently changing what those before us gave their lives to build. Don’t ever forget what President Reagan said: “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction . We don’t pass it on to our children in the bloodstream, freedom must be fought for, protected and handed on for them to do the same. And when we change from being one nation under God, we will be a nation gone under.”

Our current president, who Ambassador Alan Keyes refers to as a usurper, should never have said what he did but should have told them what Joshua said, “Choose this day whom you will serve, as for me and the nation I represent—we will serve the Lord!” If this president ever becomes a true Christian, that is the message he will be preaching to all the continents.

Raymond Gross
Columbus

Editor:

I live by the Oasis club on Hwy 45 north in West Point, every Holiday is a Circus out there with the loud noise and traffic backed up for miles, people parking everywhere and walking along the highway. There is no one to control the situation and it’s an accident waiting to happen, for some reason the West point board of supervisors will not enforce the state law that says no business with a liquor license can play loud music or disturb the peace and quietude of the area in which they operate. As well as the State law that says you can’t have an outdoor concert without a special permit that allows for adequate parking and safety personnel to keep things under control. This 4th of July is going to be a giant [mess] because they are having an outdoor Blues Fest. Please do me and the county a favor and send someone to cover this event, not to promote it but to record the circus and dangerous situation going on here, and question why the West Point Board and Sheriff’s office fail to enforce the state laws on this club. Thank you for your consideration in this matter. Paul Damratoski

Editor:

My family and I moved here to Columbus, MS about 5 years ago. It was a beautiful, quiet little city. We decided to live on the outskirts of town in the New Hope School District. We enjoyed the first couple of years here but lately it is becoming a nightmare. The traffic in this town, especially hwy 45 through town is ridiculous. People speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, the trucks hauling rocks and doing 50 past Wal-Mart. There will be more accidents and deaths in the near future if a larger police presence is not put on that road. I barely ever see a police car on that road. I am not sure when it became legal to not use turn signals around here, but I feel like the exception for using them and not the norm. I imagine if you are too busy eating and texting and putting on makeup to pay attention to the road it's ok. I think things have gotten out of hand in this little quiet town. Have you been to the Leigh Mall after dark on a weekend? I wouldn't recommend it unless you had a weapon. It looks like thug central there. I spent 20 years of my life in the U.S. Army defending people's rights and freedoms, and I am actually ashamed of that when I look at what is happening to today's youth. They are more interested in how big their wheels are and how loud the stereos can get instead of what they can do to help the community. It saddens me to say this but my family and I will be looking for another town to move to shortly if this path continues. Remember when Market street was fun and now you worry about getting out of there with your wallet. It's a sad day that I sit and write this. If you see what I am seeing please do something. Report crimes, call the Mayor's office daily and complain. Just because big business moves in to the area it doesn't mean we should accept the dregs of society that come with them. When you find people buying precursors to Meth or having Meth labs bust them to the fullest extent of the law. I'm not sure if any one else notices but it seems like the car washes are a good place to start cracking down on drugs and the sleazy hotel parking lots. I go to Wal Mart where I pay for my groceries with hard work and see people using EBT cards with 5 or more cards in thier wallets buying lobster and things I can't afford. Maybe the state should put a lot more limits and control measures on those cards. I am sure this will never be posted but I just wanted to get it off of my chest. I would like to encourage people to not sit idly by and watch our town get overrun with thugs and criminals.

Mark Thatcher

Dear Roger:

I received the June 18, 2009 copy of The Columbus Packet and read the letter written by Mrs. Trudy Marlow. Mrs. Marlow wonders why her grandsons are still in prison while repeat offenders are being released early. I have no answer for that questions since parole eligibility is solely determined by the Mississippi Department of Corrections and the Parole Board. She might ask those two agencies when her grandsons will be eligible for parole.

Mrs. Marlow prefaces her letter with an apparent reference to the Julian Mingo and Gil Dishongh cases. I have no idea what the Mingo case and Dishongh case have to do with whether her grandsons get an early release from prison. However, she wonders why Mingo and Dishongh did not get the same sentence since they were both charged with sex offenses against boys and apparently, to her, the only difference in the two men is their skin color. She states that if one got thirty years, the other should have gotten thirty years.

I would agree with Mrs. Marlow that if the facts of each case were exactly the same. However, they are not. In all fairness, there are some obvious similarities in the two cases. In Mingo and Dishongh both Defendants were adult males. In Mingo and Dishongh both victims were boys. Mingo and Dishongh were both charged with three counts of fondling a child under the age of sixteen. Both Mingo and Dishongh were in positions of trust with their victims. Finally, both Mingo and Dishongh were both well thought of in their respective social circles.

Mrs. Marlow believes that both men should have gotten the same sentence and I would agree with Mrs. Marlow if other important facts were exactly the same or similar. However, there are some stark differences in the two cases. Mingo was a choir and band teacher at Heritage and apparently gave private voice lessons for pay. THe evidence at trial demonstrated that Mingo was being paid by the victim’s family to give him voice lessons. Additionally, Mingo was teaching at a school where the victim’s family was paying his tuition. Almost every day that Mingo gave the victim voice lessons he molested him. In fact, Mingo oftentimes would molest the victim at the early morning voice lessons before school and then molest him again the same day while the victim was in Mingo’s choir class. Mingo could have been charged with far more than three counts of fondling based upon the victim’s recounting of the facts. Mingo used extortion to keep his young victim from telling anyone in authority about the abuse. Finally, the victim could take no more and he told the police. He was wired with a tape recorder and Mingo confessed. Later, Mingo confessed to the police on videotape to fondling the victim. As a result of his confession, the police got a search warrant of his house in Starkville and found a videotape of a young boy involved in child pornography in Mingo’s suit jacket. I will not burden you with the content of the tape. I know what is on the tape and its contents are despicable. Mingo was indicted on State and Federal charges for possession of child pornography in addition to the three counts of fondling. Mingo ultimately plead guilty in Federal District Court to the possession of child pornography charge.

Mingo, like Dishongh, was offered the chance to plead guilty to one count of fondling. He chose to exercise his Constitutional Right to a jury trial before a jury composed of black and white citizens from Lowndes County. Mingo forced his young victim to take the stand and recount the despicable acts of abuse performed on him by Mingo in front of a crowded courtroom. Mingo, at trial, accused his young victim of being a racist and a liar. Mingo told demonstrable falsehoods on the witness stand and ultimately, his testimony was rejected by the jury.

The jury found Mingo guilty of all three counts of fondling. The Court could have sentenced him from two to forty-five years in prison on the three counts. Mingo showed no remorse at sentencing and took no responsibility for his actions. When the Court sentenced Mingo to serve thirty years in prison, it was convinced that Mingo was a child sexual predator and would molest children again if given the chance. This conclusion was supported in part by the fact that Mingo molested his victim on an almost daily basis and upon his possession of the child pornography previously discussed. He appealed his case to the Mississippi Supreme Court and his conviction and sentence of thirty years was affirmed.

In contrast, Dishongh did not go to trial. Like Mingo, he was offered the chance to plead guilty to one count of fondling. Dishongh chose to plead guilty. Dishongh faced two to fifteen years in prison for the one count of fondling. The Court sentenced him to serve two years in prison and fined him and placed him on five years of post-release supervision. He must also register every ninety days as a sex offender with local law enforcement agencies upon his release from prison. He must register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

Dishongh, unlike Mingo, did not force his victim to take the stand and recount the despicable act of abuse that he had suffered. Unlike Mingo, Dishongh did not accuse his victim of being a liar in court nor did he try to attack his character. In Mingo’s case, the evidence was that Mingo sexually abused his victim on an almost daily basis for a period of five months. There was no such evidence in Dishongh’s case before the Court. Unlike Mingo, there was no evidence that Dishongh was in possession of child pornography. Dishongh experessed remorse at his guilty plea and took responsibility for his action, unlike Mingo. There was no appeal from Dishongh’s guilty plea and the victim and his family could put this part of the case behind them.

Interestingly, Dishongh was a family friend of the victim and the victim’s family did not want Dishongh to go to prison. They recommended in open court that he be placed on probation. The Court did not follow this recommendation and sentenced Dishongh to serve time.

These are just a few of the differences between the Mingo case and the Dishongh case. Everything in both cases was done in public in open Court for all to see. If you care to read both cases, the files are available at the Lowndes County Courthouse where Mingo was convicted by a jury and in the Noxubee County Courthouse where Dishongh plead guilty.

Every term of Court there are people charged with similar crimes and yet, there are sometimes different sentences imposed by the Court. This happens every day in every court in this Country. Every case is different and each case brings its own unique facts for a judge to consider when sentencing the defendant. Neither race nor gender should ever be a factor considered in sentencing. This Court has never used either in determining its sentences.

In closing, I, like Mrs. Marlow pray to God daily. I know that I will face God’s perfect judgement one day. I do not fear God’s judgement of my sentences in the Mingo and Dishongh cases.

Jim Kitchens

Editor’s note: This letter came a week ago but I misplaced it. It refers to my article in Packet #830 about the city elections.
Dear Mr. Larsen, I feel it was unnecessary to remark that my father was “losing his mental faculties” before his defeeat to Mr. [Kamal] Karriem. He did suffer a massive stroke after the election and took three long years to die.

What you may not know is how why he won election in what you call a “black district” in the first place. He quietly donated thousands of dollars of free medicine to needy black and white families back before there were programs in place to help people obtain medications. He was one of the only merchants in Columbus who extended interest-free credit and opened charge accounts for our African-American customers back when stores on Main Street had segregated water fountains.

Your readers who grew up here will remember Columbus Hospital had segregated waiting rooms. My father was one of the community leaders who worked to bring medical services to everyone in Lowndes County so that they tragic things that happened elsewhere when people were denied medical care only because of their race, wouldn’t happen here.

He asked for no recognition, but we remember him. Not the terrible struggle at the end, but the man who taught us to treat everyone the same.

Sincerely,
Jane Williams.
Editor’s response:

I didn’t write that Ward 5 is a “black district,” I said that it is our “traditional ‘swing ward.’” I wrote that Wards 1 and 4 are predominately black. I won’t apologize for my comment about Mr. Williams’s mental condition. The mental condition of any elected official is a valid matter of public interest.

Howard Williams had a reputation as a caring man, but he won election to the city council because Barbara Brandon, a black independent candidate, threw her support behind him in the Ward 5 run-off after Ms. Brandon had been kicked around by the incumbent, Jackie Evans, and her mentor, Leroy Brooks during the campaign. Mr. Williams would not have come close to winning without Ms. Brandon’s support. Four years later Ms. Brandon begged Mr. Williams not to run again but his mental condition had deteriorated and he would not listen to her or anyone else and his candidacy doomed Beverly Broocks’s candidacy and paved the way for Kamal Karriem’s victory.

I think that Mr. Williams’s finest hour as a public official was on one of those rare days when he was filling in as mayor (he was vice mayor). The Town of Aliceville, Ala. experienced a catastrophic downtown fire and the leaders there appealed to us for help. Mr. Williams was by then no longer his old self but, true to his giving nature, he immediately gave approval for our Fire Dept. to go to the fire. Aliceville leaders agreed that the prompt response helped save many buildings.

Editor:

I am a concerned grandmother. I have been thinking about this for awhile now.

How is it that you all sentence sex offenders to two years and they are violating children? If one gets 30 years why can’t they all get 30 years. they both did the same crime, whether they are black or white. That’s what’s disturbing. You let them out of prison on an early release and here it’s murderers, drug dealers, out walkig the street and you all got young men locked up for a crumb [of cocaine] you all found on the floor of the car, saying that’s possession. It might be, but the sentencing does not fit the crime.

I know I am not running nothing but a whole lots of prayer, and I know prayer works. Why can’t you all let first-time offenders out on an early release, when you keep letting two and three-time offenders out. I know what I am talking about, because they are already back and you all still got two of my grandsons locked up and this is the first time they have ever been in trouble. this is not right—that’s what’s disturbing me, and when I get disturbed God get disturbed and he’s not going to let it be, because God got no perpective person, he loves all of us. But do we love him? Because if we do we will do the right thing and stop making a difference in peoples.

Crime is crime. You should not have one for the black and one for the white. I am not saying you don’t punish folks for their crime but we need the love God ordain, the love... But what I am saying, some of these sentences do not fit the crime. It’s too [?], the sex offenders are getting away with two years. Be sure to consider that special if you got children and grandchildren.

Praying for you all,
Mrs. Trudy Marlow
Mrs. Marlow’s comments about the two-year and 30-year sentences for sex offenders refer to the sentences given to Gill Dishongh III and Julian Mingo. Mr. Dishongh is white. He pled guilty to sex offenses with a boy and was sentenced by Judge Jim Kitchens to two years in prison. Mr. Mingo was a music teacher at Heritage Academy several years ago—the first black teacher at Heritage. A high school student accused Mr. Mingo of rubbing his penis through his pants while teaching him. Mr. Mingo denied the charge and went to trial and testified but a jury found him guilty and Judge Kitchens sentenced him to 30 years in prison. The accuser’s father, by the way, was a long-term LCSO deputy who worked at the courthouse. I was upset by the Mingo sentence even before Mr. Dishongh’s two-year deal.

Mrs. Marlow also refers to people being sentenced to prison after police find a crumb of cocaine. When J.D. Sanders was chief of police here it was not uncommon for arrests to be made when crumbs of crack cocaine were found in cars. I remember one incident where the driver and a passenger were arrested after crumbs were found on a floomat. I think that this practice pretty much ended when a grand jury rebelled and threw out dozens of drug charges, including some that were valid.

Editor:

Was Barrack H. Obama bragging about one of HIS changes when he told the world that we are no longer a Christian Nation? Sounded that way to me. Don’t you think he was speaking mainly for himself, his administration and most of the Dems who have been in control of our Congress and Senate since 2006? Surely not speaking about the hard working taxpayers of our Country.

I really think that most Americans should know by now that this administration believes that pre marital sex while using condoms(A non-Christian act) is ok in their book and consequently have broadened the use of abortion (Another non-Christian action) by making it a lawfully legal form of birth control, available to all those who become pregnant during the process.

Aside from all the other non-Christian issues on their platform, those two by themselves clearly shows the world that they are ruleing like a bunch of non-Christian leaders. So it's true then that this President was reffering to himself and the Democrat leaders of our Congress and Senate as being non Christian , not the Nation's hard working tax payer's.

I believe that most of our Nation still stand for the Christian principals established in its beginning by those God fearing men and women who had a Christian vision for the U.S. of A. I thank God for all those who began our Nation while following God’s guidance and I ask you to continue the fight to keep it that way, don’t ever give up. Let us stand together and stop evil leaders from permanently changing what those before us gave their lives to build. Don’t ever forget what President Regan said, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction . We don’t pass it on to our children in the bloodstream, freedom must be fought for, protected and handed on for them to do the same. And when we change from being “One Nation Under God,” we will be a “nation gone under.”

Our current President, who Ambassador Alan Keyes refers to as a usurper, should never have said what he did but should have told them what Joshua said, “Choose this day whom you will serve, as for me and the Nation I represent-we will serve the Lord!” If this President ever becomes a true Christian, that is the message he will be preaching to all the Continents. Raymond Gross Columbus

Editor:

On April 16, 2009, our home at 715 Old West Point Road was completely destroyed by fire. We escaped the burning house with only the clothes on our back and by the divine protection and grace of God we escaped with our lives and the chance to start over.

Today we are settling into a new home becuse of the love and generosity of so many people. People that we do not know, those we know, businesses, church families that I’ve not visited, co-workers past and present, friends and family near and far, The Commercial Dispatch, The Columbus Packet and WCBI-TV all gae so unselfishly from your hearts.

In whatever way that you were able to be a blessing to our family, we thank God for your generosity, kindness and support. In a time when friends and family were needed, you were there. Thank you!

Bridget, Mahaeli and Peggy McLeod

Editor:

In the Scot Baker case, a little four-year-old girl was hurt. She didn’t say she didn’t know what happened. She said her little sister, who was 19 months old, hit her with a leap pad.

After spending time alone with her mother and grandmother, she changed her story. It was Scot Baker who hit her.

Why did she do that? Was it because her mother, Ann Lee Smith, had been indticted before for child abuse? (If I get a denial on this, I’ll show documented proof if the Packet will allow it.) the jury wasn’t allowed to hear this.

The Asst. D.A., Frank Clark, brougth forth some racy letters that Mr. Baker had written to Ann Lee two years earlier while in prison (Yeah, Mr. Baker’s a real outlaw—he was charged as an accessory to a crime of potato throwing. He was 17.).

Mr. Virgin Ears Clark claimed he had never heard such words, even though he had no problem repeating them again and again. It wasn’t necessary. The jury was allowed to read the letters.

Mr. Baker had been offered a plea bargain of two years, serve 18 months and be out. He refused. He said he wasn’t guilty.

Frank Clark was very emotional. He begged the jury to find Mr. Baker guilty. Mr. Baker had been in prison. He wrote dirty words. He was a step-dad. There was no other explanation.

Mr. Baker walked out of that courtroom like an honorable man, his head held high. I think only an innocent man could have done that.

Sincerely,
Edward Adams
Columbus

Editor:

I saw last night on the news that this is the 75th birthday of Donald Duck. This follows the 65th of D-Day.That brought to mind what might be an interesting story.


Donald Duck cell at Whitehall
This week has been the anniversary of two important events the 65th of D-Day and the 75th of Donald Duck. People often do not realize the tremendous efforts Walt Disney put forth in supporting our servicemen during World War II. Disney's hand even reached out and touched Columbus. Below is a cartoon cell from Disney's Victory Through Air Power, 1943. It was sent to T C Billups, by Columbus native and Disney animator Josh Meador in 1943 or 44. There was a serviceman's hang out called "Drop in Hangar" at his home Whitehall during WWII. The cartoon image is of the delivery of the first airplane purchased by the Army Air Corps in 1908. It is autographed; "Happy Landings at Whitehall - Walt Disney". A sticker on it says "For the Hangar, Josh Meador - Chief Animator, Walt Disney Productions." Disney also sent two cartoon cells of Donald Duck in Sky Trooper to Whitehall. Sky Trooper was set at Mallard Field Air Training Base. The cartoon cells and other memorabilia were hung in the Hangar as decorations for the airmen who came there to relax. It is interesting that Disney's war efforts extended to Columbus and Columbus Army Flying School and included Donald Duck.

Currently there is a committee forming in Columbus to work on a celebration honoring Meador who died in 1965 and is buried in Friendship Cemetery.

