Thursday, April 20, 2006
Community | Obits | Editorial & Columnists | Society | Sports | Education | Classified Ads | Calendar of Events | Features | Newsbriefs | Legals | Archives | Photo Gallery
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Thursday, April 20, 2006 |
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Community | Obits | Editorial & Columnists | Society | Sports | Education | Classified Ads | Calendar of Events | Features | Newsbriefs | Legals | Archives | Photo Gallery |
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Letters to the Editor(Note: this letter was sent to Marshall County Sheriff Kenny Dickerson and to The South Reporter for publication.) David Cook - hero!: How can you thank someone enough for helping you find a runaway child? I have waited several weeks to write this letter, as I knew it would be painful and bring back all of the horrific memories of having a child missing. On Feb. 18, 2006, my 14-year-old daughter ran away from home with four other minors. I cannot put into words my fears, my questions, my anger, my feelings of hopelessness, my unbelievable dismay with the “system.” I live in Olive Branch, and my child was reported missing from DeSoto County. You won’t remember, but I do, the sleet and snow falling that morning at 5 a.m. as I filed the report with the officer that came to my home. For several days I was at the mercy of DeSoto County, their officers, their deputies and their commanders. I became “best friends” with the mother of the only other girl missing with this group of runaways. She lives in Byhalia, and her daughter was reported missing from Marshall County. On a date that I cannot recall, it was between Feb. 21-24, we (the other girl’s mother and myself) met with two people from the Marshall County DA’s office and with Captain David Cook, in an effort to file kidnapping charges or post an Amber Alert. Unfortunately, we were shot down on the possibilities of either. However, Cpt. David Cook was asked to contact the FBI in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where we had reason to believe they were. Both myself and the other girl’s mother left that day feeling shot down and helpless. We held hands and prayed together in my car for the safety of our children before leaving the court house. On or about Feb. 23, I started calling Captain David Cook as I was getting nowhere with DeSoto County. DeSoto County “commanders” talked to me like I was two years old. Sure I was upset, sure I was irrational, sure I was begging for help. Captain David Cook called me with any news he had, or just to tell me he had no updates. He returned my phone calls even when he was off duty. Miraculously, and I don’t mean that lightly, our children were found in Albuquerque on Feb. 28. Captain David Cook is the reason these children were found. Captain David Cook stayed in contact with the Albuquerque police throughout the entire ordeal. When our children were found in Albuquerque, Capt. David Cook called me, not DeSoto County, to “dance with me” and laugh and cry and thank God they were found. It was a very emotional phone call, and I cannot thank David enough for the personal touch. Sheriff Dickerson, I am asking you to do something wonderful for Capt. Cook and his family. He is truly an asset to your community. Captain David Cook is my hero. Sincerely, Thank you South
Reporter.: We wanted to write and express appreciation for the articles you have in The South Reporter from time to time on the Supervisors’ meetings. All of us cannot attend these meetings and we like to know what is going on in our county. We like the way you have reports from each of the different groups, such as the IDA reporter, what is going on with the roads and bridges, the Legislative Report, and anything else that is happening. Thank you for the work you do. Sincerely, What is happening
here?: Lately as I read the newspaper, and travel about our once tranquil town, I find myself asking the question what “was” it that drew me to the area, other than the fact that I met my lovely wife here. I also attended Rust College where I completed my undergrad work. As with any business, when it decides to move to a certain area it has to meet certain criteria for it to be successful; and so, it is with an individual. When one decides to make a certain area his home, it means that certain aspects have been met, for me it was the friendliness of the community, the school system had positive aspects, the business community was promising, (this was 16 years ago). Now as I look at my home, I am ashamed of what we as citizens have let happen to it. The school system is failing our children, the business community has abandoned us, our industrial area is a ghost town, and if we as citizens of this community do not wake up and take action Marshall County, Holly Springs will become just that — a ghost town Alan Stanford Southern border: Stupid, stupid, stupid! What is going on, that we’ve allowed our southern border to remain so vulnerable? Eleven million already here, 300,000 coming in each year, and taking deep root, just like the kudzu did? We thought it was for our good, and it was for a while; now you can’t control it. The hope marches concerned me. I know the majority are good, hard working people, but these numbers are too much for us to cope with. What would happen if 11 million of us were to cross into Mexico? How do you think they would react? They would mobilize, push us back and seal that border. Are we so desperate for friends that we compromise always? We gave away the Panama Canal (Jimmy Carter’s idea) to show Central America they had nothing to fear from us. Well, we have a lot to fear from them. They don’t have to wage a military coup to take over; time will do that. Jean McCommon Response to letters: It seems that a recent letter writer has trouble with the fact that many important Americans from both the black race and the white race have identified with the Republican Party. Members of the Republican Club of Marshall County believe that the Republican Party is the best vehicle for translating our ideals into positive and successful principles of government. We believe that the strength of our nation lies with the individual. Each person’s dignity, freedom and responsibility must be honored. We believe in equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity for all. We believe free enterprise and encouraging individual initiative have brought this nation opportunity, economic growth and prosperity. We believe government must practice fiscal responsibility. We believe that the proper role of government is to provide for the people only those critical functions that cannot be performed by individuals or private organizations and that the best government is that which governs least. We believe that the most effective, responsible and responsive government is government closest to the people. We believe Americans must retain the principles that have made us strong while developing new and innovative ideas to meet the challenges of changing times. We believe Americans value and should preserve our national strength and pride while working to extend peace, freedom and human rights throughout the world. I regret that Mr. Houck takes offense to these beliefs. Mr. Houck’s attack on the knowledge and character of Dave Young is unfounded. I know Dave to be a person of intelligence and integrity. He has both past and current knowledge of events in the community, the state, the nation and the world. Much of his time and energy is devoted to making this community a great place for all people. I commend him for this. The citizens of this nation chose President Bush to be our leader. He needs and deserves our loyalty and support. His actions thus far have prevented another terrorist attack such as happened on 9/11. My prayer is that God will continue to guide and bless him. Let us remember:
Dorothy Green Support our students: I am still reminded and overwhelmed by the support that was given to the Holly Springs High School basketball team during the basketball finals. I saw flags flying to let everyone know that we are among the best. Many conversations were about what a great team we have. They were even calling names of players and encouraging them to play their best. I believe that this type support brings out the best in our students. As a result, they represented us well in Jackson in the finals. Basketball finals are important times in Holly Springs. There are more important times nearing. For example, the Essential Benchmark test and the Mississippi Curriculum Test are about to be administered. Students will definitely need our support again. Support will be much easier to give this time. It does not call for travel, extra money or even the latest outfits. However, it calls for motivation. In the same spirit that it was given during the basketball finals, I am calling upon every Holly Springs citizen to join me in reminding our students of the importance of these tests and motivating them to do their best. Wanda Pegues Report News: (662) 252-4261
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