12/22/08 Email: Re: Obituaries
Thank you so much for putting these on your
website. I am not able to listen to the radio at work, so I look at this
website daily.
Thanks again for your service
Jill Cox
Haleyvillemom has posted
a comment on your profile:
Great coverage of the snow fall on dec.11th, Some relatives out of state
logged on and visited your channel so they could see what they missed!
Thanks for sharing!
RE: Lori
Wednesday, December 17, 2008 10:11 AM From: "mary brisbois"
To: jmays@49countynews.net
Lori was like a angle on this earth. There is no one who could say a bad word
about her. She would help you out no question ask. My heart just broke when I
heard she went with GOD. My Granddaughter told me, That GOD need her up there. To
help with all the other angles. My granddaughter is only four years old. And she
was put here to touch us how to love each other just as LORI did. My prayers go
out to EDDIE and the children.
On Mon, 12/15/08, Melinda
Mitchell wrote:
From: Melinda Mitchell Subject: Lori Ware To: jmays@49countynews.net
Date: Monday, December 15, 2008, 2:09 PM
I just read the kind words on your website about Lori. I used to live in
Hamilton and Lori was my best friend. My husband and I were in her wedding to
Hildred. Lori & Hildred were my daughter's godparents. We moved to Texas in 1981
and tried to keep in touch with them, but as the years went by it got harder and
harder. When Hildred had his wreck, Lori & I talked a lot more often but again
eventually lost touch. The Pursur & Lee families and Lori's kids have been
through so much. I agree with what you said about Lori always smiling and being
helpful. I heard that the visitation service was packed with people standing
outside and I'm sure the funeral service was the same. Because of the distance
we couldn't be there. Thank you for writing such a positive article and
reminding me how much I loved Lori and how much I am going to miss her.
Merry Christmas, MeLinda Mitchell
National Library Week 2008
To the Editor:
This week, schools, campuses and communities across the country celebrate
National Library Week, a time to remind the public about the contribution
libraries, librarians and library workers make to their communities everyday.
Library use is up nationwide among all types of library users, continuing a
decade-long trend, and it’s easy to see why. Libraries are
places where everyone can go to discover the world. People
of all ages visit the library for entertainment, self-help or to find their
place in the community. With free resources like books,
magazines, DVDs and computer access, libraries help people find new jobs, do
better in school, tackle projects and learn new ways to improve their health.
What makes the library unique is access to trained professionals – librarians
– to help people find and interpret the information they
need to make a difference in their lives. Our libraries
also help keep us connected, providing a space for people of all ages, classes
and races to come together, while keeping us connected to events and people
around the world.
What can you discover? National Library Week is the
perfect time to find out. Join your family, friends and
community. Join the circle of knowledge @ your library.
Respectfully,
Starr Montgomery, Library Director
Clyde Nix Public Library
205-921-4290
Dear Editor,
I recently visited Hamilton for
Christmas with family. This is the first time I have been here since I
was a teenager. As far as I can tell, not a whole lot has changed. Watha's
moved, the Radio Shack moved, Fred's moved. A few new building or hardware
stores opened, but not much has changed. One thing that I noticed that really
hasn't changed is the lack of professional craftsmanship in the mechanical
trades, that is, construction, plumbing, electrical etc. I am an electrician by
trade, and an electrical contractor by profession, so I tend to notice poor
quality in construction, especially electrical. In Hamilton, every building I
went in had some pretty significant "jack leg" work. That's a term electricians
use when describing unprofessional work, or the people who perform that work.
"Don't let him work for you, he's a jack leg", or "Who wired all this jack leg
junk?".
I operate my business in
Atlanta, Ga. Sure, we have plenty of jack leg work going on there too,
but what I saw in Hamilton makes me concerned for the safety and health of the
innocent people who can be harmed by the local jack leg handy man. But in
Atlanta, and almost all the counties and cities around it, there are
building departments that require permits to be issued for major construction
projects, and inspectors to make sure the work is performed in a workman-like
manner. Don't get me wrong, you can find jack leg work there, but in Hamilton it
was blatant. Jack legs in Georgia try hard to hide their work, not so in
Hamilton, at least not from what I've seen. I won't name names, but here's a few
of the things I've seen:
A gas station had a cracked and broken plastic conduit with the wires exposed
feeding an outlet. I can't even begin to describe just how dangerous that is.
