By Staff
Politicians should give up some perks
To the editor:
For weeks, I have sadly read the comments of the desk jockey politicians trying to justify why they cannot give our firefighters, police and lower scale workers a deserved pay raise.
I'll bet if it was a pet project where political hay could be made they would find a way. Most particularly, those who seek every photo-op.
This horrible tragedy in our country should awaken them. Who do we call on when a life threatening need arises. Fireman, police and lower scale workers, that's who.
We have seen heroism the likes of which should give us pause as regards the proper reward to those consistently go in harm's way to protect us. To those who deny them, I say, "get with it." Wake up. Give up some of your perks.
Maj. Dave Tunno
USAF, Ret.
Meridian
Insurance a good idea
To the Editor:
On May 9 of this year, I was involved in an automobile accident with an uninsured motorist. Not only did she not have insurance,she did not have a valid driver's license. She was at fault (she pulled out in front of me). She was only fined for not having a valid license. The highway patrolman from Meridian did not issue a ticket for no insurance. Why? I do not know. The Meridian Highway Patrol office could not tell me and the investigating officer did not return my calls.
My car was totaled and I was left with several broken bones in my right foot that had to be surgically repaired with screws. The other driver is still driving with no insurance and no license.
Is it not the law that all drivers be licensed and insured? I work hard and pay my insurance so I will be protected. It is becoming increasingly apparent that law enforcement officers are not enforcing the laws. But, on the other hand, should we have to be forced by law to protect ourselves? Insurance is not that expensive and it only takes a slip of the foot or a careless second to cause an accident that could cost you the rest of your life.
Protect yourself  be insured.
Bonnie Wells
Philadelphia
Roaming dogs a real danger
To the Editor:
My kids were playing in our front yard on Gene Carr Road when two large dogs came into our yard and attacked our dog, a white Pomeranian/Spitz. By the time I got to our little dog, after hearing the horrible screams of my children, I was able to be with him before he took his last breath.
I then went to find out who these "animals" belonged to. When I was walking down the road to their house on Rob Sims Road, I saw the dogs and one of them came toward me. I slowly started to walk away and the dogs started coming after me.
We then returned in a vehicle and when a woman came out, I asked her whose dogs these were and she said they were hers. I told her what they had done. She then told me she was sorry but they were doing the best they could to keep them put up. I think if it had been me, I would have been a little more upset at the fact that my two dogs had viciously killed a little dog in front of the children who owned it.
When we were leaving the yard, these animals were biting at the vehicle. I looked up and there was a "Beware of Dog" sign on a tree. In my opinion, if you put up a sign like this, you are pretty sure the dogs will bite. So, wouldn't you be concerned if those dogs were running loose and going in other people's yards where their children live and play?
The half-hearted apology will not bring Rascal back to us, but the concern now is for the children who live around here. What if that had been one of my children or one of yours?
Residents of Lauderdale County and supervisors, we have got to have some kind of law in the county not only to help control the enormous animal problem and the ignorance of people not having their dogs spayed or neutered, but also something has got to be done about all these animals roaming around.
And, please, if you have dogs that you know are capable of such an awful thing, go to whatever extent is necessary to keep those dogs away from other people's pets and children.
For those of you who don't think there is a problem with dogs in Lauderdale County, I invite you to drive down Rob Sims Road and Gene Carr Road and count how many dogs you see roaming around.
Meridian