Speak Out

Anniston has no hope

Re "Anniston council discusses black chamber of commerce, police jurisdiction tax" (News story, Aug. 13):

You have to be kidding! A black chamber of commerce given a free building until the group organizes, and then a "nominal fee"? Would that be a dollar a month?

Since City Councilman Ben Little has all this money, how about paying the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office the tax money for the areas Anniston deserted on July 1? What about a Mexican chamber, a Korean chamber or, heaven's no, a white chamber! Talk about taking steps backward.

Of course, when the audience showed any disagreement, Little berated them and told them to be respectful of the council. How about the council being respectful of its citizens who attend meetings?

Anniston has no hope of any growth because no one is willing to deal with this council.

Little has no regard for others' input; lest we forget some months ago when the Police Department spoke out. Little's response was to be quiet and tell the officers to go elsewhere to work if they didn't like it. Until Anniston voters get a clue and elect a council that can work together and with other agencies, Anniston will continue to lag behind every other city.

Don't kid yourself Anniston; Oxford's growth is not only because of Interstate 20. Jacksonville is bringing in new business and is growing each month. Anniston's problem is a failure to elect individuals who have the city's best interest at heart.

Too many in public office just want to see their picture and names in the paper and push their own interests. It is a shame, for Anniston could be so much more if only given the chance.

S.B. Joiner
Saks

Leaving King's dream

I would like to know what Anniston Mayor Chip Howell and the City Council are thinking. How stupid they are if they let Councilman Ben Little get away with organizing a separate black chamber of commerce.

Dr. Martin Luther King's dream is going backward instead of forward.

Jim Ledbetter
Anniston

Breaking Star's heart

Re "Drilling our way to nowhere: This stubborn administration" (Editorial, July 13):

I read The Star's editorial on offshore drilling and I won't ever get that 10 minutes back. I wasted my time reading that editorial. However, I hear all the time how long it will take to get the benefits of drilling off the coast and elsewhere, but common sense tells me if we keep waiting, the longer it will get.

It's a shame that we have to worry about warming of the earth that none of us will be here when we turn into a gas burner. President Bush did a smart thing by lifting the ban because the ball is now on the other side. No one can blame Bush.

I guess that's heartbreaking to some. It must be heartbreaking to The Star.

Todd Walker
Anniston

Kudos to my boss

I would like to thank my boss, Brenda Freeman, and the truck drivers of Bama Budweiser, who donated their time and hard work to build me a ramp and porch when I lost my leg about a month ago. What a wonderful bunch of people and co-workers. Thank you, my friends. Words cannot say enough.

Fred (Tubby) Knighton and Juanita
Anniston

Making me believe

Re "Minority faiths" (Speak Out, July 20)

For years, Christian conservatives have been begging God to "draw me from the lie I am living." However, all the prayers aimed at altering my beliefs have had no affect.

Possibly a believer can do what prayers have not done by advising me of just one good deed performed by God. Others have given me three unacceptable answers.

First, "God created the earth." If so, he is a second-rate builder and certainly no artisan. Earth is a flawed object replete with disease and natural disasters that cause human and animal suffering.

Secondly, "God created you." Why is that a good deed, especially since He will soon subject me to eternal agony? If he had not created me, it would not matter to me or anyone else. There are an infinite number of uncreated non-beings and not one of them means a thing to anybody. Furthermore, he created Joseph Stalin.

Thirdly, "He loves me so much that he sacrificed his only begotten son to pay for my sins." This did nothing to improve the human condition. Please don't tell me a barbaric gesture has provided me with a free pass to paradise unless you can prove this paradise exists.

David N. Miles
Orange Beach

Bush's sycophants

America's foremost war criminal, Dick Cheney, recently visited the Shoal Creek Golf and Country Club in Shelby County to address those excessively wealthy Alabamians who still believe in the neocon dream of a world controlled by the United States. For a mere $500 they got into the fundraiser. For another $2,000 they got their picture taken with America's foremost coward (five deferments for service in Vietnam).

If the term war criminal seems harsh, remember Cheney upon taking office in 2001 held those secret meetings with all those oil and energy executives to hash out their plans to invade Iraq and Iran. Then in May 2001 President Bush overturned President Clinton's signature on the International Criminal Court Treaty, which pledged that America would not harbor war criminals. The two traitors knew then that they would break the Geneva Convention to cause a preemptive strike against a defenseless country and that they would torture its citizens.

Now these loyal Bush sycophants can sit down with their hero and hear how their stock portfolios have grown as the profits from big oil keep padding their accounts. They can also applaud the recent capture of Radovan Karadzic, the Bosnian Serb that the Bush administration has called a war criminal, knowing full well that their own dear war criminal will never have to face the inside of The Hague. However, one Bush sycophant will probably not be there, our own Rep. Mike Rogers.

Having seen the writing on the wall he has done everything in his power over the last several months to repaint himself as a congressman who cares about the poor working class in Alabama. Rogers' work on the House Armed Services committee insured that there would be no congressional oversight to the private war contractors that Bush and Cheney sent to Iraq.

Currently Congress is investigating the electrocution of 13 American soldiers in Iraq by the workers at KBR, a subsidiary of Cheney's company, Halliburton.

William Henderson
Wellborn

The voters' voices

Thankful for Bennett

For more than a decade we have held ceremonies at Centennial Memorial Park in Anniston on Memorial Day, Veteran's Day and on other special occasions.

These ceremonies have not been without cost. Without Commissioner Eli Henderson and the Calhoun County Commission, it would have been very difficult to continue these ceremonies. Even with that help there were times when the cost of sound systems, programs, roses and other items came from individual pockets.

