Speak Out

I was hopeful with the last City Council election and the hiring of a qualified city manager that Talladega could expect competent quality leadership. I am sorry to say we are being sorely disappointed.

When I read the City Council’s decision on the budget and its refusal to approve a request of $229,000, a $154,000 increase, of annual funding for the school board, I had the feeling that we have not progressed at all.

During the July 21 meeting, the council voted to grant immediate additional funding to the Antique Talladega for the Ritz Theater in the amount of $155,000. This was in addition to previous appropriations of $42,000 and $75,000 for restrooms and fire-code improvements. The Ritz previously was granted a budgeted annual 2008 appropriation over and above the funding mentioned. Yet, city leaders feel that $229,000 in the coming year for our kids is unreasonable?

I have spoken with many residents who feel that the council has erred and mismanaged our tax dollars in continuing to throw money at the Ritz. Antique Talladega and the Ritz is a project of a tiny handful of elite, while we all pay taxes to support the public schools. It is public knowledge that the majority of patrons of Ritz events are nonresidents of Talladega.

I implore the city manager and council to correct this decision and always place the needs of school children first.

James W. Anderson
Talladega

Toxic talk

For Alabama football fans, including me, one game does not make a season. In a day and time when instant self-gratification is the norm for fans, remember, teams work their way to championships, they don’t talk themselves into them and you cannot talk them into them. However, your talk can do more harm than good.

The last thing this team needs right now is the toxic talk of fans telling it that it has arrived when in fact it has arrived at nothing until early January.

The Clemson game was a good victory but only one step; there are many more steps to be taken. Fans need to keep their toxic tongues silent and in check, keeping their personal expectations for this team to themselves, lest their talk ends up poisoning the start to a good season.

Billy E. Price
Ashville

Teaching is a difficult job

Re "Dress code ridiculous" (Speak Out, Aug. 28):

I must defend all teachers across this nation. Letter writer Jim Williams believes that some teachers look for a reason to discipline students. I taught school for awhile, but I gave it up because the stress of it caused me to have many health problems.

Teachers do not need to look for a reason to discipline students. The students themselves present enough instances for being disciplined. I suggest that Williams try to teach for one day in the classroom. He will then be ready to give the hard-working teachers across this nation an apology.

You have to have a lot of patience, caring, understanding, good nerves and good health to be able to teach. I commend all of our teachers. Keep up the good work.

Sherra Claunch
Oxford