Opinion
To the Editor:
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who attended our recent Truck & Tractor Pull. Your support is greatly appreciated. I would like to thank our sponsors for supporting this event. Our community will benefit from your generosity. Also, I truly appreciate everyone who helped before, during and after our pull (even at 3 a.m. the next morning). One of the many things I admire about the citizens of Minor Hill is how they all “pull” together and support our community. Without your help, this event would not be possible.
Thank you,
Tracy Wilburn, Mayor of Minor Hill
P.O. Box 69, Minor Hill, TN 38473
To the Editor:
Are people really in such a big hurry with life that they cannot stop for a couple of minutes to respect the death of someone else’s loved one?
We laid to rest a member of our family recently, and I was appalled at how many people turned into the funeral procession and blocked the family from proceeding onto the cemetery with the front of the procession. There were people turning into the procession even though there was a police officer standing in the intersection. In my opinion, the funeral procession is the last way to honor the deceased. Not only is it a way of showing respect, it is often the process of saying goodbye to your family member.
I do not know if people were being selfish or truly do not know proper etiquette, or both. A funeral procession is not to be interrupted; they always have the right-of-way. They can turn on red; go through red lights, whatever it takes to keep the funeral procession together. This is why the car lights are on and the flashers are on. This is also why they have a police escort.
When I was growing up, I was taught that when you see a funeral procession coming down the street you pull over to your right and turn down your radio just out of respect. I was also taught to treat others the way I would want to be treated. Perhaps if everyone young, old and in between would start being a little more courteous in all aspects of life, our world would become a better place.
Melinda Holt
Providence Road, Pulaski, TN 38478
To the Editor:
I would like to respond to the article that appeared on the editorial page of the paper of Aug. 10, 2010, that was written by Whitt Miller. First of all I would like to ask you very simply, “Who is Whitt Miller?” When I contacted you, Mr. Lake, about the article and asked how Mr. Miller could be reached your reply to me was that he was a very private person. Well, in my opinion, someone who writes a questionable article like this needs to able to be contacted and questioned about some of his “truths” written in this article. Well, I am still waiting on him to call me so we could address some of his “concerns” that he pointed out in this article. This makes me wonder why personal information about the author of this article was not included since most editorial comments have information about the person writing the article. My question to you, Mr. Lake, is since Mr. Miller has not contacted me or he appears to not exist in Giles County, who is Whitt Miller? Are you and the paper trying to hide something? Could Whitt Miller be a pseudonym for a wanna-be author who could have a personal axe to grind with me? If he is a real person, is he afraid to talk to me since much of his article is based on sensationalism and stretching of the truth?
Yes, it is hot, not warm, in many of the classrooms at Pulaski Elementary. Contrary to the article, every room has a working air conditioner that is doing all they can do thanks to the hard working and overworked county maintenance department. You said in your story that you placed a thermometer in a classroom and it reached 92. It might have been but my question to you is, “Did you sign in at the front office like all visitors are asked to do?” I can answer that question and it is NO. Therefore, you violated school and school board policy and if a staff member let you in, they did, also.
You mentioned in your article that the school had inadequate cooling but new carpeting had been installed in the principal’s office. This is not entirely true either since the principal, vice-principal, nurse and guidance offices did not get new carpeting. The secretary and bookkeeping are the only areas that got new carpet, and did you bother to find out why? No! If you had, you would have found out that an area was so thin where an elderly person works that this small area was replaced for safety reasons. Also, the bookkeeping area was replaced in order to give the area a more uniform appearance. The conference room across the hall from the office was carpeted for the first time in order to help with noise during conferences. None was there previously. The reality of this is that as building principal, I have the authority to make these kinds of decisions.
Your solution was to go sit in the rooms. Well, I have been in every room as have Mr. Jackson, vice-principal Ann Oaks, maintenance director Mike Watson and his staff, and some of the rooms are hot but all have working air conditioners. They are not so hot that class work and teaching cannot take place. In fact, teaching was and is taking place in all the rooms, including those few rooms where teachers have expressed concern about the heat. I, and many others in the system, taught many, many years without any cooling in the classroom except maybe, if lucky, a small fan and a good breeze through the window.
Mr. Miller, please get the entire story. I will be happy to take you around and talk to you about the problems we have. Mr. Lake, if Mr. Miller is indeed real, I invite both of you to come visit the school that was not mentioned by name in the article.
Thank you for the opportunity to respond, and I will give you my name and address.
Sincerely,
Bill Holt
730 Aymett Ridge Road, Pulaski, TN 38478
To the Editor:
Hi, my name is Deborah Turner, and my question to each and everyone of you here in Giles County is this: “Are you happy with the way things turned out after all the votes were counted and read?”
Remember that we place these people in office and we all should have a right to ask the questions we want the correct answers to. Remember We are the People and we do have rights.
Now, I realize that there are some that might not want We the People to ask questions and that they want to have their meeting with no one speaking. I feel if they have nothing to hide and are being honest with We the People then why should it hurt to answer the questions that are being presented to them?
I also know that when you are having a meeting the ones on the board have had a long day and would like nothing more than to have the meeting over with as soon as possible.
I also realize that you might not like some of the people asking the questions. Well, we do live in a world of free speech and whether or not that person is liked really should not matter. If you look at a person who always asks a lot of questions at these meeting just maybe that person is extremely smart and knows what he or she is talking about. Sometimes when someone asks a lot of questions others seem to think this person is trying to cause problems. This is not always true. I for one love to ask a lot of questions, and maybe I ask too many, but I feel that as long as I do not get the correct answer, then I will continue to ask the question until it is answered the correct way. I was always taught to ask questions if I wanted to learn how things work and if I did not ask them, how was I ever going to learn. I, for one, am not trying to cause problems but, saying these things, I just feel that, as a person who is one of the people, I have a right to ask questions. Thank you for your time. May God bless each of us in the months to follow.
