Published: May 20, 2008 01:13 am         

It’s a shame

It’s a shame

To the editor:

I grew up in Greenville (graduated GHS 1960) when downtown was a vibrant part of our lives. It’s a shame that Greenville has allowed its downtown to fall into disuse with so many businesses gone and buildings empty.

Why is it that the leaders in the city don’t do everything in their power to re-vitalize the downtown area? With all the great architecture and historic buildings, there is a great opportunity to again make downtown a vibrant part of the city. Why not offer incentives for businesses to locate/relocate into downtown?

Greenville’s downtown is special because of the way it’s designed: wide streets, a courthouse square and lots of space for shopping. Today’s

shopping trends seem to be from malls to strip-style shopping. What better place for such as downtown Greenville?

Jerry Watson

Dallas



Thanks for the support

To the editor:

Thank you to those living in GISD District 2 that took the time to go vote in the recent election. I am most grateful to the voters, as well as to the people inside and outside District 2 that helped with my campaign. Your efforts are most appreciated, and I will work hard to ensure that our kids receive a quality education.

Please attend the school board meetings to see how the system works, and to share your concerns with those of us who need to hear them.

Trena Stafford

Greenville



Postal patrons break food drive record

To the editor:

Words cannot express our gratitude for the outpouring of support you, the postal patrons of Greenville and the surrounding area, displayed the weekend of May 10. In 2007 the Greenville carriers collected a total of 3, 600 pounds of nonperishable food items which we were proud to donate to the Hunt County Shared Ministries (FISH).

As this year approached we apprehensively set a goal of 10,000 pounds for our yearly donation. Our goal this year was set in memory of fellow carrier and friend Phil Sudderth whom we lost this past December.

As the week progressed we knew something special was happening in this year’s food drive when food products started pouring into our office. We already had received over 1,500 pounds of nonperishable food items by Friday before the food drive started. Needless to say, we were shocked.

The proud city carriers of Greenville are donating a total of 20, 291 pounds of food products to the Hunt County Shared Ministries (FISH) in this year’s NALC Food Drive.

We would like to thank all the Greenville and area postal patrons, the Greenville city and rural carriers, U.S. Postal management, U.S. postal service management, all Greenville postal employees, Hunt County rural carriers, Tracy Chesney, Brad Kellar, the Greenville area churches, the family of Phil Sudderth and all the participating businesses for donations to the food drive.

We would also like to thank Wally Jeffers, director, and all the volunteers at FISH Ministries for all the long hours and dedication they put in tending to the needs of the community in Greenville and Hunt County.

Sincerely,

Steve Duncan

National Assoc. of Letter Carriers

Food Drive Co. Greenville





No pity for meth addict

To the editor:

I have just read about Mr. Bower’s plight, and let me say he is full of pity for himself. I can say this because I was a drug user for over 30 years. He stated that meth put him behind bars, but that’s a lie. He put himself behind bars. I quit doing drugs three years ago; and anyone else can, too. First off, it’s a mind thing; and secondly, if he really wanted to quit he could with no side effects.

I also gave up smoking after 40 years the same way. Not a little at a time, but then and there; and I have no desire to smoke anymore. After all, you weren’t born doing it and your body doesn’t need it to survive. Also Mr. Bowers needs to take responsibility for himself; no one can enable you to do anything, you have a mind of your own. Come on, people; it’s time to stop making excuses and take responsibility for our actions. And, yes, I have done time, but drugs didn’t put me there; I put me there. And I can say without fear that I will not return to drugs, because I choose not to. Also I think drug rehabs are just another crutch for people to lean on. If they don’t want to stop, they won’t no matter where or how often they are sent.

Carolyn Washington

Greenville



Foreign Intellingence Surveillance Act or FISA

To the editor:

The following is a letter I sent to a Texas member of congress who opposes FISA immunity for telecoms. The debate was on page 10 of the May 2008 issue of The American Legion Magazine.

It is apparent that this member, as well as a majority of her colleagues, have forgotten what caused the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on the United States. A tragedy allowed by her and her colleagues who were, and are still “asleep at the wheel” regarding intelligence gathering.

Congressional inability to allow reliable intelligence is a measure of demonstrated malfeasance of elected, hired, and appointed public servants there on Capitol Hill. Your ineptness aided immeasurably in the 9/11 attack on our nation.

Sadly, too many like you and your colleagues in both houses of Congress are “patriotically challenged.” This flaw contributed to the 9/11 attack, the Beirut Barrack’s bombing, the Khobar Tower bombing, the U.S. Cole bombing, plus continued disgracing of our Armed Forces fighting and dying in Afghanistan and Iraqi wars. All of which occurred during your and your colleagues’ watch!

It is apparently that the failure of allowing thorough intelligence gathering reveals a degree of support for anti-Americans who are so vocal in the 2008 presidential campaigning.

It is sad that our nation’s 231 years of “United we stand,” is now “divided and falling!”

Too many of you blame one person, the president, for all of our nation’s woes. However, be re-reminded that you are one of the 435 United States Representatives and 100 United States Senators with a majority demonstrating an anti-American “Jeremiah Wright” mind set … sort of a margin of 535 to 1.

John M. Elkins

Sherman