Editor’s note: The Letters to the Editor have been updated to correct a factual error in Jack Hall’s letter pertaining to a bond issue approved in February by the Athens City Council. 

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. The deadline for letters is Thursday at noon.

Vote for Persell

Dear Editor:

I urge the voters of Limestone County seriously to consider Terry Persell because of his character, leadership experience and common sense.

His sterling character is well known to the people of the county. It will serve as the foundation of his approachability and reasonableness and his fair and friendly treatment of all persons coming to his office. He will apply the law equally to all people.

Terry has learned leadership from his supervisory role on the job over twelve years. He will be able to lead his team of workers to efficiency and effectiveness in the license commissioner’s office.

Common sense will characterize his service. His experience and his maturity form the basis of his common sense.

Limestone County needs the kind of common sense, leadership, and character which Terry will offer. Be sure to go to the polls on July 17 to cast your vote for this kind of leader.

Sincerely,

Bobby Graham

Athens

Vote for Cannon

Dear Editor:

I would like to encourage everyone to get out and vote Joseph Cannon for Limestone County License Commissioner in this Tuesday’s runoff election.

Joseph earned my support early on in his campaign because I looked at his qualifications for the position of License Commissioner and compared them to the other candidates. He is clearly the most qualified.

Over the last many months I have spent a large amount of time with Joseph, out on the campaign trail, where he has continued to amaze me with both his work ethic and his class. The time he spends on maintaining his campaign signs alone is an example of how much attention to detail that boy possesses.

Another observation I continue to have is his desire to listen. I have been around campaigning for a whole lot of years and Joseph’s appreciation of people is as sincere as anyone I’ve ever seen. It’s not about working the crowd and going to the next big event to Joseph, but more about being candid with the person in front of him. I know that’s what I will want if I need to see my License Commissioner.

Joseph has stated numerous times that his generation needs to get more involved in our government, and he has done a great job convincing me that it can be done. He was elected to the Athens City Council in 2012 and then re-elected in 2016. He has served as president of the Athens City Council, as well.

What sets him apart is that he has consistently served as a conservative, Christian voice while working a full time job in the private sector and raising two fine children alongside his wife, Alisha. He is the first to acknowledge that he is blessed beyond measure, and the first to hold himself accountable for how he reciprocates those blessings.

When Joseph first set out on this journey, I told him to run his own campaign, not worry about what his competition was saying or doing, and definitely do not respond. That’s exactly the kind of class he has shown the whole way through and it almost gained him the outright victory in the primary.

This position must have a proven, hardworking leader, and Joseph Cannon has earned our approval. Please take nothing for granted in this Tuesday’s runoff, as Joseph needs and appreciates every single one of our votes.

Sincerely,

Paul Hargrove

Athens

An election of importance

Dear Editor:

Some people are not interested in the July 17 runoff election for license commissioner, but it might matter more than you think.

All levels of government are overspending. The city of Athens is no exception with its $85 million-plus debt. Yes, bonds are debt, despite the way some government leaders talk. City leaders, would also point out their debt includes the city school system, as if somehow it is completely independent. However, the City Council is in charge of funding it.

Remember the 12-mil property tax proposed and pushed by an unanimous City Council? City leaders would say it is no surprise the city had to approve a $54 million-plus bond issue for the new high school because the people voted down the tax increase. It is not a tax problem, but rather a spending problem.

The new City Hall, the superintendent’s building and the newly purchased Pilgrims Pride property are only the latest in a string of property purchases around the city.

In February, the City Council voted 5-0 for a not less than $12 million bond issue to build a new Recreation Center. No, this is not a tax problem, but a spending issue. Just about every level of government is searching for ways to raise taxes. At the city level, the Athens Council unanimously passed an electrical rate increase this last January. The state wants to pass taxes everywhere, including a gas tax, but state spending is higher than ever. We have a management problem.

How does all this tie in with the Limestone County License Commission? A candidate for the office is currently a city councilman who voted for all of this debt and the bond issues, and the tax increases, including the 12-mil property tax increase. Some people will say he can’t raise taxes as License Commissioner, but he will handle the budget and his record shows he will most likely request more money every year from the general fund, which leads to more debt and ultimately more taxes.

I believe our leaders are well intentioned, but they believe they know how to manage your money better than you. In their opinion, it is government’s job to grow bigger because somehow bigger, fancier buildings, more intrusive zoning laws, more corporate welfare, more administrators, etc. are the answer to the issues we face. The only problem is we know from history, bigger government always ends badly.

Sincerely,

Jack Hall

Athens

Vote for Dial

Dear Editor:

Alabama’s economy is growing…but it can do so much more. The key is having the right leadership in all elected positions, people who have vision.

So far, Governor Kay Ivey has shown she has what it takes to make important changes and place our state in a position to win.

Did you know agriculture and forestry together are the biggest industry in Alabama? They contribute $70 billion each year toward the economy. Nearly 9 million acres and 600,000 Alabamians are involved in this huge business that benefits us all.

I would know; I was Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries several years back. During that time, we put Alabama’s top asset at the forefront of economic development.

John McMillian, our current commissioner who is term-limited and running for Treasurer, has done a good job, and now Alabama is at another crossroads. We need the next Ag Commissioner to find new and more ways to grow our state.

Gerald Dial is just that person. He and I served together in the State Senate, and his Christian values and new ideas are exactly what Alabama needs right now. The key to making government work for the people is to have someone who can’t be bought but also knows how government works. Gerald Dial fits the bill, and I trust him explicitly.

Just recently Gerald Dial created a solution to a massive problem in our state – the opioid crisis. This pandemic is killing thousands of our citizens each year. Instead of sitting back and think it isn’t his problem, Gerald Dial petitioned the drug manufacturer of Narcan, an injection that can same someone experiencing an opioid overdose.

The result is 1,744 free doses of an overdose-reversing drug to Alabama’s volunteer rescue squads to combat the opioid crisis. That $4 million donation to our rural first responders equates to nearly 2,000 lives that will be saved.

I could go on and on about Gerald Dial because he’s such a wonderful friend and effective public servant, but what I want to ask you is to support Gerald Dial in the July 17th Republican Primary Runoff for Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries.

The powerful special interest groups in Montgomery don’t want Gerald elected, because they are scared he won’t take marching order like their preferred candidate. I don’t know about you, but that’s all I need to know about Gerald Dial – the powerbrokers don’t want him, so I do!

Sincerely,

Charles Bishop,

former Commissioner of Agriculture & Industries

Standing ovation cheapened

Dear Editor:

Society has given away something precious, and there is nothing yet to replace it. We have so diluted it through the leveling of political correctness and so cheapened it through overuse that it has lost its meaning, leaving a void. What am I mourning? The loss of the once-incomparable honor of a standing ovation.

Once upon a time, a standing ovation was reserved for that which was so touching, so breathtaking that a hearty round of applause simply wasn’t enough. It was reserved for a performance or person that touched the soul of the audience. A performance was given, and the applause began and swelled.

Finally, as it became apparent to all that applause simply could not convey the depth of their emotion and appreciation, a standing ovation would begin. First, one person slowly stood, then another, and another, until all were on their feet, the applause thunderous, tears in their eyes, honoring greatness together. The emotion of the ovation became part of the whole experience

Today, everyone gets a standing ovation, from one for a kindergarten skit to one for the person who brings an unexpected box of doughnuts to the office. Standing ovations are not only given without regard to perfection, they’ve become expected, are tacked onto any and all presentations.

What’s left to honor that perfect piece of music, that perfect dance, that stunning piece of art, that person who touched the lives of so many? What are we to do now?

Sincerely,

Susan N. Junkins

Athens