Rufus Ward
I don’t have time this week to work up the article that Mr. Ward suggests, so I’m just including his letter. His late father, by the way, was a B-17 tail gunner in the 8th Air Force. He was shot down on May 12, 1944 over Germany on a mission to bomb refineries at Zwickau, Czechoslovaka. He survived internment and a long march in sub-zero weather ahead of the advancing Russian troops. He was liberated on April 27, 1945. Ed.

Editor:

In the past month or so you had a photo of students from EMCC's Mayhew campus who were in Phi Theta Kappa and Who's Who Among Students in American Community Colleges. I want to thank you for taking the time to photograph these students and print their names in your paper.

We live in Starkville, but Starkville Daily News did not take the time to recognize these high achieving students. I was pleasantly surprised when a friend told me that my daughter's picture was in your paper. Thank you again for recognizing these students and their hard work.

Sincerely,
Jan Fitzgerald
The photo was provided by EMCC but I neglected to give them credit. EMCC is great about providing information like this. MUW is just as good. I include as much as I can but am forced to leave much out. Editor

To Whom It May Concern:

I would like to thank all of you for keeping my family and me in your thoughts and prayers regarding the motorcycle accident I suffered on Hwy. 45 N. March 7th, 2009. To all our family and friends who pitched in and helped with our four sons, all the churches and our friends from the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department who brought snacks, etc. for our family and visitors. I wish to express my thanks to CPD Officer Lance Lucky, (as well as any other officers who may have been present at the time), BMH paramedics, the good Samaritans (Dee and Bonita) who stopped to check on me and offered so much support for my wife, Robin, and Fire Station #3 personnel. I would also like to thank Chief Joseph St. John for stopping by almost every day while I was in the hospital to check on my wife, our sons and me. I know how busy his schedule is and for him to take the time to visit and check on us means a lot to me.

You are all remembered and appreciated for all you have done. And a special thanks to the doctors and nurses at Baptist Memorial Hospital, you guys were phenomenal!

I am now back at work at the Mississippi University for Women Police Department where I plan to continue to serve the university and surrounding neighborhood. My co-workers are family to me here, and I look forward to continuing to serve along side them.

Sincerely,
Lamar Peacock
Corporal, MUW Police Dept.

Editor:

I am attaching a letter that I e-mailed to the mayor two weeks ago and I never got a response. Maybe if you will print this I will get a response.
Mr. Smith, I am writing you because I have some problems on the road that I live on and I would like for you to do something about it. I live on Sand Road. There are alot of children that live on this road and there are no signs that say "Children at play" and people fly down this road like its a drag strip. I would like a sign put up and I think we need new speed limit signs because I don't think people see the ones that are here. I would also like the fines for speeding doubled if a person receives a ticket on this road. I look at it this way if fines can be doubled for construction workers it can be doubled on roads where children are present, or do you not belive that our children are not important enough for the fine to be doubled? I know this may seem a little pushy but 3 of the children I'm talking ab out are mine but I will give you 2 weeks to respond and do something.

Thank you,
Jennifer Markham

I hope to get a response from the Mayor about this issue. If not then I will start writing to whom ever I have to, to get something done because I'm sick and tired of my road being used as a drag strip.

Editor:

Reading today's Dispatch [Thursday, May 14], I saw a reference to the Cannes Film Festival which is now going on.

Josh Meador, who grew up in Columbus and is buried in Friendship Cemetery, was on the animation team for the production of Dumbo which won at Cannes but he was not specifically named on that award. He was, however, a director of a lessor known film, Make Mine Music, which won the 'Prix du meilleur dessin animé' (Best animation design) at Cannes in 1946 and he was thus credited in that award as shown on the copy from the Cannes website below. As the world's entertainment eyes turn to Cannes, we should not fail to recognize one of our own who has the distinct honor of once winning there. So if ya'll do any articles on Cannes you might mention Meador.

Rufus Ward
Editor’s note: Rufus Ward, Glenn Lautzenhiser and some others are organizing a local tribute to Josh Meador. Several members of the Meador family are planning to attend the event. The Packet will have details in upcoming issues.

Editor:

I have the honor of representing Wade Beard, Heath Beard and Robert Walker, the three (3) Columbus Police Officers who have been named in the investigation surrounding activities at a STORM conference in Vicksburg, Mississippi. They vehemently deny the allegations, obviously based on a flurry of rumors and want to set the record straight as to their actions on May 5, 2009 at the Vicksburg National Military Park. They did nothing to dishonor the uniform they wear or the people they represent; moreover, a simple investigation by someone without an agenda would reveal the following:

1. There was no alcohol involved. None of the officers from the city of Columbus or the deputy sheriff with them, were drinking at the park, or had been drinking prior to their arrival at the park.

2. The officers were not blaring music or running people down with their siren or blue lights and showed the proper respect for the solemnity of the park that they paid, using their own money, to tour.

3. One of the officers, Heath Beard, has over forty (40) pictures of the various monuments, statues and other points of interest, which he took for a project on Mississippi his daughter was involved in at her school. Those pictures depict the officers standing beside and around the aforementioned monuments and reveal the intent of the officers’ being at the park, sight-see.

4. There were six (6) individuals in the patrol car when they went through the gate of the park; two (2) in the front seat and four (4) in the back seat. After stopping at the first few monuments, two (2) of the six, neither of whom are employed by the city of Columbus, decided to ride in the trunk, facing backwards based on the frequent stops, the crowded nature of the backseat and the inability of the backseat passengers to let themselves out at each stop (police cars do not have a handle inside the back seat based on transporting prisoners). The deputy sheriff and his fiance sat in the trunk simply because they were slowly driving through the park, making very frequent stops and it was terribly crowded in the back seat.

5. They were confronted by a female park ranger at Grant’s Circle who immediately exhibited an attitude towards them, which, frankly, shocked them based on them doing nothing wrong. She told them that their seat belts were not on and that they had complaints about them, but did not elaborate on those complaints. She later attributed their complaints about her immediate attitude with them as a consequence of being from New York. She did not issue them a citation, ticket, warning or any other official document. She wrote a letter to the Columbus Police department and complained that they were “grinning and her and laughing”. Obviously she did not think they showed her the amount of respect she deemed appropriate. She also cited their request for a picture the next time she spotted them as evidence of their boorish behavior. Heath Beard made the overture as a gesture of trying to be friendly with her.

These officers have been tried and convicted by the press, their department and the general public based on rumor, innuendo and speculation. Conversely, the deputy sheriff with them was given the opportunity to explain what happened and his supervisor deemed this insignificant based on facts; not the above rumor and innuendo and speculation. These officers deserve the same presumption of innocence afforded those they protect us from on a daily basis.

Sincerely yours,
Rodney A. Ray
Attorney

Editor:

I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man. George Washington

Four out of control Columbus Policemen, showing conduct unbecoming of an officer, invade Vicksburg National Park, ran from Park Rangers... in a City of Columbus marked police car, with blue lights flashing, sirens blaring, windows down, radio rocking with music, and two of the Columbus Police Officers were in the trunk.

I am sure that if these fine ambassadors, if able to keep their jobs, will command the up most respect from the citizenry of Columbus the next time they pull you over. Chief St. John, I can only presume, authorized this training exercise and the expenditure of city funds in the city-owned vehicle. The city can be proud that four juvenile delinquents were allowed out of their cage, with a tax payers credit card to represent the city in a marked police vehicle.

O. W. Reily, III
Editor’s response: I’m not trying to excuse any misbehavior, but I don’t think the officers were riding through the park with the lights flashing and sirens blaring. I think that at one point one of the occupants of the car “bumped” the siren and flashed the light bar. That is inappropriate on several levels, given the situation and the location, but I think that what really caused the matter to balloon was that when a park ranger confronted the officers with a complaint at least one of them got a little sassy with her—I heard that when she observed that they weren’t wearing seatbelts one of them pointed out that she wasn’t wearing one either. The encounter was brief and neither the ranger nor the officers got out of their vehicles.

I reported last week that four officers, Heath Beard, Wade Beard, Spence Walling-ford and Robert Walker, and one LCSO deputy, Scott Glasgow, were in the car. Actually, Mr. Glasgow’s fiance was also with them. It costs $8 per car to enter the park, so they all went in in one vehicle. There’s not room in the back seat of a patrol car for four people so Mr. Glasgow and his fiance rode in the open trunk.

Columbus Police Chief Joseph St. John issued this statement last Friday about the incident:
In regard to the incident that occurred on Monday, May 4, 2009, at the Vicksburg National Military Park, in which four City of Columbus Police officers were involved, the Columbus Police Department is issuing the following statement: Chief Joseph B. St. John did order the four Police officers to immediately return to Columbus. Chief St. John and the officers of the Columbus Police Department offer a public apology for any embarrassment it’s officers caused. The incident is being investigated by the Columbus Police Department for possible disciplinary action. In the near future, once the investigation is complete, we hope to provide more information; however, at this time, because this is a personnel matter, no other information will be provided.

LCSO Chief Deputy Greg Wright said that after investigating the matter, including reviewing the reports the Police Dept. had received, he met with the deputy involved (he didn’t name him) and said that the deputy was disciplined, but he did not elaborate. Mr. Wright said that the behavior was “stupid and unprofessional.” Deputy Glasgow was not summoned home early from the Vicksburg trip and he was not suspended as part of his discipline.

Chief St. John told me yesterday that he was then finishing up his investigation into the matter and he said that he was “looking at his options” and that he would make a report to the mayor and council next Tuesday. “I’ll try to figure out the totality of everything,” he said.

Editor:

As Mayor of the City of Columbus and on behalf of the City Council, I would like to invite all of our citizens to come out and support our troops on Friday, May 1st at 10:45, as they leave for Camp Shelby in preparation for their June 2009 deployment to Iraq.

The 2/114th Strike, A Battery will be leaving the Columbus Armory at 11 a.m. so get there early. The Armory is located off Hwy 69 in Columbus, and the convoy will proceed from Hwy 69 to Hwy 182, continuing down Main Street, then onto 7th Street, North to 5th Avenue North to Hwy 45 North.

The Columbus Police Department and Sheriff Department will provide escort service through the City. Please come out and rally around our troops as they prepare to go serve and protect our Country.

Mayor Robert E. Smith, Sr.
Columbus City Council

To the Citizens of Lowndes County:

Where are you! It is the mission of the Columbus-Lowndes Humane Society to protect animals from suffering and cruelty, to provide care for animals afflicted by neglect, abandonment and exploitation, and to enhance the lives of animals and people through education, adoption and compassion.

As a community we profess to love cats and dogs, yet we allow hundreds to die each month needlessly. Where are you, concerned citizens of Columbus and Lowndes county? Do you hear, see, and read the statistics concerning over population of the animals in this area? Do you know in 7 years one pair of unaltered cats and their subsequent offspring can produce 420,000 cats and in 6 years one pair of unaltered dogs and their subsequent offspring can produce 67,000 dogs?

Are you listening, people of Columbus and Lowndes County? Can you hear us begging for help? Do you realize how many animals are being brought to the CLHS in a month’s time? (Over 200 in a slow month and up to 400 in a normal month!) We are experiencing the busiest year ever! More and more people are abandoning their animals and leaving them to starve and fend for themselves. Our three Animal Control Officers are finding countless animals left on the streets. Our shelter has litters of kittens and puppies brought in every day and the task of caring for these animals is overwhelming to all of us, yet we bathe them, feed them, give them shelter and love, and hope, with all our being, someone will come to adopt them. Most of the time this doesn t happen!! So I ask again, where are you?

As a community we take pride in our industrial growth, pride in our public school system, pride in our arts council work, pride in the recreational facilities we have, pride in our downtown area, and on and on. We cannot take pride in the support that the Columbus-Lowndes Humane Society has! We are trying desperately to raise money for a new shelter having fund-raiser after fund-raiser. We are calling on individuals and businesses to beg for support for this new shelter. We, as a community, must realize this organization, The Columbus-Lowndes Humane Society , is something we should take pride in.

We need donations of supplies, volunteers to help with our fundraisers, and foster parents to keep animals headed north in a safe and secure environment.

We need everyone to spay/neuter their pets. Most of all we need funds to build a new facility. There are some caring individuals and groups that are doing all they can to assist us in our cause. To those people—we thank God for you and what you are doing to help the animals. To the rest of you I say again—where are you?

Juliaette Wise Sharp

Roger:

I want to pass this along to you so that you can alert the people that place ads in the Packet in case they fall prey to this company. Shortly after Casey’s ad (Collums Lawn Service) was placed in the Packet, Casey received a phone call asking him to place an online advertisement. He let both Sonny and I know about the phone call and that he declined the offer. A few days later he received an invoice from a Texas-based company called Hometown Productions (Universal Adcom) for $249.50 for this advertisement. Because Sonny included our home phone number in Casey’s ad, I guess the company simply did a search to come up with our home address.

I searched the Better Business Bureau in Texas and came up with over 210 complaints reported during the previous 3-year period, of which 91 were claims of ads not placed. The company claimed it had personal information about the contacted person, so I asked Casey if he provided any personal information. He stated that the person asked for his birth date and he gave that person the information. (I have now advised Casey that he never provide personal information unless he has initiated the call and knows why he is providing the information.) I have not contacted the company yet.

Here is the link that provides the complaints about this company: http://www.fortworth.bbb.org/codbrep.html?wlcl=y&id=A1020830

Nina Collum

Mr. Larsen:

Now, more than ever before in the history of our nation, there is a need for all of America, especially good Christian people, to stand up and speak out for the sake of our present generation and for future generations too. Never before has a U.S. President gone to Europe announcing that the country he represents is not a Christian Nation anymore. I heard he told them that anymore we are nothing more than a bunch of mindnumb, heartless, arrogant citizens. I remember hearing him say last year, to the ultra left wingers in San Fran., that there were still a desperate few of us still clinging to our guns and religion. So now after his first 100 days as Prez , is he thinking it's all over for Christians in America? Sounds like that to me.

Why is he saying all these outrageous statements? Why is he even in the position of President? We've heard many folks say resently that evil people will rule when good Christian people do nothing, right? Don't you think this is one of the main reasons? That some Christian people help elect evil people to positions of leadership by simply doing nothing and not voting their hearts on election day? I heard a preacher say that sometimes the very worst thing we can do is nothing. For he who knows to do what's right and does nothing, to him it is one of the worst sins. Some say, "Oh well, no use for me to vote , God is in control and He'll put whoever He wants in office." I think that couldn't be farther from the truth for it's not His will that any should perish, right? So it wasn't God who elected evil people as our leaders , it was the majority of voters who voted in all the liberal states, plus those who failed to go vote for the right person in those same States. Many who vote for a candidate will do it for the wrong reasons, ie, party loyalty, race, the way someone delivers a speech reading from a teleprompter, etc., not really caring where they stand on all the issues.

Now, as a friendly reminder in closing, The Columbus City Primary Election is May the 5th, please do the right thing and go vote . Also, keep going to Church , take someone with you even. Let's show the President he got it wrong again. Pray for his conversion.

Thanks.

Raymond Gross
Columbus

Editor:

The Boston Tea Party was not only a protest against taxation without representation, it was also a rejection of tyranny. Tyranny results from not protecting our freedom.

Wanna-be tyrants are easily recognizable by their support of: big government; elevating the weak, demonizing the strong; taxing the rich to gain support from the poor; abortion; gun control; nationalization of industry; making friends with other tyrants, and similar little cutesies.

Essentially it boils down to trutch or error. Which would you choose? Truth propagates freedom. Error leads to ruin.

A long time ago Saint Athony Claret wrote these words: "Choose now what you would have chosen when it is too late.”

Ed Phillips
Columbus

Editor:

In 1963, I took my first trip to the North-side of town, to R.E. Hunt High School. Of course, I was only in Junior High, but it was a big deal. That summer, we went to visit folks in the country (County), picked plums, chased cattle, rode horses, and sometimes, we just got up at 5:30 A.M., just to see the sun rise, and the critters crawling. In those days, the summer seemed to be a whole year long. Of course it wasn’t, but for us, it afforded us a three month break from the cry babies, and the bullies, and the strains of study and testing. It was a time to ponder our achievements in academia, passing from one grade level to another. Summer was a time, that children grew in character, stature, and in culture. It was a time when parents could have a break from worrying about kid’s grades, teacher’s conferences, Principal Problems, and those things at the schoolhouse that were nine-month-long burdens. It was a break for students, Teachers, and parents. Those were the good old days!

Since those days, we already lost a month of summer off time. Less time to travel, visit family, and otherwise, experience life outside the classroom. And we still produced lawyers, scientists, doctors, teachers, etc. What I want to know is this: Which mindless members of the school board, who have no children in our public school system, made this bold move to deny our children their summer vacation? I know they will say that it depends on their grades, and after all, it is only for 11 months. That is the same rationale that the same kind of people made when they reduced summer break from three months to two months, and now they want to take away another month.

I suggest that you speak up for your child! I will, because we intend to continue to travel in the summer month(s). There have been no public meetings or forums where these issues were discussed, nor were we included in the decision making on the location of the new school. Oh…, I know you voted on it! But you only voted for what they had set you up to vote for. Look, I have no bones to pick with any school officials; I believe that they think they are doing the best thing. I beg to differ. They continue to make decisions that adversely affect our children, without consulting us, their parents. Please, don’t stand idly by while they take you children’s “social development” time. Our children need us to speak up now for them, as I remember my summer vacation, and my youthful experiences, so should they. I am not concerned How long they hold school in other countries, this is America, and we sometime do things differently.

Rev. James E. Samuel
Editor’s note: For the record, the bond issue was approved before the school board selected a site for the new school. The location was announced after the vote because school officials thought that if people knew where it was going to be located they might vote against it.

Mr. Larson:

Thank you for the article on Mr Don DePriest that appeared in Packet #823. I commend you for obtaining his side of the story concerning the financial issues first reported by the Knoxville News Sentinel.

Because Mr. Don has done many good things for Columbus and the surrounding area I was pleased to actually read a "well-rounded" story that included many of the positive aspects of his work through the years.

Keep up the good reporting!

Robin M. Evans
Canton

Editor:

In recent days misinformation has circulated regarding the role of the Lowndes County Democratic Executive Committee in the endorsement of candidates for public office, more specifically the city council races. The committee has a policy of not endorsing candidates during the primary when two or more [Democratic] candidates are seeking the same office. Therefore, the committee has not and will not endorse any candidate during this May 5 primary. Members of the committee are individually supporting candidates of their choice.

The primary role of the Lowndes County Democratic Executive Committeee is to conduct primary elections for local offices. The members of the committee may choose to involve themselves in a host of other activities to enhance the philosophy and beliefs of the Democratic Party. Any candidate suggesting that the committee has made an endorsement is false.