Deborah Turner
1055 Turner Road, Prospect, TN 38477
To the Editor:
The NAACP Education Committee organized April 26, 2010, for the primary purpose of motivating and assisting students to succeed academically and supporting their parents. We sponsored a free Student Talent Show June 26, with 28 students participating in the GCHS auditorium filled with parents and students. On July 28, we sponsored a Back to School Celebration in W.D. Savage Park and provided school supplies to over 300 students. During the school year we will sponsor programs to mentor, remediate and reward students for their academic successes and honor their parents for supporting the schools and their children. These programs have been funded by contributions from the community.
We wish to thank the businesses, churches, organizations and individuals for their generous financial support, gifts and hard work recently bestowed upon us to enable us to achieve our goals. We appreciate, and are motivated by, the overwhelming community support, and the support of the Giles County Schools superintendent and personnel, which will endeavor us to continue to make a difference in the lives and success of our children.
Sincerely,
NAACP Education Committee
Peggy Jones, Chairperson,
Back to School Celebration
521 Marietta St., Pulaski, TN 38478
To the Editor:
Anyone who knows me, knows I have always been a responsible, caring pet owner. I try to do the right thing by spaying and neutering, and I have a love for all living things.
People have dropped cats at my house, and I have tried to keep up, but I am now making a plea to the Humane Society and all caring, responsible pet owners — I need to find the cats and kittens good loving homes.
I am running out of money with which to feed these precious creatures. I have my own cats I’ve always had, and I will continue to love and care for them, but the ones outside need good loving homes. Families who want their pet to be part of the family and who will love and care for them are desperately needed.
Barbara Caulk
2198 Columbia Highway, Pulaski TN 38478
To the Editor:
This is a response to the letter titled “Pole Vaulting Over Mouse Droppings.”
In his letter, Mr. Danny Lindsey refers to the situation where I videotaped a campaign worker for Mrs. Vanzant vandalizing my political sign as “ridiculous behavior,” “getting one’s undergarments in a wad,” “stupidity” and a “laughable” matter. He referred to it as “Pole Vaulting Over Mouse Droppings.” I, too, spent time in the military, 20 years, and I was taught that “it’s the small things that will get you killed.” The details, the small uncounted matters and the overlooked dangers are often the most costly. Little things often tell big stories; mouse droppings are an indication of “Rats” in the area.
To share some details, I have lost 23 signs at a cost of $80.50; the only thing I asked for was a public acknowledgement and an apology. It was the vandal, through the arrogance of friends in high places, that decided to go to court. I also tried to call Mr. Lindsey and speak with him personally of this matter; his phone has been disconnected. I will send him a letter before this is in the paper.
I would certainly hope that an “adult activity” would be to show more concern that a crime was committed than the size of the crime. It would seem an “adult activity” would be to condemn the criminal behavior, not the victim of the crime. I wonder if some low-life were to cut one of Mr. Lindsey’s fine fences and his animals got out if he would be so quick to disregard the details and diminish the criminal’s behavior?
I’m sorry Mr. Lindsey, but unlike you, I consider “mouse droppings” as something not to be tolerated.
Allen Barrett
1318 Jackson Drive, Pulaski, TN 38478
To the Editor:
I just read Danny Lindsey’s letter, and I am left wondering just where he took a poll to conclude that the entire county laughs at Allen Barrett. I certainly do not laugh at him nor have I spoke to anyone who is laughing at him. It seems, at least at first glance, that Mr. Lindsey thinks the Constitution is just one big old joke. The Constitution guarantees
that anyone who has not disqualified himself has the right to run for public office. It further guarantees that the people have the right to elect anyone who has not disqualified himself to that office. Tossing a candidate’s campaign sign in the bushes seems to be an attempt to subvert both rights.
Not being a lawyer nor a judge, I probably am not qualified to rank the seriousness of a crime as it relates to another. However, as just a good ol’ country boy I would think that interference in the electoral process (no matter how funny or unimportant Mr. Lindsey thinks that is) is of a greater concern than interfering with a school board meeting. It might also be noteworthy that no matter whether one likes Mr. Barrett or dislikes him (I have no reason to do either because I have never met the man), on most of the issues he has brought to the attention of the PULASKI CITIZEN’s readers, he has been right.
Mr. Lindsey mentioned his military career and some silly saying that was used. He did not mention what branch of service. That often indicates a lack of pride in that branch or a lack of pride in having served in that branch. In the U.S. Marine Corps, we also had a saying for such a situation “Kick a** when it needs to be kicked.” Long live Allen Barrett!
Jim Culpepper
230 Old Campbellsville Road
Pulaski, TN 38478
To the Editor:
Why is it that Congress cannot correct the problems with immigration reform? Their idea of correcting it seems to be to allow the illegals to stay and to keep subsidizing the economy rather than correcting the problem.
Here’s a simple history lesson: after WWII, President Harry S. Truman sent the illegals home. Teddy Roosevelt did it after the Spanish American War, and it was done by Dwight D. Eisenhower after the Korean War. This was so that returning soldiers would have jobs.
We have more than returning soldiers needing jobs in America today. We have entire families out of work.
I am glad that Americans can receive unemployment checks, but the need for these checks wouldn’t be so great if the illegal immigrants were sent home. That would lessen the amount of money they drain from the health care system and the tax dollars they aren’t paying would be paid by Americans, which would help bolster our government’s ability to pay off debt.
