Archive for Letters To The Editor

The Power Of Way Back When

January 30, 2013 Editorials, Letters To The Editor Comments Off

The old news in this feature in the Enterprise Recorder stirs memories, usually pleasing to recall. That was my anticipation as I read an item in the January 25, 2013 issue. The lead appeared routine: January 29,1943. Pvt William F. Brooks of Lovett finished training at Aerial Gunnery School and was given the rank of sergeant. From Lovett? THAT’S FRANK BROOKS! The good looking, blonde, blue-eyed neighbor . . just ahead of my sister’s class at Greenville High School, one of those older kids who awed us small fry. Frank Brooks brought home the reality of WWII.
The war in my childhood had been saving tin cans and aluminum gum wrappers, saving enough pennies to buy savings stamps for my filled book to get a war bond ($18 bond would grow to $25), seeing the rail cars full of pine stumps (pine tar for what?), doing without sugar and using white stuff for butter (color came later to margarine) — our every day overshadowed by knowing that one of us was on a Navy ship in the Pacific war zone. BUT FRANK WAS MISSING! FRANK WAS KILLED IN ACTION! Word filtered through my childhood fog that Frank was the gunner in that front bubble on a bomber that had been shot down. The Brooks family’s tragedy ratcheted up our anxiety although unaware of Midway and Coral Sea battles where the carrier Yorktown was sunk and my brother spent hours in the water before rescue. My cousin’s wounding in North Africa had been alarming, bearable because he would be back stateside. It was Frank Brooks who made even a little country kid comprehend how terrible war is.
Marianne Green

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Presidential Election Shows Heartwarming Success In Marriage

November 13, 2012 Letters To The Editor Comments Off

Our presidential candidates starred in a sometimes vicious, factually distorted, too long campaign which obscured a heartwarming example of life in our country today:  success in  marriage.  Two dedicated men, so goal-oriented that each achieved a pinnacle of success in his chosen field, reveal a parallel in lifetime choice for marriage.  Each chose a woman to cherish and to complete life for him.  Romney knew when he was eighteen and she was fifteen.  Two and a half years’s separation did not diminish their deep understanding. Obama knew during his internship for law school that his directing lawyer was essential to complete his life.  He returned to Chicago to achieve professional goals and present a winning case for marriage to his former directing lawyer. Each of these high level achievers had some challenges to totally happy married life (Mrs. Romney developed chronic severe illness; Mrs. Obama’s private life changed to public, political life).  The integrity of the husbands and the wives stand out among today’s media chronicles of infidelity and scandalous behavior by political leaders and entertainment celebrities. Regardless of our political affiliation, we can applaud national leaders who live married life with commitment and loyalty to each other, as do most people we meet every day.  Media broadcast the sensational, permeating our lives, picturing us as much less than we are.  In reality, we are a people living by ethical standards, keeping our commitments and responding to opportunities with ingenuity and hard work.  These national political couples are excellent reminders of these facts.  Marianne Green

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Letter to the Editor: My Vote is “No”

