Speak Out

On July 1, the men and women of the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office were given increased responsibilities when tasked with extending law enforcement services to people in the former police jurisdiction of Anniston. According to the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center, the Sheriff's Office now provides basic law enforcement to more than 50,000 residents with a staff of approximately 40 deputies.

The average law enforcement officer-to-citizen ratio in Alabama is 2.3 officers per 1,000 residents. Our deputies are doing the job with less than one deputy per 1,000 residents.

The increased workload impacts deputies, dispatchers, jail officers and administrative staff. Overtime and double work is now the norm. I wish to publicly thank every one of these people for their professional and dedicated response to this challenging task. Our reserve deputies are doing their part to bridge the gap, as well. Every employee is doing everything possible to deliver essential services.

To those residents in Wellborn, Saks, Central City, Thankful and the DeArmanville communities, we are proud to be your law enforcement agency. We are determined to deliver the high-quality law enforcement service that you deserve. To the other residents of rural Calhoun County, we have not forgotten you and will continue to patrol your homes and businesses. During peak times, there likely will be delays, but our people will be there. Emergency calls will be a priority.

Thank you for your patience and consideration during our time of adjustment to this new endeavor.

Larry Amerson
Calhoun County Sheriff

In the 'notch'

To people who don't know what a "notch victim" is, it is someone who was born between 1921 and 1926 and loses thousands of dollars in Social Security money.

The government has not rectified this shortage. Now it has this issue before Congress — either raise the monthly checks or give those who want it a $5,000 lump sum. I believe we should get the lump sum for payment because of our age.

Please call your representatives, your senators and President Bush and urge them to pass this bill, and then watch how they vote.

Mozell Vaughan
Weaver

The cost of pets

How can someone on a low income afford to spay or neuter their pets?

I know all about the coupons from the League of Animal Welfare to help cover the cost. But you still have to pay a fee to the veterinarian's office, which makes coupons you pay for look like a joke. Some of these office visits are very costly.

So where does this leave the fixed-income families who love their pets? I guess we will keep building pens to try to stop the breeding process.

Jean Edwards
Piedmont