Letters from Readers - 2006
|
Dec. 11, 2006 Thanks to merchants Thanks to them, Christmas for Kids will be able to provide a Merry Christmas to scores of children who otherwise would not have had one. Christmas for Kids gets bigger every year, but sadly, so does the need. Those who participated in any way are sure to have a Merry Christmas knowing that they made Christmas brighter for some sweet Cherokee County child. Thank you again and we hope you have a blessed Christmas and a prosperous
New Year. Dec. 4, 2006 Success for CMS The facility that now serves as the middle school and the Cherokee County Courthouse were both built in 1937. We have a new county administrative building and now we need to get on with the business of building a new middle school. Again, we appreciate Mrs. Renee Miller and all the other faculty members and volunteers who helped in any way with the sale. Other plans are being formulated to raise funds, all of which will be deposited into Regions Bank into the new Centre Middle School building fund. Only the county schools superintendent can withdraw funds. Anyone may deposit funds into the account as a love offering to the
school. Nov. 27, 2006 Connect with Charter This department handles customers who have unresolved complaints, and I used this number to the Advocacy Team to escalate my complaint. I was told by the office that they were interested in hearing our complaints and aren't aware of problems with local service unless we contact them with this information. Be advised of a possible waiting time when you call, but this number is not as confusing as the toll-free number on your monthly cable bill. I have used the Advocacy Team and am sure you will reach satisfaction
after talking with them. Keep this number for future reference of an
escalated complaint: 1-866-212-1063. Statistics show outdoor cats live significantly shorter lives than inside cats. Part-time and full-time outsiders are all exposed to the same risks, just for shorter lengths of time. These risks include injury or death from encounters with vehicles; wild animals; roaming dogs; other cats carrying a number of deadly diseases and parasites spread through bites, scratches, and feces; illness and death from insecticides, herbicides, rat bait and other common poisons; and extreme weather conditions. The American Veterinary Medical Association's position statement regarding cat ownership is this: "The AVMA strongly encourages owners of domestic cats in urban and suburban areas to keep them indoors." The AVMA position for proper cat care is certainly an inconvenience for those who don't want to mess with a litter box, but it is what is best for the cat and the neighbors. As the Centre City Council approaches this vital subject of responsible pet ownership, it would be wise to tap into the valuable resources offered by the AVMA including their Model Dog and Cat Control Ordinance (www.AVMA.org). The Humane Society, The American Bird Conservancy, local veterinarians, and resident animal lovers can all contribute in creating an ordinance that is right for our city. City pets and county pets need the same care and protection.
Irresponsible pet owners, city and county alike, must be held accountable
for the neglect they inflict on their animals and for the damages they allow
their animals and for the damages they allow their animals to do. Exodus
21:28-32. Today, I visited the website for the first time, and I'm even more impressed. That site is just amazing, and provides a tremendous source of both local and national information, even more than the other weekly paper. All of you who are producing The Post deserve the thanks of all your readers and the respect and acknowledgment of all the "real" newspapers in the area, for you're every bit as good as the best of them. In some cases, you're much better. I worked for one of the "real" newspapers in this area for several years before leaving to become a full-time writer. I enjoyed reporting, and I especially enjoyed writing a weekly column (that's the part of the job that I miss the most). But I'd much rather have worked for a paper like The Post. You guys have evolved from a little shopper into a force to be reckoned with, and you have done it in a responsible, ethical manner. For all you've accomplished in a relatively few short years, you have my admiration. Watching you grow up has been a real pleasure, and I look forward to
seeing where you go from here. Nov. 20, 2006 An unhappy cable fable Recently, we had problems with our cable service and made several calls to Charter trying to resolve the issue. These calls were lengthy and time-consuming as Charter technicians tried to get the cable back up from their office. Each time we called we got a different "tech" and each time we got a different answer for the problem. Finally, after the fourth, call a service person was sent out to our house. He discovered that the cable box they furnish was "dead" and he brought in another one. When we received our next Charter Cable bill we were charged $26 for his visit. I have two problems with this. First of all, we had gone for several months without the cable service we were continuing to pay for and we received no refund. Secondly, I don't own the cable box -- it belongs to Charter. I'm only renting it. Why should I have to pay their employees for repair of THEIR equipment? To top off the frustration, when I called the Charter office to complain I was connected to a person who barely spoke English; I struggled to understand what he was saying. I asked twice to be connected to someone else but he insisted on helping me with the nine words of English he knew which were "I'm sorry for your inconvenience, you have to pay." Am I the only one who sees something wrong with this picture? Haggard and other Religious Right leaders have enjoyed prosperous, often luxurious personal incomes through demonizing anyone who disagrees with them and trying to force their "morality" on everyone but themselves. While trying to get our government to push their version of the Ten Commandments on the rest of us, they live by only the unwritten eleventh commandment, "Thou shalt not get caught". Haggard's fall will do little to slow the Religious Right's march towards what it declares to be God-mandated dominion over every aspect of human behavior (except their own) in our free society. Rather than recognizing that Haggard is evidence that their movement has rotted from within, they will follow the example of an old preacher who wrote in the margins of his sermon notes, "Argument is weak here, yell louder". When viewed from conservative pulpits, "liberals" will become even more depraved and everyone who is "different" will be more feared than ever. If they are going to continue to make themselves look good by making others look bad, they are going to have to make the rest of us look worse than Haggard. Don't feel sorry for Haggard. Those who are in power protect their own.
Haggard will soon be repented, recycled, re-packaged and returned to a
prosperous, though more closely monitored, lifestyle. Nov. 13, 2006 SNAFU at health department? This is very serious for the elderly in Cherokee and surrounding counties. If someone can't do their job they need to be fired. There should be no excuse for this and it needs to be looked into. Last year my granddaughter, a nurse who works for a doctor in Georgia, gave shots for me and her granny at no charge. I don't know where we'll get them this year, but it doesn't look like Cherokee County will be the place. This doesn't need to keep happening. Someone is in charge and they need to be held accountable. If it's the Cherokee County Commission they need or if it's Rep. Richard Lindsey, this is important. If it's elected officials, they need to do their jobs. Some people have a position and don't know how to do it properly or don't
care as long as he or she gets paid. They think everything else will fall in
place. My wish is the proper people see to and take care of the problem. If
they can't or won't, most likely we need to vote them out.
I want to thank Mr. Gary Laney, our chairman of the Independent Party. Without him, we could have never had a party to run for these offices. He has great ability and knowledge about forming parties. He gave our people great advice. Our goal was to bring people out to vote. We were successful in doing that. Our party made them think we had a great chance to win because of how hard we all worked. We want Cherokee County to change for the better. We picked five men and women that believed like Gary and I. They were men and women of great ability and wonderful morals. We knew it would take people that were willing to go against the norm. They did not care what people thought. They are not afraid of anyone. They put their beliefs on the line. Because of these men and women the election was one of the best ever. We will be back. We are here to stay. Our goal was to help the future of Cherokee County. This is a great county with wonderful people. We need to work together to make this county great for our kids and grandkids. Once again I want to thank those men and women who ran in the election.