August 27, 2012 Letters To The Editor One comment

Dry Vs. Wet…
This is my perspective and opinion. We have a system where majority rules. Like it or not. Except when there is voter fraud, the majority rules. I am against making it easier for irresponsible people because it is wrong and I am against paying for their irresponsible behavior. I have spent countless hours prying twisted, mangled bodies out of wrecked vehicles. I have picked up pieces of bodies off of our county roads… many of them children… transported them to the morgue and attended their autopsies… hundreds of them. I have had to wake up next of kin to inform them that their drunk loved one killed themself. I have refereed countless violent domestic disputes between drunk parents as horrified children looked on. I have bagged up the pieces of suicide victims who, while highly intoxicated, apparently lost their vision and hope for the future. I have worked many homicides. Most of them were alcohol related. I have been in life or death fights with intoxicated idiots in the middle of roadways during arrest situations while everyone else was asleep. Most of the rapes, robberies and other violent crimes I have worked in the last 23 years have been alcohol related. I have been shot at many times by drunks. The property damage that irresponsible drunks create is unbelievable. We often pay for this property damage. We pay the welfare, S.S.I. and we often pay to raise their victimized children and families. We pay to warehouse the abusers in jails and prisons. We pay with the lost lives of our loved ones and friends. We often pay the medical bills and for the autopsies. They often make excuses and blame others for their irresponsible behavior. Many drinkers and drunks keep it reasonably under control. Fine. That’s on them, but their inner circle of loved ones pay in countless ways.
It is my opinion that alcohol makes people much more stupid than they would normally be. They generally make extremely poor choices. I know a lot of good people who are in prison and jail as a direct result of their alcohol and substance abuse issues. I have friends that are not reaching their God given potential because of their alcohol and substance abuse issues. In all circumstances their families suffer dearly. We all pay for this… at least those of us who work. I do not judge them… Luke 6:37… There is only One True Judge, but I am also not going to enable them . My God gives us all free will to make good choices or bad choices… Deuteronomy 30:19. I pay enough for my own poor choices, but I am tired of paying the “stupid tax” for others and their careless behavior. I wish people would consider the impact on our society instead of their self-interests and agendas.
I don’t believe alcohol is the problem. I believe alcohol abuse is a symptom of the underlying problem. It’s people not willing to take personal responsibility for their words, their actions, their feelings and their emotions. It’s people not willing to face, and deal with, their inner demons, hurts and pains. It’s generally self-inflicted pain, suffering and drama. This is what tears relationships, families and careers apart. It’s a poverty builder and multiplier. It’s self-imposed slavery. I have seen countless numbers in our county, who can’t afford to keep a roof over their head without government assistance… our warped assistance… but they will spend “their” last cent for cheap booze. A majority of our repeat criminal activity comes from these same people. II Thessalonians 3:10… These facts are easy to confirm, but most prefer to pretend they don’t exist. It’s not quite as glamorous as the white collar drunks and country club drunks. In the past, these were released from jail before the arrest paperwork was done. These are some of the repercussions for a selfish, greed, power and control focused, God-less society. Galations 6:7… We reap what we sow, more than we sow, later than we sow. Most of these people have no vision or hope for the future. Proverbs 29:18…
As far as alcohol sales boosting our local economy, I believe the main reason our county fails to thrive is because we have a few people with lots of money choking out and blocking new, positive growth. Once again, I feel that this is so they can protect their own self-interest… greed, power, control and self-centered agendas. Proverbs 16:18… It also doesn’t help that we have more “tax suckers” per square inch than we do tax payers. In closing, I feel that easier access to alcohol is giving meth to a meth head. Until our nation collectively decides to cut the freeloading and enabling, and until we all take personal responsibility for ourselves, the anarchy will continue. II Chronicles 7:14… God gives each of us free will to make good choices or bad choices. I will not make things easier or enable the ones that I feel are making the poor choices. Yep, my vote is “No” on our county going wet.
Jude 1:2
With His blessing I serve, Mark W. Joost

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Letter to the Editor: Former Sheriff Urges People To Vote Against Wet County

August 23, 2012 Letters To The Editor Comments Off

I have never written a letter to the editor before but I feel after reading so much overblown articles as to the benefits of Madison County voting yes to go wet and legalizing sale of liquor, I have been in Madison County through one of these votes before and also attempted vote several years ago. The earlier vote was no and I took a stand against legalized liquor sales and still do.
I spent 16 years as a Florida trooper in Madison County, followed by being elected sheriff for 28 years and have seen my share of drunks and families being killed and buying liquor when their children went hungry. No one can convince me availability does not make more problems for law enforcement and broken families.
You have heard about the economy. The only people who to benefit from the sale of liquor are the businesses that sell it. We know that it has cost thousands of dollars to promote this election to go wet.
The benefit will come to those businesses because of more drinking because of availability.
I can attest to the fact that DUIs will double and law enforcement will have to be increased. As far as the taxes to Madison County, the taxes derived from taxes in Madison County, the tax rate in Florida is divided 67 ways throughout the state of Florida. The idea of restaurants coming to Madison, such as Ruby Tuesday’s and Olive Garden, these have to have metropolitan numbers to come to a town. I can attest to many advantages to vote no, but to vote yes,
I cannot think of any advantage it would be to Madison County. Please vote no if no other reason we won’t make it readily available to our children and the citizens of the county.
Former Sheriff Joe Peavy

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Letter to the Editor: Time-Bomb In Disguise

August 23, 2012 Letters To The Editor Comments Off

Alcohol is a drug, considered by some to be the most dangerous drug in America because of its wide acceptance and the ease of access, resulting in major problems on the job, in the home and on the streets.
It seems to be acceptable to argue against cocaine, heroin, meth or whatever other names are given to abusive substances, but alcohol is being wrapped in a pretty package and sold to us as a cure-all for ills of Madison County. Using some of the expressed reasoning, someone might question – “Why not legalize all drugs? Would that not bring even more business to Madison County?” I would say that businesses attracted to Madison because of the ability to sell alcoholic drinks, may not be very beneficial to the quality of life in our community and just where can we expect all those projected jobs to come from?.
How many of the 20,000 plus or minus, citizens of our county are adults with the financial ability to support “upscale” restaurants? I for one, cannot, and I believe a majority of our county residents also walk a similar tight budget line. A lot of restaurants come and go in wet counties, also, so it’s not just because “drinks” cannot be sold, that we have had that happen in Madison.
Some say going “wet” will encourage development at the Interstate exchanges as in Live Oak. Really? Take a serious look at the Highway 129 exit and tabulate just how much development has actually been established in the last couple of years, or due to access to alcohol?
A whole lot of money is being spent on this issue, including more than $33,000 of county taxes. Who is really going to benefit? It is my understanding that beverage taxes are state collected. However, Madison would receive a “trickle” and there should be some new jobs in the city police and county sheriff’s departments. Sounds like more taxes to me!
The word “drink” is generic in that it can refer to water, juice, punch, coffee, an alcoholic beverage, or — even what you take before a colonoscopy. In response to “Bible scholar” statements, according to the late Adriane Rogers, Bible scholar extraordinaire, in scripture, the word “wine” is generic. When Jesus turned water into “wine” it was “oynos”, meaning “fruit of the vine” or “grape juice”, but definitely not “shekar” which was an intoxicating “wine” to be used ONLY as a narcotic for illness and otherwise, not even in moderation.
We should definitely think twice before opening that “pretty package” we are being sold. It could be a time-bomb in disguise!
VOTE NO AUG. 28
Claudia Anderson