I can’t understand the thought process when President Obama wants to grant pardons to the illegals to get around the amnesty problem. I guess he thinks the illegals will all come running out and volunteer to start paying all those taxes.
Until the liberals in Congress figure out that the only real immigration reform involves sending the illegals back to their home country and strengthening our borders, the need for millions of unemployment checks will continue and the largest federal budget in history will continue to grow.
Charlie Kincaid
1480 Knob Creek Road, West Point, TN 38468
To the Editor:
Once again, one of Giles County’s citizens has decided to publicly engage in ridiculous behavior. Given that tossing a candidate’s sign into the bushes is an adolescent thing to do, getting one’s undergarments in a wad over it to the point that we are, apparently, going to further jam up the already crowded judicial system is at least equally childish. During my military career we had a fitting saying for this sort of stupidity — we called it pole vaulting over mouse droppings. Shame on all concerned. Don’t we have more adult things to do? While the entire county continues to laugh at you, Mr. Barrett, a judge, a couple of lawyers and several public servants will have to deal with this. What a pity. I’d be laughing even harder if it weren’t our tax money being wasted.
Danny Lindsey
1507 Crooked Hill Road, Pulaski, TN 38478
To the Editor:
I would like to mention to Pulaski citizens who belong to PES or Pulaski Electric service that they need to check their electric bills carefully. I moved back to Pulaski in February 2010. I had my service connected by paying a $150 connection fee. When I received my first bill, I paid it immediately online. The same day I received a call from PES stating they had received a check from me for almost three times what my electric bill was. I told them that this wasn’t possible, and I got worried that someone had gotten access to my checking account and gotten me for identity theft. I told them that I paid my bill online and did not send a check. They said they would straighten things out.
Last month I received an electric bill for $42.15. When I called them, they said I had a credit on my account. Well, wow this is OK.
This month I received a bill for $226. Woe! I called the electric company and was told they would have to check into it and call me back. They called back and told me that someone else’s payment was posted to my account last month and that I now owed for the two months. I am on a fixed income and cannot afford to pay double electric bills. I feel this was their error that didn’t just happen once, but twice. The lady I spoke with was Connie, and she was very nice. She told me that if I couldn’t afford to pay the whole thing they would work with me. This is all fine and good, but now I have to play catch up for something I had no control over. I feel this was their mistake and they should be responsible for their own errors. What do you think?
Linda Ryan
16740 W. College St., Pulaski, TN 38478
To the Editor:
The Night Bloomers Garden Club would like to express our appreciation for the support the community has given us over the years in making our annual plant sale a success each year.
We would also like to thank the Pulaski Recreation Center for their help and cooperation in using the facility for our annual plant sales.
This is our only fund-raising event each year and it’s success enables us to do many projects to benefit our community. This can only be accomplished by the support of our repeat and new customers at our annual plant sale. We appreciate all of you very much.
Night Bloomers Garden Club
Juanita Norvell, Secretary
1895 Elkton Pike, Pulaski, TN 38478
To the Editor:
In the July 6 edition your newspaper reported that Congressman Lincoln Davis did not support the recently passed health care bill.
Congressman Steven King, R-Iowa, has initiated Discharge Petition 11 that guarantees that “Obamacare” would be repealed.
At last count there were 133 signatures on the petition. We have not been able to find Lincoln Davis’ signature among those who have signed. It will require 218 votes to overturn “Obamacare.” Perhaps the congressman is awaiting 218 signatures and then he will have the courage to sign the petition.
We emailed Congressman Davis about a week ago and received the automatic reply that our message had been received and that he would reply. We have received nothing since.
Al and Jo Anne Meek
1285 Abernathy Road, Lynnville, TN 38472
To the Editor:
It’s the time of year for fireworks, barbecues, pool parties and celebrating our nation’s freedom. For good reason, Americans hold our freedoms of utmost importance. Because of what our forefathers fought for, the American dream of entrepreneurship, prosperity and limitless creative ambition has become a reality for so many people.
But this July 4th brings a harsher reality for Americans as one of our most core freedoms hangs in the balance — the freedom from the government to force citizens to buy a certain product or participate in any one part of commerce. Three months ago, after nearly a year-long battle, Congress passed and President Obama signed the health care bill into law. The nation needed health care reform but this law was not the way to do it — in fact, this law is unconstitutional.
The health care law infringes on every American’s right to purchase what they please, including health insurance plans. The law forces Americans to buy health insurance, whether they want to or not, or face a penalty in the form of a fine. Our nation was not founded upon a government that forces its own citizens to purchase something against their will or face a penalty.
Maybe being forced to purchase health insurance doesn’t sound so bad to you. But what about if the government forces you to buy vitamins or join a gym or say that we can’t eat our barbecue on July 4th because it’s unhealthy? If the courts uphold the health care law as it currently stands, there is no limit to what the government will be able to mandate Americans purchase.
This law is not only detrimental to our freedoms but also to our businesses, particularly infringing on small business owners’ abilities to manage the day-to-day operations of running their businesses. The individual and employer mandates combined with the onslaught of new taxes, paperwork requirements and new rules will dramatically increase the cost of starting and running a small business. And while there are a few provisions that may benefit a limited number of small businesses, the overall effect of the law will do much more harm to small businesses than good.
Where’s the potential for the American dream there? It’s quite diminished.
Small businesses drive the U.S. economy and are responsible for two-thirds of the net new jobs created over the past decade. A law that harms small business harms the entire nation.
Small business deserve better than a health care law that was rushed through the legislative process, ignored the Constitution, and ultimately will destroy jobs and force some small businesses to close their doors. Along with 20 states, NFIB is fighting to overturn this legislation and protect our nation’s freedoms through a lawsuit against the health care law.