They will be a big part in making this county great again. Nov. 6, 2006 Dangerous intersection The simple caution light currently at the crossing does not fix the problem. Most cars drive down this small stretch of road much faster than the 55 mph speed limit and the caution light does nothing to encourage slower speeds of oncoming traffic. The danger remains even if a car goes the speed limit. Many people, while conscientiously driving the speed limit, have had narrow escapes when other cars pull across in front of them. I have also experienced some very near-misses at this intersection that could have caused serious injury to either me or someone else. While many would attribute that to poor driving, the dangers of this intersection remain, even with the most diligent of drivers. Others might say that because the bypass expedites commercial traffic through Centre, installing a traffic light would greatly hinder business. However, I value individual lives higher than commercialism, and, in addition, industrial traffic faces the same safety risks. Any accident prevented by putting in a traffic light would certainly be worth any cost to local business. Yet, the issue consists neither of convenience nor of commercial facilitation. Safety should always take precedence, and the current caution light does
not ensure that safety. Only the installation of a traffic light would solve
the problems of this dangerous intersection. In this year's county budget, the Cherokee County Commission did not include this cost-of-living increase for retired county employees. This year's budget is in excess of $19 million, and the current commissioners would not include a fraction of a percent of its budget, to grant an increase to those who have spent their career working for the county. Normally the pay increases granted to retirees by the state Legislature happen about every four years (election time). This year is the first time in over 20 years that the Cherokee County Commission has denied its retired employees a cost-of-living increase as passed by the Legislature. Yet, county employees have been given cost-of-living raises every single year in that same 20-year period. Upon approval of the budget without the increase for retired employees, a group of retired county employees attended a recent meeting of the County Commission. The retired employees were called into a conference room prior to the meeting and stood around the wall while the spokesperson addressed the commissioners. When the official County Commission meeting was called to order, they retired employees again stood outside the meeting room in the hallway. Not a single member of the Cherokee County Commission spoke to members of the retiree group, nor did a single member of the Cherokee County Commission offer to shake hands with members of the group. Cherokee County has spent thousands of dollars in recent years attempting to attract retirees to our county. Now, the current commissioners, in their suits and ties, have turned their backs on their own retirees and have treated them as third-class citizens, when they attempted to address the Commission! This Cherokee County Commission has consistently talked about open
meetings and treating everyone equally and fairly. If you think this is the
way business is being conducted by this Cherokee County Commission, just
attend a meeting. Or better yet, just ask one of the third-class retired
county employees. Bob Epperson is heading up efforts to assist the families as they search for a new residence. "They need everything" Epperson said, "but their most immediate and urgent needs are disposable diapers, baby food, milk, warm clothing, temporary housing, and, of course, food. This is such a bad time for something like this to happen, with cold weather coming on, and Christmas." If anyone can help, they are urged to contact: Bob Epperson at 526-8398
or 256-504-2826 (cell) or Cat Jacobs at the Huddle House 927-7090. What is wrong with the candidates who qualified under the GOP ticket? Lori Owens does not like them. These two candidates were put in place by a promise that they would be elected if they ran on the GOP ticket. Both men are very capable and fine men. They are qualified and would probably be elected on the Democratic ticket. However, Lori Owens does not give the voters a choice. As long as Dr. Owens (as she prefers to be called) calls the shots, who knows who will be selected next? I am not asking people to vote for anyone except Rev. Melvyn Salter. We need a change. At this time, the only qualified people are Democrats. I am a very conservative Republican. I believe in God, my country, the safety and well-being of the American people, a strong military, tax cuts for everyone, less welfare and a stand against terrorism. If you want progress and prosperity in Cherokee County, vote your conscience and get rid of the people holding the Republican Party or Cherokee County will cease to exist as we know it. I believe reorganization is in order. We need aggressive agendas and not personal ones. Recently, my wife and I attended the Republican Party's annual banquet. There were 60 to 80 people there. We have lived in Cherokee County for two years. The only people that spoke to us were the aforementioned candidates. They shook our hands and asked for our votes. The couple that sat at our table were also fairly new to the county. They were friendly. Not one other person introduced themselves or spoke to us. This struck me as a funny way to build a Republican following. Everyone seemed too important to introduce themselves and make us feel welcome. At every other Republican function I have attended, there was someone at the door to greet you. The only person that impressed me was State Treasurer Kay Ivey, the keynote speaker at the banquet. She has our vote. It makes you wonder why the people in charge take the attitude of the "Big I and Little You". They want your vote. Then, they throw you under the bus. According to a recent letter to the editor in the Post, Kirk Day has a divine right to the probate judge office. A clergyman wrote this article. If that is so, I have a divine right to a decent County Commission and less snooty people. All over the South, the Republican Party has gained momentum by reaching
out to the people. I believe that would work here as well. I told Mayor Powell I believe sidewalks would be a huge benefit to the resident in the area, many of whom are seniors residing at Cherokee Manor Apartments and Cherokee Estates Apartments. Many of those people have frequent needs to go to the hospital and/or one of the doctors' offices, but do not have any sidewalks to get there. All of the above-mentioned facilities are within one block of one another, yet the only place for the seniors to walk is down the side of the busy street. Due to lack of sidewalks, this places burdens upon the family to provide automobile transportation for less than one block of travel. I think sidewalks connecting the medical facilities on Northwood Drive would be a great service to the elderly population that resides at Cherokee Manor Apartments and Cherokee Estates Apartments. This would be an excellent way to improve access to medical care for our seniors who reside in these areas, and for employees working in these facilities. I would request that this be considered by the City Council, and
hopefully approved and installed in the near future. My neighbor has brought in four junk cars (one by tow truck) and placed them along the property line we share for no reason I can ascertain other than to try and devalue my property. That's bad if you want to sell your property, as I currently do. If we don't vote yes on the special election, a junk yard could happen to
you in a week or less. So please vote yes, so the county government can make
sure this does not happen to you. Oct. 30, 2006 Message to voters If you or members of your family are trying to live on a meager retirement check, you understand that without overtime -- if there are no cost of living increases -- you cannot maintain a decent lifestyle with the soaring cost of food, medicine, gasoline, heating bills, clothes and everything else you need to survive increasing constantly. Retired State of Alabama employees recently received a cost of living increase approved by the state Legislature. In the past, these cost of living increases were approved for Cherokee County retirees by the County Commission as they occurred for state retirees. Not this year! The present County Commission thumbed their noses at the county retirees by not even considering them in "their" budget. At least two of the commissioners will soon retire from the state school system, so they are covered by actions of the state Legislature in their present and future cost of living increases. Also, for the last several years, the sitting (elected) county commissioners have approved cost of living increases for county employees. This present (mostly appointed) commission reduced this amount for the last two budget years. Is this what is meant by managing 125 employees? It appears to me that the only logical explanation for all this is a lack of appreciation for the county employees and retirees thereof. Those of you who work or are retired, and belong to a labor union or other negotiating representation realize that sometimes you must fight for your rights. We don't have that option; we are expected to accept whatever is tossed to us with our heads bowed and our hats in our hands. Most of us have never even seen an oversized desk under a much-publicized crystal chandelier! There have been some very pretty campaign ads in the news media concerning cost of living increases for elected officials. If you have no cost of living, you need no increases. It is very different for those of us who have the responsibility of providing for a family and household. Dr. Owens, who by the way makes decisions for the County Commission,
pushed the cost of living issue to the back-burner, or completely off the
stove, whichever the case may be, and hired a "think tank" to count the
number and pay them $9,000. This motion was rubber-stamped by all the
commissioners except one, who saw it as a waste of taxpayers money. Think
before you vote! I'm proud of all these liberal programs. What programs have conservatives introduced that help the poor and the working middle class? Currently, there are 68 lobbyists for every congressman in Washington; most are conservatives, and liberals love their families like you wouldn't believe. Gerald Dial, take your 30 pieces of silver and go to the Big House. Just
