Honorable Members, of the board, I wish to commend you for the action you took on the matter of changing your rules for nominating a fire and police chief for our city.I can only imagine the pressure, both implied and possibly exerted. The arguments, both pro and con for the change requested by Mr. Rick Whitehead, our city manager, were valid and had merit on both sides of this issue.
I was present at your public meeting and heard the representatives of the fire and police department speak out. All in attendance, both men and women, were telling you they wanted no change at this time. They were adamant on this point. You heard them and responded by your decision.
I know you are criticized on some of your rulings and you may be on this one. However, this citizen agrees with you and wants you to know it.
Lurking in the shadows of this decision was the question of race. It is unfortunate that any implication of this should surface, but it did, albeit in a measured tone. Personnel of these two departments are hired as “rookies” and then advance through various supervisory positions until they reach the rank of assistant chief or captain. You, the board, do the initial screening and then the testing and monitoring of these men and women. The very existence of your board is to insure there is no discrimination, nepotism or cronyism. You do this and you do it well!
One last thought. We have watched the tragedy of the World Trade Center disaster. We watched the men and women of the New York Police Department and the New York Fire Department and other agencies give their lives for the citizens who worked there or near there.
They are considered by the world as heroes except for those who hate the United States. Do you think that our city fire and police personnel would do less for you and I, our families and friends if an emergency should occur here? You know the answer. Your decision affirms the faith that you have in them and the faith they have in each other.
You deserve kudos for your reasoned decision and this letter is my attempt to give it to you.
Daniel O’Donnell
Anniston
Don’t change rules
I am retired from The Anniston Police Department with 25 years of service, and co-founder and charter member of The Anniston Police and Fire Retirees Association.I also know many of the active members in the police and fire departments who are dedicated to their professions.
I believe that the request by the City Manager to change the civil service rules to allow him to hire someone outside the police and fire department is politically motivated and should not be allowed.
Therefore, I urge you not to change the rules by which many fine police officers and firefighters have worked by for many years. Many persons in both the Police and Fire Departments are well qualified to head their respective departments.
Al Borrell
Anniston
PCBs
Why are we letting Monsanto/Solutia prolong our exposure to PCB’s and dioxins.There are several studies that show links between PCB exposure and any number of health problems.
So why would we let Monsanto/Solutia cover up the problem with parking lots and or tennis courts? It’s only a matter of time before somebody digs up the site again for other purposes. It may be 200 years from now and everyone has forgotten what was buried there.
The PCB’s still will be there and highly toxic but the responsible polluter may be gone. The PCB problem shouldn’t be pushed over on future generations. It is important to get a permanent cleanup while the polluter is still known and is capable of conducting a cleanup.
Steven Ward
Alexandria
Judge Moore
In my opinion, the United States of America now has a man that will stand up for what is right. Over the years so many people want to see this being done but have no one that will risk everything for what they believe. This man has now arrived.
This great country was founded on the belief of God, and if we turn our back on God he won’t know us in our time of need.
My prayers go out to Judge Moore, and all the people who support him. What will this country be like if men like Judge Moore don’t stand up for our rights to believe in God? Evil will prevail, and this is not good! Just take a look at this country from the 1950s until now. We have gone down hill in our morals, everything goes on TV, and the movies must be coming out of the pits of hell.
Thank God for Judge Moore.
Jerry Fisher
Butler, Pa.
