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.



Forum was a success

Dear Editor:

I am writing in regards to the candidate forum, which took place Oct. 16 at the Athens Recreation Center and which was sponsored by the Alliance for Limited Government. I want to personally thank everyone who helped make this a successful and very informative meeting. First, we were grateful that candidates Jim Burden, Ronnie Coffman, Bobby Day, Mickey Hammon and Mac McCutcheon took time from busy schedules to meet with us and give us their views on a number of issues of vital interest to North Alabama voters. We were also pleased with the crowd of people who braved the inclement weather to attend. Our moderator, vice-chairman Ken Stallings, did an excellent job of questioning the candidates on topics such as eminent domain, home rule, rewriting the Alabama Constitution, annual property appraisal, illegal immigration and several others.

Voters who attended this meeting now have a better grasp of where these candidates stand and can make informed decisions at the polls Nov. 7. We would urge the voting public to make a difference by exercising this precious franchise. For more information on ALG, call Bill Boruff at 230-6946 or 830-6224.

Sincerely,

Bill Boruff, chairman, Alliance for Limited Government

Athens





Food and Shelter program to re-open

Dear Editor,

Hooray! The Athens-Limestone Food Bank will re-open Monday Nov. 6 at 9 a.m. It has been 21/2 months in coming, but I believe it will be well worth the wait. All resources are now in one place on Armory Drive, behind the Salvation Army, and will be much more accessible.

Volunteers have spent many hours making this move possible. We would like to thank Boy Scout Troop 245, ABS Beta Club, RSVP volunteers, volunteers from Tanner Baptist Church and Central Church of Christ Youth. These folks have spent many hours cleaning, painting, repairing plumbing and electrical, hanging curtains, fixing doors, moving office furniture and supplies and many barrels of food. Many thanks go to Jerry King Co. for repair and replacement of air-conditioning and heating ducts in the building. Mr. King donated many hours and the supplies to accomplish this task. We would also like to say a big thank you to First Presbyterian Church for providing storage for large quantities of food and other supplies for about four years.

To those of you who have brought food or been of a food drive in any way, we give you our appreciation and encourage your continued support. Without you, our program would not be the success that it has been in Athens and Limestone County for many years.

Sincerely,

Mike Ford, director

Ausie Clements, board president

Athens-Limestone Emergency Food and Shelter Program





Support Kidney Association

Dear Editor:

The Athens-Limestone Kidney Association was founded in 1978. It was our purpose to try to help kidney patients of Athens and Limestone County. We purchased a van and have been transporting patients to and from dialysis to the Divata Center in the Athens Professional Plaza. We travel three days a week from early morning until late afternoon. This is accomplished through volunteer drivers.

There is a great need for us to operate the other three days, but we need more volunteer drivers to be able to do this. The need is growing now since the medical profession has realized that a lot of kidney disease is caused from high blood pressure and diabetes. Doctors are starting patients on dialysis earlier so they live longer and have a better quality of life. Also, as we can, we help pay for some medication when a patient cannot afford it, an occasional C+ premium and maybe some dietary supplements. We work closely with the social worker and try to help with problems that arise with patients.

We get no money from the United Way or the government. Our money comes from donations, fund-raisers such as bake sales, and memorials.

In November each year, the Art and Craft Show sets up at the American Legion Building, and we include home-baked goods for our bake sale. We hope the public will support this effort. Come join us for lunch at the concession stand. Selections include pizza, barbeque and hot dogs.

Come join us Nov. 10 and 11 at the American Legion Building.

Sincerely,

Janice Moore, president

Athens-Limestone Kidney Association Inc.





New resident thanks police

Dear Editor:

I am new in town and have read “Sound Off” each day since I arrived. I read about all the bad things the politicians and other people do, but I don’t recall reading anything about how nice the police in Athens are to the people.

I would like to relate to you how nice and helpful the entire Police Department was to my wife and I several weeks ago when our 38-foot RV lost all power as we were driving north on South Hine Street. As we lost power, we were meeting Officer Clem who saw what had happened. He immediately turned around, started directing traffic and began assisting us in finding a tow service.

Officer Clem, dispatch and at least five other officers came to our rescue before we finally found a tow service that could move a vehicle of that size. Our ordeal started at approximately 6:30 p.m. and ended at about 1:45 a.m. when we finally got our RV moved to Cagle’s RV Service on U.S. 72 East.

During this time period, the Police Department had a shift change, but we were never without police help. There were one to three units with us the entire time. Officer Clem was to go off duty at shift change, but he elected to stay an extra hour in his effort to find the right tow service. I do not know how many people in the department were involved in helping us. I hope I have the opportunity to meet each one of them and personally thank them as we make our home in Athens.

Thanks Chief Harper, we have the best Police Department around.

Also, I want to thank all the residents in that area of South Hine Street for being such good neighbors and trying in every way to help us. We are very proud of our new town, Athens, Ala.

Sincerely,

Lloyd and Dell Powell

Athens





Governor’s visit a success

Dear Editor:

I personally would like to thank all of the citizens of Limestone County who came out to visit Alabama Gov. Bob Riley on a rainy Wednesday afternoon. The governor’s visit to Athens was one of the best stops on his bus tour of the state.

We would especially like to thank the Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives for graciously allowing us to meet at its facility. The governor was genuinely impressed.

Also, I want to thank Limestone County Schools Superintendent Dr. Barry Carroll, Principal Donald Wilson, Band Director Gary Russell and the Clements High School Marching Band for providing wonderful music. You represented the best of Limestone County.

Special thanks also to Cassie Moore and the Athens/Clements Pee Wee Cheerleaders for leading us in a wonderful cheer for the governor. You guys were awesome.

A big thanks to Clements senior and Alabama State Beta Club President Barrett Gilbert for his great introduction of the governor.

Last, and certainly not least, the Athens Police Department for keeping things safe and orderly.

Sincerely,

Kelley Smith, president

Republican Women of Limestone County