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Letter to the Editor: Reader’s Brother Killed By Drunk Driver In Wet County

August 23, 2012 Letters To The Editor Comments Off

Dear Editor,
This letter is dedicated to the memory of my brother, Ed Smith, who was murdered by a drunk driver on August 24, 2008. Ed’s murder occurred in Hamilton County, a wet county. The driver of the vehicle that hit Ed head on was killed that day because he was so drunk he forgot to put on his seat belt. Ed had his seat belt on but he didn’t stand a chance against the SUV. I didn’t talk to Ed that day, I didn’t tell him I loved and admired him the last time I saw him. It’s too late now. God works in mysterious ways.
I am sure by now; those of you that support the wet issue have probably stopped reading. But, I’m not done.
Hamilton County: Has anyone been to their new Wal Mart lately? How about Applebee’s or Texas Roadhouse? Seen the drop in their unemployment rate? Oh that’s right, there is no growth. Just like there will be no growth in Madison County just because we are a wet county. Anyone have a clue how long Hamilton county has been wet?
I find it interesting that of the 3 people listed on the Madison Yes website, I cannot find where any of them own property in Madison County, or at least in their names. There seems to be some kind of shell game with the office that Madison Yes is working out of. Three fictitious corporations (LLC’s) owned by the same people? Each building listed as a separate corporation? What are they hiding? Why do they seem to have a problem paying their taxes every year? I didn’t realize that you could pay property taxes on an every other year or every third year basis. This information is readily available on the Madison Property Appraiser’s website. (madisonpa.com) Search the addresses provided and see what comes up.
It seems that most of the people that are being so vocal in their support for this issue are not from here at all. If you don’t like it here or the way we want to live, I will personally transport you to the nearest Greyhound station and buy you a one way ticket back to where you came from. It’s kind of like wanting to change your partner’s behavior after the wedding….
I personally love life in Madison County. I have lived in a wet county and there were no chain restaurants except fast food. There was a Wal-Mart but life didn’t seem any better there than here. I don’t mind driving a little to Wal-Mart and I don’t have to worry about driving to the liquor store. If either had been a consideration, I would not have come back home to Madison.
As far as the quote from the owner of Music Park concerning having more customers since they began serving liquor by the drink, that just tells me there are more drunks on the road now. Who cares if a few cyclist can’t get an alcoholic drink with their meals?
And how can the former “homeless drug user turned millionaire” who read the bible and became a Christian speak in favor of liquor sales? Could it be because he hopes to profit greatly from the sale of liquor at his establishment?
I have been a Law Enforcement Officer for over 30 years. I have seen firsthand the destruction caused by alcohol on a professional level. Nothing good can come from this lie. The only people that are going to profit from this are the people pushing so hard for it. You remember them, the ones who are not from here.
Whether this passes or not, I know I can count on one of you three people contacting me in reference to purchasing a nice home and lot that sits right next to an establishment that you want to help grow and support. That way you can actually own something here and be close to what you want for the rest of us.
I miss you, Brother. Tell Pop I said Hi….

Russell Smith

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Letter to the Editor: Wieland Urges Yes Vote

August 23, 2012 Letters To The Editor 2 comments

To the Educated Concerned Citizens of Madison County:

