Letter to the Editor

Mr. Burleson,

I want to thank you for publishing the letter from Tarsha Harris on Thursday, Jan. 12, “Prime example of the system failing our youth” in The South Reporter.

The letter indicates that Mrs. Harris’ attempt to seek justice for her son was thwarted by a failing system. As a citizen of Marshall County I am very concerned about the implications of this letter. The importance of a community to have faith in its local institutions such as our court system, due process, and policing cannot be understated. These are anchor institutions and the communities’ most meaningful and relevant experience with government. As citizens we cannot allow our local institutions to fail us. We may not be able to influence the failures of federal and state government, but local government is the closest to us and we can do more than vote. We know each other, we see each other, and we have relationships.

I think we all need to be responsible for how our institutions serve our community. We all need to be concerned about justice in our court system.

Therefore, we all need to be concerned and inquire about what went wrong when Mrs. Harris attempted to seek justice for her son.

Sincerely,
Wayne C. Jones
Concerned Citizen