NFIB has fought for health care reform for decades but expanding coverage by chipping away at the freedoms afforded to individuals and small business owners in the Constitution is unacceptable.
Mandates from a central government authority that forced the people to behave or act in certain ways were exactly what we won our independence from over 200 years ago. Let’s not go back.
Jim Brown, State Director,
National Federation of Independent Business
53 Century Boulevard, Suite 250,
Nashville, TN 37214
To the Editor:
Due to the sickness of some in our committee, the city of Minor Hill is taking over the Old Minor Hill Cemetery.
The cemetery is in really good shape now, so let’s keep it that way. We want to thank John and Emily Hewgley for doing such a good job keeping it mowed and trimmed.
Now you will send your donations to The Old Minor Hill Cemetery Friends, c/o Minor Hill City, P.O. Box 69, Minor Hill, TN 38473.
The committee wants to thank all who donated while we were in charge of the cemetery.
Thanks again,
Old Minor Hill Cemetery Committee
Bettye Hobbs
1204 Carroll Drive, Pulaski, TN 38478
To the Editor:
These days it’s impossible to drive from Point A to Point B or read the newspaper without seeing religious advertisements and announcements that seem to scream: This is my religion, and if you know what’s good for you, you’ll follow it too.
Then there’s these Muslim extremists who think that Islam is the one true religion and that everyone must follow this religion, and if someone doesn’t, then they kill them. Christians feel the exact same way about Christianity, and it was not until the end of the Spanish Inquisition in 1834 that the clergy stopped torturing and executing people because they were not Christian or because they were not the right kind of Christian.
Now I’m not saying that religion is bad; all I’m saying is that no matter what religion you choose to follow, be it Judaism or Christianity or any other religion, you must understand that religion is not the best religion or the only religion. There are many paths to Divinity, each path maybe different, but they are all equal.
Clinton Barnes
500 Hagan Road, Prospect, TN 38477
To the Editor:
On behalf of the soft drink industry in Tennessee, I would like to take this opportunity to take exception to the recent opinion stated in your paper with the Weekly Statehouse Report written by Mary Perren Russell, entitled “Long Overdue ‘Bottle Bill’ Needed to Encourage Recycling.”
In 21 years the legislature has studied, discussed and listened to the pros and cons of the issue in conjunction with the 15 mandatory ‘Bottle Deposit’ bills introduced, all of which have been rejected because of cost and inconvenience to the consumer and taxpayer and a concern over the ultimate benefit to the people of Tennessee.
Ms. Russell takes almost one-fourth of her opinion piece to refute the notion of ‘bottle deposit fraud’ (she calls it bootlegging). Tennessee is surrounded by eight other states (NC, KY, VA, GA, AL, MS, AK and MO) none of which have bottle deposit legislation and all have a lower combined sales tax rates than Tennessee.
According to the California state attorney general’s office (a state surrounded by Arizona, Nevada and Oregon) in one case alone, criminals trucked millions of cans and bottles into the state so they could recycle the containers and collect state redemption money. Arrests have involved three separate fraud rings on suspicion of illegally collecting more than $3.5 million in redemption money. They have been charged with conspiracy, grand theft and unlawful recycling. The same type of activity annually defrauds Michigan approximately $13 million. (Michigan is touched by Canada, Ohio, Indiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois).
Mandatory deposit programs, more commonly known as “bottle bills,” share several common elements:
• Impose a mandatory fee on certain beverage containers.
• Consumers forced to drive containers to designated redemption locations.
• Require retailers or redemption centers to take back returned containers.
• Require significant new bureaucracy to manage beverage containers separately from other products and packaging and monitor deposits and disbursements.
Eleven states have enacted forced deposit programs — all but one of which was implemented prior to 1987. Of the 11 states, Delaware’s deposit law was recently repealed, consumers will cease paying deposits on Dec. 1, and refunds will cease on Feb. 1, 2011.
Curbside collection provides an easy and effective way for consumers to recycle their household waste, including beverage bottles and cans. Comprehensive recycling programs provide systems through which households can easily recycle a wide range of materials. Through these programs, households can recycle through curbside pickup or, in smaller communities, drop-off programs where trash is collected.
There are drawbacks to mandatory deposit programs. Deposit systems simply don’t work as advertised. They are a misguided policy choice because they:
• Cost much more than comprehensive recycling or litter control programs.
• Penalize and hinder more efficient recycling programs.
• Are inconvenient, particularly compared to curbside recycling programs.
• Do little to help the environment as they target such a small part of the waste stream.
• Create new environmental burdens from increased fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions to return and collect containers.
• Impose a hidden, regressive tax on consumers in the form of higher prices.
The proponents of this legislation have used litter, recycling, economic development and now natural disasters as a way to find support for their belief. The bottom line is, “bottle bills” aren’t the be-all, end-all to effectively dealing with litter, recycling or solid waste. They have served their purpose.
Raymond Thomasson, President,
Beverage Association of Tennessee
211 7th Ave. N. Suite 402,
Nashville, TN 37219-1818
To the Editor:
Recently, I listened as a teenage girl talked about her boyfriend’s professionally diagnosed emotional disorders. What surprised me was that she spoke of these disorders as if they were status symbols.
I don’t want to insinuate that anyone with an emotional disorder should be ashamed. But, emotional disorders don’t equal bragging rights either. Emotional and mental disorders can certainly be a burden to bear.
My colleagues and I have discussed often that there seems to be more mental and emotional illnesses today than ever before. This is our personal observation. I do not know of any research done on the increase of mental illness to prove that we are right or wrong.