I don’t know how much I can add to Bob Williamson’s letter to the editor. He made some very good points. However, I still hear people making ignorant statements concerning the Wet/Dry issue.
No one “running” Madison Yes is there for financial gain. The fact is, it has been a hard road raising enough money for the signs (that are being stolen), mailings, paperwork, etc. I know! I have been part of this from the beginning. We would like to see Madison prosper. Moving here in 1987, Madison downtown seemed a “growing” city. Today it looks like a pending “ghost town” We love it here and want to see Madison grow.
If we become WET, only two liquor stores will be allowed in Madison County. Hopefully we will get a restaurant or two… like “Cheddars”…good food/great prices! They can do that because a good part of their profit comes from their bar. (you don’t have to drink alcohol, to eat there and enjoy)… Will we get a Cheddars in Madison County? Maybe not. But if this county stays “dry”, you can be guaranteed you will never see that here. We just want to see a nice restaurant or two come in where you can get a glass of wine with your meal, instead of having to drive to Valdosta or Tallahassee to get that.
Someone said being “wet” would not bring in much money. Almost everyone I know here drinks. They go to Georgia or to other counties to get their spirits. I say keep that money here! For those who oppose it, that’s money in the tax coffers that they don’t have to put in themselves!
I saw one of the signs against Madison Yes that stated “Don’t be fooled” and in a letter to the Chamber… “Common sense tells me if intoxicating liquor was more readily available (especially by the drink, No. 2 on the ballot) there would be more impaired drunk drivers on our roads. Sheriff Ben Stewart agrees.” I typed into Google: “more dui in wet counties”. Most feedback read “Dry Counties have higher DUI/DWI related crashes or fatality rates.” “Research has long demonstrated that the existence of dry counties increases alcohol-related automotive accidents and fatalities.” The analysis suggests that residents of dry counties have to drive farther from their homes to consume alcohol, thus increasing impaired driving exposure. One site was even a study from a news channel. When specifically looking at DWI’s, NewsChannel 11′s investigation appears to back up his claim. “Two out of three dry counties we showed you have more DWI’s than the wet or partially wet counties.”
So, who is fooling who? Do you want to protect your loved ones? ESPECIALLY YOUR CHILDREN??? Then vote YES!!
Common sense would suggest …
The bible does not tell us it is a sin to drink. (It does state, however, you should not steal…. for those taking the signs).
Prohibition ended in 1933. It did not work!!! If people want a drink, they will get one. Again, common sense would tell you it is better for them to drive 3 miles for a drink and then home than to drive 30+ miles. …Not to mention, that in a bar (located in Madison County) you would have a greater chance of people you know, who would care enough to get you home without letting you drive impaired!
Madison Yes was formed solely with the intent for economic growth of Madison County! That is why I am involved. I believe this will bring more businesses to Madison. Who wants to start a business in a county that is “behind the times”…. Let’s move forward.

Robert Wieland

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Letter to the Editor: Does the World See Us (Christians) United as One?

August 23, 2012 Letters To The Editor One comment

Dear Editor,
Recently the Founder and CEO, S. Truett Cathy, came under fire because of his stance against same sex marriage, which caused an outcry of the media and an attempt to boycott Chick-fil-A. The response to the outcry brought the Christian community together in support of Chick-fil-A. Together the Christian community, as well as others, showed their extraordinary support and helped break a sales record of all fast food restaurants. The Christian community standing together in support of Chick-fil-A proved, to the outcry of a Christian businessman stance against same sex marriage, standing for what is right is greatly rewarded.
Jesus prayed an important prayer recorded in the Book of John that we, as Christians, should never forget and heed to in our daily walk. In John 17, Jesus prayed for Himself, the apostles, and for all believers. The core of Jesus’ prayer was that all Christians be unified as one as He and the Father are as one (John 17:21-22), so that the world may believe (John 17:21). If Jesus took the time to pray to the Father asking Him to grant us such unification, we need to take heed to the prayer and stand together as one (a Christian community) and do what is right in the sight of our Savior and Lord so that He might be glorified in and through our lives.
In the coming days there will be people asking you to return to the polls on August 28 to cast your vote concerning the wet/dry alcohol issue facing our great county of Madison. Some will try to persuade you to vote yes, claiming it will help the economical growth of our county. Some will try to persuade you to vote no, claiming it will glorify God for the stance you are taking against such a terrible thing (issue), which I personally agree with. Who is right? First of all, having hard drinks (liquor, whiskey, vodka) sold in our county will not bring in industry like some may claim. An industry does not base whether to establish themselves in a community or not based on alcohol sales. Secondly, no matter how one may interpret Scripture, alcohol does nothing but destroy lives. Jesus came to give life, not destroy it. So, I have to agree that taking a stance against alcohol is glorifying to God.
As the Christian community, along with others, sent a message by supporting Chick-fil-A, we too, can send a message by taking a stance and casting a NO vote regarding the wet/dry issue in our great county. The world (especially our community) needs to see us (Christians) unified as one, glorifying our Savior and Lord. But the message can only be sent by returning to the polls on August 28 and casting a vote of NO, so PLEASE citizens of Madison County return to the polls on August 28 and cast your vote in favor of what is truly right and glorifying to God!

III John 2,
Rev. Benjie Dyal
Pastor, New Home Baptist Church

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Letter to the Editor: The Liquor Debacle

August 23, 2012 Letters To The Editor Comments Off

THE LIQUOR DEBACLE

Currently there are 4 “dry” counties in Florida. These counties include: Madison, Lafayette, Liberty and Washington. Sixty-three have decided to be “wet”. Our neighbors Hamilton and Jefferson have not only been “wet”, but also had gambling and card rooms for several years and it certainly has not been an economic boom for them. A petition drive failed in Washington County within the last two years, as it did here 3 years ago.

You have no doubt recently seen articles in the local newspaper regarding the Local Option Election for the purpose of legalizing liquor sales in Madison County to be held on August 28, 2012. Two questions will be on the ballot regarding legalizing liquor sales: first, shall the sale of intoxicating liquors, wine or beer be prohibited or permitted?; and second, if liquor sales are permitted, what method of sale shall be used?. There is wide discretion under the law as to the method of sale, but my understanding of the intent of the petitioners is for it to be as full blown as the law allows. If so, this would allow package stores, bars, lounges, and sales by the drink in a number of venues if the measure is voted in.