Leon Hines, chairman

Mr. Bill verses the Tax Family
by Joe Howle

My name is Dollar Bill. For the past forty years I have worked very hard to build a retirement for myself. I have worked in different investments over the years and now have two hundred cents. This is an average of five cents a year. I actually earned more, but a member of the Tax family (Income) took part of it. The more I earned the more he took. This was the beginning of my troubles with the Tax family.

After working and saving over the past forty years, I decided to take a vacation. I picked the friendly city of Columbus, MS for my vacation. I arrived in Columbus on Sunday afternoon with my two hundred cents. When I registered for my motel room, two member of the Tax family got me. Sales Tax wanted seven cents and Motel Tax took two cents. This left me with one hundred and ninety-one cents. After I settled into my room, I decided to go out and eat. After my meal there was Sales Tax again and this time he had his brother Food Tax with him. Sales Tax still wanted his seven cents cut and Food Tax wanted two cents. This left me with one hundred and eighty-two cents.

Monday morning I stopped at a fast food restaurant for breakfast. Guess what? There were the Tax brothers again; Sales and Food, and they wanted their usual cut, seven and two cents. After giving them their dues, I had one hundred and seventy-three cents left.

I went shopping later at two shops in the friendly city. The only problem I had was Sales Tax followed me and wanted his seven cents at each of the shops. This left me with one hundred and fifty-nine cents. Sales Tax would not leave me alone, he followed me everywhere I went.

At lunch and dinner Sales Tax had his brother Food Tax with him, and they wanted their standard cut, seven and two cents at each restaurant. This now has me with only one hundred and forty-one cents left.

Tuesday morning at breakfast there they were again, Sales and Food. I now have one hundred and thirty-two cents left.

I went shopping again, and Sales Tax would not stop bugging me, still wanting his seven cents. I did manage to out smart his brother Food at lunch. I went to a quick stop and had a snack, but Sales was there. This left me with one hundred and eighteen cents.

Sorry Columbus, but I can't stay any longer. This is costing me too much. As I was leaving, I needed gas. At the service station the Tax family call in two of the big boys, Federal Gas and State Gas. Federal wanted eighteen and four tenth cents and State wanted eighteen cents for a gallon on gas. I only have eighty-one and six tenth of my two hundred cents left. Two days and over half my life savings gone. I have to keep reminding myself that I am only a Dollar Bill.

Columbus would really be a great friendly city if the Tax family could be run out of town. I understand that the Tax family has members in every city in the United States, and that they are starting to really get bad.

Glad I don't smoke. I understand Federal gets one hundred and one cents and State now gets eighteen cents for a pack of twenty smokes. State wants to charge more, but doesn't know how much.

I could tell you a lot more about the Tax family, but I have to keep moving on as they are looking for me. They want the rest of my cents.

Mr. Larsen:

Thank you for the article on Mr Don DePriest that appeared in Packet #823. I commend you for obtaining his side of the story concerning the financial issues first reported by the Knoxville News Sentinel. Because Mr. Don has done many good things for Columbus and the surrounding area I was pleased to actually read a "well-rounded" story that included many of the positive aspects of his work through the years.

Keep up the good reporting!

Robin M. Evans
Canton

Editor:

In 1963, I took my first trip to the North-side of town, to R.E. Hunt High School. Of course, I was only in Junior High, but it was a big deal. That summer, we went to visit folks in the country (County), picked plums, chased cattle, rode horses, and sometimes, we just got up at 5:30 A.M., just to see the sun rise, and the critters crawling. In those days, the summer seemed to be a whole year long. Of course it wasn’t, but for us, it afforded us a three month break from the cry babies, and the bullies, and the strains of study and testing. It was a time to ponder our achievements in academia, passing from one grade level to another. Summer was a time, that children grew in character, stature, and in culture. It was a time when parents could have a break from worrying about kid’s grades, teacher’s conferences, Principal Problems, and those things at the schoolhouse that were nine-month-long burdens. It was a break for students, Teachers, and parents. Those were the good old days! Since those days, we already lost a month of summer off time. Less time to travel, visit family, and otherwise, experience life outside the classroom. And we still produced lawyers, scientists, doctors, teachers, etc. What I want to know is this: Which mindless members of the school board, who have no children in our public school system, made this bold move to deny our children their summer vacation? I know they will say that it depends on their grades, and after all, it is only for 11 months. That is the same rationale that the same kind of people made when they reduced summer break from three months to two months, and now they want to take away another month.

I suggest that you speak up for your child! I will, because we intend to continue to travel in the summer month(s). There have been no public meetings or forums where these issues were discussed, nor were we included in the decision making on the location of the new school. Oh…, I know you voted on it! But you only voted for what they had set you up to vote for. Look, I have no bones to pick with any school officials; I believe that they think they are doing the best thing. I beg to differ. They continue to make decisions that adversely affect our children, without consulting us, their parents. Please, don’t stand idly by while they take you children’s “social development” time. Our children need us to speak up now for them, as I remember my summer vacation, and my youthful experiences, so should they. I am not concerned How long they hold school in other countries, this is America, and we sometime do things differently.

Rev. James E. Samuel
Editor’s note: For the record, the bond issue was approved before the school board selected a site for the new school. The location was announced after the vote because school officials thought that if people knew where it was going to be located they might vote against it.

Dear Mr. Larsen:

Thanks so much for your publicity about our rummage sale benefit for the Humane Society Shelter. Good publicity got people there. As a result, we were able to donate proceeds of $2,200 to the shelter. Thanks again,
Delores Belhumeur
Beta Sigma Phi

Editor:

Dear citizens of Columbus and Lowndes County. We have many women and men getting out of prison and some will need a place to live.

I am trying to have a place for the women. Right now I need a house and finances.

The papers from IRS for non-profit organizations 501C3 I have already. All your donations will be tax-deductible.

I am appealing to you for properties, land, buses, volunteers, furniture, bedding, etc. I feel if you know this, you will help.

Some women want to transition back into society as productive and responsible citizens. They want to give Jesus Christ their life and allow them to do what nobody else could do, and that is to forgive all sins, no matter what it is.

So I am asking for your help. Teachers, lawyers, doctors, pastors, laborers, professional secretaries, construction workers, dope pushers, mafia. I don’t want to leave any donor out. Everyone can give to help bring this half-way house into fruition to help these people to be all they can be. So plant your seeds of $1.00 to $1,000.00. Send to P.O. Box 2781, Columbus, MS 39704. Attn: “All the Way with Jesus Ministries”

Sallie Swanigan
662-798-0214
This letter came a week ago and I put in in a box of mail that I misplaced. The same misplaced box contained a long letter on the same subject by Dr. James Ward. I’ll run it next week. Ed.
Editor:

Am I the only person in Columbus who is sick of the re-naming process of MUW? If the administration had wanted Welty as the name, why didn’t they just say so? Why go through the farce of committee meetings, choosing three and marketing it all? How does the Cirlot Agency know that most prefer Welty? It was not one of the three submitted. I can assure you that every man and woman who attends MUW knows the name of their university—and they attend anyway—for one reason: a quality education!

I wonder if figures will ever be released as to how much time, money and effort has been expended in this process.

Mercy! Enough already!

Jean N. Bigelow
Columbus

Editor:

Eudora Welty has been back to the "W"" many times. She would come to the October Welty Week-end named in her honor and was the honored guest at the black-tie dinners to raise funds for her school at the Trotter Convention Center in the late 80s. I talked to her at the dinners and she loved being back at her school. I had just started visiting Columbus before I decided to move here and the first dinner in her honor was emceed by John Grisham, and the famous CBS news broadcaster Roger Mudd. At other dinners, honored guests included the Pulitzer Prize-winning author William Styron, author George Plimpton, author Kurt Vonnegut, the late Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Doug Marlette and once we were all entertained by the group of humorists from Washington D. C., The Capitol Steps. Ms. Welty loved these weekends in her honor that also brought young authors to read from their new work on the "W" campus. Eudora attended until her age and health would no longer permit. Just in the interest of accuracy, I have pictures of her smiling and happy to be there with the luminaries who had come to Columbus to honor her and the “W.” This lovely lady would be so saddened by the arguments over the naming process—let us let her rest in peace.

Brenda Caradine
Columbus

Editor:

On behalf of the City of Columbus, all of our local and elected officials and community leaders, "THANK YOU" for coming out and supporting this year's "Grilling on the River '09." We were thrilled that you chose to join us in celebrating one of our "Very Own" events.

"Grilling on the River '09" is quickly emerging as one of the top "quality of life" factors that I thoroughly enjoy, and I am proud that the festival calls Columbus home. It is no secret that I have a passion for this city and our citizens, and I have a vision of unifying our entire community. "Grilling on the River" certainly gave us a taste of that.

There were so many comments from the teams, both visiting and local, sponsors, vendors, festival-goers…well, pretty much everybody who spent any time out at the festival about what a great atmosphere it was and how much fun they were having. Actually, the entire City is to be recognized for being so welcoming! Harvey Myrick, his committee and staff are to be highly commended for bringing this great event to Columbus.

This year a record breaking number of fifty-nine (59) teams from all over the State of Mississippi and the nation participated! Some of the teams have been with us since we originally started and some joined for the first time this year. It was a pleasure to be able to say both "Hello!" and "Welcome!" Our "Friendly City" really shone this weekend… and the food was excellent!

I am truly looking forward to an even better event in 2010 and to seeing you all again next year! Thank you again for making Columbus "shine!"

Sincerely,
Robert E. Smith, Mayor
The City of Columbus

P. S. We always welcome any comments, suggestions, feedback, ideas and thoughts on this event. Tell us what you thought about the festival, the venue, and or what you would like to see Columbus bring to our beautiful "River Front." We would like to know. You may contact me at the following:

Mayor Robert E. Smith, Sr.
City of Columbus
523 Main Street
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 328-7021, or
rsmith@columbusms.org

Editor:

I don't think many of us were really surprised that our K-Street lobbyist-turn-Governor, Haley Barbour, carried out his threat to veto the House/Senate private property protection eminent domain bill. After all, Barbour spent his formative years under the tutelage of his Scalawag Federal District Judge uncle William Barbour, after his own father had died. And a career of schmoozing with the likes of Tommy Boggs and the K-Street corporate pimps certainly doesn't endear him to the interests of the "common" people. I'd like to be a fly on the wall in that Boggs/Barbour Caucus Room DC Restaurant and peer into Barbour's blind trust.

However, I was surprised that the Senators who had orginally voted for the private property protection bill would then turn on the people and uphold Barbour's veto on his claim that it was "unconstitutional!". I suggest that Jeffrey Smith and Barbour's shills get a suit of that asbestos underwear, because the people are going to build a fire under their collective @$$.

As for Barbour's "unconstitutional" claims, who better that Chief Justice John Roberts to comment on the Kelo decision handed down by SCOTUS. Roberts makes it clear that the ultimate decision on the private rights of property owners lies with the state legislatures through legislation and ballot initiatives. The ball is in the "People's House," not in the courts: especially Mississippi's Corrupt Court System!

Over 39 states are engaged in or have adopted eminent domain protections since the Kelo decision. I like Michigan's simple ballot proposition which was adopted by the people:

"Stipulates that if a person's principal residence is taken for public use, the amount of just compensation shall not be less than 125 percent of the propertry's fair market value. Public use does not include transferring private property to another private entity for economic development in order to generate tax revenue.”

I suggest that Jeffrey Smith key in "eminent domain" at YouTube to gauge the public ire over the efforts to take private property to be used by private economic developers and realtors.

Tommy Gentry
Crawford

Editor:

I saw Larry Caldwell's picture in your #820 Issue (page 2 of print copy). I was surprised but not really surprised to see his picture.

I thought you might want to know a little about how special Larry is. He is a ex-service man who works at the Columbus AFB. When not at work he helps his mother-in-law (Judge Phillips) and is active in community activities/services in Crawford, Mississippi. He has personally helped me to restore a very old family cemetery. Larry put forth super-human effort to clear brush, raise and straighten sunken tombstones in the oppressive heat and humidity of summer because he thought it was the right thing to do. You can't find people like him anymore.

I am attaching a picture of Larry Caldwell.

I live in Dallas area but spend time in Starkville/Columbus area. I wrote you about your "Men Survive Avalanche" article. I thought it was a work of art. I am a writer so I know what to appreciate.

If I see any interesting events that you might be interested in the Starkville/Columbus area, I will let you know and make pictures.

Regards,
Lacey Mims
Richardson, Texas
I don’t have room to run the attached photo, which shows Larry Caldwell next to a very old tombstone. The “Men Survive Avalanche” article was about an Avalanche SUV that flipped in a yard off Hughes Road several years ago. Ed.

Editor:

Once again Harvey Myrick and his crew of hardworkers have given Columbus another "star." The event was well planned, certainly well attended, and enjoyed by all ages! Speaking for my group, The Columbus-Lowndes Humane Society, we had a wonderful time and appreciate being the recipient of the donations given at the gate. We were fortunate enough to have four puppies, two adult dogs and one kitten adopted on Saturday (still have many, many at the shelter in case you would like to adopt one!)

Chuck Cook, Kenneth Montgomery, and Barbara VanLandingham were so helpful to us and to everyone that came through the gates. The food was delicious, the weather was perfect, band sounded great and being one of the receivers of the drawing money from the bike show which the Gold Wing Road Riders Association had was icing on our cake!

Each animal that is adopted, every dollar that is given goes to further our cause for the shelter. Thank you, Harvey, and your team for your support of The Columbus-Lowndes Humane Society.

Sincerely,
The Board of Directors:
Juliaette Sharp, Norlene Wolford, Teresa Palmer-Miley, Brenda Comer and Sam S. Chesnut.

Neo-Economics, by Saul Vydas

There was once an economist who said,
"Let's spend money to rescue even the dead."
About jobs moving away
He had much less to say
Since the outsourcers buttered his bread.

Editor:

On behalf of the "Grilling on the River '09" committee, staff and volunteers …

Many heartfelt thanks to all of Columbus, Lowndes County and the Golden Triangle. This year's "Grilling on the River '09" was a tremendous success thanks to all of you who participated in this weekend's event.

We had a record number of teams from throughout our great state and the nation, who kept expressing their gratitude on the warm and welcoming reception they each received from our "Friendly City." Not only did our community embrace and receive our local and traveling friends, everyone who attended this weekend also was a benefactor to one of our most heartfelt charities by donating to the "Columbus-Lowndes County Humane Society."

We thank you for joining us along the "Riverwalk" this year and enjoyed as much as you did, being back along one of Columbus' emerging jewels. We have a chance to develop this area, with the blessing of Rubens Fish & Steak House, into another "quality of life" venue that makes living here another reason to celebrate our home.

This year we had a record-breaking number of teams, fifty nine (59) to be exact, from all over the South and the Nation! Thank you to all of our sponsors whom helped to make this venue a "free" event so that so many of our residents, and visitor's, could attend. With these economic times, we are thrilled to be able to bring a family oriented, fun-filled, no admission cost, event for our community to enjoy.

We are looking forward to an even better event in 2010, and hope we can count on your support as we hope to grow and expand, and showcase what our community is all about!

Great weather, great food, great friends…it doesn't get any sweeter than this! Thank you, Columbus!

Warmest regards,
Harvey Myrick, Organizer
Grilling on the River '09
Editor’s note: I’m guessing that this letter refers to a letter or e-mail that appeared in the Commercial Dispatch. Charles White’s name was in the news last week because the person convicted of manslaughter in his death, Vickie McKay, was involved in a two-vehicle accident on Hwy 45 North last week. Ms. McKay turned in front of Ivy Loy Knight and Mr. Knight’s van rammed her car. Ms. McKay served time in prison for manslaughter in connection with the stabbing death of Mr. White and was on probation at the time of the accident. She was charged with DUI in connection with the accident but a courthouse official said that she was already faced with probation revocation prior to the accident.
Editor:

Pertaining to the letter from Ashley White, you are so right about the judicial system. If it was fair, Charles White would have been in prison for murdering the young man when he was 17 or for beating his wife, cutting his cousin, DUI’s, resisting arrest and a long line of other things which is on record in Louisville.

Charles broke my other daughters jaw, her ankle, knocked her tooth out and many black eyes. My daughter should have never spent an hour in jail for defending her sister and family.

All these letters to Commissioner Epps should have told him the whole truth. Vickie has not been in trouble since she came home. She worked and took care of her children. Yes, she drank 2 beers the day of the accident and went back to work for 3 hours and left to go home. This should not have affected her, but I guess it did since she is not used to drinking.

Just wondered if everyone in Louisville remembers when my brother (Ronnie Reed) died from an overdose while Charles White’s sister lived with him, and do that remember that Ronnie drank beer and nothing else?

Jim Kitchens, do you remember telling Ms. White that Vickie would pay for stabbing Charles for the rest of her life? Did you for one minute think that she was defending herself and family? Did you read the arrest reports from Louisville on Charles White? She did win her appeal in Supreme Court because the judges did see that she had a right to defend herself and family in her own home. Vickie took a plea because she didn’t want her children to go through any more publicity.

My family has said nothing even though we know that none of the things that happened to Vickie was right because we know that no matter how bad Charles White was, his family still loved him. Vickie paid for what happened and is still paying because she can’t get the kind of job she is qualified for.

Mary Conn

Editor:

Our District One Congressman is still waiting for my call to thank him for voting "yes" on President Obama's payback spending spree. Well, it ain't never gonna happen and I bet everyone who can "add to and take away" feels the same way. ’Cause after comparing the Obama stimulus to the Bush stimulus, this is what you get: under Bush we poor folk received 1,200 big ones, which is the same as the filthy rich received. Under Obama the filthy rich received millions and billions; we have received nothing . Should we be calling to say thanks? No way. I just can't wait for the big fat tax increase so they can start sending more money to China, how about you?

I will never call to thank him for the multi-billion given to AIG either, or the 62 billion to several countries in Europe ,including France. They don't want to try to explain that one. Is this pure Insanity!? The U.S. got only 44 billion from the same pot.

Now all we hear are liberal mind games and fancy double talk from the President and other liberals like Barney Frank about the few million used to pay bonuses to AIG folks. This is one of the old liberal tricks to redirect your focus away from the elephant in the corn field, the 62 billion they gave to Europe! That's where our outrage should be focused , but with help from media friends, most people are fussing about the ants instead of the heard of elephants. You probably want to ask just who is responsible for the whole bloody mess. Well , It's the democrat led congress who gets the bills to Obama's desk where he seems to enjoy signing his name to anything. He's the one who promised to "veto-veto-veto" but instead he says, who me? I made no such promise to veto and signs with no remorse what so ever. Yes, the President is ultimately responsible but he seems to be trying to pass the buck instead of saying, "the buck stops here"!!. I'm sure all of you share with me in this very big disappointment.

