By Staff
The glass is half-full, and getting better
To the editor:
I would like to respond to the editorial by Mr. Herb Stott (The Meridian Star, March 18). I am a downtown merchant and property manager, and I disagree with Mr. Stott's view of downtown. His perception is the old "the glass is half-empty" analogy.
There are many people working diligently to make certain that downtown Meridian has a bright future. Banks, merchants, attorneys, brokerage firms, doctor's offices, residential properties, restaurants, churches and others are proud to call downtown home.
They have spent a great deal of money building and restoring their properties. Thanks to them, the downtown has not been abandoned, and improvements continue to be made. The Riley Foundation, along with local governments, have invested in the future of downtown, and this will serve as an impetus for further growth.
Downtown areas nationwide battle the problem of a changing retail dynamic. Many stores have moved or been displaced by new malls and mega-discounters.
It takes time to rehabilitate properties for new uses like residential units. This is being done all along Front Street, in the Rosenbaum Building, and soon in the Harry Mayer location. As more people move downtown, other businesses will be created to serve them. Sweets &Beans is an example of this, and also the Deli on Fifth.
Mr. Stott's comment that the Union Hotel is empty is inaccurate. The Hotel was renovated some 20 years ago into apartments, and several hundred thousand dollars have been spent to save and remodel the landmark building. The old painted signs on the side of the building have been kept in accordance with the guidelines for buildings with historical designations.
We are continuing to make improvements to the property on a daily basis, and we invite Mr. Stott to come and see the progress we have made.
Since there were obviously inaccuracies in his article, and it was very negative in nature, it should not have been published. People from outside Meridian read these articles, and some of them may be contemplating moving to or investing in Meridian. It does not contribute to the welfare or image of our fair city.
Rick Entrekin
Meridian
Paddling question hides larger issue
To the editor:
To paddle or not to paddle is the question? First off I am neither in favor or against paddling. I do believe however, that in some cases a kid needs his/her seat warmed from time to time.
But a larger issue would be why?
Schools have become a war zone. Kids have no respect for teachers and school administrators allow it. Then, when a teacher needs some administrative support, the first question is, "What did you (the teacher) do to provoke the kid to tell you that?" If the tone of the school is set from the beginning, then paddling would only happen to those students who really need it.
I attended Carver when teachers could still paddle and I can count the times on one hand that the teacher had to resort to paddling. I think it was largely because Mr. Sykes and Mr. Dixon, the administration at the time, set the tone of the school.
For some reason, we in education have lost sight of what the real purpose is. The former vice principal who left Carver, that was his decision and he will have to live with his choices.
The question shouldn't be over paddling or not, it should be over creating an environment of learning and not a mall environment. Kids have gotten out of control and its our (adults) fault!
Cleveland Hayes
Salt Lake City, Utah
We're in a war to the death
To the editor:
Three cheers for the Israelis! That murdering old Muslim cleric has deserved to be blown up for years. Contrast the actions of the brave Israelis to those of the Spanish socialists who capitulated completely to the fanatical Muslim bombers.
Using the words "Spaniards" and "cowards" in the same sentence is a new experience for the world, given their centuries-long military exploits but these socialists in Spain today are no relatives of the Spanish Roman legions, the Spanish knights of the Crusades and the Conquistadors whose fighting ability is legendary.
At least, the Israelis know that we in the civilized world are in a fight for our lives this is a war to the death between us and the Muslim world.
Whether you like it or not, we're in World War III.
Pate M. Miranda
Meridian