Let’s take a look at Florida Statute 561.20 which covers Beverage Law Administration. Liquor licenses are allocated based on population to counties which have voted to become “wet” on a ratio of 1 license per 7500 people. This would only give Madison County 2 licenses, but the statute further states that all “wet” counties will be permitted at least 3 licenses. These are referred to as quota licenses. Apparently Madison Yes has not read the entire Statute as they advertised in their facts in the 8/17/12 Enterprise Recorder we would only have two licenses.

To get one of these three quota licenses there will be a 45 day application period, after which a lottery type drawing from the applicant pool will determine who gets them. These will cost the regular license fee for the first year ($624 for drinking on premises facilities), plus the Hughes Act Fee of $10,750. Normally these go to the package stores, bars, and lounges.

Businesses which now have beer licenses will be allowed to upgrade their license to beer and wine. I personally believe this is will be the biggest change we will see due to the number of establishments that currently have beer licenses.

There are any number of scenarios under which additional special licenses may be secured for the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages on the premises: hotels, motels or motor courts with at least 80 guest rooms; condominiums with at least 100 units, condominiums with at least 50 units in a county having home rule; restaurants with at least 2500 square feet of service area and can serve 150 persons full course meals at one time; caterers who generate 51% of revenue from food and non-alcoholic beverages; specialty centers with at least 50,000 square feet of leasable space and near a navigable body of water; bowling establishments with at least 12 lanes; county commissioners for county establishments; special airport license; public fair or exposition; civic center authority; sports arena authority; performing arts center; certain clubs, lodges, and fraternal or benevolent associations.

My point in listing all of these is to show that in Madison County we have very few establishments that qualify for the licensure applicant pool. There would be 0 hotels and motels, 1 restaurant,(and it is not Honey Lake as their restaurant license is for 74 seats), 1 country club, 2 lodges and 2 or 3 American Legion Posts that would qualify assuming they wanted a license. Only one of these would satisfy the quest to get a restaurant (assuming the owners want a license) that could serve after dinner drinks which is what the proponents of this issue say is their driving force.

Revenue to the county would be minimal from licenses. The county retail business license is only $30 per year, restaurant licenses are based on seating and range from $18.75 – $75 for existing effective licenses, and all other license revenues go to the state. Currently there are 20 licensed restaurants in Madison County. There would be City licenses if the business is located in a municipality. The county would receive 1 1/2% of the sales tax generated as a result of the sales. The 1/2% would go to the new hospital construction debt retirement fund and the 1% would go toward the EMS and infrastructure debt retirement. One percent of sales tax in Madison County currently produces $1,038,651.00 annually from taxable sales. We have no way of knowing what liquor sales would generate in addition to current revenues. Based on experiences nationwide for every $1 received in taxes from the sale of alcohol the cost to society is $3 to $5. To make it come even closer home, in a recent year alcohol cost you (each taxpayer) $479, and that ‘s if you didn’t buy any. We are already financially strapped as a county, state, and nation, so how could we afford this extra drain on our resources?

We can’t afford alcohol because of the cost to business-$4 billion in absenteeism and poor performance on the job.
We can’t afford alcohol because of it’s contribution to auto deaths-50 percent of the fatal accidents are alcohol related.
We can’t afford alcohol because of what it does to our health-alcoholism is surpassed only by cancer and heart disease as a health problem.
We can’t afford alcohol because alcohol is America’s number one drug problem-it is used and abused more than all other drugs combined.
We can’t afford alcohol because of what it does to our homes- in 90 percent of cases in domestic courts one or both partners are guilty of using large quantities of alcohol. Think of the molested, abused and neglected children in these homes.
We can’t afford alcohol because of what it does to the appearance of our community-litter (bottles, cans, cartons) on the streets and roads multiplies 3 to 5 times after alcoholic beverages are legalized.
We can’t afford alcohol because of its contribution to crime-up to 90 percent of the inmates in prison are drunk or drinking when committing the crime that sent them to prison. Alcohol lowers resistance and reduces the ability to make rational decisions.
We can’t afford alcohol because availability brings increased consumption-that brings more of the problems mentioned above.
We can’t afford alcohol because drunkenness places one’s soul in jeopardy-I Corinthians 6:10.

Alcohol sales offers nothing positive for Madison County, but gives the opportunity for many negatives!

Please join me in voting against liquor sales in Madison County on August 28th!

Gene Stokes
Lee, FL

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Letter to the Editor: Vote Yes and Give Me My Freedom to Choose

August 23, 2012 Letters To The Editor Comments Off

I have been a resident of Madison County for the past nine years and feel I am a respected, contributing member to our community. The main issues I take exception to with people trying to limit my choices are as follows:

1) My vote of “Yes” does not take away your ability to say no when being offered liquor. Consequently, your no vote does directly stop my ability to say yes to ordering a drink with dinner within my county.