Raymond Gross
Columbus
Editor’s note: This letter came after I had started putting the last Packet together.
Editor:

Willie King, 1943-2009

All of us at the Alabama Blues Project appreciate the condolences and support we have received during this sad time. Willie is surely missed, as he touched the lives of so many through his music and message of peace, love and social justice.

His funeral is scheduled for Sunday, March 15th at 2pm and will be held at the City Hall in Aliceville, Alabama. A wake will be held the day before on Saturday, March 14, from 1 - 3 pm at Willie King's home in Old Memphis.

The Willie King Memorial Fund has been created for those who wish to help with funeral expenses and to create a historic marker celebrating Willie King's life and works. In celebration of his life and many good works please send any donations to:

"The Willie King Memorial Fund"
c/o West Alabama Bank
Attention Tammy
PO Box 406
Aliceville AL 35442

Editor:

The Mississippi Peanut Promotion Board would like to address the recent peanut salmonella outbreak. Due to a bad processing decision by a Georgia processor, the United States peanut industry has been severely impacted. There has been no evidence that the peanuts themselves were the carriers of the salmonella. Mississippi is one of the fastest growing peanut-producing states, with nearly 30,000 acres in production. In the span of a few years, peanut fields once found only in the Southern part of the state can now be seen in all regions of the state. Mississippi peanuts are still a safe and viable source of nutrition and protein. Even with glitches in our food supply, Mississippians and Americans should be thankful for American farmers providing the most reliable and safest food source in the world. We would like to urge people to continue using peanut butter and peanut products. By doing this, you will also be supporting local farmers who help maintain stable local economies.

Josh Miller
Vice Chairman
MS Peanut Promotion Board

Editor:

An August Awakening

Although nothing can change the way in which our situation was handled, I am writing to share my encounter with the Lowndes County 911 emergency personnel, and Columbus' Baptist hospital.

It was Sunday morning, August 24th... My husband Phillip's 46th birthday. He awoke and went to rise from bed and collapsed. I could see and knew something was terribly wrong.

I immediately ran for a phone to call for help. I can recall I dialed 911, trying to remain composed enough to communicate my need for an ambulance, and calm enough that I could follow what I would be told to do to assist him until the paramedic's could arrive. It was then, and remains still, quite surreal to me.

The 911 operator answered with what is your emergency? I need an ambulance I replied, gave my address, told the operator my husband had collapsed, or words to that effect, and to please hurry.

OK Ma'am, help is on the way. I don't know what I said, or if I even replied at all. The operator next said, "OK Ma'am, Is your husband still breathing?"

"Yes," I replied, "he is breathing."

The 911 operator then says... "OK Ma'am, If your husband stops breathing, you call us back, OK?"

I think maybe I choked out OK... I cannot convey how deeply scared I was at that moment, terror just overtook my being. That was the end of our conversation. I was on my own.

Here my husband lay, by this time showing what I now know are classic signs of a stroke, and not one question of what symptoms he was exhibiting, any personal medical history, or why he may have collapsed. Nothing.

It was textbook stroke.

I was so lost, I didn't know what to do. I just cradled my husband in my arms, cried, and willed him to hold on, that the ambulance was on the way.

After a second call to 911 some time later to see why the ambulance had yet to arrive, I was told the ambulance was en route, that it was bad weather conditions... With that, this exchange was also over.

I am unsure of the exact times of these calls, I was informed I would need my attorney to subpoena the records before that information would be released to me. I am sure however, that it was an extended time period to arrive at our address, even in the light rain that was falling that fateful morning.

Phillip was unable to speak. The right side of his body was stiffening with paralysis. His eyes unable to focus. My words unintelligible to him.

Several more minutes passed when finally, two EMT paramedics reached my husband. One paramedic leaned over and peeped down at my husband, saying "What's wrong man?" "Are you alright?" Phillip remained silent. They pulled him across our bedroom floor to the gurney. They proceeded to remove him from our home and loaded him into the ambulance. They were inside the ambulance with my husband, and after five or so minutes, pulled from our driveway. I followed behind in my car. I trusted the paramedics had told the Doctor he had suffered a stroke, even I knew it was a stroke by this point, and we would move quickly from here... 46 years of age is a relatively young man by most anyone's calculation to be felled by a stroke. Driving behind the ambulance, praying, begging and nearing a state of shock, I found myself struggling to believe this was actually happening. As we made our way to Baptist hospital at non emergency speed, without so much as the ambulance lights flashing... I couldn't understand why we were not moving faster.

I knew vaguely of the short time frame there is to act within after a stroke, to administer the treatment that is used for the best outcome. I later learned this is a three hour window, but every minute even thereafter is still so very important to the stroke survivors ability to recover.

Sadly, because my husband had been asleep all night, it could not be pinpointed as to the time the stroke had actually occurred. After an aspirin and I think an x-ray, the Doctor at Baptist informed me that there was nothing that could be done for Phillip, because he had awakened this way. I asked could we at least get an MRI to see if that would tell us something? Anything? Yes, we will run an MRI, but it would not be done until Monday, the Doctor that performs the MRI is on call, and "Doesn't like to come in on Sunday."

We knew we had to get transferred from here as soon as possible. We began arrangements to have him moved to UAB. Meanwhile, we were advised that a transfer was not recommended, it was dangerous, and just as nothing could be done here, there was nothing Doctors in Birmingham could do to help him either. Shortly before our departure for UAB, (again by ambulance, not moving as slow as the first, but still treated as non-emergency) I was informed that yes_ the MRI Doctor had agreed to come in for the MRI.

Needless to say, we did not wait around for his or her services.

Immediately upon arrival at UAB, a team of Doctors awaiting him, began treating him. Mere minutes had passed before tests were run, and the results read. Phillip had a bleeding, two centimeter clot lodged in his brain above his left eyebrow. Immediately drugs were started to slowly dissipate the blood clot that had been thrown from his heart. He remained flat of his back for the better part of the next seventy-two hours, while thankfully, it did dissolve slowly, without complications.

So no, we were not candidates for the treatment that will bust the clot in the three hour window. Time however, was still very precious, each and every minute of it. Each minute passing before a stroke patient receives medical treatment is crucial. Every moment that oxygen is blocked from the brain, is another moment for the debilitating effects of a stroke to wage it's war on the victims body.

Had I listened to the doctor at Baptist, that no treatment and no doctor could help him, my husband would have remained there with this bleeding clot, left to it's own, restricting oxygen, continuing the damage it had inflicted the entire morning hours we were there.

Phillip is a remarkable man, and as the months pass, is making a remarkable recovery. He works diligently daily to rehabilitate, and has an iron will to achieve a full recovery... However long that may take.

All the while, never complaining, always keeping a positive outlook and an upbeat attitude.

His courage, strength and determination have myself and many others in absolute awe of him.

I would like to thank the many friends and loved ones who have been here for us with prayers, offered support and encouragement, and shown such kindness to our family during our trying time.

Angela P. Burns
Columbus

Editor:

I’m responding to the recent murder case of a man from Alabama tried and convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 20 years.

This man came to the Slabhouse with killing on his mind. Why else would be bring a gun to a fine establishment such as the Slabhouse? The man murdered had the bad luck of standing by Newell’s faithful wife’s truck. I feel that the D.A.’s office and the public defender’s office should open up an office at the Slabhouse. They are so cozy with the scum from Alabama and the Slabhouse is where they party.

I confronted my sister’s ex-boyfriend (from Alabama) and the supposed father of my youngest niece after he had kicked the front door of my home in and roughed up my sister. This happed in the same parking lot at the Slabhouse. We got in a little scuffle, it was broken up and we were told to go home. I did - he didn’t. He was told not to go on my property and to leave me alone. He didn’t. He’s dead and I’m living - at Parchman Penitentiary on a life sentence, for murdering/killing a person on my property - at my front door.

My constitutional rights were violated so much, that when mentioned around judges and lawyers, they nearly laugh at my naivety.

The U.S. Constitution says I have the right to do whatever I have to to protect myself, my property and my family. Not so in Lowndes County Circuit Court. The State of Mississippi and U.S. Constitution say this, but the public defenders do not like this amendment because they don’t get paid as much if they don’t help send a person to prison. My lawyer did not, and still does not have the experience to take anybody in front of a judge and jury. If I had known this, he would have been fired. He refused to tell me his experience as a trial lawyer and he refused to subpoena all of my witnesses. He also said he would bow out if my case was over his head. He lied. He also helped keep me in jail for 32 months before I went to trial. Violation of my MS & US Constitutional rights, 270 days to a fast and speedy trial. Newell stayed in jail 10 months and got his trial. Lowndes County Circuit Court sends 60-90 people every 3-4 months to prison. That whole place, Lowndes Circuit Court, should be investigated. My lawyer should be disbarred, also.

I’m sorry my niece’s father is dead, but I’m not sorry I’m alive. I could be dead, and this known violent criminal, who just spent 10 years here at Parchman for armed robbery, would be here, I hope.

I would like for the citizens of Lowndes County to know what kind of treatment they can expect. It’s not going to be worth a damn if you are financially broke/poor. I feel I would not be here if I had a paid and an experienced lawyer. That’s life though, in these troubling time and in Lowndes Circuit Court.

If anyone wants to write me, I can be reached at

Michael Ray #136799
32E
Parchman, MS 38739
Mr. Ray pleaded not guilty and went to trial in February 2008. He was found guilty of murder and Judge Lee Howard sentenced him to life in prison. Ed.

Editor:

Sportsplex site: I think that the Burns Bottom is a good location for the sportsplex site. This property is very visible as you come into Columbus, which is presently uninviting as you enter our beautiful city. A great deal of this property has been for sale for years due to the fact that the city Building Department cannot approve building permits in a flood zone, which is based on FEMA’s 100-year flood plain. This property would flood yearly prior to the waterway project in the early 1970s. Although a small part of this property does flood, there is still a lot of land high enough to build on. This location is easily accessible with ten roads, it is one of the least expensive and the City of Columbus already owns a lot of this land. Also, there are three parking lots within walking distance.

This is an excellent opportunity to clean up this area and would be something the city and county can be proud of.

The Army Corps of Engineers property [on the Waterway, at the end of the Riverwalk] appears to be a good location but is not accessible. That is why the land is the least expensive.

Charlie Perkins
Editor’s note: Mr. Perkins owns an antebellum house at 3rd Ave. North & 4th St., on the hill overlooking Burns Bottom. He has restored the house himself. The only other house on the two-block tract between 4th and 5th Streets and 3rd and 5th Avenues is the Rosamond antebellum home.

I agree with Mr. Perkins that Burns Bottom is a great place to put the sportsplex (or at least a soccer complex). Commercial Dispatch publisher Birney Imes has warned that putting the fields there will somehow hurt Downtown Columbus, and Ward 2 Councilor Susan MacKay has reportedly expressed a fear that it would attract gangs. Mr. Perkins, whose house overlooks Burns Bottom, does not share those fears.

Burns Bottom already has utilities and access would be a snap. And playing fields in Burns Bottom would actually be more visible to traffic passing on Hwy 82 than fields on the Corps land, because the view wouldn’t be blocked by the bridge rails.

Editor:

After my recent letter in the paper(s), it seems that Mr. Brooks was unable to find my name in the local tax rolls, so he contacted Mr. Imes wondering if I was a "ghost writer". Mr. Imes, in turn contacted me to confirm that I was a real person. I, in turn, attempted to call Mr. Brooks to introduce myself. After being disconnected three (3) times (must be bad phone service in the Courthouse), Mr. Brooks called me back at my work number, and we had a fairly short phone conversation. He invited me to his office ("If you were a man, you'd come talk to me face-to-face" (maybe not verbatim, but the point was the same). When I walked into the office of Ms. Roweena Sykes (sorry if my spelling is incorrect), she contatced Mr. Brooks and he arrived within minutes. (If you've never met her, Ms. Sykes is an extremely nice, friendly, cordial, and professional person that has worked there for over 30 years.) Mr. Brooks and I talked for about 40 minutes or so. It seems his major heartburn with my letter was (1) my skewed perception of what I read in the papers (maybe the media is biased toward him) or what I see during the televised Supervisors meetings (that's no actor playing his part), (2) he feels that I am disparaging his constitutency (they vote for him and keep him in office), and (3) I'm picking on him (I've also written letters regarding the unprofessional antics of Greg Andrews, Mike Smith, Kamal Karriem and Jim Terry, among others).

Mr. Brooks is extremely intelligent, can be very personable and charming (unless you get under his skin), and he is definitely one of the more passionate leaders of our community. The point of my last letter (and previous ones) to the Editor, is that our community (and our community leaders) can be much greater than it is. A recent commentary about the "unfriendliness" of some of the folks in our community goes hand-in-hand with my letters to the editors over the years. Mr. Brooks has the inner strength, passion, drive, and perserverance to be an even greater leader of our community; if only he could control his temper and his showmanship and stop using race in his rantings when Mr.Sanders upsets him. Mr. Brooks is not an idiot, nor a clown. He just needs to stop acting like one during those stressful times.

If I (who the heck am I to offer advice??) could offer Mr. Brooks any advice, it would be: (1) please rise above the petty stuff (you're a better person than that), (2) don't use race as a weapon within our community (there is enough of that already - from both sides), (3) the more leadership that you demonstrate, the more people (including me) will respect you as a leader of our community, and (4) control your unprofessional antics. You can rise above it! I learned a long time ago, that "I" am the only one that can make "me" look bad; others can only point it out. I wish only the best for you, our community, and this great country of ours.

Rick Love

Editor:

This week in circuit court only shows just how are justice system works. A man can murder a man in cold blood and recive 20 years in prison, another can defraud millions of dollars from Medicaid and receive 20 years in prison.

Four years ago a man was sentenced to 22 years in prison for sale of cocaine which someone else sold and also did time for that he did not. But the man that murdered a man and the one who took so much from a insurance that helps so many like my kids will be out and walking the streets before my boyfriend Waylon Sanders will be out because of the way the laws are written in this state. It makes no sense at all and something should be done about it. I just read online were MDOC was making cuts because of cost well maybe they should look at rewriting some of these stupid laws they have in place and they would not have so many inmates that don't deserve to be doing the time they are doing!

Tiffany Perrigin

Editor:

I read the headlines on page 3 of the March 3 Commercial Dispatch. How many times over the years has this "gentleman" acted like a fool, then apologized later? Whether he acts like this in public or in a Lowndes County Supervisors board meeting, it's ALWAYS the same. He usually ends up saying something along the lines of, "I ain't no child and you ain't gonna treat me like one."

You, the people of District 5 of Lowndes County have kept this clown in office all these years. He might be a nice enough person and has probably done a lot for his district and his constituents. At times, he can even be charming, but ..… You should be ashamed of him and yourselves for continuing to elect such an idiot. He is a DIRECT reflection of the voters that keep him in office. The bad thing is; he not only represents you, but he also is one of the public faces of Lowndes County. What would you think if you were traveling through a town and happened to watch one of the County Supervisors meetings and saw the shenanigans of someone like Mr. Brooks? You would probably laugh out loud at such idiocy and surely tell your friends about your visit to that town and what you witnessed on live TV. Don't you/we want our elected officials (who work for and represent us) to be the best that we can offer? We want our elected officials to make us, our city, our county, our community to look good to those who might buy here, move here, or provide jobs here. Why do you/we keep electing this idiot? Let's make this his last term in public office "on our dime"!

Rick Love

Editor:

I was never so glad to see a political campaign season end as the one that supposingly finished in November '08 and I bet everybody in the whole country would say the same. I was very pleased to see an end to all the SPAM flooding my mail every day—weren't you? Well , it's starting up again already! We have been receiving all these flyers from Congressman Childers where he is boasting about saving the lives of 11 million children with his "affordable" health care. He says it's OK to go ahead and get sick now, and 22 million parents won't have to lose sleep worrying about their children not having "affordable" health care anymore. In addition to the mail delivered to our home , there are ads on TV saying the same thing and asking the 33 million people to call Congressman Childers for the purpose of giving thanks. Is anybody else getting tired of this? Do you wonder too who is paying the bill for the whole 9 yards? Me too.

What I'd really like to hear from Mr. Childers are the answers to several questions I have asked him through e-mail and through his office in Columbus.

I've asked him why he didn't speak at the March for Life in D.C. on the 22nd of Jan and why he wasn't even there. I asked him why he hasn't co-sponsored HR25, the Fair Tax Bill, which will deliver us from the federal income tax burdens and abolish the IRS. I asked him why he hasn't fought for our Hwy 45 bypass around Columbus to be included in the 9000 earmarks in our government's latest spending spree. I asked him why our state is supposed to receive only one-quarter of $1 billion for education when there are $80 billion in the pot for that purpose. Lastly, I asked why he voted for the incredible bill at warp speed before knowing what was actually in it. Now I'm sure everyone would like to know his answers to these questions but I probably won't be getting them any time soon. What do you think?

Raymond Gross
Columbus

Editor:

I am responding to the comments of Jasper Pittman in your 2-19-09 issue.

I couldn't resist responding when I hear this tired argument that "Anglo-European Americans" are not taught about "black Americans." If you live in West Point, Mississippi, trust me, you know lots of black Americans. It sounds like Mr. Pittman doesn't know white Mississippians. We understand the culture— we live next door, work together, attend school together, and in some cases worship together (unfortunately, not often enough). I agreed with his argument that the majority of West Point inner city doesn't want or need another tennis court, but he had to pull the race card. How unfortunate.

When I hear broad generalizations about my race it upsets me and other whites just as much as if white leaders only wanted to build basketball courts, with the assumption that that's all black youth play. I hope all works out for the best for all the youth of West Point but just don't make everything a black-white issue... or it becomes one.

Townes Clark
Columbus

Editor:

While reading the article in the Feb 19, 2009 Columbus Packet (concerning Mr. Greg Andrews, Lowndes Couty Tax Assessor/Collector), I was wondering if this is the same Greg Andrews that was in the news a while back (year or so ago) that was buying property via tax sales using a proxy buyer? (I have to wonder how many other properties he bought over the years using this method?) The article goes on to say that he "reportedly called his employees into his office yesterday three at a time and told them that if his wife lost her job some of them would lose their jobs too".

How/why does this guy still have a government job? Being the Tax Collector for as many years as he has, he is either "not too bright" (I don't think so), feels that he is "above the law" (more than likely), or doesn't know what the meaning of "ethics" is (also more than likely). No matter which of these answers is correct, I still have to ask "How does this guy still hold this job?". I don't know Mr. Andrews personally, or have any malice or judgment against him; I just have to go by what I read in the local media.

