June 13, 2009 06:17 pm
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Letters policy
The News Courier encourages letters to the editor. Submissions should be no more than 400 words and should include a name, address and telephone number for verification. Submissions that do not meet requirements are subject to editing. Send letters by noon on Thursdays to P.O. Box 670, Athens, Ala., 35613, or e-mail to kelly@athensnews-courier.com.
The need for speed
Dear Editor:
Seven years ago I wrote a Letter to the Editor regarding the speed people drive in the East Hampton Subdivision. Many people walk, jog, and children ride bicycles in this neighborhood, many use headsets as they do these functions. Seven years ago my letter did some good as far as people slowing down to the speed limit, but as of late the need for speed has increased. I hope and I pray that those going 45 and 50 mph in this subdivision have quick reactions if they come upon those I mentioned earlier. The speed limit on Hastings Road is 25 mph. Many homes in this subdivision has changed hands in the past seven years also, meaning there are a lot of young children running around. So please people, have the respect to adhere to the posted speed limit before someone gets hurt.
Sincerely,
Ray A. Gold
Athens
The left is not docile
Dear Editor:
This is in response to Mr. Bruce Wilson’s letter in the June 7 edition of The News Courier. I agree to disagree with you about this discussion; it has come to a head on both sides. Most Americans who support President Obama do so because they believe in his policies and nothing else. Most people will try to make more out of it than it is, but that is it. The messiah complex comes from the media and people looking from the outside in. There is only one messiah that I know.
You think he is going to ruin the country. That sounds like someone from the far right who has only one thing to consider. I was going to leave this issue alone, but you included me in your response to Mr. Benard Simelton’s letter. You think that every retired military person is lonely. You are so wrong. I am in the majority when it comes to not being lonely. If you think like that, you are in the minority. Like I said in my previous letter, the military is not dictated by policy, but by order.
Like I have said before, President Obama did not start the ruination (as you say) that has befallen the U.S. When are you going to admit that the last administration was at fault from the get go? What happened when he got elected? Gas prices came down. I bet you were not complaining then. GM was ruined way before he got into office and you know it. If the CEO of these companies cannot run them, then someone has to baby-sit them to make sure they do the right thing.
The lieutenant colonel (Simelton) does not have to apologize for speaking what is on his mind. You think just because he served in the military he has no opinion. I’m pretty sure he has been in more high-level meetings than you can ever imagine. But that is how most people view service members. Nobody is a going to tag you a socialist except yourself. If that is the moniker you want, that is all on you. You can support whomever you want, but when you start picking out faults, we all can do that back to the last president. Go to south Huntsville and see what varied opinions you get.
The left is not going to stay docile and let things go. We are going to continue to voice opinions and share views.
Sincerely,
Terrence W. Crooks
Athens
Immigrants stealing jobs
Dear Editor:
President Obama and the Democratic Congress have passed a financial fiasco that the president claims will add two or three million new jobs in the next two years. Yet, even more jobs can be made available, immediately, with the cooperation of Congress and a stroke of the president's pen.
This would be a federal law that requires all businesses of any size, in the United States, to use the government’s E-VERIFY system to check all current and proposed employees standing as legal citizens or legally authorized to be employed in the United States. Non-complying businesses should be heavily penalized. This position is supported by WVNN's Dale Jackson, Pulitzer Prize-winning liberal columnists, and millions of taxpaying, legal citizens of all colors and backgrounds.
Athens Illegal Alien Ordinance, that finally got passed through the guidance of Council President Harold Wales, only requires a written statement from city contractors that they do not knowingly currently employ or intend to hire illegal aliens. It is alleged that no city employees are assigned to determine whether illegal immigrants are being used to perform duties required to complete contracts with the city! If this is true, why not?
The Decatur City Council, on June 2, passed a resolution that all companies that do business with Decatur must use the federal E-VERIFY system, or similar procedure, to check the legal status of its employees. Also, the city must be allowed to review the businesses' personnel records for verification before issuing a contract. Madison County also uses E-VERIFY for larger contracts.
Athens needs to amend its Illegal Alien Ordinance to include both points in the Decatur City Council resolution. Decatur copied Athens Impound Vehicle Ordinance, passed in 2007.
