Thursday, April 26, 2012
Community | Obits | Editorial & Columnists | Society | Sports | Education | Classified Ads | Calendar of Events | Features | Newsbriefs | Legals | Archives | Subscriptions | New Photo Gallery
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Thursday, April 26, 2012 |
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Community | Obits | Editorial & Columnists | Society | Sports | Education | Classified Ads | Calendar of Events | Features | Newsbriefs | Legals | Archives | Subscriptions | New Photo Gallery |
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Letters To The Editor Join our group: In keeping with National Volunteer Week, I would like to recognize the volunteers for the Marshall County Humane Society. To the group who cleans the kennels, day in and week out, in order to provide a healthy environment for the dogs and cats, your efforts are appreciated. To the group who gives so effortlessly to support the Low Cost Spay/Neuter Program, your commitment to addressing animal overpopulation, your dedication is valued. To those who take the dogs and cats out for Petco Days, your efforts to help socialize and train the animals to a new situation is commendable. For those who drive the dogs to Starkville, to start their Homeward Bound journey to the Northeast, using your own vehicle and gas, your dedication to provide dogs a better life is noteworthy. To the volunteers who answer the many phone calls, update the animals on Petfinder, answer emails, keep us current on Facebook, and facilitate our adoptions, your efforts are vital to our organization. I also appreciate the support of The South Reporter, Dr. Isis Johnson, and the members of the community who donate to our various fundraisers. We could not accomplish what we do without you! The Humane Society is not animal control. We do not replace a comprehensive animal control program. For such a program, we look to our community leaders. We are a small group. Some of our volunteers participate in several areas. We get a lot accomplished. Join our group! Become an active volunteer! Be part of the solution! Margaret M. Holmes Not surprised: It did not come as a surprise to me that the Holly Springs police chief had been fired. When I read that a small town professional law enforcement officer, who happened to be white, was hired as the new chief, I said he would never complete his probation period. As an Air Force officer, I had to take over new units, quickly assess the situation and correct major problems. The only way this can be done is to go in as tough but fair, then when things settled down, ease off the pressure and monitor the results while the unit’s chain of command ran the day-to-day operations. You cannot be the “good guy” when you take over and then tighten up. It just does not work. A law enforcement agency is very similar to a military unit. What Chief Dean was doing was the way it should be done. All Chief Dean asked the department to do was their jobs. Keeping a log of their activities would expose those slackers who gave less than full effort but more importantly, would allow the chief to study the logs to search for patterns of criminal activities that needed attention. Politics in Marshall County still lives in the ’60s. In Holly Springs, if you don’t agree with the mayor, you won’t last long. Memphis had its King Willie; on a smaller scale Holly Springs has its Prince André. For some reason he believes that the only way he can be successful is to micromanage everything that goes on in the city. For those he cannot fire, the elected members of his council, he will embarrass and criticize publicly when they do something he thinks is out of line. They are not allowed to have an original thought or take an independent action. For as long as he has been in office, it has been nearly impossible for the city to work closely with the county supervisors. Far too much intolerance, racial and politically, exists here. I love the place I call home and will continue to work to make it a better place. I get along with all my neighbors, regardless of the color of their skin or how much money they have in the bank. I help those in need whenever I can without thought of repayment. To the members on the list of candidates for police chief, I say this: “Keep looking elsewhere.” George W. Kahrs My new home: As one of Holly Springs’ newest residents, I would like to say “thank you” to the Holly Springs Garden Club and all who put on the Pilgrimage over the recent weekend. It was a wonderful way for me to discover the community and enjoy the events scheduled for the weekend. On Saturday I decided to drop choosing paint colors and doing furniture manipulation. Slapping on an oversized hat and dressing casually, I hopped into my truck and made my way to town square. Starting with the vendors, moving on to the bake sale ladies in front of the hardware store, taking in the tour of the cemetery (always a great place to find stories from the past), hitching a ride on the draft horse-pulled trolley, lunch at Christ Church and ending with the historical museum, my day was filled. Throughout my day, the people I met were kind and friendly, often joking with me and inviting me to check out an event, join a club or even attend church. One question frequently asked of me, “Why Holly Springs when you were living in Hawaii?” Truthfully (and not to discourage any who want to visit that beautiful state), the welcome I have received in Holly Springs has far exceeded the welcome I have gotten anywhere, including the Islands. The Hawaiians and the islands are lovely. But anywhere you go, as a tourist you see what you want to see. As a resident, you learn the true identity of the culture, mores, politics and places that make a community special. Pilgrimage gave me the happy excuse of seeing what Holly Springs has to offer and the social events that allowed me to meet the community. As a self-proclaimed history geek, I delight in sights, stories and people. As a Yankee (and I use this term only in reference to places I have lived in from my birth and not as a political stance) I was concerned that I was not going to fit into “the South.” I have been assured by many that in time I will find myself blending into the area quite well. Again, my thanks to all who worked, served and put together the Pilgrimage weekend. I look forward to meeting many more of you who live and work here. A special thanks goes to: Jane Callicutt for introducing me around, Phyllis (sorry, I’m terrible with names) who told me about the pottery classes on Thursday night at First Baptist. All the actors who gave their time to educate me about past Holly Springs residents, Becky Cupp at Christ Church who managed to find lunch for me when I failed to buy a ticket in advance, and everyone at the historical museum who welcomed me and taught me about the exhibits. Lastly to Gary and Lorena Adams, who shared with a few of us the music that came out of the Civil War era, and then treated me to dinner at Montrose. Why Holly Springs and not Hawaii? Well, why not? I look forward to becoming a fixture here and having many more adventures in my new home. Sincerely, Great Pilgrimage: This year’s annual Holly Springs Pilgrimage Tour was one of the best ones that I can remember. There were so many options for all ages to enjoy. After 74 years, the Holly Springs Garden Club continues to provide an appealing event to promote to the world. We are proud to have events such as this to show others the many grand things there are to do in our county. The Marshall County area benefits from the tourists and the places to visit with the many activities to go along with the tour. Congratulations to Preserve Marshall County, Ida B. Wells Museum and the Holly Springs Garden Club for partnering for the “Behind the Big House Tour.” This allowed another educational venue to see another side of antebellum life through these historic structures. We must appreciate and be proud of all the hard work of the volunteers and everyone who contributed. Sincerely, |
     
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