Letters policy



The News Courier encourages letters to the editor. Submissions should be no more than 400 words and should include a name, address and telephone number for verification. Submissions that do not meet requirements are subject to editing. Send letters by noon on Thursdays to PO Box 670, Athens, Ala., 35613, or e-mail to kelly@athensnews-courier.com.



Why can’t candidates win on merits?

Dear Editor:

I read in The News Courier last Sunday that the District 5 House race is “getting dirty.” Then I hear one of the candidate’s “dirt smearing” radio paid political advertisement Monday morning. I am acquainted with both of these candidates, one a real good acquaintance and the other by name recognition only. I was surprised that either of these men would run a dirty campaign. Then on further investigation I find that the local candidate did not purchase this “sleazy” ad but that his state party purchased the ad. So giving the local man the benefit of the doubt, he may have not had any say so about the content of the ad.

The voting public is neither stupid nor uninformed. Standing alone, the words liberal, conservative, Democrat and Republican are not bad words. There are God-fearing, family loving, patriotic members of all four groups and there are “Sodom and Gomorrah” members of all four groups. The “religious right” is not always right and the “liberal left” is not always wrong.

My point is to both parties — just once, try to get your candidates elected on their merits. Tell us your plans. We don’t want to vote for the candidate that has the “least dirt” on them, we want to vote for the candidate that says, “This is what I believe in, this is what I am going to try to do.”

The voting public would like to hear a candidate say, “My worthy opponent and I are both campaigning for your vote. We both have ideas of how to serve this state. These are my ideas … I believe my ideas are better. I respectfully ask for your vote on election day.”

Smear tactic campaigns may get you a few votes but they certainly leave a bad taste in the public’s mouth. In 230 years the reputation of candidates for political office has digressed from the “best of the best” to the “best of the worst.”

Sincerely,

Larry Keenum

Athens





Groups helped make Fiddlers a success

Dear Editor:

The 40th annual Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention was a huge success this year. We enjoyed our largest Friday night crowd ever, with the entertainment of Mike Snider and his string band. It was great to see so many people on the Athens State University campus enjoying a weekend of music and fun.

Several organizations played a vital role in making the convention a success particularly it’s sponsors – The Athens State University foundation and the Athens-Limestone Chamber of Commerce. A special thanks goes to Cub Scout Packs 24,25, 221 and 236; Boy Scout Troops 21, 24 and 221; Keep Athens-Limestone County Beautiful, Athens-Limestone Ambulance Service, and the Athens Police Department for hours of volunteer service. Many thanks to local residents and Athens State faculty and staff who gave their time.

Thank you Athens, Limestone County and North Alabama for supporting the convention and Athens State University.

Sincerely,

Rick Mould and Gayle Davis, chairs

Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention



Community enjoyed harvest festival

Dear Editor:

We would like to thank all of those people in our community who made our harvest festival such a success on Oct. 14. Danny Moss and his crew did an outstanding job preparing our chicken stew. Area merchants donated great merchandise to be auctioned. Parents, students and members of our staff worked long hours to put the 35-plus games and activities together. And, best of all, several hundred people from the Athens-Limestone County area came out and had fun with us. Thank you to all who helped in any way.

Sincerely,

Wayne Forsythe, administrator

Faith Christian Academy