Supposing we are right, the question would then be “why?” I would like to suggest three contributing factors:
1. The dropping of traditional morals. In the 1960s, my generation began to dump the old traditional moral system. The results have been devastating. In 42 years of pastoral counseling, I have seen that those who believe and practice old fashion morals are generally more balanced emotionally.
2. The decline of the family unit. This is probably the biggest factor. Multitudes of studies have been done proving that those who grow up in a stable family with both mother and father are mentally and emotionally leaps and bounds ahead of those who do not.
3. A media and technology system that provides unceasing activity and demands for instant gratification. Peace and quiet are so unusual today, that when they occur, some people can’t handle it. Constant stimuli is the norm. Has anyone researched the possibility of Attention Deficit Disorder being induced by technology?
Following the norms of society is often called being part of the “rat race,” which may end in a “rat trap.”
Steve Casey
P.O. Box 487, Stonewall, LA 71078
To the Editor:
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for coming to our rodeo. Your support is greatly appreciated. I would also like to thank all of our sponsors and everyone who contributed to the success of our rodeo in any and every way. We appreciate all of the ones who worked before, during and after the event. We had a great crowd both nights, and we are looking forward to the 2011 rodeo next summer.
Thank you,
Tracy Wilburn, Mayor of Minor Hill
c/o Minor Hill City Hall
P.O. Box 69, Minor Hill, TN 38473
To the Editor:
Does the City of Pulaski have a distance rule concerning the issuance of beer permits?
Since I am unable to discuss the beer laws in an open forum, meaning the work session meetings, even when it is on the agenda for discussion as was the case Monday, April 5th, 2010, I feel the need to bring this to the public’s attention. The city council has written laws to benefit individual businesses, discriminate against other businesses, superseded the state laws, written arbitrary ordinances, and refused to enforce state statutes for businesses, committees appointed by the city and county, and non-profits in which they have business or other relations. Because of the limited space I will only be touching on the distance rules in this letter and I ask for answers.
In 2008 the Mayor and Alderman voted to pass an ordinance that stated, “Neither the 100 foot nor 200 foot prohibitions shall apply to an off–premises consumption permit for a retail grocery store operating in a facility of at least 5,000 square feet and generating at least 50% of its gross revenue from the sale of grocery items other than beer.” This was passed for a local grocery store that was too close to a public park to obtain a beer permit. It must be noted the previous owner had inquired as to the possibility of obtaining a beer permit and was told it would be impossible because the business was too close to the park.
What changed besides the owners? Why were there no restrictions on outside advertisements of beer signs on the property or in the windows of the permit holders for these establishments when they can set up right beside a church, school or park? After all Council member Vicky Harwell stated in an October 2008 work session meeting that she could not condone any business that obtained a beer permit, on the square or one block off, to have the privilege of advertising these products if it meant someone could come in and buy the Hunter Smith building, open up a restaurant and hang a beer sign for the people of the Methodist Church to look at.
In addition recently a beer permit was issued to a restaurant that was too close to Cave Park. This time the Mayor and Alderman reclassified Cave Park so it is no longer considered a park and would not restrict the issuance of the beer permit for this business. Does this reclassification include the Old Cemetery that is considered a passive park, which it is located on the corner of Cemetery and South 1st Streets and fits the same criteria as Cave Park? Can we say neighborhood bar?
Article XI section 8 of the Tennessee Constitution states, in relevant part:
The legislature shall have no power to suspend any general law for the benefit of any particular individual, nor to pass any law for the benefit of individuals inconsistent with the general laws of the land, nor to pass any law granting to any individual or individuals, rights, privileges, immunities or exemptions other than such as may be, by the same law extended to any member of the community, who may be able to bring himself within the provisions of such law.
Other cases have been decided that the requirement of floor space bears no reasonable relation to the public health, morals and safety of the people. Since City Attorney Andy Hoover acknowledged he did not get any opinions from the Attorney General, MTAS and stated that the City of Pulaski can put any restrictions on any business they like, and I have found nothing to support this statement, maybe Mr. Hoover can clarify this since the Mayor and Aldermen are not willing to discuss this in a public meeting. I also ask the newspaper to look into this further since it seems, by the laws and precedent that have been set, once a city violates its distance rule in the issuance of a beer permit there are no longer distance rules in effect. They effectively set the distance to zero.
Next letter I will be addressing: why did the City knowingly violate the state ordinances as well as the local ordinances, which were written in 2009, to allow the issuance of the temporary permits to non-profits, or in this case a committee appointed by the city and county, on public property when the state law specifically states cities and municipalities do not have the right.
Thank you,
Bob Hughes
205 N. First St., Pulaski, TN 38478
To the Editor:
This is to all the citizens of Giles County and Tennessee who think their jobs are secure. Guess again, they are NOT! I was employed at Giles County E-911 as a dispatcher for almost 12 years. Last year I was diagnosed with blocked arteries in my heart that required open heart surgery. My first day of medical leave was October 5, 2009 and my surgery was scheduled for October 19. I signed a form for the Family Medical Leave Act that allowed me to be out for medical leave for 12 weeks. I had the surgery, then I had complications with infections that required several more stays in the hospital and several other surgeries, culminating in my sternum having to be removed. Because of these complications I was out over the 12 weeks.
