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franklin county times

Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2002

By Staff
A harrowing story
To the editor:
I experienced a horrifying accident at Bonita Lakes while collecting leaves for a fourth grade class project. My feet slipped out from under me and I hit a tree that flipped me into the water. A non-swimmer, my daughter and granddaughter jumped in after me. Realizing they couldn't get me out of the lake, they went for help.
Veronica B. Phillips of the Meridian Police Department went beyond the call of duty, stripping off her boots and plunging in the water to save me. Rob Parker, a paramedic, did an outstanding job taking care of me. And they also reassured my daughter and granddaughter.
They would get us to the hospital, Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center, where I have worked for 30 years, to our E.R., where I received 18 stitches to my head and body lacerations. The E.R. staff did a commendable job for a family distressed over a situation that could have been a tragedy.
Mrs. Lonny Walker
Prattville,La.
Joyce Walker, Rachel Keller and family, Meridian
Mayor can't serve two masters
To the editor:
I am not from Meridian, so maybe I can see things that you people in Meridian don't see, and that is your mayor, John Robert Smith, can't run his railroad without us taxpayers in the U.S. having to bail him out to the tune of $289 million. Now he wants to raise your water rates by 10 percent and to annex half of Lauderdale County to bail him out.
If I was from Meridian I would start a petition to get him impeached. The Bible states that you can't serve two masters, that you would love one and hate the other. It doesn't look like John Robert Smith can love either one of his jobs.
You people don't need a city manager. That is what you elected the mayor for. So, he could save the money that he pays Mr. Storms by doing the job you all elected him to do. He would have to give up his railroad, of course, so he could be mayor. You people didn't elect him to stay in New York all the time.
Huey P. Long
Quitman
Carver band students need instruments
To the editor:
Carver Middle School has 135 students signed up for the band. Out of this number, some of them will have to drop out because parents, grandparents, guardians and relatives are unable to buy instruments for any number of reasons. This is mostly due to lack of good credit or cash.
It is a sad occasion when I have to take a student out of band or strings class because parents or guardians cannot afford to purchase or rent an instrument. Tears are in the eyes of the student, parent, teacher, counselor and me, the principal.
Students look forward to some day becoming a member of the Meridian High School Wildcat Band. Instruments have been donated by concerned citizens who had instruments no longer being used by their children or grandchildren.
If you have instruments collecting dust in your closet, please get them down and donate them to a child. It could help a student earn a musical scholarship, attend college and possibly become a professional musician, doctor, lawyer, preacher, teacher or other professional in areas of need. Someone helped Elvis, Ray Charles, B.B. King and you. All of us who help others who later become successful adults are extremely proud of them and the role we played in their lives.
People helping people is rewarding, but people helping kids grow up to become successful is surely the American way. Call (601) 484-4482 if you will be able to donate an instrument, or make me an offer I cannot refuse.
Robert M. Markham
Principal, Carver Middle School
Meridian
Class reunion a great success
To the editor:
I would just like to write a note of "thanks" to a special group of people, especially Charles Stewart of Meridian, who attended the Meridian High School Class of 1962 40th reunion recently.
Classmates from many states came for this great weekend. Some had not been in Meridian since graduation. I heard so many nice things said about our lovely city. To the classmates who so graciously gave of their time to arrange this event, thanks again.
We had a wonderful time.
Lana Dorman Booker
MHS Class of 62

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