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Disclaimer - The Staff of 49 County News.Net are not liable for remarks or comments made in the E-Mails To The Editor section of this publication. We as a responsible outlet in the community will strive to keep this section free from containing any obscene language or derogatory remarks about any person within the right of Freedom of Speech. And we reserve the right to not print any item that is considered defamatory or completely unfounded. We will not approve of this type of behavior. This forum is established for persons to express their opinions in a fair and civilized manner. Any E-Mails sent to this forum violating this established rule will strictly be deleted. Thank You. |
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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?". On December 10, 2007, I had the opportunity to speak with John Mark Karr, former resident of Hamilton, AL. He was visiting the Clyde Nix Library in Hamilton on that Monday evening a little over a week ago. As it came time for the library to close, I walked over and began a conversation with John Mark. I talked to him of the friendship between my mom and dad and his grandparents from the time I was a child and even on until their deaths and what fine people they all were. I didn't really have to tell him this though because he remembered my parents and their names. He said his grandmother used their names together as a couple whenever she talked about them. That was a compliment, of course. That's "the way we are" in the South! We walked outside and sat on the bench outside the front of the Library. We talked of many things that he asked for me to keep private and I respect his request. John Mark told me that the next day, Tuesday, December 11th, 2007, was going to be his birthday and he was to spend it in Hamilton as well. I asked him to write something about his visit to Hamilton this time and he sent me the letter below. Judy Webb Mays / jmays@49countynews.net Please read the following: Letter From John Mark Karr Concerning His Recent Visit to Hamilton... Recently, I returned to my home in Alabama. I am reminded of the life I once
lived in the same house for so many years of my childhood and the years I raised
my own children there. I recall my grandparents – wonderful people who instilled
values in me that I have struggled to uphold. I was raised to take
responsibility for my actions regardless the consequences. I was taught that
truth must never be compromised. As difficult as it was, I honored their
teachings in the spring and summer of 2006. I’ve no regrets for the
responsibility I took then and continue to take. My deepest regret is that so
many have done so much to steal the closure that a grieving family once held.
We received this today from the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel as the lead story in their August 17 newsletter: "Y’all Magazine has special section on “The Year of Alabama
Arts”
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
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Christian Nation As a man born in the 1920s and a veteran of the Korean War, I have seen many changes in this great land of ours. Some are good and some are not so good. Now we are going through a change I think is a very bad change for sure. The change I am talking about is the one from a true Christian nation to a Muslim nation. The state of Minnesota has elected themselves a Muslim congressman, Keith Ellison. His swearing-in ceremony was taken on the Quran, with the blessing of several other congressman. Now he is calling for the release of all terrorist. I read that one of our leading parties invited Imam Husham Al-Husainy of the Karbalaa Islamic Education Center in Dearborn , to pray at their annual winter meeting in Washington . Columnist Debbie Schussed has reported that last summer this same Imam led “almost-daily protests of thousands of Hezbollah supporters on the streets of Dearborn and Detroit , swarming with swastikas and anti-Semitic, and anti- American signs." Though other commentators have also addressed this, I am surprised it hasn’t drawn more attention and frankly, more outrage. Are we the silent Majority, going to sit by and let the Muslims take over? We Christians have got to get our act together and stop this take over. Write your Congressman and let him know how you feel, before it's too late. Joel Palmer, 3333 County Rd 29, Hamilton, Alabama, 35570 PALM@sonet.net |
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