In April I had my last surgery and my doctor gave me a notice for my employer as to when I might be able to return to work. Imagine my surprise when Mike Goode, who is the director of the 911 center, told me he had filled my position in February. I didn’t know my position was open to be filled. He did not call me in February to let me know I was no longer employed. For two months I was under the impression that I still had a job to go back to. Because of this I no longer have insurance, as my insurance premiums were stopped at the last of January. Unknown to me the Benefits Association in Nashville did not have my correct address so I did not receive any sort of notice on my insurance until the end of April. By then it was too late to apply for Cobra. They denied my claim explaining that the payments had been interrupted for three months. I now have to appeal this decision and I still may not be able to keep my insurance.
All this was made possible by the fact that Tennessee is a Hire and Fire at will state, apparently meaning that any employer can fire any employee for any reason or no reason at all. I was given a letter two months and two weeks after my dismissal in February explaining that I was let go because I did not keep the director informed of my condition. Granted, I did not call him every week for an update, because frankly, I was unable to call every week, but he was kept informed. I called him with up dates from my doctors after my appointments, and my husband also went to the office and talked to Mr. Goode personally at least one time.
So all citizens beware that a secure job is not so secure. Let’s see if we can change this law.
Thank you,
Shari Garner
1649 Johnson Branch Road, Pulaski, TN 38478
To the Editor:
In response to the letter to the editor from Steve Moore of Cookeville, Tenn., he feels he knows how our police department is run and states our officers have no common sense, have undesirable personalities and are unable to relate to citizens. WOW! From Cookville, Tenn., you certainly have taken an interest in Pulaski, Tenn. You must know Dr. Wynn really well. I mean it’s as if you were there. Mr. Moore, as we all know law enforcement officers are judged as being underhanded, always at fault and wrong for most situations whenever they do their job.
I worked in the field several years ago and was acquainted with Sgt. Young and he is one of the most respectful officers I was acquainted with. I have high regards for him and he did his job by the book and with common sense. I feel that the officers were just doing their job and a life could have been taken in the process of Dr. Wynn’s, as you call it, “scenario.” Hillside Hospital has other staff that could if necessary deliver a baby. Generally it takes hours from the time some women come to the hospital. I’m a little courious what the delivery time was. This all seems to be about who you are to me and I don’t feel that these officers should have been fired or suspended without pay. I can only imagine what Dr. Wynn was like since, with a title, you’re supposed to just abide by your own rules.
Charlene Rudd
356 Aymett Ridge Road, Pulaski, TN 38478
To the Editor:
I recently read in our local news that we do not have cameras in our police cars because our city could not find a grant that will cover the $85,000 expense. I knew we did not have cameras because last July I asked the Chief if there were cameras in the cars because of the treatment similar to Dr. Wynn’s that I received from Officer Estes when pulled over for speeding. As for statements that Officer Estes has not had complaints in the past, this is not true. When speaking about the incident I found later that Officer Estes did make statements to the Chief that were not consistent with the facts. Even on the witness stand, when we went to court, Officer Estes made statements that were not consistent with what I was told that he had stated to the Chief in his office and were shown to be false under further questioning of Officer Estes on the witness stand.
If our city officials thought that protecting the officers from false claims and the citizens from officers who abuse there power was as important as laying sidewalks, buying statues, wasting time writing sign ordinances, passing discriminatory laws that hinder businesses in our community, or spending the tax payers money in other frivolous ways that do not help to expand the tax base or drive business or tourists into the area, or if they would simply listen to all the citizens and not just their buddies or business alliances then maybe this ordeal with the officer might have been avoided.
This is an election year. I ask the citizens to take time to reflect as to what has transpired over the last couple of years with our Mayor and City Council. It is time to make a change for the better.
I will be writing some additional letters in weeks to come as space allows. There are a lot of issues that need to be addressed, and since I am not allowed to speak in the work session meetings, even when the items are on the agenda I will bring these issues to the citizens.
Thank you,
Bob Hughes
205 N. First St., Pulaski, TN 38478
To the Editor:
On July 15, 1914, the Louisville & Nashville Railroad opened its new road, the “Lewisburg Line” which ran between Brentwood, Tenn. and Athens, Ala. The new road made life so much easier for the people of Williamson, Marshall, and Giles Counties who soon depended upon the railroad for travel and more importantly, moving supplies to and from locations. I am writing a non-profit book, documenting this important road of the L. & N. Railroad in hopes of recognizing the importance of those individuals who worked and sacrificed so much in doing their job. While many of us cannot remember the sounds of the steam engines, we hear the modern engines on a daily basis but may never realize the great service to our country that the railroad provides. If anyone has photographs of any of the depots on this line, railroad workers on the job, trains, other railroad related photographs, or maybe you have some newspaper articles related to the railroad, please contact me.
Scotty Brock
603 S. Main St., Cornersville, TN
To the Editor:
Most police departments have reputable officers in their ranks, but most departments also contain a small percentage of undesirable officers who can’t relate to citizens. Case in point: Pulaski, Tenn., officer Chad Estes and his supervisor, Sgt. Justin Young. They are poster children for rogue cops, having no common sense. Sgt. Young should have been suspended for 45 days without pay since he was ultimately responsible for the scenario involving Dr. Wynn. He should have gotten more days off than his subordinate. Actually, both should have been fired.
Steve Moore
1313 Park Drive, Cookeville, TN 38501
To the Editor:
I spoke with Terry Harrison, the city administrator, not too long ago about the unemployment situation in Pulaski and Giles County. The last time I checked, we were hovering around 15 percent, which is well above the national average. He told me that it’s “not as bad as [I] think it is.”
To any of you reading this paper, I’ll keep this short: who thinks that 15 percent isn’t that bad? And who’s hair-brained idea was it to make a town with a four-year college and a bypass almost completed into a retirement community? Could that be the same person who is the executive director of the Economic Development Committee for Giles County? And does anyone find that Dan Speer holding said position to be an oxymoron of sorts?
