The News Courier encourages letters to the editor. Submissions should be no more than 400 words and include name, address and telephone number for verification. Submissions that do not meet requirements are subject to editing. Writers are limited to one published letter every 30 days. Send letters to P.O. Box 670, Athens AL 35613 or email to adam@athensnews-courier.com.

Vote ‘yes’ for increase

Dear Editor:

The property tax vote is very simple. If you want the next two generations of Athens children to be ignorant, broke and working minimum-wage jobs, vote “no.”

If you want the next two generations to graduate competent in various skills and have the ability to make a comfortable living for the rest of their lives, vote “yes.”

Sincerely,

Larry Keenum

Athens

Lost credibility

Dear Editor:

I would like you to read this quote by superintendent Trey Holladay from The News Courier on June 17: “Now, as city residents prepare to vote, Holladay said his department is not ramping up any kind of campaign efforts to push for “yes” votes. The work on their end is done and was done quite some time ago.”

Now I would like you to read this quote from Aug. 6: “We’ve got to be transparent and let the people know all about our school system, including why this capital plan is so important for our students,” Holladay purportedly told those in attendance. “We look forward to continuing to share this information with parents and others in the community.”

This quote, plus many other words, was spoken during a publicly funded, back-to-school orientation program Wednesday evening at the high school. This is not fair or ethical. Holladay should not have campaigned for the tax increase at a publicly funded (tax) school meeting. If he chose to do so, he should have given equal time to the “no vote” citizens.

I would not have had a problem with Holladay campaigning for the tax increase in his off-duty life. After all, he would be expected to (as superintendent he stands to benefit), and I am all about freedom of speech. My problem with him is two-fold. One, is the fact that he said these things in his official capacity at a publicly funded event. My second problem is, he said he would not campaign for it. I hate to call someone a liar, so let’s just say his credibility has substantially gone down in my eyes.

At this point, I would question any and all reasons for the raising of the city’s property tax. I now also have doubts about how they have been using our money. Please consider voting “no” with me.

Sincerely,

Jim Wells

Athens

Thanks to Stanley

Dear Editor:

I would like to give an enormous “thank you” to District 1 Commissioner Stanley Hill of Elkmont for the road sign on Sandlin Road as you get off Interstate I-65. The sign gives visitors and guests to Limestone County the direction in which they should turn and the number of miles to get to Elkmont.

Many people are now visiting our popular little hamlet of Elkmont. Previously, they didn’t know which way to turn off the exit or how far they would need to travel. I felt we were losing many visitors due to this because they may have turned around instead and traveled elsewhere. The Elkmont business committee and I had a meeting with ALDOT earlier this year, and one of my requests was to have the sign at Exit 361 to inform travelers the distance to Elkmont. Thanks to our indefatigable team of Stanley Hill and our county signage department engineers, George Hamby and Richard Sanders, we now have it all in place.

Sincerely,

Teresa Todd

President

Athens-Limestone County

Tourism Association

Carnival a success

Dear Editor:

The Athens Lions Club had a very successful 2015 Kiddie Carnival, and we would like to thank all the kids, parents and grandparents who came out and supported it. We had several record crowds this year even with the high temperatures.

We would not be able to put on the Kiddie Carnival without all the volunteers that help Lions Club members operate the rides, take up tickets, assist with bingo and operate our concessions. In addition to the many individual volunteers, we received help from the Leo’s, Sub Deb Sorority, Pi Beta Sorority, CDPA employees, Athens Rotary Club, Grave Covenant Church, local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. Our thanks to all these groups and volunteers whom helped make another great Kiddie Carnival season possible.

We appreciate The News Courier providing publicity regarding the Kiddie Carnival and helping to keep your readers informed about it. Also a special thanks to Athens Police Department for their assistance. The Athens Lions Club members are proud to be able to operate the Kiddie Carnival for the enjoyment of kids and the community. We greatly appreciate all the support by Athens and surrounding communities.

Sincerely,

Brandon M. Wallace

Athens Lions Club

Great time at Wheeler

Dear Editor:

The Neidert family had an absolutely perfect time during our reunion at Joe Wheeler State Park last month. I heard of no problems with the guest rooms; all were ready on time and clean.

The pool area and grounds were in beautiful shape — in spite of the mayflies we see this time of the year. The pavilion in the day use area provided a spectacular lakeside setting for our Friday evening picnic. The banquet hall was set up for our silent auction exactly as we had requested. And the food served during our Saturday evening banquet in the River Room was fantastic and was served right on time. My kudos go to the head chef and the rest of the kitchen staff.

We met shortly after the banquet for a brief family meeting and overwhelmingly agreed to return to Joe Wheeler in 2018. I heard many compliments over the weekend regarding the facilities and service we received.

In light of the recent talk of state park closures, please note that we had family members in attendance from as far away as Ireland, California and Philadelphia, many of whom would otherwise never visit Alabama and see what all we have to offer in this state. It is imperative that we continue not only to maintain, but to also improve and upgrade these parks for future generations. They bring much needed revenue and more importantly, a positive image to our state.

Thanks to the State Parks staff for all the help with our latest successful reunion. We look forward to working with them again in 2018.

Sincerely,

David Kessler

Madison