But let me say this, even if the conduit wasn't broken, the whole installation
was still wrong and dangerous. One building had the drains running out
into the woods behind the building. A hair cutting business had lights with
exposed connections. Someone had built a large deck onto a house I visited. The
whole thing was NAILED together. Not a single bolt in it. A gas station had an
outside outlet installed, with plumbing fittings used for the wiring. A
gas line to a heater had a large wad of duct tape wrapped on it and covered with
what looks like PVC glue smeared on it. A gas line! I couldn't believe it!
I could go on, but my point is this: your handyman/plumber/roofer does a fine
job hanging pictures and cleaning gutters. But does he know how to do the jobs
that can potentially endanger you and your family members' lives? Obviously not!
But hey, as long as it works it's OK, right? WRONG! Just because it works
doesn't make it right. Ask your handyman if he has had training as a plumber or
electrician. He'll tell you he knows all about it. Guess what? HE DOESN'T!! The
state of Alabama has had a licensing board for General Contractors since 1935.
They now license plumbers, electricians, and HVAC. Ask your handyman to see his
license. Chances are he doesn't have one. And a business license from the city
is NOT a contractor's license!
I learned that Hamilton, and Marion County in general, doesn't have a Building
Inspections department. Needless to say no inspector either. I know that most
people don't know what is right or wrong when it comes to these things, that's
why you hire someone. You presume the person you hire has the knowledge. That
isn't always the case. Write/call/email your councilman or mayor and request
that they create the necessary departments. Your safety and perhaps your life
may depend on it.
Don't let your un-licensed, un-skilled, and un-trained handyman do the jobs that
can directly affect your safety. If you must have it done, and you can't afford
the high-priced professional, watch closely. If it looks wrong, question your
handyman. Generally, if it just looks messy and wrong, it probably is. You've
always needed a Building Department. Now DEMAND it.
Thank you,
Anthony Reynolds, Commercial Lighting and Electrical
clesvc@gmail.com
Dear Editor,
I followed the rules, obeyed the law, did as instructed by the police, but
she was killed in her own yard and a four year old left to suffer. Many of your
readers have seen my name in The Journal Record over the last several months in
relation to the County Commission and Hamilton City Council in regard to the
"stray" dog problem. The following is Holly’s story.
Holly was a fluffy tortoise shell cat found at Gasco Auto Parts when she
weighed just over a pound. She was a "stray" that I rescued and she became the
pet of our middle son. Holly was one of those inside-outside cats. We live on
twenty-five acres and none of our close neighbors have dogs that run loose so
she should have been safe on her own property.
Last April or May we began having two dogs traveling from the East running
through our yard and chasing Holly. I reported it to the police, a report was
written with a description of both dogs, and after that I reported every return
visit to 911 for documentation. (I was instructed to do this by the police using
the non-emergency number.) I did as instructed, but nothing ever happened... the
dogs kept coming. Every time these two dogs came and tried to dig into the pen
which houses the Easter chickens or chase the cats I called, but nothing
happened. Although I was in compliance with the state law and doing as
instructed by the police nothing happened. Always the same two dogs, no rabies
tags or visible means of identification, always coming from East of my home and
unable to be caught by me.
One Saturday morning last July Holly wanted out. I let her go and went back
to bed only to be awaken by the dogs. They had Holly! I ran outside and got the
dogs off her. I knew she was hurt badly and rushed back to the house. I picked
up the cordless phone, the pet taxi and ran back to her. I was calling 911 on my
way through the yard reporting the tragedy that had occurred. I got Holly in the
taxi, I knew she was dying, and by the time I made it through the yard and to
the car she was dead ...what was I going to tell my son? You see Holly was not
just a cat she was a comforter. Our middle son has lattice corneal dystrophy.
This eye disease leaves him in severe pain and literally blind until his corneas
heal. During this "breakdown" process he must be in total darkness... the
slightest bit of light is excruciating and he must lay still... his corneas are
literally eroding and the disease is invading and taking over... sometimes this
will last for a week, but during this time he always had his faithful friend.