Rick Love

Editor:

I for one as an employed taxpaying citizen have had just about enough of the rude and unpleasant attitudes of those in public service and state held jobs.This applies to employees of the courts as well as the school systems,along with places of buisness.These people are all public servants but nine times out of ten when you enter into any one of these places, reguardless of the reason you are there, you are met with an immediate attitude that is seldom pleasant.

I have gone to my daughter and grandchildrens school offices and stood never being greeted much less acknowleged. After you do get their attention you are met with an attitude depending on their mood for the day, which to me is unacceptable. What has happened to common courtesy, to meet each person with a smile.If you are unhappy and worn down by job tension, QUIT. All you hear from the school employees is how hard their jobs are, how dealing with difficult children and parents can be. But you chose this profession, we didnt choose it for you. I have heard complaints about children and parents but believe me there are far more rude and difficult employees in the school system. They assume because they deal mostly with children they can display rude behavior to their students and still expect to be treated with respect themselves. I was always taught that to get respect you have to give respect at any age. This applies to the principals, teachers, cafeteria workers on down to the janitors. My daughter was very lucky to have had some of the greatest teachers during her school years and I certainly sing their praises. It is a sad fact that I have to say she was lucky because they should all be great teachers that don't just want the student who is easy but also the ones who are a challenge to teach.

I consider myself to be a pleasant person with an open mind to most situations and I can certainly understand having a bad day. I dont know about anyone else but I am sure as the public I feel we deserve to be treated with respect and common courtesy regardless of our economic or racial backgrounds, or for that matter the reason you are are there for. I myself have never had to be involved in the court system but have had relatives involved in the youth court system for compulsory school attendance. Which, by the way, I certainly agree with. My complaint is with how people are treated by those who are in positions of authority. No job title should give you the right to treat people the way I wittnessed firsthand in such a callous, disrespectful manner. Adult as well as a child. Especially when they are visibly upset and still remaining respectful in their reponses to persons in authority, to be met with such utter disreguard and rude demeanor just because they can.

It's no wonder our juvenile court system is a joke. They are public servants and as such should treat all persons with respect no matter the circumstances they find themselves there. I'm sure my family members are not alone in the way these public officals have treated them, it seems to me there should be some guidelines in place to monitor the behavior of these people towards the common people. By common people I mean those who don't have the resources to hire attorneys and must depend on the poor excuse of a public defender whose only goal is to get in and out of the case as fast as possible with no reguard to his underage defendants' facts in the case or their situation . So in closing I challenge each member of the public to stand up for the right to be treated with respect and common courtesy.When you are met by a cashier, salesperson,or public servant with an unpleasant attitude. Instead of taking it silently and walking away mad, speak up and demand to be treated as you should be, respectfully with courtesy. After all their jobs depend on us .

Joanne Williams

This letter was submitted two weeks ago and I held it back for lack of space. Ed.
Mr. Larson:

After reading the article in Sunday's paper about the MUW name change and seeing a familiar name twice in the list, I was reminded of the Double mint gum commercial—"Double your pleasure—double your fun."

Why not name the school after Eudora Welty and Tennessee Williams. It could be Welty-Williams or Williams-Welty University (think Randolph-Macon, William and Mary, etc) for the two literary giants associated with Columbus and the "W".

Williams was born in Columbus on March 26, 1911 and it was his early childhood home. He often came back to Columbus in later years with his grandfather—The Rev. Walter Dakin to visit old friends and parishioners'. There are many photos of him and his grandfather that I have seen around town with the late Douglas Bateman (reporter for the Dispatch) and Davis Patty of the Episcopal Church. One of the most famous lines uttered in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" by Big Daddy was conversation Williams overheard at a party at Malvern Plantation. Columbus and other places in the whole state of Mississippi are prominent in his early plays (Meridian, Granada, Moon Lake, Blue Mountain, etc). He brings attention to our city every year with the festival devoted to his life and work ( the Eudora Welty Week-end honors Ms. Welty on the "W" campus each fall, also)—scholars speak on the "W" campus about his life and work and other events to honor Williams are produced on the campus during the festival. The New York Times did a story on the 4 places in America that honors Williams with a festival-Columbus was the first place written about in that story. Not a day goes by that one of his plays is not produced somewhere in the WORLD. Thomas Lanier Williams is viewed by most as America's greatest playwright.

Our public library displays a wealth of his plays and movie memorabilia each year during the festival from the Billups Garth Archives and his short plays have been and are being produced on the upstairs library stage as well as movies adapted from his plays. A production of the autobiographical "The Glass Menagerie" is in rehearsal right now by the MUW drama department for performance on the "W" campus--- February 2009 and the students will perform excerpts from this play on the Columbus Arts Council Omnova Theatre stage as part of this year's festival week-end.

He (Mr. Williams) and she (Ms. Welty) also represent the male and female identity that the new name would personify. In closing, since William's boyhood home is now re-located to 300 Main Street and is our Welcome Center and greets visitors from all over the world 7 days a week and its preservation by the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau gained Columbus the designation of a Preserve America City by the National Historic Trust and the home has been designated one of 12 Distinctive Destinations in America by the Trust and a National Literary Landmark by the National Library Association---some consideration might be given to recognizing further –the literary contributions and world-wide recognition brought to our city by Mr. Williams ( two time Pulitzer Prize winner) as well as Ms. Welty (also a Pulitzer Prize recipient). Just a few thoughts on a cold winter's morning that might provide some "food for thought "by

Brenda D. Caradine
Chair, 8th Annual Tennessee Williams Tribute and Tour of Victorian Homes
September 2009
I have never printed an unsigned letter before but am making an exception in this case. Ed.
Editor:

I am writing in response to the letter in last weeks' edition from Debra Coleman.

Debra-First of all, don't waste your time being concerned over anything written in The Columbus Packet. I am not a supporter of this gossip column nor will I ever be. However I did hear about the letter you wrote and felt the need to speak up. I am the mother of three small children, two of which were born premature and we almost lost several times. I feared for their lives every day for the first six months, I will never forget the pain and the stress during that time and I lost recently lost my brother and I hurt daily and know that I always will, but I can't even begin to imagine the pain and emptiness you must feel after losing your son at the tender age of 23 in the blink of an eye.

I offer my sincerest apologies for your loss and I would also like to apologize for the ignorance of those who hurt you with the disrespectful article written about your precious son. I have many hopes and dreams for my children's futures, just as every mother does. Along with those hopes and dreams every mother has twice as many fears concerning the choices they will make when they have no guidance. Will they follow their up-bringing and take the right path? Or will they fall into the influences of others and take the long, painful, hard path? No mother knows those answers and even if there were some magic ball that would tell us, we wouldn't be able to change fate.

Though your son made some bad choices and there are obviously people who will point their hypocritical fingers and gossip, as if his life being taken was unimportant just because he made mistakes, you hold your head high and ignore their stupidity. You, your family, and your friends know what kind of person he was and that is all that matters. After all, it is through those who loved him that his memories will live on. We have all made mistakes and those people who point fingers and run their mouths are the ones with the biggest skeletons in their closets. They will answer for their mistakes in the end. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Please pray for me also as I try to raise my three children to have high moral standing, to be respectful and considerate of others in a world full of people like Roger Larsen, who through their actions, influence the world to think it is okay to throw morals out the window and disrespect anyone just to make a living. It will be challenging to teach them how to make good choices when some adults, who know better, act as if they had no up-bringing at all.

Mr. Larsen-Mrs. Debra Coleman wrote you a very sincere and respectful letter explaining why your article about her son was hurtful to her and her family. Apparently you don't understand kindness and sincerity, which is no surprise to me. To put it bluntly, I think it takes a pathetic, low-life individual to write a tasteless and hateful article about a 23-year-old young man who lost his life due to a mistake he made. It's not like what you wrote could shame him and make him want to do better, he is gone, no longer here to right his wrongs. Besides it's not like he committed a heinous crime, if he had killed another person or even injured another person with his actions then I could understand you feeling a little resentful toward him, but he didn't. The only people you hurt were the ones that loved him. Did they deserve that? Wasn't losing their loved one enough? Furthermore, you are somewhat a public figure, there for you are automatically a role-model. How can parents expect their children to make good choices and refrain from gossip and judging others as they grow older and become negatively influenced from the "NEWS" in your papers?

You, Mr. Larsen, and those who work for you should be ashamed of the way ya'll make a living. Think about the mistakes you made as a young person, whether you were caught or not, and imagine how your own mother would feel if someone did to you the way you do others. You have all built yourselves beautiful glass houses but those stones you are casting will surely haunt you in the end. To those who support the Packet by selling it in your stores and those who waste their 50 cents to read the weekly gossip should be ashamed too. Honestly what do you buy it for? To see who was arrested? To read the nonsense articles? If no one can find anything better to do than read the talk of town and make judgment on people, then it's time to judge yourselves and take a hard look in your closet of skeletons.

Lastly, to those who read the packet for the occasional article that isn't degrading another person and regards important events in the community, it's a shame that a man who could make good choices and touch lives with his articles chooses to take the wrong path and write articles, that make people and the families of those people, who have made mistakes, pay for them over and over, day after day. Where are the people in this world that want to help better others who have made mistakes and want to lend support to the families of those people???

Sincerely,
DISGUSTED by The Columbus Packet

P.S. The young man's name was Charles Ford not Chris Ford. How often do ya'll mess up the names of those you point your fingers at??

Editor:

On Jan. 22nd of every year since 1974, a group of pro life advocates gather at the mall in Wash. D.C. The meeting is called "March for Life". The reason it's held on the 22nd of Jan. is to memorialize the anniversary of Roe v Wade. This year there was more than 100 thousand people there, young and old. Even President Obama received a formal invitation to speak but naturally didn't make it since he is pro abortion and is already encouraging more abortions in our Country and abroad with funds from our U.S. Treasury.

The entire march for life was televised worldwide on the EWTN channel. It was very exciting and encouraging to see so many youth there marching for life. I enjoyed the short speeches given by special guests and Pro Life Congressmen. Mr. Harper (R) from MS was there and represented his district very well. I was disappointed though because our Congressman, Travis Childers, was a "no show". He proclaims to be pro life but his failure to support this event in person makes me think he is probably pro life in word only. Actions speak louder than words, right. Sincere or not sincere it was poor judgment on his part to by pass a great opportunity to show he is a uniter and show a picture of bipartisanship.

I thought a congressman from Calif. made the most profound statement of all. He compared our President to Saint Paul, who was a persecutor of God's people before his conversion when his name was Saul. The congressman asked for everyone to pray for President Obama's conversion, that he would be like a "Saint Paul". To change from a pro abortion President to one who is pro life and will boldly defend human life from conception to natural death. He went on to say that this conversion would make him one of our greatest Presidents, otherwise he would be one of our worst, to be remembered mainly as the "Abortion President".

As Christians , I'm sure you agree there is no greater evil than abortion in our world today. So let's pray without ceasing and join our Catholic brothers and sisters in the Pro Life March. Raymond Gross
Columbus
Editor's note: In this letter, Tommy Gentry of Crawford refers to an article in the Commercial Dispatch last week on the 50th anniversary of the fire that destroyed the dormitory at MSU known as "Old Main." I hope that someone will send a photo of Henry Williamson.
Roger:

Regarding the CD story on the one-half century anniversary of the burning of Old Main, an important element was left out.

The lone victim of the fire that engulfed Old Main was our own 1958 S.D. Lee High School graduation classmate, Henry Williamson, the eldest son of Ralph Williamson. I remember that night/morning well, hearing the news over the Starkville radio station that Old Main was burning, but my memory was that the fire started earlier around 11:00 p.m., not 2:00 a.m. as reported in the CD. Upon hearing the news, I ran to the front porch of our home here in Crawford and I could see the burning glow on the horizon.

The next morning I took photos of the ruins that I still have somewhere in my photo archives. The rumors ran wild that Henry had not died in the fire, but had used the opportunity to "run away" to assume a new identity. The family figured differently, and there was an effort mounted to sift through the ruins for his remains. I remember standing in the cafeteria line each day at lunchtime l watching the digging and sifting of the ashes at a point about 50 feet from the entrance to the Cafeteria. I assume that the area that was being searched was the location of one of Old Main's stairwells, a likely place for anyone fleeing the building to be caught up in the rosin-laden pine smoke. It seemed like weeks that the search continued, but Henry's remains were finally found.

I did not attend the Old Main reunion, but maybe there were old issues of the Reflector there that gave more details of the fire than the CD was able to report. The CD has never been one for details.

It would be nice if you could locate a Senior Class photo of Henry Williamson.

Tommy Gentry
Crawford

Mr. Larson:

My name is Debra Coleman; I am the mother of Charles Ford, the young man that was killed in an accident on Phillips Hardy Road n September 14th, 2008. I am writing to you to express the feelings that I have towards you and your paper in hopes that when my grandchild is old enough to read the article that you printed in your paper she will also see her grandparent's remarks on said article. Charles way my youngest son, just 23 years old, and was going to be the father of a child that was born Nov. 18th, just two short months after his death. He was like most other 23 year old guys on that fateful night of Sept. 14th, he was hanging out with the guys and most likely drinking, fishing and camping out. He got into his truck and headed for home which was a block from the camp and something detoured him from coming home, instead he went to see his girlfriend and the mother of his child. No one knows what happened out there on that road in the wee hours of the morning, it might have been a deer or blinding lights from another vehicle, but the results were the same, his truck left the road and flipped several times, throwing him from the vehicle and leaving him there until morning light for someone to find.

To the man that happened along and found my son, thank you. Thank you for not driving away thinking that just because there was no one in the truck that everything must have been alright. Thank you for staying with him until help arrived to give my son the decency and respect that every human being deserves.

To you Roger, I hope that you never have to experience the pain and hurt that I have felt for so many months now. That you never have to have your son's name smeared and things told about him that were not necessarily relevant to the accident because after all he was gone, taken from you in a split second.

I would now like to address those issues. My son was convicted to two DUI offenses in which he lost his license for three years. He had commercial license and the first offense mandated loss of license for a year, the second was for total of three years. He was put on probation for a year which he had been dismissed from, had been sentenced to 20 days community service, and 10 days in jail. He since had went to counseling and DUI classes and had gotten a job working on the coast rebuilding after Katrina so he could get away from Columbus and what he had done. And yes, he spent the ten days on weekends in the county jail for the second offense. Which consisted of being put in the drunk tank, sober, with all the drunks from the weekend. Not exactly something you soon forget. He learned his lesson, and was on his way to becoming a better person for it. He loved life and he was a good son, brother, friend, and would have been a terrific father. He loved his child even though it wasn't born yet, and he had anticipated the new arrival.

He was still drinking on occasion, but never would get behind the wheel and would not let anyone else do so either. He hardly ever moved his truck out of the yard during that time because he was scared to drive and get caught with no license. I don't know what happened that night, and I don't know that it makes any difference right now because he is gone from my life. I will never see him walk thru the door again, I will never spend another Christmas with him, my birthday with him, or holiday of any kind with him. And I am not writing this to justify what he did or did not do. Only to inform you of the hurt that you inflict by the things that you write. I understand that kind of stuff sells papers and that is what you do this for, but in certain instances, I think your purpose would be better served sticking to the reserved side of things and not telling everything that you know or that is a matter of public record. You or I neither one knows what happened on that night, it could have been due to alcohol, but it could have been due to something else, too. I will never be able to hurt you in the manner that you have hurt me and my family. And vengeance is not mine to have to give. But I hope that you would learn from this and next time something like this happens to a wonderful young man maybe your purpose would be better served talking to his family, and getting some kind of story.

Last, to all of our friends, thank you for being my son's friend, you know the kind of person that he was and you know what he had been thru and what he was dealing with. You know that he was a wonderful person and that he like everyone else walking the earth had issues to deal with. Facing those issues is what made him a man. To everyone who has stuck by me, thank you and continue to keep me in your prayers, as I don't know if I will ever be the same after this. To my son, I loved you and always will. You will always be a part of my heart that no one can take away. You live on thru the smile and the eyes of your little girl, Charlsey Annabella Paige Ford, and I miss you every day.

Sincerely,
Debra Coleman
Chris Ford's blood alcohol content was over the legal DUI limit (I was unable to get the exact level by press time but will include it next week). His pickup truck left Hardy-Billups Road when the road curved and the truck went straight ahead. He was not wearing a seatbelt and was thrown from the vehicle. Ed.

Editor:

Since Toyota's announcement that the company would delay the start of production of Prius at the Blue Springs plant, numerous articles and letters to the editor have been published interpreting the situation. Many of these have been inaccurate, if not totally erroneous.

With the facility being 90 percent complete, Toyota will complete construction of the plant but will delay other capital-intensive activities, such as equipment installation, until market conditions improve. As Governor Barbour has pointed out, the company emphasized that the plant will go forward. The 100+ employees already hired for the plant are being retained and the administrative offices have been moved from temporary quarters on site to the plant.

Two years ago, 17 million cars and trucks were sold in the U.S. Today's seasonal adjusted annualized rate of sales is roughly 10 million vehicles, a 47 percent decline. Toyota, like all auto manufacturers, is looking at prudent tactics to maintain the stability of the company in a tough economy. As a state, we are doing the same.

A misperception exists that incentives committed for this project are at risk. This is not true.

Both tax incentives and workforce training incentives are tied to job creation; in other words, funds are expended as jobs are being created.

Infrastructure has been put in place, but the state's infrastructure investment, as with all major economic development projects during this administration, is protected with appropriate safeguards. Clawbacks are written into the contract to protect the state if the plant should never open.

Further, Toyota recognizes there is a cost to the state and supplier communities associated with a delay in opening. The company will make an initial payment of over $10 million in April to cover its portion of debt service to the state and local entities. Also, Toyota has agreed to its commitment of providing $50 million over 10 years to support local education through the CREATE Foundation. The initial $5 million payment will be made in 2010. Also, let me point out the company has invested almost $300 million into the plant so far. In February 2007, Mississippi and Toyota launched a partnership. We will continue working together through these challenging economic times. It is not a matter of "if" Toyota will be built in Mississippi, but rather a matter of "when."

Sincerely,

Gray Swoope
MDA Executive Director
Editor's note: Link Director Joe Higgins said that Paccar's situation is not the same as Toyota's. Paccar has slowed the pace of its project but it knows it will make diesel engines in the Columbus plant. Toyota knows it will make vehicle in Tupelo but is not sure now just what kind of vehicles these might be, so equipment won't be installed for awhile.

Editor:

Words cannot express how much I appreciate the Lowndes County Sheriff's Department's dedication and hard work during the flood that we experienced in Steens last week. I own a house in the downtown area that did have water damage, but not what it could have been. I witnessed firsthand the hard work and long hours it took to help control the traffic going through the floodwaters. The deputy posted on the east side of the water just stresses the attention that was given to stopping the traffic from passing through the high water and further damaging the houses and property of those families that call Steens home.