John Wolf
116 N. Second St., Apt. B, Pulaski, TN 38478
To the Editor:
I would like to extend a sincere “thank you” to everyone who helped make our recent Minor Hill Country Boy Horse Show a tremendous success. It was a fun family event, and we appreciate the 358 entries we had. We truly appreciate all our generous sponsors, as well as the people who worked at our show. We are looking forward to our fall horse show in September.
Thank you,
Tracy Wilburn, Mayor of Minor Hill
City of Minor Hill, P.O. Box 69, Minor Hill, TN 38473
To the Editor:
After the recent flood, I noticed my road had debris lying on it, becoming hazardous to traffic. I personally removed all debris from the road except for two logs that were on top of the bridge one-tenth of a mile from Muckle Branch/Weakley Creek Road, whichever it may be depending on which county you live (though I have an Ethridge address, I live in Giles County and am registered to vote there).
On May 11, 2010, mowers came down Muckle Branch with a county truck following. I watched this truck following pass my house five times. Upon leaving I noticed these employees did not remove the debris from the bridge. When I mentioned it to Mr. Hyatt, county road superintendent, the next day, his reply was, “Why didn’t you tell the employees from the prior day, was you scared?”
I replied that I was not scared of them and neither was I scared of him. I was voicing my concerns to him because he was their boss. His reply was, “Well don’t vote for me next time.”
He can be assured I will not vote for him. Let me explain why flood waters were as high as they were at this location. The bridge 2.3 miles above this location is 5 feet, 9 inches by 11 feet. Three-tenths of a mile below that point is another bridge, 5 feet by 11 feet, 5 inches. One mile below that location another bridge is 6 feet by 13 feet. Five-tenths of a mile below that is another bridge 5 feet, 8 inches by 11 feet. Five-tenths of a mile below there is a 4-foot-by-6-foot oval culvert. Two-tenths of a mile below that there are two 4-foot culverts, this being 100 feet away from the bridge with the logs.
By simple mathematics most people should be able to determine that there is a flow problem. I didn’t do the math but I can tell you why. Ask the guy across the street whose house flooded, he can tell you.
Thomas E. Gilliam
2160 Muckle Branch Road
Ethridge, TN 38456
To the Editor:
While reading the article in the CITIZEN called “Political Comings and Goings” by Paul Manke, I couldn’t believe what I was reading, so I read it again. Mr. Manke believes cutting spending is a bad thing. The reality is we have seen historic spending by no other than Obama, and the democrat majority. Every party is guilty of spending, but this is gone too far. That leaves to reason that there are going to be cuts everywhere, even on things we don’t want cuts on. The Chief of Police in Nashville is just another example of bad judgement. He received a $21,000 a year raise, with the economy bad and jobs hard to find. Why do these government employees keep getting raises? The school system already has received stimulus money. Now they need more. Where is this money going? I think there needs to be more accountability. The few jobs that were created by the stimulus were government jobs, and the unemployment rate was supposed to drop under 8 percent — but didn’t. Just another lie by none other than a democrat, Obama, and his party, which did make history, a history of spending and no way to pay for it. In order for this to stop, these people have to be voted out, locally, and nationally.
J. Lee McConnell
2700 Bethel Road, Pulaski, TN 38478
To the Editor:
Boy, ole Jimmy Alsup sure had me going for awhile. I sure enough thought he didn’t much care for Wendell. I’ve got to admit that I agreed with some of his earlier points. I’m not an insurance agent and far from an expert on insurance. However, during most of my 68 years I have been covered by some kind of insurance policy, so I do have some acquaintance with how the rates are set. No doubt one’s claim history and their deductible are important issues in setting their rate. I also agree what the commission paid to Alsup is not really any of Wendell’s business, nor is it any of my business. Most of my business experience consisted of commission sales jobs, and I never felt my commissions were the business of anyone except me and my wife (and sometimes I even tried to keep her from knowing).
Now Mr. Alsup lists a number of people he’s done business with, most of whom I sure don’t know. I do know Mr. Collins to be right honorable and Mr. Jackson is at least a semi-good guy. However, he also mentioned that he had personally done business with Mrs. Vanzant. That little information right there is probably prima facie evidence that he has a little bit of dog doo on his own front porch. If Vanzant has proven anything, it is that male politicians certainly have no monopoly on hosing those persons whom they represent. I’ve got valid reasons for that opinion, but my wife and a couple of elderly women in my Sunday School class said they were tired of hearing about it. So, out of respect to them (and also to stay within the 600 word limit) I’ll not beat that dead horse at this time.
But then Mr. Alsup gets to what he really dislikes. It really has nothing to do with Wendell Wilburn. He doesn’t like new people who come into Giles County and express an opinion. He even says these rascals are “happy with nothing.” (I bet when he sells an insurance policy to these new people, though, he is real happy to cash their check.) I think that blind lady in Lynnville refers to us as “Interlopers.” Maybe he wants to keep Giles County a secret. When my wife and I first came to Giles County we felt much the same way Frank Mars did — that this was the prettiest place God ever showed us. Pretty good people live here too — I just hope they get it right on the County Executive this time.
As I read Mr. Alsup’s diatribe, I thought of some of the new people who have come to Giles County since I did. That little feller that coaches Giles County High School football is one of them. Shoot, the first year he was here he won more games than any other coach in history — but he wasn’t satisfied. Aren’t you glad that the 11-2 season was just not good enough for him? He’s still sort of a newcomer but, by golly, we’ve got the State Championship here. Speaking of that, there’s a new feller at Richland this year. Hopefully, he will not be satisfied to go 1-9 no matter whose son plays quarterback or whose daughter is head cheerleader. There’s also a new feller down at First Baptist, and I expect he’ll be making a difference around here. I have no idea whether Mr. Alsup would agree, but sometimes new folks and new ideas just make a good thing better.