please don't call yourself a Democrat, because you're not. Melvyn Salter is an ordained minister. The implication made by Rev. Ellison is that a pastor doesn't know anything beyond conducting church business meetings or deacon meetings. Rev. Ellison should speak only for himself. I believe that a mature, responsible person like Melvyn Salter can and will rise to the occasion in respect to judicial procedures, legal jurisprudence, and fairness, as well as ethical and moral views. Melvyn Salter seeks God's will in every aspect of his life and I believe that he feels God is leading him to be a servant of the people of Cherokee County as probate judge, just as he's been a servant as a pastor. I suppose Rev. Ellison, from Etowah County, forgot to include pastor Mark Green in his judgment of Cherokee County political candidates. Isn't that interesting? I have had the privilege to know Melvyn Salter for many years. During my recent troubles he always took time to give me encouraging words. With every newspaper article and radio announcement that mentioned my name, Bro. Salter always called to offer his support. I am one of many people in this county who will stand and defend the character of Melvyn Salter. Whether it is an election year or not, no man deserves to be degraded in the manner expressed in that letter. Bro. Salter has served the people of this community for decades with no regard for race or social status. To the person who wrote that letter: if you ever needed Melvyn Salter, he
would be there for you, too. Oct. 23, 2006 Drug Court response The circumstances which necessitated the postponement of the ceremonies were beyond the control of those who operate the Drug Court program. Circuit Judge David Rains had a scheduled Plea Day set for the 29th in the same courtroom that is normally used for the graduation ceremonies. Criminal court matters, by law, take precedence over Drug Court. Such is the case for the DeKalb County Drug Court, which has also had to reschedule graduation ceremonies for various reasons. Additionally, all the lawyers in my office were tied up in court with the criminal docket being handled by Judge Rains. Their attendance and responsibilities at the graduation are required and essential. Other conflicts were experienced by various members of the staff, and the guest speaker was also unable to attend on Sept. 29. Was this unfortunate to those graduates who had waited 18 months for their time to shine? You bet. And we all regret the inconvenience and delay caused by the postponement. We, “court officials”, worked five years to bring this outstanding program to Cherokee County. I have personally seen the tremendous good that has been achieved through Drug Court. Those who participate are expected to complete the most intensive and vigorous rehabilitation program in the country. Their strength of character, depth of commitment, and courage are challenged and tested all the way through the program. We demand a great deal of them, and the graduates have demonstrated that they were up to the challenge. Graduation is their reward -- it is when we, “court officials”, publicly acknowledge that these exceptional individuals have proven themselves worthy to us, their families, and the community. It is our desire to make the graduation ceremonies as special and rewarding as we possibly can. A great deal of time and effort is put into each graduation ceremony. It is at that time the prosecutor announces that the graduates have fulfilled all that was asked of them, and now, their criminal cases are being dismissed and their records expunged. They are given a very rare second chance at life. Guest speakers are brought in to make the moment even more special. Various agencies and businesses provide gifts to the graduates as mementos of this special time. We want the occasion to be a true remembrance. Every person associated with Drug Court gives many hours of their time to these Drug Court participants. Why? Because they believe in those individuals who are willing to try to turn their lives around. (That is why Judge Carver performs her Drug Court duties for no additional pay.) They often become very attached to those involved in the program. They become an integral part of each participant's life. We are extremely proud of the program, but we are even more proud of each man and woman who has successfully completed the program. So, Ms. Richardson, I would ask you to look beyond the temporary postponement of the 29th graduation and the possibility of an additional fee, and instead focus on the graduation itself, which will now take place on Nov. 3. This will be a joyous time -- a time of great pride and celebration. A time when each graduate can stand tall before his or her peers, and say, “I did it!” When family members can look into the eyes of their loved ones and, for the first time in many months, see a glow and a clarity that was either lost or never existed. It will be a time of healing and restoration, when souls that have nearly been destroyed by the ravages of drug addiction will be returned to their families as new creatures, ready to take on the responsibilities of being sons and daughters, husbands and wives, mothers and fathers. That is what Drug Court signifies, and what the graduation ceremony is supposed to commemorate. Great things have been, and are being, accomplished through Drug Court.
These things would not be possible without the selfless dedication and
commitment of those “court officials” you were so quick to criticize. They
deserve better. They operate a program that is not required by law, and only
exists because there are folks in our judicial system who are willing to go
above and beyond their required duties to provide a program that has proven
to save many lives destined for death. Perhaps you have a relative who fits
in that category. If so, you should be saying “thank you” to these same
“court officials” for providing a graduation at all, rather than quibbling
about a short postponement. I suspect there are many parents and children
with drug-ravaged family members who would gladly wait an extra month and
pay the additional fee to see the stunning results in their own family
members that Drug Court has brought to the lives of its participants. Yes,
please do remember all those “court officials” next election. Having been a pastor in Centre for several years, it was my privilege to develop many deep and lasting friendships with the wonderful people of Centre and Cherokee County. The Wayne Day family faithfully attended my church. Their son, Kirk, was 13 at the time and already possessed a maturity and wisdom above some adults. During this time I was honored to meet Rev. Melvin Salter, a fine pastor committed to the watchful care of his church until he resigned the pastorate there. Over the years I have continued to observe the life of Kirk Day as he matured through his educational and military careers, before returning to Centre to assist in the family business with his parents and brother Keith. The voters now face a challenging dilemma. Two candidates, both of whom possess strong Christian morals, values, a commitment to do what is morally correct and a concern for the best interest of the citizens of Cherokee County. Each candidate is strongly endorsed by his particular political party. With such similarities what defining issues can enable one to cast a vote for the best person for the position of probate judge? The political arena, as no other occupational career, embraces its own challenge. There generally is no even playing field. It is a brutal occupation where one wrong decision could turn an honest man or woman down a spiraling life of corruption, as the people of Cherokee County well know. Being in the position of probate judge is totally different that being moderator of the church business meeting, or simply knowing the Roberts Rules of Order, or directing a deacon's meeting when stubborn wills can sometimes sidetrack the best of intentions. I believe one clarion word can shine the light on the heart of the matter: "calling." Kirk Day has a divine call to the political arena. The probate judge must render decisions based on judicial procedures, legal jurisprudence, fairness, as well as ethical and moral views. Such decisions can involve technical research concerning the law, past and present policies and procedures. The probate judge makes decisions that must be based on what is right, not what is most harmonious to "keep the peace", nor favoritism to certain individuals. The Apostle Paul, when he surrendered to the call to preach the gospel, forsook his political ambitions to follow the Higher Calling. He boldly preached against political and social injustices but never again entered the political position, even til his death, nor his retirement (Romans 11:29). I am firmly convinced that Kirk Day possesses the life qualities to BEST fill the position of Cherokee County probate judge. His decisions and leadership will enhance the growth and future of the great people of Cherokee County, regardless of party. This letter of endorsement was neither solicited nor requested. I personally felt a passionate need to openly support a young man, Kirk Day, who is seeking to fulfill his "divine call." Having been in the ministry for over 36 years, I have studied the historical movements of great revivals of times past. Men of God, whose appetites for God, were greater than their waistlines and desires for pleasures and food, sought the face of God for divine intervention on behalf of the affairs of mankind. As revivals broke upon the scene spiritual renewal was immediately evident among church congregations, irrespective of denominational positions. This was soon followed by social and political reform. Therefore let each of us pray and fulfill our calling, according to Romans 11-29. The voters of Cherokee County should cast their vote for the one who is
"called" and may those of us who are ministers remain faithful to our
calling and ministry. However, when Bob Epperson heard of the situation, he contacted us
personally and though we had never met, he assured us, saying "Don't worry
about those kids having Christmas. They will have Christmas." When "Santa"
delivered those gifts to our grandchildren, my wife and I were brought to
