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