2) Stifling a person’s ability, especially our youth, to make their own informed decision does not prepare them for life outside our county lines – let alone college, new job locations, etc. People tend to overindulge when something has been a taboo.

3) Making a county wet does not make a person an alcoholic, abusive, nor a drug addict. These are personality traits not direct results to liquor access. It is a huge leap to lump together having a drink with dinner to cocaine use and abuse.

4) Lastly, I too know my Bible and Christ’s first Miracle turned water into wine. Stating that I am not a Christian or even a good Christian if I vote Yes is ridiculous. One has nothing to do with the other. I am a Christian that shows my caring and strength of faith daily. My husband and I have raised our children in a faith based environment.

Everything comes back to family and how you were raised. Abuse in any form is wrong- we know and teach this. Trying to limit choices through scare tactics or peer pressure is wrong – we teach this to our children or at least I did in my family.

Linda Bezick

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Letter to the Editor: I Voted To End Madison Dry

August 23, 2012 Letters To The Editor Comments Off

Madison County people are as smart and discipined as people in the rest of the United States. The Madison Yes objectors expressing their fears in statements and signs are selling short the people who keep themselves and their children off drugs and behave themselves drinking beer at backyard barbecues. People who do not drink and fear alcohol besides beer evidently do not know people who enjoy wines as well as a mixed drinks on occasion. Madison citizens can use alcohol in moderation as successfully as they use automobile speed semsibly.
Another reason I voted FOR is that I despise hypocrisy and wilful blindness. Objectors say nothing about the alcohol sold here in umlimited amounts of beer at groceries. Worst, gas stations sell beer, too. Beer can addle the brain, interfere with safe driving, prompt family altercations and lead to addiction through a pattern of abuse. Attack the legal sale of stronger spirits and ignore beer sales? That is hypocritical and not logically defensible.
Marianne Green

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Letter to the Editor: MadisonYES – The Journey (Why it’s your turn)

August 23, 2012 Letters To The Editor One comment

This morning as I was preparing to head to the MadisonYES office, I found myself thinking about the roots of the MadisonYES effort and how far we have come. I realized that unless you were involved in the effort, you could have no idea of the work that has gone into this effort, nor could you really understand our motivation.
MadisonYES started to become a reality in early January of this year, 219 days ago. During this period, dozens of Madison County citizens have donated literally thousands of hours to get us to this point in time. Today, we are just one week away from Election Day. Our efforts are beginning to bear fruit.
The volunteers of MadisonYES were also tasked with raising many thousands of dollars. Through corporate donations, receptions, cookouts, golf tournaments and individual donors, we have raised the necessary funding to run an above-average campaign. Additionally, an amazing amount of in-kind donations have been received.
All of this work and money was expended in an attempt to raise Madison County up.
You see, virtually everyone involved in this campaign has a vision for Madison County that we believe is obtainable. Expanding the sale of alcohol is not a silver bullet to end all woes, we know that. It is however, the elimination of yet another impediment to our potential growth.
We have heard people say that Madison County will never be able to be home to a chain restaurant like Applebee’s or Olive Garden for various reasons. Well, simply put, we don’t believe that. Right now, over 22,000 vehicles pass through Madison County daily on Interstate 10. That number will continue to increase. You can take that to the bank. Our Highway 53 exit off of Interstate 10 is already a huge business area for our county. All of our four exits have growth potential, especially the Highway 14 interchange, the one that is closest to the city of Madison.
Several people have also stated that the jobs created by this initiative will be minimum wage jobs, insinuating that those types of jobs are not important. Really? In a county that has documented unemployment at almost 11%, are there really any bad jobs? How do we expect our young people to get experience, if we do not provide for them entry level employment?
I know for a fact that three of our existing restaurants have plans for expansion when this vote passes. That equates to construction jobs and the addition of several more hospitality jobs.
We all share a love for Madison County. All we ask is that our business community be given a fighting chance.
So, with all this being said, the foundation for change has been laid. Now it’s your turn to act. Please make every effort to vote on Tuesday, August 28, 2012. Vote YES! Vote “FOR” the sale of alcohol over 6.243% and vote “FOR” the sale of alcohol by package and by the drink. Thank you.

Ted C. Ensminger
MadisonYES!

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Where Was The SPCA When A Kind-Hearted Man Was Helping Helpless Animals?

March 13, 2012 Letters To The Editor Comments Off

Jacob at Greene Publishing,

The SPCA concern for the cat population at Kaboodle brought many volunteers to help restore health to the hundreds. An observer may admire these manifestations of sympathy and support for animals – until reading the projected costs of thousands of dollars for net care. I wonder how much good could have been done with that care and cash applied to people in Madison County. How many children’s teeth could have the cavities filled? How many needing braces for future dental health care could have been helped?

