They came back about 15 years ago to visit family and stayed. My grandfather died five years ago. Now I am in Anniston for a month to visit again for Christmas with my grandmother. We talk about the good-old days and family values. She tells me about Oxford and the days she used to travel through it on a bus and miss it because it was small. I look at it today and see a growing city full of promise and hope.
What happened to Anniston? Empty buildings, crime, a police officer shot to death. I’m not here to say all of Anniston is bad. I’m not here to judge any of you, but I look at the leaders and shake my head in disbelief. What example does the City Council members set, acting like they can’t agree on anything but their own agendas? All I see is them spreading hate and racism towards each other.
Don’t ever forget our history, good or bad, but please learn from it to help the younger generation live in peace and help Anniston grow and prosper, too. Let the council members learn from Mayor Leon Smith in Oxford to help them if they don’t have the wisdom to lead Anniston into the future. Let them focus their energy to do good to the residents of Anniston on issues that count for something positive. Like my grandmother says, “Some things never change.” Thank you for your time. God bless.
Daniel Dutton
Hampton, Va.