Holly seemed to sense his pain and would not leave him. She would stretch out
her full length beside him and not move.
I called 911 again and reported the death and requested a police officer.
When the officer arrived a report was written about the same two dogs. The
officer was kind and I believe honest when he told me he did not know what he
could do. The dogs were located. Their driveway is over six tenths of a mile
West of my home. A week later the owner was found... he had moved to Hackleburg,
but left the dogs returning only to feed them. Even upon locating the dogs
nothing was done! The dogs were not impounded, the Rabies Officer was not
notified of the violation to the state law... the dogs were free, but my son was
suffering because I obeyed the law and did as instructed.
As I mentioned a second police report was written, a warrant was sworn out
and my case awaited trial. Ya see, Hamilton has a Vicious Dog Ordinance. I
received a subpoena and a court date, but the day before court the case was
postponed...my case was finally heard the first of March 2007.
I am sure many are questioning as to why I did not destroy the dogs and I
will be honest and say the thought did cross my mind, but.... In the Code of
Alabama under the section entitled public health you will find the State Rabies
Law. Briefly the law states that all dogs and cats three months of age and older
be vaccinated yearly for rabies and dogs and cats found running at large
without proper rabies identification are to be impounded. The law also
states that is the responsibility of the County Commission to provide an
Impounding Officer and a County Pound. To the surprise of many we the citizens
of Marion County do have both and Impounding Officer and a County Pound. Now
because Hamilton has a population of over 5,000 the city has the right to chose
if it will contribute a pro rata share to the upkeep of the county pound or
provides a pound of its own. Well, I knew all this, but it seemed to be a
surprise to many of the city and county officials. To sum up the months of going
to both city council meetings and county commission meetings Hamilton agreed to
pay their share and the rest of the county is covered under the law without
further compensation. So when animals are in violation of the law there is no
reason for them not to be impounded. The Rabies Law requires these services be
provided and if owned the impounded animals can be redeemed. The phone number
for the Impounding Officer is 487-2581.
Now for another BIG surprise the city police have IMPOUNDING POWER!, but they
must have access to the county pound. According to the State Health Officer and
an Attorney General Opinion our local police officers have the power to impound
animals found in violation of the state rabies law.
As I mentioned previously Hamilton has a Vicious Dog Ordinance. It is
Ordinance 485. If you or your domestic animals have been harmed by a dog you may
prosecute the owner under the terms and conditions of this ordinance. There is
no cost to the victim, but you must be willing go to the police and follow their
procedure. If you take matters into your own hands it is my understanding you
can be prosecuted in criminal court.
One more tidbit of information, the state of Alabama also provides a leash
law. It is found in Section 3-1-5 of the Code of Alabama. The only thing is our
local Commissioners do not know if they have adopted this code section or the
Code of Alabama in its entirety It is my understanding that if this law has been
adopted each city can write their own as long it is more strict or just rely on
the one provided by the state.
Animals running at large are a real problem not just at my home but
throughout the county. Because of loop holes and ignorance I am the one who had
to tell my son that Holly is not coming down from heaven. I am the one who heard
him cry out in pain both mental and physical, just six weeks ago because Holly
was not there to lay with him in the darkness... hurting from the disease that
affects his eyes and pain in his heart because "the softest fur in the world"
was not there with him. At my home the death was a cat, but at other homes in
Hamilton the attacks have been to children!
I followed the rules, obeyed the law, did as instructed by the police, but it
was all a "DEAD" end. There are no guidelines... it would seem nobody knows what
to do with the verbal and written reports or who to notify with complaints. It
is time that we the citizens of Marion County put pressure where it is due and
demand the law be upheld. It is time the Commissioners provide the citizens with
a protocol for reporting and impoundment of these animals. It is time the law
officials stand behind the citizens to get this accomplished... it is a state
law. There must be protocol for all involved... police and deputies, 911
operators and the Impounding Officer. Those with authority must be educated to
the law and required to uphold it.
Holly held and special place in a little boy’s life and hopefully her story
will help you protect not only your pets but also your family.
Sincerely,
Tami Williams
175
Mayflower Trl
Hamilton, AL 35570