tears. A man with a heart like that needs to be our sheriff. Every sign just so happened to be a democratic candidate. Only one Republican has even approached me about their support and this person is not in the running now. Fact is, I have good friends in both parties. I contacted those candidates and told them what happened. I was not really surprised when they told me that a lot of their signs had gone missing and coincidently replace by another party's sign. I even saw a sign where someone was bold enough to steal another candidate's sign and paint their name on just one side. How stupid can you get? In fact, two of them told me they had over 100 signs taken down only to be replaced by another party's candidate signs. I am not that naive to believe that this doesn't happen on both sides of the fence, only thing is this was a violation of my freedom of speech and third degree theft. I immediately reported this to the sheriff's department. This is where I found out that this was third degree theft. They told me that they know of the situation and even have a good idea of who is doing this. So, to those who take signs, they know who you are; it's probably just a matter of time before they catch you in the act. I do not believe that candidates from either party would condone such behavior and, in fact, should pass on the message publicly to have whoever is doing this to stop this foolishness. I, like most of you, think sometimes candidate's signs can be a little
bit too much For someone to "throw mud" at a beloved person such as Melvin Salter is despicable. How many of you reading this can relate to how Melvin Salter has been there for you when you had sickness, death, marital problems, and many other hardships? I know he has gotten up at all hours of the night to be with a family whose child has been in a tragic car crash or who had a loved one in their last minutes in this life. He has always been one you can count on at that time. I believe Billie Rylance doesn't really know Melvin Salter. To say that he is old, afflicted with memory deficit disorder and selective outrage syndrome, to disparage a good Christian man in this way just because he is seeking a political office and she is for his opponent is not the right thing to do. I am repulsed at people moving into our county and criticizing our people who have been serving and leading our communities for decades. The ones that have the most to say are usually the ones that know little about what our people and our county are all about. One executive member was heard by several saying, "I'm going to beat
Melvin Salter's a** all over Cherokee County!" All I can say is he and
Billie Rylance are very good representatives of what the Cherokee County
Republican Party has become. Oct. 16, 2006 Juvenile Junior fans Following the last lap fiasco between the front three drivers at the UAW-Ford 500 on Oct. 8, more than a few Dale, Jr. fans started throwing beer cans onto the speedway. Was this to protest the fact that if you are running first at Talladega and you have two cars who happen to be teammates on your rear bumper heading into turn three you probably are not are not going to get the victory anyway? Anybody with any racing knowledge at all knew Junior was a sitting duck in first place. For 188 laps, 149,000 other people and I watched as the lead changed and changed, and changed. Regardless of what transpired, even Dale, Jr. said he was just thinking about holding onto third. Back to the beer can throwing. As I watched these Dale, Jr. fans litter the speedway with beer cans, I noticed a few beer cans were full. I do not know what a full beer weighs, but I do know it could have really hurt somebody had any of them made contact with a person's head. And a few of those full beers did not make it out of the stands and onto the track. Luckily, those seats were empty. I guess my bottom line is, most Dale, Jr. fans are classless. Period. Dale, Sr. is gone, and Junior is not his daddy. Let's put the sport of
racing where it belongs, in the category of entertainment. It is not life or
death if Dale, Jr. doesn't win. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. lost the race last
Sunday, and in that regard he was no different than 42 other drivers at
Talladega. He is a graduate the Northeast Alabama Police Academy. He was trained in first-line supervision. During his years of law enforcement work, Bob has served as radio dispatcher, patrolman, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, acting chief of police. While in Piedmont, he was the public relations officer. He also served as jailer (corrections officer) in Etowah County. He served the Northeast Alabama with honor for 20 years. Bob has always had a strong calling to work with young people of all ages. While serving in Piedmont, he and fellow officers established the teen program known as Leaders of Tomorrow (LOT). He and Pam, his dear wife of 13 years, have held Christmas for Kids here in Cherokee County for five years. He is well known for his willingness to help churches and other groups with their benefits, and gladly serves as MC for fund raisers. Bob firmly believes that elected officials -- all of them -- are servants of all the people, regardless of who their relatives are or what positions they hold. As sheriff, he will be accessible and available to the citizens at all times. "If it's important enough that you need to talk, it's important enough that I need to listen," Bob has said. We need Bob Epperson for sheriff of Cherokee County. In his radio ads, he claims it an outrage that some members of the Cherokee County Commission were appointed, as required by law. The real outrage is that these appointments were necessary because previous elected officials abused the public trust, remember? However, I agree with the proposition that our probate judge should be elected. So let's all march to the polls and elect an honest and experienced Kirk
Day for Cherokee County Probate Judge. I questioned them because of that fact. Later they refunded my money after they looked in to the regulations. They told me that anyone they won't deliver to should get a free P.O. box. Again this year, I was told I have to pay for my P.O. box. I went in and told them that I'm not suppose to pay and the new post master -- she's a real sweetie -- told me I had to pay or get a mail box. I told her home delivery was what I'd wanted from the beginning. So she had to get it approved because until that time my address did not exist. I kept checking in with her every week, then one day I was in there getting my mail and she asked if I had my box up yet. She had not contacted me at all to let me know it was approved, but I told her I would put one up as soon as I settled some family issues out of town. She said that was fine. Then last week I went in the post office she informed me that it took me too long getting my mail box up and she has been returning my mail. I asked her why she hadn't contacted me and she said "I didn't think I had too". Well, I think she should have. So anyway, my mail box is up and my mail is being delivered to my house. The
question now is how many people are paying for their P.O. box when they
shouldn't have to? How many people are going to want their mail to be
delivered to their house now? And another question is, how many people are
being mistreated by the "sweetie" at the post office? I know Cherokee County is trying to raise money through donations to build a shelter. This is not something that should be done through donations, but rather by the government, as required by law. I'm writing this at 7 a.m. because at 5 a.m. my 12-year-old daughter and I had to get our family cat out of the jaws of a Rottweiler that was wondering loose around our neighborhood. After filing a police report we found out that this is not the first report on this animal. We also found out the city of Centre has no leash law, but that if we lived two blocks up the road -- outside the city limits -- then the state leash law would be in effect. This just doesn't make sense. How can our elected officials pick and choose what laws they want to enforce? Had one of our elected officials had to comfort their child at 5 a.m. and tell them there is nothing that can be done to the negligent people who won't keep their dogs in check, I'm sure something would get done about the problem then! In the mean time I have to comfort a little girl who has just lost a friend. This is an election year, so let's all make the right choice by putting
people into office who are going to enforce the laws of our state regardless
of what it costs. You can't put a dollar amount on every tear that rolls
down the cheeks of child when the people they are supposed to look up to
won't do the right thing. Oct. 9, 2006 Drug court hiccups And after the 18 months was promised a graduation in writing on Sept. 29. Then on Sept. 27 our elected court officials informed them graduation was postponed until Nov. 3, with another monthly fee plus five weeks of leaving their jobs early or going in late on the days their color comes up. If offenders must keep appointments and schedules, why can't our court officials be expected to do the same? Let's remember them next election. In December 2005 the lady my husband and I rented a room from came in and told my husband we had to be out in 24 hours. Bob and his wife Pam saved us from being in a tent. They came by where I worked and I told them what happened. That afternoon we moved into their home. You can talk to Bob about anything and he listens! Bob cares about everyone and he would be a very fair sheriff. If you do wrong you will be arrested, no matter who you are. My husband and I truly believe Bob will be a big asset to the people of
Cherokee County and urge everyone to vote for Bob Epperson. You'll be glad
you did! Is this not a show of deep Christian faith? Is it not, too, a remembrance
of ancient superstitions on which not only Christianity but also most
religions are based? Either or both it is, indeed, heart-warming and
re-enforcing to the faith of some passers by. Oct. 2, 2006 Defeating the Dems Democrat politicians want folks to believe that this is Bush’s war and not the country’s. If the war on terrorists is allowed to be undermined by Democrats' efforts, we all lose and many more will die. Unlike elected Democrats and a few Republicans, our young men and women soldiers very much believe that they are fighting in Iraq to kill terrorists who would otherwise be attacking us here in this country. One need only read the military blogs to know this. Politicians who continue to undermine our war effort must be defeated at