Why can't Athens take advantage of Decatur's resolution regarding illegal immigrant employment by city contractors?
Let's make the next tea party a major show of support for strong enforcement of our immigration laws by federal, state, and local officials. Our economy and our families need our political leaders to truly represent the best interests of the taxpaying legal citizens that are being punished by this lack of constructive enforcement of our laws! Mayor and Council President Marks, are you listening?
Athens Limestone Seniors Organization will meet at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 18 at a new location, Mac’s Sports Bar and Grill, on south Jefferson, near Redstone Federal Credit Union. Hope to see you there.
Sincerely,
Quentin D. Anderson Sr.
Athens
Thanks for support
Dear Editor:
Camp Hope 2009 was a big success! Hospice of Limestone County served 35 campers this year. Camp Hope is a free one-day summer camp for children ages 5 to 11 in Limestone County who have experienced the death of a loved one. We also are excited about the success of our first Camp Hope Teen which served campers ages 12 to 15. We would like to thank the businesses for making donations and the Limestone Baptist Association for allowing us to use the Camp Helen facilities.
Many, many individuals also helped in various ways including the 75 volunteers at Camp Hope. Because of your kindness and compassion, you all were the perfect buddies and helpers. The residents of Limestone County are certainly blessed to have people willing to play and act silly to help a grieving child.
Your caring and compassionate attitudes were unbelievable. We appreciate you so much!
Sincerely,
Dana Pressnell
Camp Hope Coordinator
How many have to die?
Dear Editor:
Just over four years ago my dear friend and colleague Dr. Jenita Smith was killed, along with two other persons, on U.S. 72 near Shaw Road. Since December 2004 there have been numerous other fatalities on that tiny stretch of road (about 3 1/2 miles) between Shaw Road and Clements High School.
There are only two other turn lanes on that portion of U.S. 72.
There is no turn lane at Clements Fire Department where I witnessed a deadly wreck a few years ago on voting day. The voting precinct has since been moved but there is still no turn lane at the fire department.
Tuesday morning my longtime friend Gerald Burns died as a result of injuries sustained in a wreck at the construction of the new elementary school on Highway 72 at Hardy Road — about halfway between Shaw Road and Clements High School. This tragic accident is but a sample of what is in store when construction begins in earnest on the new Blue Springs Elementary and when the school opens in 2010 — without a turn lane.
I have known Gerald Burns since we were in public school together. I have never known a kinder, gentler man. Gerald suffered with serious health problems for many years, but he overcame them all and kept on working, caring for his wonderful family, and serving his church and community. The only problem he could not overcome was the danger of driving on U.S. 72.
How many more of our friends and neighbors have to die before something is done about this deadly highway?
In 2006 Governor Riley said the funds has been set aside for the construction of a turn lane from the outskirts of Athens to the Limestone/Lauderdale County line and that the project should be completed by 2010. Now we understand from ALDOT that the project is at least five years away. Who will protect our children during this time?
We have been requesting turn lanes on U.S. 72 for at least 15 years. It is a country road that is traveled like an interstate highway. Now, with the construction of the new elementary school, the situation has reached crisis proportions. Please act by contacting Gov. Bob Riley and ALDOT administrators and urging them to begin construction immediately on a turn lane between the new elementary school at Hardy Road and the Clements Fire Department, less than half a mile away.
Sincerely,
Dr. Penne J. Laubenthal
Athens
Thanks for donations
Dear Editor:
The Charles Holt family and LifeSouth would like to thank everyone who donated or tried to donate blood Saturday, June 6, at the third annual Charles Holt Memorial Blood Drive.
LifeSouth received 59 productive pints of blood, with 61 people registering. When you consider that each pint can be used for up to three people (red cells, platelets and plasma), we really did a great job to help our community with the blood supply.
We would like to thank the town of Elkmont and the Elkmont Volunteer Fire Department for allowing the use of their facilities for the blood drive. We would like to thank Wolf 93.3 for broadcasting live for us. Thanks also to Ardmore L&S, Chick-fil-A, Jacks, Dip-n-Dog, Pepsi, Tony’s Country Kitchen, Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant, and The Red Caboose for your generous donations.
Sincerely,
Sherry Murphy and the Charles Holt family
Elkmont
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