Archives
 By  Staff Reports Published 
10:59 pm Saturday, January 5, 2002

Friday, Jan. 4, 2002

By Staff
Litter, vandalism mar mall parking lot
To the Editor:
Will our new mall survive or will it come a carbon copy of the Village Fair Mall?
On Thursday, Dec. 26, 2001, I went to the movies with my daughter and granddaughter. It was the 8 p.m. movie and didn't let out until around 11 p.m.
I parked out towards the streets so I would have less chance of getting doors dented and even backed out of the parking space after pulling in the first time just to even the space on each side of my car.
After the movie, we walked towards my car which was sitting almost alone at the top of the hill. Almost alone except for the beer cans, bottles and broken glass. My daughter went around the car to the passenger side and immediately said, "Oh, mother, someone has hit your car door." The next thing I heard was, "Oh, my Lord, they have run all over the side of your car."
We went to notify mall security who called the police department. When the officer arrived, he pointed out to us the footprints where all of the dents were and said that he was writing his report up as vandalism, not hit and run. (These footprints are costing my insurance company $2,200.)
Security at the mall heard and saw nothing. I have an alarm on my car which is always set. I called for the manager of the mall on Friday and was told that they had an acting manager until the new manager arrived next week. They assured me that the acting manager would call me. I was not expecting anything from him except maybe an "I'm sorry it happened," or "We will try to patrol the trouble spots around the mall more frequently."
I never received that call or any call from the security department or manager at the mall.
You don't see all of the beer cans and bottles around other areas of the mall, only by the entrance to the food court and theater. Even a grandmother can spot troubled areas  it doesn't take a security guard or policeman to find them.
If our mall is going to survive and not be another bunch of dark, empty stores, of which we now have plenty, someone had better take more interest in what is going on around them than they are now.
Who knows … maybe Hudson's is looking for a second location.
Janet Booker
Meridian
City's emergency personnel deserve increase in pay
To the Editor:
To the firefighters of Meridian:
I understand that our leaders deserve raises, and should receive proper compensation for their work. Our Emergency Service leaders do deserve such incentives for dealing with the everyday stresses of their jobs. With that said, I would like to emphasize the importance of the men and women that carry out the day to day tasks that are handed down from our government leaders.
The City of Meridian's firefighters and the other emergency personnel do not receive the monetary value equal to their service. Mayor John Robert Smith should give all emergency personnel a raise in pay that could curb the cost of inflation.
We really need to ask ourselves why is it that the people we need the most we pay the least. Every official is entitled to make mistakes and our mayor should realize this as one that needs correcting.
Charles Graham
via e-mail
New residential project a real economic boost
To the Editor:
Congratulations, Mr. Mayor. Your efforts in landing the $35 million dollar project with the Cooper Land company are outstanding.
Not only will Meridian get a new professionally designed golf course, but the development of the Lakeview property will do many things for the city of Meridian. Not only will this create a number of construction jobs, but it will also bring in a lot of money in taxes on property which has never been on the tax rolls.
In addition, the influx of new retirees and individuals coming to the city will also have a great bearing on the hotels, motels, restaurants, etc. This is a win-win situation for the city and I personally congratulate you on your efforts to get the project for the city of Meridian.
Jim Knowles
President, Lakeview Seniors
Golf Association
Meridian

Also on Franklin County Times
County school board adopts $52M budget
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 17, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE Franklin County Schools has adopted a $52 million budget for fiscal year 2026, reflecting a $2.5 million increase over last year. The bud...
Judge denies YO status for Phinizee
Main, News, Z - News Main
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
September 17, 2025
FLORENCE — Youthful offender status was denied Tuesday for a 17-year-old charged with the death of a 13-yearold during what authorities said was a rob...
RCS passes $43.3M budget
Main, News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 17, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE -- The city school board has approved a $43.3 million budget for the 2025-26 school year. Chief Financial Officer Lisa Witt said revenues...
Program tackles stress of caregiver burnout
News, Records, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 17, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE -- Many people deal with caregiver burnout. Kids and Kin childcare partner Marquita Wilson presented a program at the Russellville Public...
Flavil Wayne McCaig
Obituaries
September 17, 2025
Flavil Wayne McCaig Sept. 12, 2025   Flavil Wayne McCaig, 82, of Russellville, passed away Sept. 12 at his residence. He was born March 3, 1943, to Au...
Cultura Garden Club begins its year with roses and plans for fall
Columnists, News, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
September 17, 2025
The Cultura Garden Club held its first meeting of the year. President Cheri McCain presided. She provided information on projects and programs for the...
We can’t afford to lose electric vehicle industry
Columnists, Opinion
September 17, 2025
In Alabama, we understand what it means to build things that matter. We’ve long been home to builders and winners – our steel won wars and built the s...
Firefighters, cadets honor 9/11 with stair climbs
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 17, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE – Firefighters and RHS JROTC cadets participated in a stair climb in recognition of the 24th anniversary of 9-11. Sgt. Grant Tarascou and...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *