What a terribly misleading article The Star published on Sept. 27, entitled “Kentucky Can Use Incineration Alternative.” The story’s first sentence said, “Alternatives to incinerating chemical weapons will work in Kentucky, a report by the National Research Council (NRC) concludes.”Of course that is only part of the story. While it is true that the NRC found alternative technologies safe, mature and ready to be implemented, that conclusion was not limited to Kentucky, which has a stockpile of weapons just like ours. That means the alternative technology could be used in our community as well.
Why is this so important? The NRC study points out that alternative technologies do not pose environmental and safety hazards for surrounding communities, unlike incineration. It’s really sad that The Star continues to tell our community only half the story simply because The Star is unable to admit it made a huge mistake 10 years ago by embracing incineration based on an NRC study conducted 15 years ago. Times have changed; so should The Star.
Paul Chastain
Anniston
‘Something fishy
Wait a minute, Charlton Heston flies down here to campaign with Bob Riley, and endorses Don Siegelman? Then Mr. Heston spends the whole day with Congressman Riley, telling people to vote Republican, and never says a word about it. That doesn’t sound like the Charlton Heston I’ve always heard about.
Something about this doesn’t feel right. I wasn’t there, but I’m no fool. It seems to me that something really mean and really sad probably happened between Don Siegelman and Mr. Heston. I honestly believe Don Siegelman probably did take advantage of him just to win a race. He certainly “met” with Mr. Heston while the man was a guest of Riley and other Republicans. Just that fact makes me doubt the decency of the governor. I guess that’s the difference. Some people know right from wrong. Some people don’t. And some people know the difference and simply ignore it to get their way. That’s Don Siegelman, NOT Bob Riley.
I know Congressman Riley would never do anything so despicable and underhanded as this. Won’t it be refreshing when we have a governor who chooses right instead of wrong?
Jenny Cooper
Ashland
‘No’ to lottery
This is in response to all those people who for the last four years have been beating the same old dead horse — namely the lottery. That was defeated four years ago but now our governor and some others think the time is right to try it again. Wrong! These people continue to bring up the state of Georgia and just how fantastic their schools are as a result of their having the lottery. I suggest that those who are so dissatisfied with the education system in Alabama, and who want the lottery in their state, move to Georgia and have the best world there, but we do not need that stuff in Alabama.
Our governor has had four years to do something about the schools in our state but after the defeat of the lottery, he had no other ideas. I have one for him, cut out some of the financial favors to your buddies and put that toward the schools in Alabama. Cut out the waste and we will have the needed funds for education.
NO lottery!
Alan D. Hurst
Roanoke
Private accreditation
I learned recently that the Alabama State Board of Education, upon the recommendation of State School Superintendent Dr. Ed Richardson, has decided to no longer recognize private school accrediting agencies for non-public schools in Alabama. This is disturbing. Parents that send their children to private and Christian schools pay taxes to support public education as well as tuition to the schools their children attend. With the state operating with limited funding for public education, one would think the money saved by the state in not paying the cost to educate those that attend non-public schools would be welcomed.
As a consumer and taxpayer, I know a good bargain when I see one. How can the State Superintendent of Education and the State Board of Education in good conscience ask me to pay more to support public education when they refuse to recognize quality accredited private and Christian school education? School board member Stephanie Bell said it well, “It’s only helpful to the students, and we are here to promote quality education for everyone.” Really, how much does it cost to “recognize” a quality accrediting agency that benefits all taxpayers in our state?
Joy Berish
Helena
Voting Amerson
When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Law enforcement is one of the most demanding and dangerous professions in this country. Protecting the citizens is an all-consuming endeavor. For a law enforcement agency to function, it must have great leadership. The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office has that leadership in the person of Larry Amerson. He has the experience, the ability, the drive and the desire to see that all citizens of this county have the protection and assistance they need. His office is understaffed and under-funded but he does an outstanding job of seeing to the needs of the community. He is a caring man who is devoting his life to the people he has sworn to protect and defend. Whenever he is needed, day or night, he is there. He has the respect and dedication of the personnel who work for him. He leads by example. He is deserving of reelection because he is the man for the job. No matter what obstacles are in his way, he lets nothing interfere with his devotion to duty. When election day rolls around, the man to vote for is Larry Amerson for Sheriff of Calhoun County.
Kelly Grant
Weaver