A few years ago, Anniston City Councilman Stan Bennett said, "If I can ever help you on any projects for veterans, just let me know." A few weeks later, I told Stan we needed help with the ceremonies, and within a few days the check was delivered. Since then he has not failed to help with any request I have made.

It is not unusual to have someone offer help and not deliver. I have never seen Stan Bennett fail to do what he said he would do. On behalf of our veterans and their families, I am thankful there are people such as Stan Bennett who make promises and keep them.

Ken Rollins
Oxford

Cottingham is the choice

The nominee for better school years has arrived.

It is good to know that we have well-qualified individuals such as Arthur Cottingham seeking to sit on the Board of Education for the Anniston City Schools. He has many promising attributes that qualify him to help in the improvement of our school board.

We need the involvement of his skills, time and talent to give the school system that extra nudge that we've been longing for.

On Aug. 26, I will gladly make the right choice and vote for Arthur Cottingham.

Teresa Glover
Anniston

Reaves rates highly

Some candidates are politicians, some are public servants. The public servants are few and far between.

One of the few public servants I have met is Oxford City Councilwoman June Land Reaves. To see her in action is easy. Go to an Oxford council meeting, see who addresses their constituents' problems and see who nods.

She is always willing to discuss problems with people all over the area, not just downtown Oxford. She listens, brings the problem to the council and reports back to the people, even if they are at Eastaboga, Bynum or other far-out locations in the southeast or west of Oxford. Anniston controls the north side.

She holds education as the biggest key to our future. She understands the problems since she was a teacher for 25 years.

She is an emotionally stable person. This is very important when you have to sometimes deal with irrational people. She's been married to the same man for 25-plus years. This tells me she is mature and settled in her life.

I consider her to be very good at what she does — serve the public. She's very active in public affairs.

On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd rate her a 12! You will, too, if you take the time to watch her in action working on your problems.

Mark H. Smith
Anniston

Robison's leadership

It is time to stop the petty bickering and move forward with the re-establishment of Anniston City Schools as a symbol of pride and excellence.

Board of Education member Bill Robison has been a part of this effort and offers our community an opportunity to continue this through the selection of strong and competent leadership in our system and on our school board.

Please join me in voting for Bill Robison from Ward 4 to insure these efforts and goals are met.

Larry Sylvester
Anniston

Willis good for Weaver

We want to thank Weaver Mayor Wayne Willis for his hard work and dedication to the city's improvement.

During the past four years, Weaver has changed from a means to get from Anniston to Jacksonville to a destination. He has created a family facility at our park that is getting children and adults alike outside and active again. Mayor Willis has bought exercise equipment for our Senior Center and our senior residents are now enjoying social time together while they enjoy fitness activities.

When other cities are shrinking, Weaver has grown at a record pace, and this is in no small part to the efforts of Mayor Willis. While we're concerned to see Willis leaving office, we were glad to read that he is running for the City Council. Weaver needs to keep common sense in City Hall.

Tim and Connie McRae
Weaver

Bennett man of his word

As time draws closer for our city elections, I would like for voters to consider re-electing Anniston City Councilman Stan Bennett.

I have known Stan most of my life and I know him to be a man of his word who always is concerned for the welfare of others.

He is always available to listen and explain his actions. On more than one occasion I have questioned why he voted a certain way. After talking with Stan and listening to his logical reasoning and facts that I was not aware of, I had a better understanding of his voting record. As always, he looks at the whole picture — not always the popular vote.

This is the Stan Bennett who I know.

Wilkes Scarbrough
Anniston

Reclaim our city

I have children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and my wife and I who chose to make Anniston our home. The public safety of my family, friends and the citizens of Anniston is a huge concern. This upcoming election is an opportunity to take our city back.

For the past few years, our police force has been severely understaffed, as much as a full shift of officers (13) in the last two years. Recent reports in The Star confirm that we are still short by as many as 10 officers. During this time, homicides and other violent crimes have occurred in record numbers.

In my view, the lack of cooperation and selfish personal agendas in lieu of what is best for our city from some sitting council members have contributed to this crime problem.

I have researched the platform of both John Spain in Ward 1 and Debra Foster in Ward 3, and both of these fine people have assured us that public safety in Anniston will be their top priority. Both have pledged to get our police department back to a full staff and help increase this staff if that is what will be needed to get control of the rampant crime in our city.

This is the kind of leadership Anniston needs. I urge the voters in Ward 1 to join me and vote for John Spain, and the voters in Ward 3 to vote for Debra Foster on Aug. 26.

Bill Farrell
Anniston

Cottingham is qualified

I am looking forward to a change with fresh ideas on the Anniston Board of Education. I feel we would have that stronghold if we make the right choice by voting for Arthur Cottingham, who is representing Ward 4.

He is well qualified to lead us to a new dimension in education. He is a dedicated family man who has set the example of children's needs being a priority. He has a vested interest in educating our children. A lot of parents are seeking restoration, commitment and a difference in how our school system is handled.

Voting for Arthur Cottingham would deliver just what we need.

Sarina M. Elston
Anniston

Thrower is best selection

Oxford Mayor Leon Smith was noticeably absent from the city's recent election forum. To many, this may imply a lack of interest in engaging the public, and rightly so. For Smith not to show up just reinforces the notion that he doesn't really care about the voters whom he wants to re-elect him.

Smith's lack of interest speaks volumes as to his treatment of the City Council and citizens alike. This is the ultimate insult to residents who took time out of their busy schedules to come out to the debate.

Smith may have not been there, but he had plenty of surrogates parroting comments that he has made over the last few months. Several of the City Council candidates who bothered to show up repeated a litany of talking points as if they had been prepared by Smith himself.

Oxford deserves better than that. Greg Thrower is the best opportunity that we will have to achieve that.

Freddie L. Hinton
Oxford