the polls in November. Curiously enough Congressman's Rogers views is only shared in part by the citizens quoted in a front page story in the Sept 26 Birmingham News in a story about the influx to Crossville. Even the mayor of Collinsville, Jimmy Carter, is on the record saying he has told both state Sen. Lowell Barron and Congressman Robert Aderholt his biggest concern is not with the border, but with hospitably educating immigrants into our community as most of them try to assimilate themselves while they visit and/or seek refuge and citizenship in our country. If Rep. Rogers was a serious Christian -- something I understand he wore on his sleeve when he ran against Methodist Sunday School teacher Joe Turnham just a few years ago -- instead of wedging an issue Bishop Willimon, Jim Evans of Auburn and others are onto, he would seek greater community and good will through a series of open forums. It should not be too hard to bring US Atty. General Alberto Gonzalez to the table as it has been known for some time that his father-in-law is a resident of Cherokee County. Bob Moser has shown politicians like Rogers for what they are: gamesmen with little respect either for the overriding themes of Scripture or serious resolution of America's immigrant issues; Moser has spelled it out in an article in the Nation Magazine, titled White Heat. All of you can easily Google it up. Sept. 25, 2006 Save our Constitution Constitution Day, Sept. 17, passed by “with little fanfare” as predicted by a friend of mine. “Don't count on the media moguls even mentioning it. The general public will probably sleep through the modest tribute to the world's greatest protector of liberty and limited government.” After all it's there. Everybody knows it's there. And the public servants swear to us they will preserve, protect, and uphold it. But exactly what is the Constitution of the U.S.A.? It is the only legal document we have to hold against self-aggrandized politicians with visions of dictator dancing in their heads. They are now working for us! Now. Ponder this: The German people didn't vote for a dictator. Hitler was a traitor. “Treason doth never prosper, what's the reason? For if it prosper none dare call it treason.” Sir John Harrinton 1561-1612. Still true in 2006. To honor the Constitution is to protect, preserve, defend and enforce it. And that's where “We the People” come in. We're supposed to demand that our public servants abide by the Constitution and pass only constitutional bills. Politicians would have no choice but to respond. Just imagine, if we had kept our pledge to the flag and republic (the public law) we could have saved our country many catastrophic wars, expenses, shame and hate by foreigners. We have allowed our public servants to become outlaws, disobeying the law. We are supposed to keep our constitutional republic. If we want to avoid the world wide U.N. gun control movement and the U.N. world tax and more U.N. wars, we can start now. Our congressmen need to hear from us about the move by the administration to unite Mexico and Canada and the U.S. into one super-national entity called the “Security and Prosperity Partnership,” to eliminate our Constitution and independence. This subversive scheme incorporates into “Homeland Security” the Mexican army and police. The architects of the anti-constitutional merger plan to build super-highway corridors from Mexico to Canada. No wonder Bush is lax on the now invasion through our western borders. We're late but hopefully not too late. We could still save America, our
Constitution and our Independence. So, help us God. How do I tell you all how important the gesture of kindness is when your child has been hurt and you are being supported by the very breath of God? It is true to me now that to love another person is to see the face of God. His hand of mercy was there, even today as the healing process continues even better than the prognosis. I marvel at the depth of the people's response, the continual out pouring of your heart's to us, it has left us with humility that cannot be explained in human terms. As the saying goes,”..all we need is love.” We all need each other so much and it is most evident when you are facing such heart-wrenching circumstances. Today I need you all to know that our hearts are the most thankful, grateful and blessed beyond measured hearts on this earth. Please know that we love each of you and that your coveted prayers were the very highest gift of love that you could have ever given to us in our time of need. I pray His sweet peace to all of you and pray that each of you know just
what you mean to our hearts as well. Sept. 18, 2006 A little humanity On Labor Day, our terrier Elwood was in our back yard with me when he was attacked by a pack of seven dogs that came into our yard. Before I could get to him, they tore in to him. As I was yelling at them Elwood was able to break away and run inside with me. But not before they had injured him severely. They went for his neck and his hind leg was injured. We took him to our vet, Dr. Nichols, where he was treated. He is now recovering. We knew where the pack of dogs stayed at a trailer on the road behind us, but this is the first attack on another animal that we are aware of. This was verified by other residents living on the same road. We were unable to find the owners at home so we decided to drop the matter. Then, on Sept. 8, our daughter and son-in-law were adding a ramp to our deck. We heard the pack of dogs harshly barking and snarling just down our road where they live. I jumped in my car with my BB gun, drove down there and saw them attacking a small black cat. It was awful. I shot one of the dogs with a BB, and when he yelped and ran the other dogs did also. My daughter and son-in-law had gotten there by that time but the little cat was torn up and appeared to be in shock. No one would answer the door at the residence although there was a car parked in the drive. We gathered up the little cat and took him in to Dr. Nichols. He is still there at the office being treated and he is not recovering well. My husband spoke with the owner, who still denies owning the cat. The owner stated that "sometimes" a little black cat sits on their deck with them, but they didn't "own" it. After the attack on Elwood, we spoke with a deputy sheriff and were told the only thing we could do about the running wild pack was, that if they came on our property again and we felt threatened, we could shoot them. This is because there is no animal control officer here in Cherokee County. I called the sheriff office again after the attack on the little cat and although I expressed concern that the pack could very easily attack a child playing, was again told shooting the dogs was the only alternative. Out here in the Tate's Chapel area, I hope the folks really keep a close eye on their pets and children, because the pack is still running. I have a real problem with shooting an animal, even in our yard if they threaten us, but after seeing the trauma they caused with our dog and the little cat, we will have no other alternative. If the little cat survives, we are going to take it to the Humane Society
in Fort Payne and pray it finds a loving owner who will care for it. When I take my child to her daycare, I know without a shadow of a doubt that my son is being taken care of. Thank you, Sonya, for being a loving, Christian woman. Sept. 11, 2006 A little more respect What upset me was when I saw how our American flag was being treated by the prisoners who were taking the display down. First, I believe the flag should never be dragged across the ground, as it was. Second, for a military honor it was disrespectful for the flags to be tossed onto a trailer like they were trash. If it is an honor or tribute to our fallen soldiers, why can't the flags be folded in a military fashion -- if not by a serviceman, then at least by someone who gives a damn? After seeing how this country treats our flag, why does the country even bother to acknowledge Labor Day? All of this was seen by the Cherokee County Sheriff's Department, which was acting as a guard to the prisoners who were collecting the memorials. What has happened to Centre? Do the officials there not care about our
customs and celebrations? Sept. 4, 2006 Hospital CEO replies In your letter, you described your wife's recent experience as a patient at Cherokee Medical Center. Most importantly, we are delighted to hear that your wife Betty is doing fine and is resting comfortably at home following her hospitalization. I want to thank you for sharing with me your thoughts and impressions of our hospital. We are pleased that you and your wife found our entire staff to be extremely helpful and concerned about Betty's well-being. However, in some aspects of your recent experience, we clearly failed to meet your expectations. For that, we offer our sincere apology and welcome your constructive feedback as an opportunity to improve. I want to assure you that your wife's recent experience is not indicative of the care we provide on a regular basis. Historically, we have received very high patient satisfaction scores, so we regret that we did not provide you and Betty with our typical level of performance. We are thrilled that you intend to use our hospital again in the future should that need arise. We thank you for choosing Cherokee Medical Center for your healthcare
needs and we appreciate the opportunity to serve you. We remain committed to
providing you, your family, and all the citizens of Cherokee County with
quality healthcare services in a clean and safe environment. Please feel
free to contact me directly if I can ever be of any assistance. The young man is right All the boys on the all-star team played a great game. You should all be proud of yourselves. This time it was your coach who needed a time out, not the children. He forgot that sports are intended to build character and self-esteem. Instead he destroyed or seriously damaged the self-esteem of several young boys that day. I hope before he is allowed to coach another team, parents will step up
like Michael did and say that we will not stand for that kind of behavior
from our coaches. 9-1-1 is for emergencies It has recently come to our attention that some of our customers are using 9-1-1 for reporting power outages. While we do understand that there are some circumstances that warrant calling 9-1-1, such as lines or trees down or a life-threatening accident involving a power line, most of the calls are just to report outages. If your power goes off after hours or on the weekend, we have an answering service. If there is a high volume of calls coming in, such as a storm or substation problem, you might not get a real person to speak to, but you will get the automated voice response feature and can use your meter number or account number to report your outage. If that is the case, we are already aware of the outage and are trying to restore service. Remember, it is a crime to use the 9-1-1 emergency line for other than
what it was designed for: to help people with life-threatening situations.
