Thursday,
December 4, 2008
Community | Obits | Editorial & Columnists | Society | Sports | Education | Classified Ads | Calendar of Events | Features | Newsbriefs | Legals | Archives | Subscriptions | Photo Gallery
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Thursday,
December 4, 2008 |
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Community | Obits | Editorial & Columnists | Society | Sports | Education | Classified Ads | Calendar of Events | Features | Newsbriefs | Legals | Archives | Subscriptions | Photo Gallery |
OpinionFielder’s Choice Beach visit It was good to put my bare feet in the sand again for Thanksgiving – and in 60- and 70-degree temperatures, too. The Burlesons’ regular November vacation to the beach took a break last year. But it was back in 2008 – thank goodness. Close to Nowhere “The last straw...” • Do you ever have those days when you feel like one more little thing and you’re going to go completely over the edge? I often do and it seems like lately, those days are more and more frequent. Letter To The Editor Taxing dogs: I would like to address the issue of dog taxing in Holly Springs. The county is not taxed. I understand an ordinance was incorporated into our laws many years ago to tax dogs. At that time it did not prove to be a wise decision. The fact is that most people do not feel good about putting a tax on man’s best friend, a friend that does not desert. Danger has no face in the eyes of this friend – a friend whose record is unsurpassed by any other animal or human in loyalty and dedication. The cats, horses and many other pets are not taxed. Why is man’s best friend so ridiculed and degraded? Why not tax children? Some other countries under a dictatorship tax children. Where is the board of aldermen? Are their hearts as cold as the mayor’s? If the city funds are so limited that we have to tax dogs, then why did we borrow $3,000,000 to buy the clinic? The city could buy a very expensive automobile for the mayor. Gas must not be a concern of this government of the “one.” If we can afford all these luxuries, even trips to Olive Branch, then why can’t some streets get fixed? The street fix-it department consists of one old beat-up truck and two shovels. Can we see any good results from the tourist tax? Guess who pays this tax? We have no tourists. What would any come to Holly Springs to see? The cemetery was and is our number one calling card. Have any of you people taken a look lately? The city took our money and what have we got? What happened to the swimming pool? The mayor ordered it removed not repaired. The poor dog has a lot to pay. I know $25 isn’t much unless you are living on a fixed income. The $25 could be a week’s food or medicine. Where is another place that taxes dogs? I understand the governor of California wants to tax pets. At least that is not just man’s best friend. California has a lot of other things that we don’t need or want. Tax on man’s best friend is a laugh on the common sense of mankind. Try to balance the budget by taxing dogs. To enforce the tax law is no doubt going to cost the taxpayers about $50,000 to get $10,000 in return. I already pay tax when I buy dog feed. Sometimes my feed bill is in excess of $200 a month not counting the other necessary items. For years man vaccinated his own animals including himself. In Holly Springs we have lost that right. What next? In the last five years I have had about $5,000 in dogs, dog feed, wire, dog houses and much more stolen from me. Someone stole a man’s dog and left the puppies. I had to hand feed them. Who helped me? That hurt! But nothing like to have the law remove the lock, take the dog and kill it just because it’s a dog. Many times I have called trying to get help concerning animals, but guess what? No help. Now I have seven dogs; sometimes I have many more. Sometimes they die, get killed, or I give some away. If I remember correctly, I have never sold a dog. I bought many. If I had the money I know what I would to, but what a big if. Like always, I am out here in left field all alone – wanting to fight, trying to fight and no one to help but dead dogs. Do I bow down to a dictatorship? I may lay down, but never bow. Hoyt Johnson
Hometown Heroes Please take time to remember our local “heroes” who are serving in war zones around the world. Welcome Home: Mark W. Clark II, Prentis Shaw, Michael Garner Jr., Charles Weathersby, Michael McClatchy, Henry Jones, Jerry Richardson, James Marcus Anthony, Kevin Luse, George Frank Frayser, William Payton, Charles (Will) Stanback Battle Ewing, Army, IraqCharles Fairbairn, Army, Iraq; now in Afghanistan Jarod Grimes, Army, Iraq Timothy Hardaway, Army, Iraq Lee (Brandon) Hutchens, Marines, Iraq Jason Janicki, Army, Iraq Donnie Kirksey, Marines, Iraq Matthew McArthur, Marines, Iraq George Merritt, Marines, Iraq Chad Minor, Air Force Chadwick (Chad) Phillips, Army, 2nd tour, Iraq Deron Randolph, Marines, Iraq Cody Sanderson, Air Force, Iraq John Snow, Army, 2 tours Iraq, now in Afghanistan Mitch Swann, Army, Iraq Stephnie Taylor, Air Force, Iraq Lynwood Turner, National Guard, 2nd tour, Iraq Supporting Our Troops If you’d like to add a name to this list, please contact The South Reporter, Attn. Linda Jones, P.O. Box 278, Holly Springs, MS 38635; 662-252-4261; or email: south@dixie-net.com |
      
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