Once again, my deepest appreciation and support to the Lowndes County Sheriff's Department.

Tim Younger & Family

Editor:

I am writing to commend our local volunteer firefighters and the services of Alarm One for saving my business on the morning of January 1, 2009.

I was awakened early that Thursday morning by a phone call from John Baker, a friend and volunteer firefighter from Dist. 2. He told me that a fire had been reported in progress at Proffitt's Porch. His call was followed immediately by Alarm One calling with the same horrible news. What a way to start 2009!

I drove from my home on Ridge Road to my business of 23 years on Officer's Lake Road, all the while envisioning the inferno that I would find upon my arrival. I arrived on the scene to find that the firemen had cut the lock on the gate and upon seeing the smoke inside had broken a window pane to get access to the interior. The firemen had correctly ascertained the cause of the smoke to be my ancient air conditioning unit and had turned it off. At the time of my arrival they had opened doors and windows and begun the process of airing the building.

Aside from the smoke stains on the ceilings and soot on every surface there was very little damage. If the fire had had a few more minutes it would have been much, much worse. My family and I are tremendously grateful for the vigilance of Alarm One and for the rapid response of the men of the Dist. 2 VFD. Thanks to them I amable to re-open as planned today.

In particular, I would like to thank John Baker, Larry Brownlee, Bill Frosch, Andy Perkins, John Gentile, Stephen Wilson, Joe Redmond, Dustin Speed, Kelly Williams, Andy Grant, Glen White and Delmer Lee. I hope I've left no one out and plan to see that all these fellows get a free meal or two as soon as possible!

It's comforting to know that men like these are on call in an emergency. We salute you!

Signed gratefully,
Campbell Proffitt

Editor:

In this day of all of us examining our economic priorities, it is refreshing to see Jeff Smith take the bull by the horns in the New Year and suggest a bill to raise more funding for our state. Jeff is brave to do this and deserves the support of both Republicans and Democrats.Often times, politicians seek their own benefit in public office, how refreshing that Mr. Smith is working for the people of the state of Mississippi, whom he swore to serve.

Thank you Rep. Smith.

Brenda Caradine

Roger:

Brilliant strategy against the Checkmated Mayor Smith and the Columbus City Council members who now will be forced to crawl from their corner to caress Birney's boots for the best deal on the City's legal ads. That ought to be worth at least a year's worth of Karma?

Don't mean to pick on Birney , and I agree that he sometimes seems confused, but where do he and his understudy, Ms. Burnett, stand on the recent US House Gaza Resolution # 34 sanctioning the genocidal ethnic cleansing of the indigenous peoples of Gaza? You'd never know by reading the C-D.

But thanks to the brave journalists at Al Jazeera, YouTube and other online websites are full of photos and videos of headless bodies of Palestinian infants and toddlers and the bodies of mothers and old men lying in pools of their own blood... victims of Israel's blitz on the civilian population of Gaza. Not a word from the Dispatch wordmeister on these atrocities. Oh, but Birney and Ms. Burnett mustered up enough courage to take on the Caledonia Confederates, but remain silent when confronted by the real horrors perpetrated by Der Judenstaat.

Why the silence? Does Birney buy into the perpetual lie that Israel has a "right to defend itself," but that the Palestinians do not? The primordial cause of the conflict in Gaza is the Military Occupation of their land. The "en masse" attempt to repel the invaders and remove the occupiers from their territory is embodied in the 1947 Geneva Conventions. The truce was broken by Israel and not Hamas. That is the learned opinion of UN observers in Gaza who themselves have come under attack from the IAF and the Israeli Occupation Forces.

And maybe Ms. Burnett can explain why, of the thirty-nine African-American of the House, only one voted "nay" on the support of Israel's Genocide In Gaza Resolution. That one African- American "nay" vote was California's Maxine Waters's. Nineteen of the twenty African- American House members from the South voted "yea." The lone dissenting voice was Georgia's Hank Johnson's. His fellow Georgia House members, John Lewis, Sanford Bishop and David Scott, all voted "yea."

Remembering that Cong. John Lewis was MLK's sidekick during the 60s, it'll be interesting to see if he still mouths all those platitudes about peace, brotherhood, racial tolerance, etc., next Monday. Ditto for Jesse Jackson, Jr., Shelia-Jackson Lee, Charles Rangel, Charles Schumer, the African-American New York Governor and whole House delegations from New York, California and Illionois who have pointed their collective, crooked fingers at the South for the past sixty years.

MLK talked about "all God's Little Children." Well, "all God's little children" live in Palestine, too!

Let Birney speak up!

Antiwar.com;fpp.co.uk;rense.com; and uruknet.com are all good online sources for what is really happening in Gaza.

Peace,
Tommy Gentry
Crawford Mr. Gentry added this note to his letter. Ed.:

Roger:
LinkTV's Democracy Now! can be seen via channel 375 at Direct TV at 5:00 p.m. each weekday.

LinkTV is a good source for balanced commentary on the Middle East. Amy Goodman is the granddaughter of a Rabbi, for what it matters. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FABqq_ jjRRo

Editor:

As the one-year anniversary of the Caledonia tornado approaches, we are reminded of the vash devastation that resulted from that storm. We are humbled beyond words by the help and expressions of kindness we received in the aftermath of the tornado. We would like to thank all emergency workers, church group volunteers, friends, neighbors and family members who all pitched in to help. We appreciate everything that was done to help our family during this time. Thanks to each of you who helped, who prayed and who cared.

Sincerely,
Bobby, Patricia, Tyler & Kailey Lavender

Editor:

I am writing this because I am certain that plenty of people who feel like I do will read this and maybe even the right person will read this so that we can try to rectify what I feel is 'highway robbery'. I am 20 years old and within a few more days a very fortunate first time home owner. I moved out this past January into a town house here in Columbus and started paying my bills and living the American Dream - Kinda. I think if I recall correctly this whole mess started about April when the gas prices started soaring and everyone was seeing a fuel surcharge on their electric bills. I was OK with the fact that they needed to add a few dollars to my bill because, well, what was I going to do about it anyway? I think the first time it was five dollars. Next month is was sixteen and I wasn't exactly sure how they were figuring this charge, whether they were pulling it out of their butt or systematically charging me. I originally thought everyone was getting charged the same which made more since to me - IE: Stay with me here, my apartment building had 8 units in it and the complex had at least 10 buildings. If they were charging everyone $16 then that alone was $128 per building and my complex total was $1280; which is the craziest, most absurd, insane thing I've ever seen considering they walked to each apartment. Has anybody else done the math on this? I mean seriously…

Moving on, the price of gas has dropped significantly and recently I received an electric bill that was outrageous and I thought something was wrong so I ventured up to Columbus Light and Water where I asked while I was there how they figured the fuel surcharge considering mine was currently $43 and some change. A heads up for those of you that don't know it's 20% of your total bill - Which makes no sense. I'm already paying them $200 plus some a month for things I have to have and because of that apparently they think I have more money to give them which if anything I have less money to give them. I have come realize the thought process of these people seems to be lacking a bit of logic so I'm just breaking it down as a favor. I'm not a rocket scientist but that's a lot of gas, more than two tanks for my Protégé. It should be a set price for everyone. Five dollars maximum! I estimated there are 40 houses on my street. That's $200. They've already increased the cost of electricity some 20% since I've been on my own, why gas?

I have some solutions for this problem since this letter is turning out a little longer than I thought:

1) WALK! That's how they did back in the day.

2) Get a Prius if you must drive, I hear they get fabulous gas mileage. OH OH! I GOT IT!

3) Monroe County Power just installed new meters they can read from the office or some centralized location and completely done away with meter readers. Hey! They don't have to drive anymore, and I know that CL&W has made enough money off this whole gas bit to do the same. They could implement this new-fangled technology then someone could sit around, write down some numbers, and call it a day. Ah ha! I solved the problem. The end. You're welcome.

Sincerely,
Erin McDaniel

Editor:

What magic at Whitfield Auditorium Thursday night when almost a 1,000 citizens gathered to see the splendor of the Columbus Arts Council production of The Nutcracker-thanks to the behind the scenes efforts of the Arts Council Board and Guild. Nothing this complicated and well produced happens without the work of many volunteers and staff. Congratulations to all who made this Christmas tradition happen and to the wonderful citizens of Columbus who supported it. Thank you Arts Council ---- and all who worked so hard especially Linda Bobbitt, Board Chair and Ina Walters, Guild President. I cannot wait to see the next ballet and to see the children from the Arts Magnet School perform again. They were just great and held their own with the Russian professional dancers.

Bravo to all involved!

Brenda Caradine

Editor:

My husband, Wayne, and I were shocked to read the story in your December 4 Packet concerning the firing of Chuck Cook as manager of Magnolia Motor Speedway.

In our thinking, Cook's name is synonymous with the track that he built with his partners. It is a sad day to know that Cook won't be at the track when it reopens for races in the coming year.

Cook was the consummate showman, always making sure that everyone who came, old and young, felt at home at the track. Now I am wondering if the traditions he has started at the track will be carried on by whoever is "sent" from afar to take his place. Will the song "Goodnight Sweetheart" be played after the final race? Will the public be invited down on the track to see what the "black ice" really feels like? Will there be movies, jumpers and other activities for the kids? Will "transaurus" visit the track this year?

I have no small kids now, but as a parent I can understand the attraction of a facility such as Magnolia Motor Speedway that is dedicated to good, clean family entertainment. Yes, my husband and I will miss Chuck Cook a lot. And I'm sure we aren't the only ones who feel that way. We are also sorry to hear about the resignation of the other track employees. We have always had a good experience at the track and have always been treated with respect and courtesy from everyone.

Even though we have attended all races at the track in the past in our capacity as reporters for The Gazette newspapers in Millport and Northport (Ala.), we are seriously wondering now if we will support the track and its new manager, given the apparent lack of concern the current owners are showing.

I think this is one decision that will be regretted by the "man in California."

Elaine Moody
Kennedy, Ala.

Editor:

To the Citizens of Lowndes County:

What in the world was the president of our Board of Supervisors thinking? President Harry Sanders voted against Supervisors John Holliman and Frank Ferguson when they (Holliman and Ferguson) voted to appoint "Judge" Ron Cooke to fill the late Judge Phillip Robertson's Judgeship until a special election could be held next November. It appears that President Sanders wanted someone from his district, no matter what his or her qualifications. For the general public's knowledge, there is no law stating that this position must be a person from that district!

Let's look at the experience of the applicant (Judge Ron Cooke): He (Ron) has almost nine years of experience and the judicial education from actually serving in the Lowndes County Justice Court; he (Ron) served the citizens of Caledonia as their Municipal Court Judge after being appointed by the Caledonia Mayor and Board of Alderman because of his experience as Justice Court Judge - apparently, President Sanders, you had conveniently forgotten this, and you live in that district!! Judge Cooke has continued in his judicial education by attending conventions and seminars. President Sanders again was not thinking of us - the taxpaying citizens of Lowndes County - in his voting, because Justice Court Judges represent all of the people of Lowndes County; contrary to the representation we receive from President Harry Sanders.

And by the way, Judicial District One is also in Supervisor Frank Ferguson's district. It didn't matter to President Sanders what Supervisor Ferguson wanted or what was best for our Justice Court. It just shows how (President Sanders) allows his own selfish motives to interfere with who was best qualified for the position!

Perhaps President Sanders is not clear on the workings of the Justice Court. I base that on the fact that he referred to Judge Cooke as JP (Justice of the Peace). Well, it has been almost 25 years since that designation was put to rest. Mississippi Judicial Court Judges are required to attend judicial training from the Mississippi Judicial College every year in order to keep abreast of the laws and rules of procedure to perform their duties fairly and effectively in Justice Court. Just because someone is a lawyer does not make him or her more qualified that Judge Cooke.

Our Lowndes County Justice Court Judges, Clerk, Deputy Clerks and Constables should be commended in their continuing efforts to provide all of the citizens of Lowndes County with quality service through their experience, educational training and professionalism. Judge Peggy Phillips, Judge Mike Arledge and the late Judge Phillip Robertson did not possess a law degree, but I would put their experience and training as Judges against any lawyer in Lowndes County.

It really is a crying shame and disgrace that one man (President Harry Sanders) stood in the way of justice for the citizens of our county to have a fair and impartial experienced judge in the Justice Court along with our two present ones. It will be interesting to know how much this will cost the taxpayers for this appointment when that expense could have been avoided if Judge Cooke had been appointed and could have fulfilled the position at zero cost to the taxpayers.

Wonder about rescinding this appointment for the most qualified, most experienced person to represent Lowndes County Justice Court?

Debbie Gore

Editor:

Change has been the watchword used by Obama to talk his way into the Presidency. I agree that change is needed. I just disagree about what needs to be changed. I believe the biased newspapers that openly root for one candidate and suppress anything that might damage him needs to be changed. I believe that changes need to be made in our mainstream media because it slants toward anti-American opinion and damages how the U.S. is viewed by the world. I have seen evidence that the media is pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage, pro-socialized medicine, and Anti-Christian. That needs to change.

I am actually amazed that more people do not cancel their subscription to newspapers and magazines that are biased. I can remember a columnist who covered the Reagan Whitehouse writing that if Christians put their money where their mouth is..they could stop most of the perverted things that are happening in movies, television, music and other places in our culture. For example, if Christians refused to buy G.E. products because G.E. does business with Iran and also owns the most bias cable, MSNBC, and network, NBC, they could send a strong message to the stock holders. If people stopped supporting newspapers and magazines that are biased and thus, dishonest, those publications would either fold or become less biased.

Free people remain free when the press and media are unbiased.

A prominent local newspaper man told me he sees nothing wrong with liberal bias in the news. He thinks that only showing one side to an issue can be fair. Managing the news to present liberal opinion as the 'norm' is dangerous and dishonest. If the people in media see nothing wrong with slanting information, that needs to change.

I want all people to consider changing where they spend their money. What you buy says a lot about what you value. If I had a platform I would inform people about what products support tv programs, movies, magazines and newspapers that are full of distortions and glorify filth. Refusing to spend your money on propaganda is an honorable thing to do.

Thank you,
Anne Burkart

Editor:

Recently I sent a letter to both the Columbus Packet and the Commercial Dispatch (as I will this one) thanking our Veterans and their Families for their service. The Dispatch apparently chose not to publish it but the Packet did and for that I am grateful. Because you printed my rambling thoughts they were read by Mr. Wayne White who contacted me to express his appreciation for my letter.

I did not know Mr. White and was not aware that he has put forth much of his own time and energy to honor our area Veterans by leading the effort to revive our annual Veteran's Day parade and coordinate a Veteran's Museum inside the Columbus Police Dept. I am quite certain that there are many generous people and/or organizations behind this great cause but Wayne White is leading the effort at a task that obviously takes an exorbitant amount of time and energy.

As a Veteran I would like to publicly extend my gratitude to Mr. White for his selfless devotion to this cause, to Chief of Police St. John for providing his support, and countless others whose names I've yet to learn who help to make this possible.

Very Respectfully,

Michael E. Williams
Columbus

Editor:

I, on behalf of Laura Lee's friends and family, am writing on regards to the release of Brian Holliman.

We are infuriated that Judge Howard could allow such a bond. He discussed in the court session on Nov. 26th that in 2002 a murder bond in Lowndes County was set at $50,000. And then again in 2005 at $200,000. Well guess what? This is the year of 2008 and this shameful man (animal) deserves to be behind bars and nowhere else. Why should he be allowed to go home to his family for the holidays? Laura Lee can't! Why should he have the joy of being with his daughter and reading "Jesus Loves Me"?

Because of this man the child's mother who would normally be the one to do these things can't be here because her Daddy murdered her mommy. I'm so tired of hearing about the Holliman's "Good Name," and how they're such good people. News Flash.. "The good name has been trashed!" I have seen many people go into the L.C.A.D.C. for numerous different crimes. One being a drug charge. These people have to sit in jail until they have a hearing without bond. Why is a drug charge so much worse than a murder charge here in Lowndes County? I personally believe it's not what you've done, it's who you are and who you know. It's what ties you have in the system. I've never seen anyone have as much mercy on a murderer as I have this one. All because of who he is.

At this point everyone needs to focus on what we can do to help Laura Lee. She deserves justice and I pray that justice is served. Brian Holliman needs to be put back behind bars where he belongs. You know, I was at Laura Lee's viewing, ceremony and burial, where Sarah Holliman showed her true colors at the ceremony in front of everyone. She wouldn't allow Brianna (Laura Lee's 2- year-old daughter) to sit with Laura Lee's family while they were grieving so badly for their loved one and in need to just be able to hold Brianna in their arms and let her know that everything was going to be alright. Sarah Holliman cuddled her so tightly as though she were hers. Then, when Sarah got the chance, she fled with Brianna in her arms, and before anyone knew it, they were gone. Sarah didn't even take the child to her own mother's burial. That is pure selfishness and greediness!

Not even a week after Laura Lee passed away, Sarah packed up (I'm sure she had help) most of Laura Lee's belongings and personally took them to the Palmer Home Thrift Store where everything was put on the floor and sold, without the knowledge of Laura Lee's family. Why would anyone in their right mind do that? What will Laura Lee's children, family and friends have to cherish her by? Why weren't they given anything of their mothers? That's just cruel. What is she trying to hide?

Brian Holliman may not be a flight risk, but he is a risk to this community! He is a disgrace to this town! If I were to walk in a store and see him, I would turn around and walk out immediately. I want everyone to think about this: "The smile on Brian's face in the November 26th paper tells the story!" The murder of Laura Lee was not accidental! Laura Lee once said, "Life's too short to be living my life like this." And when she got the courage to leave him, he murdered her.

God forbid if he tries to plead insanity. If anyone has enough sense to think about their "good name" and put the victims finger on the trigger after the fact so it wouldn't show his prints, then he's not psychotic. He's just sick!!

To finish this letter, there's a couple of things that are bothering me. Why did Brian go to his parent's house after he allegedly murdered his wife? Why didn't he have any blood on him? Did he go to his parent's to change his clothes? If so, where are the clothes he was wearing? I remember exactly what he was wearing prior to the murder. What did he have on after the fact? You tell me!

Nancy Stewart

Editor's note: This letter refers to former CPD Officer Anita Ray, who was terminated last week by the Columbus City Council in executive session. Ms. Ray served on the police force for many years before resigning last year to move to Omaha with family. She returned several weeks ago and rejoined the force under a six-months' probation provision. I did not have time this week to talk to Ms. Ray and city officials about the case.
Editor:

I would like to inform the citizens of Lowndes County of an incident involving a personal friend, Mayor Smith, Chief St. John, and the City Council.