Jim Culpepper
230 Old Campbellsville Road, Pulaski, TN 38478
To the Editor:
While attending my son’s kindergarten graduation I was reminded about new laws our government imposes on our schools because they receive government funding, but where does government money come from? It comes from tax payers. That’s how the government gets its money. I find it crazy that a person that works at school can’t say the word God. It’s like the word God has become a curse word. They have taken free speech out of school and parents rights. Whatever happened to the land of the free and home of the brave? Is this what our founding fathers wanted? I don’t think so. People always make the case for separation of church and state. This only means that the government can’t force you to practice a certain religion like Catholicism, Baptist, Church of Christ and so on. The constitution states that the freedom of speech shall not be restricted, so, in fact, any law restricting free speech passed by our government is unconstitutional.
J. Lee McConnell
2700 Bethel Road, Pulaski, TN 38478
To the Editor:
I am writing in regard to the letters about the Giles County Dog Pound. I am in total agreement with all of the previous writers. The dog pound here is deplorable. I was out there on Friday last year and there were forty bags with dogs in them that had just been put down.
The stink in the place is enough to make you sick. If I was part of the ruling bodies of this county, I would be embarrassed of having a business here in that condition.
Something needs to be done and soon. For one, we need a new person running the pound, and that person has to have a heart and care about the animals and the families that have lost them.
A quick fix would be to join forces with the Lincoln County Humane Society until we can get an appropriate building built and have it staffed with three or four volunteers full-time.
I am an avid animal lover, and I care for my pets, and I have also taken in strays and found them good homes. That is what needs to be done — not put them to sleep because they got lost or their families can’t afford to care for them anymore due to job loss or whatever the reason. It isn’t fair to them, and I don’t think you would like to be treated that way either. Just remember what goes around comes around. Everyone gets their reward in the end. Giles Countians and animal lovers step up to the plate and let’s give these poor animals a second chance at life. Wouldn’t you want a second chance if you were in their shoes?
Cathy Haas
1310 E. College St., Pulaski, TN 38478
Discriminated Against
To the Editor:
The city claims they don’t discriminate, but I am not so sure. About five or six years ago, my neighbor dug on her property. The result was a broken water line and wet weather spring that now floods my property and damaged my yard and driveway. My other neighbor also suffered damage to his yard. The city came and fixed his yard and the yard of the neighbor that caused the problem. So, now, both neighbors’ property has been repaired. My property sits right between the two, yet nothing has been done to restore my yard and my driveway to its original condition. The City Administrator, Alderman and Water Department representatives came to look at my yard. One of them stated that the city does not repair personal property, but when they called back to their office they had, in fact, fixed both neighbors’ yards. None of this damage was my fault and my home sits between the other two and nothing has been to done to help me. I am black and both my neighbors are white — so if not discrimination, then what is the reason?
Rosemary McElroy
190 N. Tidwell Circle, Pulaski, TN 38478
To the Editor:
Thanks, Wendell Wilburn. It isn’t a good thing to tell the county “No” when asking for an invoice for goods or services rendered. It sends up red flags, causes questions to be asked, creates suspicion, and it is a violations of the Freedom of Information Act. This is what happened when Mr. Wendell Wilburn asked for an invoice for insurance premiums paid by the county. Mr. Wilburn is a 1st District County Commissioner and chairman of the Insurance Committee. This committee was formed at the beginning of the 2009-10 session of the County Commission. The hope was to help in reducing expenses, since insurance has its impact on the county’s budget.
Mr. Wilburn contacted surrounding counties and asked for invoices on their insurance, which were readily given to him, but Giles County didn’t. It seems as though the way the insurance is being paid (is) the carrier bills the agent and the agent bills the county. This makes the agent not accountable to the Freedom of the Information Act.
During the Insurance Committee meeting, Mrs. Vanzant entered the conference room with a tape recorder in hand, her game face on and her game attitude in place. This, I suspect, was her feeble attempt to intimidate Mr. Wilburn. She made a few remarks about, “being tired of hearing this,” and “no, I don’t need a sermon,” knowing that Mr. Wilburn is pastor of Grace Baptist Church. I think she did, but I doubt it would do any good.
Mr. Wilburn presented the information, made comparisons and asked questions — questions every commissioner and person in attendance should have asked but didn’t. Instead, Mr. Campbell began to accuse Mr. Wilburn of accusations he didn’t make. Mr. Campbell blind-sided Mr. Wilburn by railing against him. Why? I think Mr. Campbell was more interested in taking the “ostrich” approach (sticking his head in the sand), refusing to cooperate with anyone except Mrs. Vanzant.
Mr. Wilburn has chosen not to run for office again, and this is sad. I guess it’s true what the old adage says: “You can’t fight City Hall,” or in this case, the county, even when you have the right. It seems the Good Ole Boy System is alive and well in Giles County.
Mr. Wilburn is a good commissioner, a good man, and Giles County doesn’t need to loose his leadership, For those of you in the 1st District, you need to know he went to bat for you. He did what he said he would do and more.
Thanks, Wendell Wilburn, I count it a privilege to have been able to serve these past four years with you.
In closing, I want to leave you with this thought: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked; whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:7. To put it in layman’s terms, what goes around comes around, from captains to commoners, from princes to paupers.
James W. Harwell,
6th District County Commissioner
2014 Joann Road, Pulaski, TN 38478