Monday, Dec. 23, 2002

By Staff
MPD: You drink and drive. You lose'
To the editor:
Over the Christmas holidays, the Meridian Police Department is teaming with the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department and the Mississippi Highway Patrol to set up sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols in our local community.
This enforcement period is part of "You Drink &Drive. You Lose" national mobilization, an energized national effort to reduce the number of alcohol related traffic fatalities in all 50 states. The mobilization is scheduled to take place Dec. 20, 2002 to Jan. 3, 2003.
In order to help achieve this national goal, we must redouble our local efforts to stop impaired driving here in Meridian and Lauderdale County. Last year, there were about 17,448 impaired driving-related driving fatalities nationally, which includes 282 in the state of Mississippi.
Sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols are proven deterrents for impaired drivers. Not only can sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols remove impaired drivers from the road, but also just the knowledge that law enforcement is out in full force can deter many from getting behind the wheel while they are impaired.
We ask that you join us in showing your support for the "You Drink &Drive. You Lose" mobilization.
Capt. Rick McCary
Assistant Chief, MPD
Sorry, no returns on certain items
To the editor:
I made the mistake of trying to shop at Hudson's. I made my way throughout the store, the clutter, the filth, stuff piled in the aisles so you can't even push a buggy through and the employees who could care less if you are there or not.
I don't understand why there was such a big deal about the landlord not making any repairs on the building when it suits Hudson's so well with the way they conduct business.
I did purchase a shirt and a boxed perfume set. I wanted to take it back because of the three-day return policy. They were gifts and I didn't want to buy anything that someone couldn't exchange for something they wanted. I was informed by a rude female assistant store manager that you can't return perfume. I said that nowhere around the display does it say no return on perfume. She rudely informed me that it was on my receipt.
What kind of business is this that you don't know if you can return something or not until after you purchased it? I talked to the store manager, Mr. Mayfield, and he said he would speak to the assistant store manager if she was out of line but that it was company policy.
They should stay in that nasty, ceiling-falling-in building that suits them so well.
Susan Burkhalter
Meridian
Dog shot in Clarkdale area
To the editor:
I would like to address the fact that the heartless person who shot my dog is a coward and a piece of scum that needs to be brought to justice. I took my dog to Dr. George Shannon, where the bullet is being removed. So to the coward(s) who shot my dog you know who you are  I just want you to know what goes around comes around. I plan to take this bullet to the sheriff's department and I hope they run ballistics and prosecute you for this travesty. It is illegal to shoot, poison or maim an animal and I hope they catch the idiot that did this.
This is not the first dog that I have lost in this area, two of my dogs have been hit by speeding motorists and they didn't even bother to stop. One of these dogs I raised from a 5-week-old puppy and they killed him. No skid marks were present, I looked.
So much for the old adage, "Dogs are man's best friend." Obviously not this man. Correction, he isn't a man. They say dogs are animals but they are more loyal than most humans. We could all take lessons from animals.
Bruce and Melanie Everett
Clarkdale
Security officer deserves thanks
To the editor:
I run the Parent Center at Oakland Heights
Elementary School. I want to say "thank you" to our school security officer, Chris Spencer. He goes about and beyond his call of duty. Whether the traffic is backed up, a child needs a hug, or the floors need sweeping, Officer Spencer is always around to lend a hand.
Although ours is not the only school he works at, I am sure that he works as hard wherever he goes. He should be recognized for his hard work, kind disposition and caring attitude.
Angels come in all different forms, and I am sure he has a set of wings hidden somewhere under that security uniform.
Tia Bajus
Meridian