My friend was a police officer for the City of Columbus and was given an order by Mayor Smith to block the intersection of Military Road and 18th Avenue on Election Day. She was questioning his order and ultimately did not comply because she was concerned about the safety of the public. She felt the request could potentially put pedestrians at risk because the location of the intersection in which Mayor Smith wanted her to have the pedestrians cross was not the existing properly marked crossing area. I did not think a Mayor could give orders to an officer.

This resulted in her suspension without pay for almost two weeks while the future of her employment remained uncertain until the next City Council meeting. During this time, she was NEVER given an opportunity by Chief St. John to voice her side of the events. She was also NOT given an opportunity to speak to the City Council before the decision was made to terminate her employment. The City Council only heard one side of the story which was justly unfair! She was on probation because she was recently rehired after moving back to Columbus. However, she did have a prior employment record of 11 years with the Columbus Police Department. She was a Field Training Officer and had been training a "rookie" officer. This "uncertified officer" was placed in charge of that intersection.

When we attended the City Council meeting to hear the fate of her future employment, there were approvals listed on the agenda regarding requests to block off intersections for certain future events. I am not sure why the request to block off the intersection of Military Road and 18th Avenue or have an officer direct traffic was not made in advance by Mayor Smith. Election Day is certainly not an unplanned event!

Unfortunately, the City of Columbus disposed of a very good officer with high moral standards, honesty, and integrity.

A suggestion to the Officers of Columbus, do not go against Mayor Smith for any reason. This is especially true if you have previously arrested any member of his family or have crossed him in any fashion. Mind your P's and Q's because if you don't, your Chief will not back you or even hear your side of the story. He will cover his own and hang you out to dry!

Melinda Clark

Editor:

I am writing in response to Mrs. G.T. (Georgia) Shanklin's letter to you printed on 11-13-08.

I am a white woman who is not prejudiced, by the way. I agree that Gill Dishongh should have been more severely punished for his conviction of child molestation. However, I was extremely offended by her accusation of racial discrimination by the judge's decision. The "poor blacks" you mentioned are no more severely punished than the whites that go before him.

Why don't you sit in the courtroom and watch the sentencing that goes on before you start making accusations that you obviously know nothing about? I personally know white people who have received severe sentences before the "prejudiced" Judge Kitchens. I believe he is fair and hands down what he believes are appropriate sentences according to the circumstances and reformation and sincere regretfulness of the accused.

And about the gangs-what makes you think the whites want to be black just because they band together just like the black gangs? It sounds to me like you are the one that is prejudiced and racist. What you said yourself in that particular sentence was racial (about the white gangs "wanting to be black").

I am a Christian myself and I trust in Jesus Christ. I don't know what "god" you believe in, but you need to get your priorities straight (and your grammar) before you write a letter that will be read by the public.

Sincerely,
Rebecca Bumgardner

Editor's note: In Packet #800 I printed a letter from former Lowndes County Road Manager Rockey Allen in which Mr. Allen criticized County Administrator Ralph Billingsley. Mr. Allen alleged that Mr. Billingsley gave sick leave to several county employees but refused to give it to former West Division Supt. Howard Smart. The letter concluded: "Why is Howard Smart being singled out and not paid his earned sick leave? Is the reason politics or skin color?"

I retyped that letter for the Packet myself and typed the last line thusly: "Is the reason skin color?"

In Packet #800, I responded to Mr. Allen's letter with a detailed explanation of the sick-leave issue and other allegations.

This week Mr. Allen submitted the following response to my statements in Packet #800.
Editor:

I was disappointed that you did not print my letter as written; I know it was not intentional.

When Ralph took my week of vacation he would not check the E-911 call-out log for the week the Road Dept. was off. If he or you check you will see I was called out three times that week. I worked over 200 hours of scheduled off time this yaer; Caledonia storm, E-911 call outs, and special projects as requested by the supervisors. As for Ralph stealing from Howard, you stated that Howard requested the sick leave. Please check for the truth; the neurosurgeon treating Howard requested he be placed on sick leave. Ralph led you to believe the 130 days Howard earned would be added to his retirement; this is not true. Howard cannot retire. He is not of retirement age, nor did he have enough time with the county to retire, and Ralph was aware of this.

While I am writing, will you please check on the rumor that Ralph was given a $10,000 pay increase this October because Ronnie Burns is not capable of doing the job as road manager?

As always, I appreciate all you do to keep Lowndes County informed.

Thank you,
Rockey Allen
Editor's response: Mr. Smart requested in writing the sick leave but attached a letter from a doctor saying he was unable to work. He presented the letter on Thursday, Sept. 11, Ronnie Burns. He was immediately put on sick leave. He was paid a half-day's sick pay for the 11th and a full day's sick pay for Monday, Sept. 15, which was his last day employed by the county (the board eliminated the superintendents' positions on that day). Once he was no longer a county employee he could not not receive sick pay. The rest of his sick pay was credited to his retirement time. He is not yet of retirement age but when he eventually retires he will benefit from the extra time.

Mr. Billingsley did not get a pay raise this year-he is one of a handful of county employees who did not get one. Not a penny.

Editor:

Tonight, November 11, I sat and listened to Ted Turner on the Lou Dobbs show. He stated that the U.S. is all against walls being built in foreign countries. We were very high-strung about the Berlin wall, until finally it was torn down. Yet the U.S. is building a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border.

Mr. Turner is right. This wall is wrong. There must be another solution. We should practice what we preach.

Another thing. Those two border patrol officers should be pardoned. Why aren't they?

This new administration has a lot of fences to mend, a lot of wrong to right. Mr. Obama has a huge job ahead, and we all should put aside our differences and get in there and help whenever and wherever we can. We all are in this boiling pot together.

May God bless us all.

Dave Lapeyrolerie

Editor:

What makes Judge Jim Kitchens think Gil Dishongh won't fondle another child?

He didn't order no kind of counseling for Gill Dishongh because when these sex predators fondle these children and go to prison they come back worse off than before. Especially when he's only locked up for two years.

Now this is what's sad: this man gets away with fondling a child. Kitchens sentences Julian Mingo 30 years. They claim he fondles a child three times. So what's the difference? Oh, Gill is white. I keep telling you all, God is going to do something about this soon. You keep locking up all the poor blacks and patting the whites on the hand. You know that's wrong, Kitchens. Three fondlings should be the same sentence- Gill should have got 30 years or more. It makes no difference if he was on the President Board, it's not right. You sentenced a young 19-yearold boy that has a problem and needs help with ADDHD to go to Walnut Grove, when he should have been in a treatment center.

If you don't understand the black culture, then let me ask you this. Do you whites understand sex predators? When these old sex perverts fondle these children and get away with it-because two years ain't nothing compared to 30. Julian Mingo did nothing and you all know he didn't. Just because that boy was an officer's son, you sent Julian Mingo.

Listen, I am with Tommy Gentry-why did it take him from Spring to Fall to speak up? Something bad is wrong with that picture. And about the black gangs. It's just as many white gangs as it is black because they want to be like the blacks and you know it. Things go back as far as the 1800s. You all better know what you are doing when you start discriminating. God have no partiality. God also going to get you all's attention one way or another.

I love God, therefore I love His peoples, no matter the color. You see it's different form God in the inside of your heart, then pretend He in the inside because if God in the inside, the old man dead, all that hate an discrimination, it's gone because the blood of Jesus Chris will clean it all away.

Thank you.

Mrs. G.T. (Georgia) Shanklin

One other thing: when these young men and women go off and do their time, why is it so hard for them to get a job after they get back? Not right. That's some of the problems. These children need a job- before and after.

Editor:

As my Family and I prepare for another deployment to the Middle East and we approach another Veteran's Day I feel bound to share my emotions. I am honored to serve among our military reserve force, live in the world's greatest nation, and serve a wonderful God.

Much support is displayed for our troops these days but it will never be too much. We are already delinquent in our gratification from years past. Our Veterans from past conflicts were never given complete credit for their full sacrifice nor those serving today. We as a nation have certainly improved on this but sadly much too late for many who have since passed from this life.

I am old enough to remember the Vietnam War Era and having seen the treatment our troops received then, I suppose, is why I am so passionate about this issue today. I returned from Iraq three years ago and was well blessed with support and the love of friends and family. I couldn't ask for more but it concerns me that this has not always been the case.

Some people surely consider this subject to be over exaggerated and would rather discuss most anything other than our Service Members, their Families, and their sacrifices. Most of these are either too lazy or too selfish to appreciate the freedom they have been provided. Others wander through life aimlessly not realizing those freedoms provided them. Finally, there is a majority I believe, of our population that does understand the blessings we have received and knows that we didn't arrive at this place in time without alot of blood, sweat, and tears.

I for one will do my best to instill in my children the memory of those sacrifices. I will teach them to salute / pledge allegiance to the National Ensign (Old Glory), thank the Veterans for their service, and never take for granted the privileges they enjoy.

I am thankful to God for all he has provided for us.

I am thankful to my Family and Friends for their continued support.

I am thankful to the Veteran for his/her service.

Something I once read stated: "Only two people ever volunteered to lay down their life for you, Jesus Christ to save your soul and the Veteran to save your freedom." - unknown

Respectfully,
Michael E. Williams
Columbus

Editor:

I just wanted to "THANK YOU" for showing up and reporting on the incident with Brian Holliman being released on a signature bond due to Sheriff Butch Howard feeling as if he wasn't a flight risk. Mr. Howard said that if he would of examined the case file, he would of never granted the bond. THANK GOD, he did and corrected the mistake and put Brian Holliman where he belongs. "BEHIND BARS"

I was so angered by the fact that this happened, how could you cold-blooded kill your wife and be sitting at home a few days later as if nothing happened? I just want everyone to know that Laura Lee was a sweet woman, wonderful mother, sister, daughter and her friends and family are going to stand for nothing less than JUSTICE. We love and miss you Laura Lee and we will fight for you until JUSTICE is served.

Bridgett Flowers

Editor:

Today the United States of American has made history by electing Senator Obama to be the 44th president.

To those who voted for or against the Democratic Party. Simply because of color. For me, color was never a factor. I was for Ideas and Change.

As Mr. Obama said, America has a huge task ahead. Let's all work toward overcoming this task and make the United States of America and the world a better place.

God bless the United States of America and the world.

Dave Lapayrolerie
Columbus

Editor:

When Ralph Billingsley was hired as county administrator he promised to save the tax payers his exorbitant salary each year. The tax payers don't know the way he is doing this, he stole one week of my vacation when I was fired. Now he has stolen 130 days of sick leave from an employee who was injured on the job. This employee was doing his job and at no fault on his part was injured and disabled. When other county employees have been injured on the job they were paid for all sick leave they had earned. These employees include, Ronnie Burns, Doc Perkins, Halon McCool, Jerry Studdard, Jamie Mouchett, Terry Stapp and Anna Tolsfoer. Why is Howard Smart being singled out and not paid his earned sick leave? Is the reason because of skin color?

Rockey Allen
Editor's response:

Mr. Billingsley never promised to produce savings equal to his salary each year, but he did say that he thought he could produce such results that the county would find his salary returned many times over. A specific case involved the E-911 generator. The generator had been giving trouble for a long time and soon after Mr. Billingsley became county administrator the E-911 board appealed to the board of supervisors for a new generator. Mr. Billingsley thought the old generator could be fixed but the need was said to be so critical that the board of supervisors voted to authorize up to $60,000 to buy a new one. Mr. Billingsley brought in a Kohler specialist from Jackson who immediately diagnosed the problem as a failing front main bearing (the bearing's seal had gone out and the bearing was overheating and vibrating; a diode on the end of the generator shaft was failing because of the heat and vibration). The county was able to fix the problem for about $5,000. I have watched the county government operate for many years, and I am convinced that if Mr. Billingsley had not been involved that we would have spent $60,000.

Rockey Allen accuses Mr. Billingsley of stealing a week's vacation pay from him, but here's what happpened: Mr. Allen received two weeks of paid vacation per year. He was terminated in July, shortly after the week-long 4th of July vacation that all Road Dept. employees took. Mr. Allen did not work that week either but he wanted to be paid for it. When Mr. Billingsley said that he didn't work that week he responded that he had been on call 24 hours a day the whole week. Mr. Allen also apparently took off other days that he did not claim as vacation, but Mr. Billingsley didn't challenge these claims.

When Mr. Allen became road manager he created two superintendents, one east of the river and one west of the river. The west superintendent was Howard Smart, whose sister was then engaged to Jim Terry, who had just been elected Dist. 4 Supervisor (they later married). In April of this year Mr. Smart was involved in a very minor traffic accident on Main St., Columbus. Three vehicles were involved and I believe that one vehicle rear-ended another and that this one bumped Mr. Smart's county pickup. l I was there and don't think I even took a photo. But Mr. Smart reportedly filed a worker's compensation claim and made some visits to a doctor over the accident. In July, Mr. Allen was terminated and Ronnie Burns was named road manager in early September and around that time Mr. Burns told Mr. Smart that he was going to eliminate the superintendent positions (the board voted to do it on Sept. 15), and on Sept. 11 Mr. Smart presented a letter to Mr. Burns saying that he had been injured in an accident in April and that he was going to start taking sick pay while he recovered from the injury. When Mr. Burns elimintated the superitendent positions and created the assistant road manager position Mr. Smart applied for that post but Mr. Burns picked Tommy Kidd. Now (on Sept. 15) Mr. Smart was no longer a county employee, so he couldn't be paid for sick leave-but the sick leave he had accumulated over the years could be applied to his retirement.

Mr. Smart also wanted to be paid for several weeks of vacation time that he thought he had accrued. The county does not allow accrual of vacation time, but Mr. Billingsley discovered that Mr. Allen had been telling some employees that their unused vacation would carry over from one year to the next (a Road Department manager has the authority to extend the vacation-time year-end window, but this provision is only included in the personnel handbook in case the employee is nearing the end of a year and an emergency arises and it would be beneficial to let the vacation go into the next year, in order to let the employee postpone his vacation and do the work when he was needed and not lose his vacation pay. When Mr. Billingsley satisfied himself that Mr. Allen had in fact told Mr. Smart that his vacation time would accrue, Mr. Billingsley paid him for all of this time. Mr. Billingsley also applied all of Mr. Smart's sick pay days to his retirement.

Editor's note: I just found this letter (dated Sept. 30) and the next one (by Ed Phillips, dated Oct. 8) in the clutter of my office.


Editor:

Very nice to see that the Packet is still going strong! Keep up the good work! I miss Columbus!!

My fellow Columbians, anyone who knows me knows I don't get into politics. But with what we are going through, I have to be involved and I have to tell you all it is so crucial that we elect John McCain and Sarah Palin. Gov. Palin is the best thing I've seen happen to the Republicans since I can remember. And, get ready for this jawdropper: I'm a Democrat!

But I do not see this country improving with Barack Obama-someone who supports affirmative action-which means that my children, who are white, who make straight As, must be last in line to be considered at colleges and in the workplace, so that a black person with a D average can be considered first? It's not right, for whites or blacks.

Mr. Obama also opposes English as being the country's official language. Wha really angers me is people downing Gov. Palin, who happens to have more executive experience that Mr. Obama. Let us remember, Mr. Obama has been a U.S. Senator since 2004 and has spent half of the time since then trying to cause an uprising with his puppetted bid for president. There is no question who is more qualified. Attention moms: we need Sarah Palin! Attention vets: we need John McCain! Attention unsure Democrats: Obama is NOT the right choice in this election year!

Sincerely,
Judy Rich
Birmingham, Ala.

Editor:

The recent Galveston hurricane disaster reminds us that if Adam and Eve had not sinned there would not have been earthquakes and floods. Suffering and death, in all its forms, is the legacy of original sin. The convulsions of nature find their provenance in the moral failure of man.

The suddenness of death wrought by the hurrican also strikes some as unfair, as though we are entitled to some warning. Yet, no child is born to be damned, as in a dark pagan vision, but the moment of proferred grace and the means by which it comes are not for us to know.

Job, who suffered much, endured his misfortune with faith, believing that God would eventually draw good out of evil. But, he did ask God why such was necessary. God answered Job out of the whirlwind: "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the Earth?" Man is not capable of understanding the plan of divine governance.

Death is terrible. Our hearts cannot help but be moved by the sight of human suffering, especially on so large a scale as that wrought by the hurricane. But we as Christians must see everything under the aspect of eternity. We must remember what the world forgets: that the purpose of life is to die in grace, and paradise is not to be found at a beach resort.

Ed Phillips
Columbus

Dear Editor:

I am responding to Dana Turner's and Heather Garner's comments on the pit bull article. (Packet #795) More so on Heather's comments! I am one of the so-called thugs that Heather mentions and I am not sure where she got her information. I am not a repeated offender. (Oh yeah, look it up.) There IS such a thing as innocent until proven guilty.

I am a member of Living Faith Tabernacle Church and I have taught many drug awareness programs with much success. I may not have reached everyone but I know I have touch some lives in a positive way!

It's good to know that there are people who care how dogs are treated, the way that ya'll do. What I don't understand is why Heather wants to direct any of this towards me. None of the dogs mention belong to me!!!!!!!

By the way, Heather, two weeks prior to my article a man was handed down a two year sentence for fondling a little boy! Where are your concerns on that? It sounds to me like you may have your priorities a little mixed up!

Dave Garner
Columbus

P.S. It's also interesting to me that we share the same last name and yet I have no clue who you are. It's not that common of a last name. (eg. Smith and Jones)

Editor:

Letter to Lowndes County residents:

John Holliman, supervisor for Dist. 3 Lowndes County and his wife are building contractors. This is a conflict of interest on his part. As supervisor he has complete control over the Building/Inspection Department. There is no way any employee working for the Building Dept. could refuse him a permit, question structural design of his plans, or give any of his buildings a failing inspection and keep their job. John Holliman will say that he will not vote on any action against the Building Dept. but as supervisor he can influence other board members to do as he wants. John Holliman needs to make a choice between being a contractor or a county supervisor.

Rockey Allen
Mr. Allen is a former Lowndes County Road Dept. Manager who was terminated several months ago. Mr. Holliman was in favor of terminating him. Ed.

Editor:

I was moved to comment after reading your recent article on the meeting about gangs in the Columbus area. I was born and raised in Columbus and moved away after my senior year at Lee High. After 24 years, I returned last year. You would think that a city with its first black mayor would be well past the BIG racial divide. However, the one thing that was very obvious to me is that Columbus is more racially divided than ever before. Almost everything in this town is divided along racial lines: neighborhoods, religion, schools, celebrations and even the Lowndes County Board of Supervisors is obvious divided along racial lines. lSure you have the occasional few who are able to temporarily cross the great divide, but after whatever event they quickly cross back into their color block. I will give you credit for using the Packet as a platform to speak out on issues within the community. Many others don't say anything because it might tarnish this super image that is being created on the local public access channel. Behind the scenic clips, antebellum homes and bright smiles, Columbus is hiding a not-so-secret secret.