Aug. 28, 2006 Medical Center failings My wife indicated that everyone in the hospital was extremely helpful and concerned for her, but she said the nurses seemed to be overworked, as indicated by the nurse-to-patient ratio. At one point during her stay, intravenous solutions (IVs) where brought into her patient room. Betty's admitting nurse quickly questioned the fact that the orders included IV solutions, since she was admitted for fluid build-up. The floor nurse checked and informed my wife that the IV fluids were not going to be administered, but the rack with those IV bags remained in my wife's room for three days. Who was charged for those IV solutions? On Friday Aug. 11, Betty was to be administered a very important medication early in the morning. After a very uncomfortable day and entire night, she finally questioned the nurses on Saturday why her medicine had not been administered the previous day. She finally got her medicine at 8 p.m. Saturday. At another point during my wife's stay, a nurse arrived in her room to administer a dose of insulin and other medications. The nurse asked Betty if she was a diabetic and my wife told her she was not. The nurse left the room to question the order and a short time later returned and told Betty there had been a mistake. The insulin was not administered. On Sunday, three days after she was admitted, my wife requested clean linens on her bed. They were brought into the room but the staff was so busy Betty ended up changing her own bed linens. A friend who visited that day emptied the garbage can in the room, which had been filled with the previous patient's garbage since my wife arrived in the room. Also, the bathtub had a drain that was clogged. In fact, it was completely clogged. My wife could not take a shower the entire time she was there. I attempted to unclog the drain myself at one point, to no avail. Soiled patient gowns and towels were left in the bathroom, on the floor, for two days -- even after a room cleaning. They were still laying on the floor when Betty was discharged from Cherokee Medical Center on Aug. 14. I also witnessed a water fountain that was so badly clogged that it was overflowing; at one point, I found the sink in the men's room filled with someone's vomit. It was sad to see our beautiful community hospital being neglected and falling into such a state of disrepair. It is no wonder to me that two of our local surgeons no longer offer their services to Cherokee Medical Center. And it is no wonder that many members of our community drive dozens of miles to seek the services of other hospitals instead of using the one right here. The citizens of Centre and Cherokee County deserve a decent community
hospital for their health care needs. I am sure they will demand, as I do,
that this situation be reversed, corrected and not repeated. Aug. 7, 2006 You're right, Wright -- sort of "I am a war president," he said, and then made himself a war. Cutthroat ambition. Bush defies the law of the land, or as you so correctly stated, "wiping his feet on the U.S. Constitution." Which, by the way, he swore he would uphold -- because Bush knows the Constitution is our protection from such ambitious men! Bush should not be in our White House. But how did he get there? He was elected by voters who did not know his record. We have the right to know our rulers' records, lest they become war mongers, like Hitler, Stalin, etc. Bush invaded Iraq in the high excitement of Sept. 11, using that as a camouflage front for his treasonous crime. Nor did the president seek the consent of the U.S. Congress to go to war. He is a true fake. There was no reason to attack Iraq. He said the reason for the attack was
to enforce the U.N. Security Council's resolutions, or some such nonsense.
But that muddled excuse was not widely publicized. We were led to believe
the attack on Iraq was retaliation for Sept. 11. We were falsely led, and
some people still believe that! Keep up the attack, Wright. Only get your facts straight. William F.
Buckley, Jr. is also a fake. "Father of conservatism," hah! We try very hard to keep Anda's grave neat and pretty. This is all we have left and it means a lot to us, the flowers we put on her gravy, and all the other pretty things that come from our hearts. Recently, her flowers have been stolen. Stuffed animals have been taken from the grave site. If whoever is taking these things is just wanting something of Anda's, please come by and tell me and I'll be glad to let you have something -- it Anda meant that much to you. But if you are just being a thief, please don't steal anything else from her grave. Her grave, or anyone else's. I beg of you, please stay away from my baby's grave. What we put on her grave comes from the bottom of our hearts. I have her flowers made special. This is how I get to buy her something, since she's passed away. The other day, her bear was gone and I had just put new flowers on her grave, so I ask you to please put yourself in my shoes. Wouldn't you feel the same way I do? Mad, sick to your stomach? Broken-hearted? When I walked out there and her flowers and her bear were gone, I just sat down and cried. Please think about this. I know if you do, you'll do what's right. Thanks for taking the time to read my letter, and thanks to The Post for
printing it. July 24, 2006 Enough division The American people have drawn an imaginary line between their own ideologies and that of others who differ with them. Today, folks are deeply divided over the War in Iraq, President Bush's declared war on terror, abortion, gay rights, the drug problem, religion, sex, the welfare state, rights of privacy issues, the press, free speech, and the right to assemble and to petition Uncle Sam. Where has reason and logic gone concerning today's issues? Why has so much emotion and greed entered into our decisions? I assert that the American people are less divided on issues than they realize. As an example, I'll use the Christian faith. In many churches that I have attended, the minister will advise his audience to beware of other Christians outside of his own denomination. He may even declare that other churches stand in opposition to his church. What differences can split Christianity? Christians as a group do believe in God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, salvation, good works, faith and a mass of other common Christian beliefs. The similarities should hold Christians together. They should agree to disagree on minor differences. The same holds true in politics. Liberals and conservatives spar over the War in Iraq. I agree there are many differences to argue over concerning the war, but here is a compromise. Right or wrong, our troops are there and they should be permitted to finish the job. Our military and political leaders should formulate a wise plan to win this horrible war. As you can see, there is more to agree on here than there is to argue on. How about the divisive discussion over President Bush's declared War on Terror? There is a lot to disagree on, but let's remember 9-11. On that day, Islamic jihadists came to America and purposely killed over 3,000 fellow Americans. Some action may be better than no action. Whatever Mr. Bush is doing right or wrong today, there have been no foreign attacks on American soil since 9-11. Coincidence or improved intelligence? It's anybody's guess. Remember, our government is stuck between being careful of every American's freedoms and rights and of being one-hundred percent efficient in the War on Terror. Recall that the Roman Empire fell by outside invaders chewing off a chunk of Rome here and a chunk there. Another 50-50 battle is the issue of abortion. Everyone agrees it's a bad procedure. No person in their right mind wants to take a life. Let's compromise. Allow the government to pass out free birth control to the ladies. Viola! Problem solved! Let's compromise and listen to the American people. Most polls reveal that the vast majority of Americans do not want gay marriage to be legalized. Even in places that are bastions of liberality, such as Massachusetts and New York, polls reveal that most of the residents wish for marriage only between a man and a woman. Gay marriage is not a real issue and it should not be divisive. There are even more problems and issues facing us today that are dividing us as a nation. But a little thinking and logic will reveal that people are more in agreement than not. Let's compromise on some of these issues. Some of my examples may appear simplistic and they probably are. Let's compromise and simplify. The real enemies are not our fellow
