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.

A word of thanks

Dear Editor:

As president of the Lincoln-Bridgeforth Park Advisory Board, I can honestly say this year’s Christmas Tree Lighting touched my heart the most.

Being able to continue the tradition of hosting this holiday event meant the world to myself and the rest of our board. Giving each child that attends a new toy and a chance to win a new bike has always been our main focus from day one.

From the bottom of our hearts, the LBP board would like to thank the following sponsors, contributors, and volunteers:

• Abernathy’s Monogramming

• Antioch CPCA

• Alabama A&M/Auburn Extension 4-H Division (Lisa Towe)

• Arby’s

• Athens Athletics

• Athens Garden Garden

• Athens-Limestone Hospital

• City of Athens and Mayor Ronnie Marks

• Athens Cemetery, Parks, & Recreation Department

• Athens Fire Department

• Athens Police Department

• Athens Councilman Frank Travis

• Cash Express

• Cinemagic

• CVS

• Fannie Rainey

• Elkmont CPCA

• Hometown Grocery

• H&R Block

• Jack’s

• Lowes

• Morell Engineering

• Oak Grove Methodist

• Peoples Funeral Home

• Pepsi

• Redstone Federal Credit Union

• Royal Funeral Home

• Shoney’s

• Snap-On Tools

• Staples

• Walgreens

• Wal-Mart

• WZDX Fox 54

It has been a true joy to have the tree lighting at Lincoln-Bridgeforth Park. We look forward to serving the Athens Community again next Christmas.

Sincerely,

Robbin N. Hines,

President

Lincoln-Bridgeforth Park Advisory Board

Issues with gun speak

Dear Editor:

Apologies to those who read the article on fundraising for Mary Beth Gilliam and “assault weapons” in the same article. I was surprised at that coldness in an article that should have encouraged support for a meaningful cause.

“Assault weapons” are illegal to own and sell in the U.S.A. “AR” stands for “Armalite,” the company that designed that rifle frame. It does not stand for assault rifle.

An assault rifle must be capable of automatic fire. The AR-15, whether made by Smith & Wesson, Armalite, Ruger or 15 other companies is not capable of automatic fire. So whether the AR-15 is a .22-caliber or a 223, it is a legal firearm to own, so feel free to participate in the fundraiser.

I almost did not give to a good cause because of the demonizing of it by using the term “assault rifle.” An M-16 is an assault rifle, but you and I cannot buy it or own it. If you or I did acquire one, a prison term would come with it. The seller would go to prison also.

Mr. Smith, please look up the Armalite Company to see that I am correct. The term “AR” has become a misnomer.

Sincerely,

Malcom R. Sams

Athens

Prisoner wants special privileges

Editor’s note: The following letter was received with a Post-It note request: “Please print this in the newspaper for us.”

Dear Editor:

I have a form of lyncanthropy, which causes me to think that I am a wolf. My thoughts, dreams and feelings are focused on me being a wolf.

The best time of the month is when there’s a full moon. Since the federal officials from the P.R.E.A (Prison Rape Elimination Act) visited all Alabama prisons, they ordered Department of Corrections officials to make special accommodation for all transgender inmates by giving them a single cell, a special shower curtain and other privileges such as medical care.

We inmates who are trans-species want recognition and special privileges, too. I want a medical profile that allows me to stay outside at night on a full moon. I have many half-brothers and sisters in the Wolf Creek Management Area near Jasper who want me to have a three-day furlough to run in the woods with them.

Shots of wolf DNA may be an option to help in some further species transition.

Sincerely,

Brandon K. Glass

Inmate No. 285818

Limestone Correctional Facility

Delay endangered species declaration

Dear Editor:

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed to list the Black Warrior waterdog (Necturus alabamensis) as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. The FWS has also proposed designation of 669 river miles in Alabama as critical habitat for the Black Warrior waterdog.

If implemented as proposed, this listing and designation will impact the Alabama economy. Ongoing and future economic development, road and bridge improvements, and agricultural interests in the area of designation will be subject to a more complex permitting process that will significantly increase costs, and could prohibit consideration by development prospects that would bring needed jobs to the state.

On average, 20 million tons of commerce is transported annually on the Black Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway system, a vital component of our nation’s 12,000 mile inland waterways transportation network. Commercial navigation on the BWT significantly reduces shipper costs, providing the region with a competitive advantage in industrial recruitment and retention.

A waterdog listing and critical habitat designation could possibly impact U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ system management activities, including channel maintenance dredging in areas that would threaten segments of the crucial transportation system with closure.

Acknowledging the potentially adverse results of this proposed listing and designation on agriculture, transportation, businesses and industries, and jobs in Alabama, Gov. Robert Bentley should consider requesting an FWS delay in their final determination until President-elect Trump’s Administration can review and consider the economic impact on the BWT region, the state of Alabama and to our nation.

Sincerely,

Cline Jones

Athens

Encouraged by Gore meeting

Editor’s note: The following letter is in response to a story posted to The News Courier’s website previewing a meeting between Al Gore and Ivanka Trump.

Dear Editor:

Let’s hope that President-Elect Donald Trump, despite meeting with former Vice President Al Gore and his daughter Ivanka, will continue to follow a realistic approach to climate change and keep his promise to withdraw America from the Paris Agreement.

To increase the chances of this happening, Trump must make full use of reports such as those of the Nongovernmental International Panel on Climate Change. The NIPCC cites hundreds of research papers published in leading science journals, demonstrating that today’s climate change is nothing to fear.

In particular, the NIPCC concluded that “neither the rate nor magnitude of the reported late twentieth century surface warming (1979–2000) lays outside normal natural variability, nor was it in any way unusual compared to earlier episodes in Earth’s climatic history.”

Trump’s desire to focus on protecting clean air and clean water instead of hypothetical future climate change, makes sense and is an approach people from across the political spectrum should support.

Sincerely,

Tom Harris, B. Eng., M. Eng. (Mech.)

Executive Director

International Climate Science Coalition (ICSC)

Ottawa, Ontario

Canada

Just checking in

Dear Editor:

I have moved to Hueytown. I am getting settled and still have some unpacking to do in my new residence, which is 45 percent of the size of my former Athens house. I am also trying to familiarize myself to the new area, doctors, Wal-Mart, pharmacy, etc. The adjustment is difficult as a widower.

I would love to hear from people in Athens at my new address: 152 21st St., Hueytown, AL 35023, or at 1-205-436-8143.

Everyone have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and continued good health.

Sincerely,

Quentin D. Anderson

Hueytown