Maybe I have a jaundiced view by growing up here without dental care until after World War II, when an Army dentist settled in Quitman, Ga. The “great cat cure” is a mis-use of money by mis-guided people. Where was the SPCA when a kind-hearted man was helping helpless animals?
Marianne Green

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Letter To The Editor: Social Work Month

March 8, 2012 Editorials, Letters To The Editor Comments Off

March 5, 2012

Dear Letters to the Editor:

March is National Social Work Month which makes it an appropriate time for us to salute the valuable and important job that social workers provide all year long. When life’s challenges become overwhelming, many people turn to a social worker for help. Here at Big Bend Hospice, we have fifteen social workers who serve as family support counselors, grief counselors and Caring Tree counselors. They work tirelessly with our patients and families to help them cope with the many emotional and practical issues that accompany a life limiting illness. These dedicated professionals assist with everything from coordinating community resources to helping families solve personal and financial problems, to working through the emotional pain of dealing with an impending death. They recognize the family dynamics that are part of any life threatening disease and help patients reach out to conclude the important business of giving and receiving love and asking for and granting forgiveness. Often it is the social worker who will pause to recognize a special occasion in a patient’s life and make sure that a birthday is celebrated or a caregiver gets a night out. Our wonderful social workers are an important part of our patient care team and our Big Bend Hospice family.

The theme for the 2012 National Social Work Month is “Social Work Matters”. Time and again I have witnessed the powerful results of social workers both in our organization and in hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities in recognizing and meeting the needs of the people they serve. On behalf of Big Bend Hospice we applaud social workers for their caring hearts and their important contributions to our community.

Cathy Adkison, RN, BSN, CHPN
President and CEO
Big Bend Hospice

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Letter To The Editor: Dead Cats Found On State Road 6

February 21, 2012 Editorials, Letters To The Editor Comments Off

My name is Debora Gabriel and I live outside of Madison, on State Rd 6.

Yesterday, as I was driving home from Valdosta I happened upon a pile of dead cats on the roadside of State Rd 6 and Old Blue Springs Rd.

When I got home (I live 2 miles down the road), I called Animal Control, but got no answer. It was about 3 or 3:30 pm. I left a detailed message, and then tried to get a cell number for Jamie. After getting no response to my calls, I called again and left another message, stating that I was going to go back and put the cats in plastic bags. It’s almost 9 am the next day, I’ve still not heard back from Animal Control.

My husband and I bagged up 12 beautiful cats. They’re not feral, and one appeared to have been skinned. I did take some photos with my cell phone, but I thought of it after starting to bag up some of the bodies.

There was a dead buzzard in the road, apparently hit by a car, trying to clean up the mess. It was a shocking scene to me.

After speaking with Dr Lewis, he advised me to refrigerate the bodies, not freeze them, if I wanted someone to look at them for cause of death, or identification. So, I have 12 dead cats in my frig, outside in my shed.

I’m thinking that if we could find out who owned these animals, we may be able to find out who did it. I have cats that go outside and am very concerned for the safety of my pets and my neighbor’s pets. Would your newspaper try to help me find out who did this? I’m saving the bodies in case someone can recognize them, or in case some of them have chips for identification. I feel like someone was trying to “make a statement” by blatantly dumping these cats on a major roadway, instead of dumping them in the woods or out of sight.

Please let me know if you can help me. My phone number is 971-5828.

Thank You,
Debora Gabriel

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Letter To The Editor

December 22, 2011 Letters To The Editor Comments Off

On December 13th, my husband and I found out that we had made a huge mistake and had fallen for a very professionally done online scam. We instantly lost a large sum of money. Immediately we called our bank, Madison County Community Bank. They quickly started making phone calls. The local sheriff’s department came out, got all the information & did some research but the nature of the scam left them with very little they could do. The scammer was now a ghost. With a gut wrenching feeling, we all knew that our money was almost surely out of the country at that point and no hope of being returned. All we had were some fraudulent emails, from a no longer existent recipient and an account number that received our money. With very little chance of succeeding in getting our money returned, MCCB, took the account number, corresponded with the sheriff’s office and proceeded to investigate the situation.

At this point, my husband and I had let it go. This thief may have taken our money but he was not going to succeed in stealing our joy at Christmas and furthermore, he couldn’t steal our testimony. We accepted our mistake, learned from it and knew at this point it was in God’s hands.

Then we received a call from Kim at MCCB, on the 20th…they had succeeded in getting our money returned to us! Mr. Howard Phillips wouldn’t give up and had continued to make phone calls and do research with the little information we were able to provide. The staff at MCCB not only looks out for our best interest when it comes to our everyday banking needs but having absolutely nothing to gain from us or anyone else, they pursued this investigation. They went to work on our behalf, with nothing in it for them.

As a community with many differences, opinions, needs, and desires…this is an example of what we should all portray. Selfless actions and looking out for the needs of others with nothing expected or owed in return. Words cannot express our personal thanks to both the Madison County Sheriff’s Office and Madison County Community Bank for how they helped us! Please accept our sincere thanks!!! May you all be blessed abundantly this Christmas just as we have been!