Americans. July 10, 2006 Building character My mom and dad always told me that playing ball builds character. Well, I never understood what that meant until this week. I hope that when I grow up, if I am privileged to coach a kids team I will remember this week and the disappointment I and some of my friends felt. I hope I never have to see the hurt and disappointment in their faces that we felt. Each time we were eager and ready to play for our team, you would say, "Not this time. It's for the good of the team." Well, we were all a part of the team that won first place and got you the position of head coach on the all-star team -- or did you forget that? It was an honor, I thought, to be chosen for the all-star team, not realizing you just wanted us there for the head count. Do you remember when I was in the on-deck circle, probably the last time out in that game? You came out there, with me thinking you were fixing to apologize for treating us so badly, and you said, "OK, it's time to prove yourself and if you don't hit you don't play." I know then that it had nothing to do with the good of the team. It was how good we made you look. If you'll remember, I had a pretty high batting average and I played my position well and so did my friends. That is what got us chosen for the all-stars. But when you are coached by someone you are supposed to look up to and he tells you something like that ... Well, I don't know if I was nervous or just didn't care anymore, but I struck out. The thing that bothers me the most is that you never once tried to make us feel better or apologize for the way you turned your back on us. Your two assistant coaches did and I would like to thank them for that. Maybe they remembered what is was like to be little and want someone's approval. After the game that night, one of my friends told me he never wants to
play ball again. I hope he will change his mind. As for me, I will play
again. I am good enough and I realize now that I don't have to prove
anything to you. At the age of 9, I am more of a man now than you will ever
be. You not only lost that game (no thanks to us) but you also lost a lot
more -- our respect. July 3, 2006 No change for my $20s I stopped by the drive-through window at the Town Hall in Cedar Bluff last week to enter my daughter in the Liberty Day pageant. The entry fee was $25, so when the clerk came to the window I handed her my entry form and two $20 bills expecting her to give me $15 back. I was amazed to be told, "We don't have any change". I pondered this for a second and asked her, "You mean to tell me that out of all the money you take in every day for water bills and such you don't have any change?" She then responded, "Well, we're closing out our drawer." I looked at my clock and it was only 3:30 p.m. What time do they close Town Hall in Cedar Bluff? I then said, "All I want is change for a $20 bill, can't you give me that even though your closing out your drawer?" The answer was NO. I was then informed that I needed to take my form and money to the Weiss Mart that they really weren't suppose to take my entry form anyway. Well gee, they took several peoples entry forms I know, and it was plainly stated on the form to take it to Town Hall or the Weiss Mart. There is definitely a change at Cedar Bluff Town Hall and I can't see any
good in it myself. And for all you citizens paying your water bill, have
exact change on hand because Town Hall doesn't have any change, especially
after 3:30 p.m.
Since President Bush announced two years ago that it was time for America to take “the next steps” in space, NASA has strived to achieve specific exploration program goals to advance our nation’s vital interests. One prominent objective is to complete assembly of the International Space Station. As the remaining space shuttle missions unfold, NASA will seek to achieve a smooth transition to our next generation of spacecraft, thus ensuring as brief as possible hiatus in our ability to send humans into space. NASA’s next generation of space systems will enable crew visits and cargo resupply to the International Space Station, and will provide the transportation required to bring expeditionary crews to the lunar surface, and eventually to Mars. NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville has been a key player
in our nation’s space program since its beginnings more than 45 years ago.
Now it is leading the development of the new launch systems which will
replace the space shuttle, and leading the development of future lunar
exploration systems. This new work, in addition to existing scientific and
engineering work, brings Marshall’s engineering capabilities to bear on
implementing NASA’s Vision for Space Exploration. The Marshall Center
continues to play a vital role in America’s exploration of space. June 26, 2006 Carver followed the law The letter from Stacy Gossett which you printed in your June 19 issue is an example of unfair criticism of a public official for acting in a fashion in which the law required her to act. I can only assume that the man Mrs. Gossett refers to as her husband who is serving a prison term after being sentenced by Judge Sheri Carver is Justin Gossett, whose case meets all of the descriptives in the letter. There are several important facts about the case which deprived Judge Carver of any ability to do anything other than sentence Mr. Gossett. Conveniently, Mrs. Gossett omits these facts from her unfairly critical letter. The public should know the whole truth. The most important fact that Mrs. Gossett omits from her letter is the fact that Justin Gossett agreed to the sentence Judge Carver imposed. The second important fact that Mrs. Gossett omits from her letter is the fact that Justin Gossett committed a violation of the Drug Court program which required that he be sentenced. If a defendant misses a scheduled court appearance without permission, the law requires the judge to sentence that defendant. There actually has been an exception carved out of this rule for defendants who decide to come back into the Drug Court fold and voluntarily surrender themselves to law enforcement. Mr. Gossett violated this requirement and never availed himself of the opportunity to voluntarily come back into the fold. Mr. Gossett entered his Drug Court plea on Aug. 26, 2005. After that, he displayed no effort to comply with any of the requirements of Drug Court. He got out of jail on that date and proceeded to miss all four of his program requirements over the next week and his court date one week later on Sept. 2, 2005. At that point, Judge Carver did as the law required and issued a warrant for Mr. Gossett's arrest for failure to appear at court. No one affiliated with the Drug Court heard from Mr. Gossett again until law enforcement officers arrested him on the warrant four months later. At any time during that four-month period, Mr. Gossett could have turned himself in and avoided sentencing. The third important fact that Mrs. Gossett omits from her letter is the fact that every Drug Court defendant who has committed the same violation that Justin Gossett committed has been sentenced. Mrs. Gossett tries to argue that Mr. Gossett was singled out and treated more harshly than other defendants, but the simple fact is that every defendant who has been arrested on a warrant for failure to appear has been sentenced. It is true, as Mrs. Gossett asserts in her letter, that numerous Drug Court participants have tested positive for substance use and have not been sentenced. This, again, is what the law requires. The Policy and Procedure Manual specifically calls for “graduated sanctions” for this type of violation. The first positive screen calls for 48 hours of jail time, the second for five days, the third for 10 days, the fourth for 30 and finally, the fifth positive screen calls for sentencing. This rule follows the policy that Drug Court deals with drug addicts and addicts are prone to relapse. It is only the defendant who disappears entirely and fails to turn himself in -- as Mr. Gossett did -- who goes straight to sentencing. Mrs. Gossett's letter is particularly unfair because Judge Carver
volunteers her time as the Drug Court judge. It is disturbing that a judge
who volunteers for an important duty such as this then is unfairly
criticized for carrying out her duty on an issue where the law required her
to take the action she took and gave her no discretion at all how she was to
rule. June 19, 2006 Shame on you, judge You must really enjoy having the power you have, huh, Judge Carver? You have put on this persona of someone who really cares about the people and gives justice where justice is due. If I am correct, Judge Carver is the judge over the Drug Court program. It saddens me that a judge like Judge carver is over such an important program, one that is intended to give people a second chance at a better life. This woman picks and chooses who gets a second chance and who goes straight to prison over a very minor charge. Let me inform you on how Judge Carver really is. I've seen countless people fail a drug test for methamphetamine and then receive chance after chance. Then, there's the select few who are on Drug Court over pot residue and get sentenced to four years in prison without a second thought. Months after your loved one is sent to prison, you get a phone call from the people at Drug Court. This Drug Court official is looking for your loved one to try and get him to return to the program. They seem shocked when they find out your loved one can't take the call because they are in prison over Drug Court charges. I am furious, Judge Carver. Who do you think you are to feel you have the power to play God? You and I both know you are a pitiful excuse for a judge. Do you believe in second chances unless it is for a person you don't like personally? Shame on you for allowing your job to go to your head and shame on you