The fact that anyone would think that a so-called gang issue is an issue that needs to be addressed by "black leaders" lets me know that the divide remains vast. If there is a problem with youth in Columbus (regardless) of color), it is community issue-not a black communit issue or a white community issue. It will never be productive to have teenagers gathering in parking lots. They are unorganized, unsupervised, resaoning with teenage minds, regardless of color. Agroup of white kids in a K-Mart parking lot is no more productive than a group of black kids in a Wal-Mart parking lot. Regardless of where they gather, these are places of business. They really don't have time to baby-sit our children. These kids need something to do-a safe place to hang out and socialize with friends. God forbid if the city put money into something like that, because it would have to be for all kids (black and white) and that might make some uneasy. However, it's the kids who might actually teach the older generation about true integration or how a community above the color line can thrive. Old habits die hard, but I have to appeal to the open minds of those who are willing to visualize how segregation and prejudices are hindering Columbus from its true greatness. I can only hope for a reduction in racial noise so that we begin to hear the subdued cries of the kids in this community.

RL Clark
Editor's response: I was the one who said that if white gang-bangers were roaming through black neighborhoods smashing windows and stealing that black leaders would probably demand that white leaders do something to stop it. I think that few people would argue that major cultural differences between whites and blacks don't exist. We may have a few white kids in the Black Guerilla Family, but it's safe to say that this gang and the Vice Lords and the Black Gangster Disciples are black gangs. I have never been to a disturbance in a public place involving a large group of white youths (but I have been to several parties involving white youths on private property that were raided by police or deputies). The problems among young blacks are no doubt partly a result of sheer numbers-young blacks now heavily outnumber young whites in Columbus.

Editor:

I have to respond back to "Dana Turner's" comments on the pit bull article. I am GLAD to see you portray the pit bull like that.l It's obvious that these people are thugs and are training these dogs to be "vicious." I agree with you, Roger, that one padlock is better than five and, "Dana," I agree with you that pit bulls are no more dangerous than any other breed. But let's face it, you monly read about a Dachshun or Jack Russell breed ripping a child's face off! Our community should be aware of ALL the criminal issues taking place in our neighborhoods; after all, there are children playing, and I hate to think about what could have happened if a child had stumbled upon those dogs rather than an officer.

Like you, Roger, I am an avid dog lover and I hate to see these or any animals treated so inhumanely! I feel these men should have charges made against them for these inhumane acts as well as the drug offenses; after all, they are repeat offenders (oh yeah, look them up). Oh, and I seriously doubt that either one of them could prove ownership to any of those dogs! Hopefully the real families of those dogs will get them back, if the Human Society hasn't been forced to put any of those "vicious" dogs down. Next time, Roger, put it on the front page along with a picture of their faces!!!

Heather Garner
Columbus

Editor:

In reference to the article you printed about Black youths and the problem, your paper could help make a change, especially since you have such a large Black audience. Others I am sure have the same opinion and feel the same way you are. Since you find it necessary to print all the negative aspect of the Black youths, maybe they feel this is the only way they can be seen or heard. Will you consider that at least one week of each month may be you can call or go to the schools or churches and see what positive things the Black youths are really doing or involved in, and print that including their picture? We find ourselves advertising and talking so very much negative things about the children's, you should consider focusing on some positive things to publicize and maybe this will encourage our youths to not misbehave. I am not stating that the public does not need to know the bad things that are going on in our neighborhood because, we do. Please let us know about the positive things also.

Thank you,
Yvonne Brooks

Editor:

My family finds your article very presumptuous as you would have the audacity to print that alcohol was involved in this accident based on someone's thoughts and not facts. A coroner who can determine alcohol was involved without the toxicology report? I spoke to Tom's mother Kathy McReynolds on Saturday, October 18, 2008 and had to listen to her cry and feel more pain after receiving more than 15 phone calls from friends in the community asking her about the alcohol accusation.

Tom McReynolds was not my biological brother but my brother just the same. He was the most amazing son, grandson, brother and uncle any human being could hope to be. He loved and accepted people as they were. He was a dedicated employee and worked hard for everything in his short 20 years on this earth. He was amazing!

At the least you owe his mother Kathy and Grandmother Ruth an apology for this disgrace of an article. It was enough to loose a child don't you think?

I should hope you will never feel this pain in your lifetime. Sincerely,
Jullie M. Robertson-Doyle
Highland, Calif.
I will try to remember to get the toxicology results when they come back. Ed.

Editor:

In a recent e-mail reply, my old friend in Florida, the one who is leaning way over to the left, reminded me that I supported Governor Huckabee in the primaries and that I thought Sen. McCain wasn't conserveative enough. Well, it was easy to rebut that one because Gov. Huckabee is no longer a choice in the election. So when I look at the choices that remain, McCain/Palin or Obama/Biden, and compare all their experience, voting records in the Senate along with Governor Palin's very high approval rating in the largest State of our Country-it's clear as a bell to me who is the conservative ticket. I proudly choose McCain/Palin to lead our Country for the next four years. I think Senator McCain's life was miraculously delivered from the carrier explosion, being shot down in Viet Nam and the tormented years as POW just so he could be where he is now at this point in time. He is ready to be president.

So, after you've looked at the choices, made an educated comparison of records and issues and you still can't dicide to vote for McCain/Palin, I have a mind maker upper for you---Obama and Biden are lawyers; McCain and Palin ARE NOT lawyers. Don't you agree that that should make it a no brainer?

Raymond Gross
Columbus

Editor:

Sarah Palin's appearance on Saturday Night Live this past weekend is a typical example of why America will fall. Behavior unbecoming of a free people, we as a society have tolerated, catered, and pandered to lewd behavior in high society for so long we have gotten to consider it a norm. If there was anyone who had reason to take issue with the likes of SNL it should have been Sarah Palin. Just a few weeks prior SNL did a satire on Sarah Palin's husband having incest with his in its self should have become a campaign issue at least to the level of Joe Plumber. It should have provided a springboard of discussion of how reckless and irresponsible the entertainment and communication mediums have become in wreaking havoc on our culture, but instead Sarah Palins appearance has only reinforced the like behavior and demonstrated how desperately devoid of leadership we are.

Each one of you have the opportunity to reply to this communication and make this an issue if you are of like mind. I would encourage you to reply all if you do and indulge those that do.

Jimmy Ray Bourland
Columbus

Editor:

Why is gas 30 to 40 cents more per gallon in Columbus than some other cities? I have been driving a lot lately and gas is at least $2.79 per gallon in general and in several locations 30 to 40 cents cheaper. Pontotoc was $2.62 for Exxon gas and $2.57-2.59 for the local discount brands. Columbus was $2.99-3.02 when I left this morning, Friday the 17th.

End result is I have not bought gas in Columbus for over a month. For those of us that travel, we should all do this and help them start competing.

Edwin Flint

Editor:

For the past several weeks, I have been placing Republican political campaign signs in my yard, only to have someone cowardly come onto my property during the night, and remove those McCain/Palin signs. I will continue to replace these signs, but am concerned as to the political views and opinions of those responsible for vandalously taking the McCain/Palin signs. I hope that this is not the values and beliefs that this person( s) wishes to see in support in their party. I have spoke with my neighbors and they also reported that their McCain/Palin signs have also been stolen or vandalized. I do not want your Obama/Liden sign, so please leave my McCain/Palin sign alone. The Republican Party gives out free McCain/Palin signs, I believe the Obama/Liden signs are not, but please feel free to get your own and proudly display it as I will continue to replace/display my McCain/Palin signs. I have honorably served my country to protect my rights, and yours. See you at the polls come November.

Republican by choice
Rick Hayes
Editor's note: Another homeowner, county resident Diane Blair, called 911 a couple of times over the weekend to report that youths were stealing presidential campaign signs from her front yard. Her husband followed the young thieves and helped apprehend them but did not press charges. Mrs. Blair called me about it later. I said that it's pretty common and not really newsworthy and suggested she write a letter to the editor. I said we did a story about stolen signs in Caledonia several years ago when a candidate paid some young males to take up his opponent's signs, which is more newsworthy. I know Rick Hayes but didn't know about his stolen signs till I got his letter.

Editor:

An independent voters' story:

I have an old friend living in Florida who is supporting Obama/Biden. He has asked me to do the same but I told him I am voting for McCain/Palin and ask him to follow my lead. I went on to say that I would support Obama/Biden if they were pro life instead of pro abortion, if they would take a stand against euthanasia, imbryonic stem cell research, human cloning and same sex marriage. And if Mr. Obama had been straight with us about his past since the beginning, from the Selma Speech in O7 to the 38 "not exactly's" (google 'obama's not esactly's' to get a run down) and all the way to "it's above my pay grade" comment made in the first debate. I just flat told my friend that I couldn't trust Mr. Obama to be my President because of his inexperience and after all the examples of his poor judgement revealed to us in the past year, especially exposing his sweet little girls, all their lives, to pure racism and hatred of America in what he claimed was a Christian Church up there in Chicago.

Well, my friend has since called me a racist, a traitor and a member of the KKK just because I will not vote for Obama/Biden. Is that the typical attitude of a liberal democrat ? If so, I'm glad I'm an independent with no ties to either of the main parties. I think that's the best thing about our election process in MS, we're all just registered voters. Back to what I told my old buddy: I told him in my last letter to read and heed the famous statement made by Dr. MLK, "Don't judge a man by the color of his skin but by the content of his character". Plus, If Alan Keyes was still in the running, I would be supporting him. I'm still waiting for his reply.

Raymond Gross
Columbus

Editor:

In Sunday's Commercial Dispatch, Neal Wagner reported on a meeting of the Columbus Association of Educators on October 9th. The CAE had invited the Mississippi Association of Educators' President and Executive Director to talk about funding and tax issues.

MEA Executive Director Frank Yates said, "Much of the money that could be put toward better funding for schools is being given away to businesses as tax abatements." This statement is incorrect.

Mississippi has not allowed either the Board of Supervisors or city leaders to exempt school taxes since 1979. The law was also changed in 1989, requiring industries to pay school taxes on industrial revenue bonds. Supervisors do have leeway to negotiate taxes on projects over $100,000,000, but the schools have to receive their pro rata share based on millage.

To be clear, tax abatements for businesses or industries have nothing to do with school funding.

Rep. Gary A. Chism
Columbus

Roger:

The American tax payers have just bailed out a few financial institutions with 850 billion dollars of our money. Last evening I watched the Chief Executive of Lehman Brothers lie through his teeth when asked questions from the House Government Reform Committee on Capitol Hill.

Lehman Brothers arranged millions in bonuses for fixed executives as it pleaded for a federal lifeline. I'm sure that Lehman Brothers and others have taken us for a huge ride.

Thousands of tax payers have lost their homes because of these greedy executives. Many tax payers have paid the ultimate price (their lives) because of the actions of these people; but these executives will only get slapped on their hand for their actions.

Dave Lapeyrolerie

P.S. Once again the American tax payer gets the shaft.

I understand that if we don't bail these -- out, the entire country will go down.

Editor:

I am writing about a major problem. I am disappointed, discussed and appalled at the way some people in Columbus and/or Lowndes County just dump their animals on the side of the road to fend for themselves. You look around town and you see cars and trucks that have thousands of dollars of accessories to make them sound loud enough to rattle windows, but they can't afford to have their pets spayed or neutered to avoid breeding of unwanted dogs and cats. There are plenty of places around town that have low-cost programs to reduce the cost of spaying and neutering. These puppies and kittens that people are dumping are not bags of garbage that will eventually be picked up. They are living, breathing, feeling animals that don't realize that cars can't see them at night.

I feel that if the people that do this horrific act to animals should not only be given a hefty fine and possible jail time for cruelty to animals, they should also be taken out in the middle of the woods with no food, water, shoes or clothes and told they have to eat what they can find, sleep with the wild animals and other things that go bump in the night. I honestly don't think they would fare as well as our furry friends but maybe it would be a major wake-up call that puppies, kittens, dogs and cats are babies that depend on us for food and shelter.

Please, people, think before you dump your animal. There are better solutions that will benefit not only you but also a precious animal too.

Thank you,
Regina Parks

Editor:

Like yourself, I had a flashback to June 26, 2005 after hearing of the twoyear sentence imposed upon Gill Dishongh by Judge Jim Kitchens.

On that date in 2005, Judge Kitchens sentenced Julian Mingo to three ten-year prison terms to be served consecutively, followed by five years' probation. A thirty -year prison sentence on hearsay evidence from a fourteen- year old! Unconscionable! The State offered no corroborative evidence to support the plantiff's allegation that he was "touched" inappropriately- apparently meaning for lustful purposes. No admission of guilt by Mr. Mingo other than his proffering an apology for what he claims was a misunderstanding on the part of the 14 yearold. Mr. Mingo had warned his student that "weird things" were involved in the voice instruction, i.e, the placing of the hand(s) on the diaphram.

I went online to view the Mississippi Supreme Court review of Mingo's appeal . The case was presided over by MANG Brigader General William Waller, Jr., who, by the way, is the eldest son of Bill Waller. Bill Waller prosecuted Byron Beckwith for the murder of Medgar Evers and, after a mis-trial, re-prosecuted Beckwith in the infamous double-jeopardy trial six years later. That trial, too, ended in a mistrial. Truth is, Bill Waller was out-lawyered by Beckwith's attorney, Mr. Hardy. Isn't there something in the Seventh Amendment about prohibiting the re-examination of any facts previously tried by a jury in any court in the US?

My recollections of Mingo's trial are gleaned from your Packet reports during the proceedings. As I remember the Mingo trial goes down as "the trial from Hell," as Mingo's attorney turned the whole affair into a three-ring circus, resulting in Miller refusing to continue with the trial and being held in contempt of court by Judge Kitchens.

Mingo never had a chance with Miller as his counsel, and I don't see why Judge Kitchens didn't order a mistrial. A case in point regarding Mr. Miller's poor performace as defense counsel is that Miller never even cross-examined the prosecution's "star" 14 year-old student witness after he took the witness stand. So the only "evidence" that the prosecution had , other than the hearsay evidence of the student, was an 8mm tape-found in a search of Mr. Mingo's home-of a sexual act performed by a male. That should have no bearing on the "fondling" charge.

I have only one problem with Judge Kitchen's conduct of the trial: that is, his denying Mingo's "expert voice witness" to testify . That would have cleared the air as to how voice instruction techniques could have been perceived as inappropiate by a fourteen-year old, especially after he went home and told "Dad."

Ironically, Judge Kitchens used as the basis for excluding Mingo's witness the old ploy that Beckwith's nemesis, Bobby Delaughter and Ed Peters, used to "take down" defense witnesses in Beckwith's triple-jeopardy trial in 1998(?). In that trial DeLaughter and Peters, with a compliant presiding judge, excluded exculpatory testimony of several defense witnesses, claiming that the defense willingly "failed to present the witnesses in a timely manner, so as to gain a tactical advantage that would minimize the effictiveness of cross-examination and the ability to address rebuttal evidence." This was the basis Judge Kitchens used to exclude Mingo's "expert" rebuttal witness testimony. And, if you review the Appeals Court ruling in Mingo's case, Waller cites Beckwith v. State 707 So. 22 547, 575 (Miss. 1997) to uphold Judge Kitchens' exclusion of the "expert" witness testimony! And, the irony is that it was Kitchens.

who wrote the "minority" opinion-the 4- 2 judgement rejecting Beckwith's appeal of his 1997 triple-jeopardy trial conviction- for Chief Judge Dan Lee. I hope I am correct in that statement.

Judge Dan Lee is quoted as saying that the upholding of Beckwith's conviction "results in a total eradication of the guarantee of a speedy trial." A trial held 6,967 days after the original indictment, hardly qualifies as a "speedy trial."

Roger, I see in this case an opportunity for Commercial Dispatch Editor Garthia Burnett to "show her stuff" and grow as a journalist, only if "Boss" Imes turns her loose and lets her chart her own course without oversight.

The Mingo Case could become a "cause celebre" and a chance to revisit and re-examine the evidence that was used to convict Mr. Mingo. "beyond a reasonable doubt."

A trip to Parchman to speak with Mr. Mingo, a viewing of the courts tapes entered as evidence and an interview with the now 18-year old student would certainly shine light on this case of miscarriage of justice. My first question to the alleged victim: "Why did it take you from spring to fall to figure out you were being fondled?" Duh!

Tommy Gentry
Crawford

Editor:

I am writing in regards to an article that appeared in the October 2 edition of the Packet.

My first concern is that the columnist mentions a bulldog has lock on its collar to "apparently build up his neck strength." Sir, this is terribly erroneous! Most people who put locks on a bulldog's collar or chain do so simply to keep the dog from being stolen, not to "build up neck strength." In fact, if you will consult with anyone who knows canine physiology, they will tell you putting any kind of weight on a dog's neck, be it a heavy chain or locks will tell you it will NOT result neck strength. Rather, it will result in painful subluxations of the neck & if anything weaken the neck instead of strengthening it! I do hope your readers know this because I would hate for a reader to have picked up a "great idea" from your article and try it out on his or her dog and thus harm the poor animal!

My second concern is that the columnist headlines the article as drug raid, but dedicates all but one sentence to the actual raid! The rest of the article focuses on the dogs! Sir, I hazard to say this, but drugs, drug sales and drug production should garner FAR more attention from both the news outlets & law enforcement than a fellow owning a handful of bulldogs!

My last concern are the pictures in the article. One is of a dog in a defensive posture barking & the other is of an officer shooting a dog with a tranquilizer gun. Both pictures sensationalize the article, but sadly they also further the stereotype that bulldogs are vicious animals. This is terrible because it makes the dogs appear "big & bad" & thus more attractive to thugs who will abuse them. Plus, it scares people who don't know what wonderful dogs bulldogs can be into wanting to kill them. Either way it's a lose-lose situation for the helpless and innocent dogs. The fact is, bulldogs are no more vicious in nature than a German Shepherd or Lab, or even a Dachund or Jack Russell. But pictures you featured portray them as slavering monsters, when in fact they are anything but.

In closing I wish to say with all due respect I found the article in question very worrying. I do hope that article was just a lapse in judgment and look forward to reading more accurate and relevant articles in the Packet in the future.

Yours in Script,
Dana Turner
Yours in Script?

If a person wanted to secure his dog he would only need one padlock, not five.

The letter came via e-mail. I sent a reply asking where Mr./Ms. Turner lives and did not get a reply. There is no Dana Turner in my phone book.

Ed.