Don’t use tax revenues unwisely

Dear Editor:

We are in the midst of the worst recession in 60 years and the worst unemployment in over 26 years.

This is not the time to be using taxpayer funds to help irresponsible downtown building owners repaint their building facades. Neither should the city offer financial incentives to building owners for their buildings upkeep. This is poor use of taxpayer funds.

Requiring upkeep of the downtown area buildings, by their owners, would be in line with the historic commission's dictation of upkeep and conditions of properties in the historic district. Similar financial penalties could be imposed.

If downtown building owners don’t like this then it should not apply to properties ruled by the historic commission. The downtown area buildings are just as historic.

It’s time the city didn't automatically spend taxpayer funds to do what is the responsibility of others.

The economy, and particularly employment, are not going to greatly improve in the next 18 to 24 months. Yet, taxes are going to go up to cover more costs to be covered by fewer working people.

Our officials need to realize that the money well is about dry and personal responsibility, not government responsibility, must return! Enough is enough.

The recent storytelling festival was said to be a profitable venture. Actually, if it was, it was only due to taxpayer funded grants, city and county taxpayer fund allocations, and local state legislator's donations of taxpayer funds. Let’s tell it like it is, an event that would not occur without taxpayer funds to support it. It couldn't make it as a private enterprise.

All these great ideas and interests of an elite few are the financial responsibility of them to achieve, the taxpayers should not assume the risks.

There is much talk about the downtown courthouse square, yet there aren’t even signs at the interstate exits, or on highways 72 and 31, telling people how to find it! Why not?

I’ve had citizens and business owners tell me of their concerns regarding the use of taxpayer funds by our city officials and the lack of transparency in their financial planning and expenditures. It must come to an end in Athens as well as Washington. Roads in disrepair, low police wages, where's the official's priority concern for them. We, taxpayers, cannot fund every scheme of a few officials and fellow travelers.

Sincerely,

Quentin D. Anderson Sr.

Athens



Turn back toward America

Dear Editor:

We heard it said a long time ago that the American way of life will be destroyed from within. I believe it was said by people who planned to help do it. Is it now happening? I have just read that President Obama appointed two devout Muslims to key government offices back in August. Now, more than two months later, we hear about it. Is it possible that these two devout Muslims are politically akin to the Muslims who flew planes into the Twin Towers in New York? Are these appointed devout Muslims religiously akin to the Muslim who recently displayed his Muslim personality by killing American soldiers in Fort Hood?

Just over a year ago I wrote a news release titled: “I’m Afraid.” I did not push to get it published because I am not high enough on myself to think my friends and neighbors would like to know about my fears. Yet, I spent five years and three months in the Army during World War II and I was proud to be an American soldier serving in an airborne infantry division near the German border at the end of the war. I came home when the war ended wanting to live 100 years in this great land with my family and friends. I’m getting close but I am no longer sure I want to see the 100 unless our government turns back toward America. Do we no longer have enough bred and born Americans to fill key government offices?

Yes, I realize devout Muslims who are American citizens have a legal right to serve in government, but the American voters do not have to elect them and the president does not have to appoint them. The president should know the background of people he appoints to high government offices. Does President Obama have other devout Muslim friends, some of whom were born in the Far East, whom he may soon appoint to key government offices?

Does the Muslim religion teach that God is pleased when Muslims kill Christians? Do all Muslims believe God is pleased when they kill Christians/Americans? Or, do only the radical Muslims believe God wants them to kill Americans who are presumed to be Christians? Did Army officials know about Hasan’s religious beliefs before he killed several soldiers in Fort Hood?



Sincerely,

Bill Adams

Ardmore



Cash for Candy big success

Dear Editor:

Beasley Cosmetic & General Dentistry would like to thank everyone who participated in our first Cash for Candy program. We collected over 110 pounds of candy for our troops.

A special thanks goes to Major Hanks, Sergeant Beam and Sergeant Jasper for their time and to our sponsors: Chick-fil-A, McDonald’s, Compass Bank and Pak Mail.

If you would like to see pictures from this event go to our Web site: www.beasleydentistry.com and click on our Facebook page. We hope to make this program an even bigger and better success next year.

Thanks again.

Sincerely,

Dr. Brad Beasley & Team

Athens