for not doing your job as you should. I hope you sleep peacefully at night
beside your husband while mine sits in prison over a bogus charge. Why are Evangelicals so worried about fiction? One answer is in the Bible itself. Hebrews 11:1 says, "faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen". If the basis of your faith is unseen, an emotionally attractive work of religious fiction is a threat to anyone who derives income from your faith. A more revealing answer is found in church history. "The Da Vinci Code" asserts that the church is suppressing huge amounts of historical and scientific evidence. Although some details may be disputed, it is undeniably true that for over 2,000 years, religious leaders have burned and buried enormous amounts of evidence that contradict official doctrine (2 Chronicles 15:13, Acts 19:19). Numerous current events, such as the church's cover-up of child sex abuse scandals, have shown the public that religious professionals are still suppressing evidence. The Internet provides access to vast amounts of information about
history, science, archaeology and theology. What scares faith leaders most
is the possibility that their flocks will search for answers to the
question, "what else are you hiding"? June 12, 2006 Culberson is correct But just don't jump on the backs of the jet ski riders. While I had my pontoon and was relaxing riding around the lake, numerous of the bass boats have whizzed by me so fast that I never saw them coming and passed a lot closer than I would like them to. Talk about a wake. Wow! Put me to rocking for a while! You may be only driving a few hours a day fishing but I bet you get to that spot at 50 mph. When I owned my jet ski I always obeyed the rules of the water, never a wake under the overpasses or in the no wake area and when passing a boat fishing or stopped, I slowed down. This is a responsibly of the driver knowing the rules. I completely believe no one should drive any watercraft until they are at least 16 and take a driving test just like a automobile test. Sure, this would put more work on our water patrol officers but I think it would be worth the time to make it harder to get a license and maybe make the water safer but you are always going to have the bad apples who are careless, just like you have the bad drivers on the road. Lastly, parents should take more responsibly and watch their kids if they
are going to let them have watercraft that can go so fast and kill so
quickly. Know what they are doing by spying on them like my parents did
while I was a kid and just learning and show them the right way to have safe
fun and respect for others everywhere.
The excuse to build the United States Oil Reserves, by withholding oil in the name of a war we should not have been involved in to begin with, has caused shortages in the supply of fuel which the demand did not lessen, only the supply which caused raises in price to once again make the oil families richer. The corruption not only in the Bush administration (a Republican Party operation) as well as that in, just for instance the Kentucky governor's office, The majority leader of the Senate, and the former majority leader of the House (another Texas good old boy). The National Security advisor to the president, the (former) adviser to the vice president, etc., and there are people who still will vote for legalized thievery, who elected Bush back into office. The false number put up for unemployment is another example. Let's see, those numbers are generated by those drawing unemployment, but what about all those how have used all theirs and can no longer draw because they are out of funds? They don't count. And we're fighting in a war we were thrown into because daddy got his pride hurt and lost an election to the best president this country has ever had. Come on, fellow Americans, think of what you’re doing. This is the
presidential election of 2008. Vote come November 2008. Is it not time to
make a change in our system? In our government leaders? Is it not time to
boot out the corruption which hurt our standard of living? June 5, 2006 We need stricter boating laws Boating anglers drive for a little while, then stop and fish a while before moving on. During an average 10-hour day on the lake, I would estimate boaters are running their motors only about 1-2 hours, and fishing the remaining 8-9 hours of the day. But wave runners and jet skis run up and down the lake all day long, never stopping except to re-fill their gas tanks, eat a snack, or climb back on after falling off their machine. They make waves all day long, at least 10 times more waves than boaters make in the same period of time. The constant wave action they make beats the shoreline, making the water turn muddy and making most fish hide until nighttime, which ruins the fishing for the day. Many of the people who ride jet skis and wave runners don't seem to care about any of the anglers they are bouncing up and down due to their continuous waves. I went to the Cowan Creek bridge with the hopes of fishing under the bridge, in the shade. When I arrived at the bridge, I was greeted by at least a dozen wave runners circling back and forth, back and forth, creating terrible wave action around the bridge. I tried to fish for few minutes but had to leave. Some were going under the bridge and never slowed down, ignoring the no wake signs. Perhaps they could not see or read the signs? I also saw several children that looked very young (8-12 years old, perhaps) riding wave runners alone. They had Georgia stickers on their watercraft. We need to have our Legislature correct our boating laws, which now require Alabama residents to be licensed and at least 12 years old, but have no impact on visiting non-residents. If you drive a watercraft on Alabama rivers, lakes and/or streams, you should abide by the same laws that our residents are required to observe. I even saw one lady on a big wave runner driving along with an infant being held with one arm (about 6 months old) without any life jacket on the baby! Can you believe it? Wave runners and jet skis are destroying shoreline habitat, beating up our boats by bouncing them against docks and rocks, and harming the fish and their spawning areas. I think these are the same reasons they have been banned from many small state park and private lakes. I have seen what jet skis, wave runners, and big pleasure boats did to the lakes around Atlanta when they went unchecked and without law enforcement. If we don't correct our boating laws now to cover our visiting neighbors from other states, we will live to see Weiss and other Alabama lakes become nothing but very busy, muddy puddles with little fish and few anglers. And we can't afford to allow that to happen. Most of the problems I have referred to could be corrected if everyone who operates watercraft of any kind had to take a safety and courtesy course, pass a test for an operator's license, be at least 15 years old, and abide by laws that are strictly enforced. Wave runners, jet skis, and motor-powered boats are more dangerous to pilot than automobiles, so why should the requirements to drive them be any less stringent? Jerry Culberson
I know her to be a very dedicated educator who cares deeply for the well-being of the children of Cherokee County. I feel our board of education should represent a cross-section of the community, and that includes educators who have been "down in the trenches" in the classroom and dealt with all the problems that can go along with the job, as well as the rewards. I am glad to see other educators get elected to the board of education, but I don't think, if memory serves, that there has been a member who has taught in the elementary grades (K-5), not including our former superintendent. The elementary grades are a whole different world from middle school or high school and Mrs. Neyman will be an exceptional, highly-qualified candidate to represent those students and teachers. I know Dewandee was, and still is, an excellent teacher. She knows what it is like to be all things to an 8-year-old (teacher, substitute parent, role model, nurse, doctor, counselor, or simply someone to give them a hug). Those are big shoes to fill, but she has done it for 31 years. Some people, especially around Cedar Bluff, may not know Dewandee, but I have taught so many of you or your children, and I would like to assure you she is a fine person -- we need her in this position. When you go to the polls on June 6 just remember to do what's best for
the children of Cherokee County. Put an elementary teacher who has been
there in Seat 4 on the Board of Education.
|
|
|