Mike and Melissa Reader

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Letter To The Editor: Reader Warns About Phishing Scam

December 1, 2011 Editorials, Letters To The Editor Comments Off

The IRS does not communicate by e-mail, I learned when I called before opening a message from a person using her name at irs.gov address.  The message stated that my recent payment to the IRS was rejected by my bank.  I checked with IRS and learned this is a PHISHING message. . not to be opened.  The IRS requests reporting these attempts to gain banking information.  Forward the message to:  phishing@irs.gov  Recognizing electronic phishing challenges everyone with a computer, for this attempt was at a low water level `banking pond’ in need of re-stocking. 

Marianne Green

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Madison Volunteer Firefighters Seek Donations To Help With Fire Prevention Programs

August 17, 2011 Front Page, Letters To The Editor Comments Off

Dear Friend and Sponsor,

Madison County Volunteer Fire Departments are asking for your help continuing our Fire Safety and Injury Preventions Programs for Children and Senior Citizens.

Every Firefighter in Madison County is confident that fires and fire losses can be prevented or greatly reduced through education. We are asking you to join us in this effort.

Our Volunteer Fire Departments and the National Fire Safety Council, Inc. and you would be providing fire safety and injusry prevention education materials for many of our kids and seniors in our county. These materials have been designed exclusively by the National Fire Safety Council, Inc. a 501e(3) t
ax exempt, nonprofit organization. We strongly believe that by making children and seniors aware of the dangers around them that we can prevent tragic losses and deaths from fire and injury.

To assist in funding these materials, our volunteer fire departments are turning to concerned business, industrial and professional leaders in our communities, asking for your help in providing these materials and services to between 30 and 200 children and seniors.

30 Children = $60.00
40 Children = $80.00
50 Children = $100.00
75 Children = $150.00
100 Children = $200.00
200 Children = $400.00

An acknowledement of those who support this program will be listed on the prestige page of all activity manuals under the heading: “Provided As A Public Service By People Who Care”

Thank you in advance for your concerned support. Your help is greatly appreciated and will surely reflect itself through the children and seniors in our community.

All checks, which are tax deductible, should be made payable to the National Fire Safety Council, Inc. and mailed to:

Madison Fire Rescue
Juan Williams
253 SW Horry Avenue
Madison, Fl. 32340

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Letter to the Editor: Tax Money Is Not a Public Slush Fund

June 29, 2011 Editorials, Letters To The Editor Comments Off

This can be taken anyway the reader wants. I’m MAD, mad as H—-, I just got my paper in the mail, while reading the paper about using the Madison extra tax money to pay for indigent care at the hospital, my wife was reading the mail, she said my Medical Insurance deductible is going up July 1st. to a thousand dollars. Yes, a thousand dollars,
I worked thirty years in law enforcement, my wife worked 20 years in Law Enforcement, we pay $720. a month for insurance. I’m on a fixed income, and while our President gives billions to foreign countries and none to Social security folks I’m suppose to give up more money over time. Call it like it is- which most people are afraid to say, those indigents, most likely haven’t worked an honest day in their life, most are second and third generation welfare recipients, many have two or three kids from different men, I’ve been in indigent peoples homes, over the 30 years I WORKED, they got their welfare checks and I’d see lotto tickets, dog track tickets, bolita tickets, they even traded food stamps for drugs.and wore $150. Nike shoes, with designer clothes, how do you do that when indigent? It’s bad enough we have a President, and a novice Governor, one trying to destroy our country and the other our State, and now these people want to use our tax dollars for a slush fund, Someone tell us where the hospital will go, when (a date) our hospital construction will start, they should also be required to publish at the end of each month, how much public tax money was taken in, how much public tax money was spent that month-on what and to whom! Don’t snow us with it’s a private matter, not public, etc. It is our money not a private slush fund.

Ken Sumner, Madison

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Letter To The Editor: Rally Around The Flag

June 25, 2011 Letters To The Editor Comments Off

Once again, I am compelled to address the desecration of our flag by those who do not comprehend the meaning of the U.S. flag. Our flag is the symbol of freedom and democracy in this country, and around the world. It epitomizes what our military personnel defend and rally around. It is sacred and must not be desecrated.
Unfortunately, the U.S. Supreme Court in 1989 ruled it is legal to desecrate the flag under the First Amendment of our Constitution’s right of free speech.
The U.S. House of Representatives will consider H. J. Res. 13 shortly, which prohibits the physical desecration of the flag. A parallel resolution, S.J. Res. 19, will go before the U.S. Senate in coming months. Two thirds majority votes in the House and Senate are required to put forward a constitutional amendment for ratification by the states.
Please contact your state representatives and senators and ask them to support these resolutions. Over 1,200,000 U.S. military personnel have died promoting freedom and democracy in the world, and our flag is the symbol that embodies their sacrifices.
We have to rally around the flag.

Donald A. Moskowitz
Londonderry, NH

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