August 15, 2004

By Staff
Soap Box Derby a real treat
My family and I and Gayla Carpenter and her family recently returned from the All American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio. Mackenzie Ross won the local stock car derby race and Kendal Carpenter won the local super stock derby race held here in Meridian in June. The National Derby race is a week-long program where the champs are treated like royalty.
There were 483 children from around the world competing in the race this year. Their week at the Soap Box Derby Nationals was an unforgettable experience. Both Mackenzie and Kendal represented Meridian well.
I want to thank Danny Hill of H&H Specialties for everything he did involving the local race and everything he did to send the winners of the local race to Akron. I also would like to thank the Lauderdale County Tourism Bureau and the Meridian Airport Authority for donating items for Mackenzie to take to Akron to promote her hometown.
Danny Hill brought the local Soap Box Derby back to Meridian three years ago. A total of 30 children participated in the local race in June. I would like to encourage everyone to find out more information about the race and get involved. Children and teens age 8 through 17 are eligible to race. It is a great family activity where you and your child build the derby car together. I would also like to encourage local businesses to get involved. It is a wonderful program.
Cindy Ross
Meridian
Public sex at Bonita Lakes disgusting
I just finished watching the Channel 11 news. I was a little concerned over the fact that they made the statement that for years they have had reports of sex going on in public at Bonita Lakes. Why haven't they already done something about it. Then why did they say it would depend on who you are as to what your sentence would be.
That is so much like Butler. It is "who" you know and "what" you know on a person that gets them in trouble. Oh, yeah, and how rich you are. Poor folks haven't got a chance.
Now, what is going to be done about the teens at Bonita Lakes Mall? I drove over to the mall with a friend the other day to do some shopping and we both put our stuff down and left the mall very fast because of the teen-agers acting the way they were. Their pants were hanging down to their knees. How gross and stupid. We laughed at one boy when his pants fell down.
I will not ever go back there because of that.
Belinda Strickland
Butler, Ala.
A tragic loss
Earlier this month, we experienced the tragic loss of our infant son, Logan. Though this is a sad and trying time in our lives, we would like to publicly thank all who prayed for us and have assisted in our recovery:
Dr. Elizabeth Trest and the Labor and Delivery staff at Riley Hospital for their professionalism and kindness throughout; Pastor Malcolm R. Lewis and Northcrest Baptist Church for prayers, visitations and fellowship; Cmdr. Carol E Shivers and all the staff of Naval Technical Training Center for their compassion and helpfulness; the staff at O.C. Barham Funeral Home, particularly Mike Atwood, for their generosity and thoughtfulness; and, all our neighbors and friends who donated their time and prayers. We have been immensely touched by all your sincerity. Please accept our heartfelt appreciation.
Although our time here is limited due to military commitments, Meridian will forever remain dear to our hearts for the rest of our lives.
Robert and Angela Vigg
Meridian
State needs gubernatorial recall
While online searching "gubernatorial recall" to find whether or not Mississippi has a law that supports such a measure, I found that someone had beat me to the punch back in June. Maryann Graczyk, a board member of the Mississippi AFL-CIO, made this statement: "If he (Haley Barbour) isn't going to do the job, then we don't need him as governor."
Apparently, the Mississippi AFL-CIO has deemed Mr. Barbour a not-so-compassionate conservative. I'm inclined to agree with that assessment.
Mississippi's law doesn't support the proposed recall bid, I learned. The Secretary of State's office hastened to point this out in a report, absurdly claiming that it should be no surprise that the union doesn't like Gov. Barbour and his efforts to save Mississippi Medicaid from going broke, because the governor is a Republican and the union almost always supports Democrats. How's that for a partisan statement?
The law may not support a recall at this point, else I suspect one would already be under way. To suggest that it would be an effort based on party preference is fairly ridiculous since most have family members and friends who have been undercut by the governor's proposed cuts. But who is to say that Mr. Barbour's actions haven't inspired our populace to demand a law be mandated allowing for a gubernatorial recall?
I'll sign on the dotted line. Just point the way.
Cynthia Jokela
Meridian
Continue fight against underage drinking
Contrary to public perception, most underage students do not drink. The 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health indicates 82 percent of adolescents ages 12-17 do not drink. According to the 2004 American Freshman Survey, college students who reported drinking beer frequently or occasionally is at its lowest level since record-keeping began in 1966. This is all good news, but we have to continue the fight.
The overwhelming majority of youth cite their parents as the greatest influence on whether or not they drink. Family discussion is the most effective measure to prevent underage drinking.
That's why we at Mitchell Distributing, the local distributor of Anheuser-Busch products, are proud to provide free copies of Family Talk, a guide to help parents talk to their kids about drinking. Preventing underage drinking and other forms of alcohol abuse requires everyone's commitment and we all should work together to be a part of the solution.
For a free copy of Family Talk, call 1-800-359-TALK, or visit www.familytalkonline.com.
Kalen Bosarge
Consumer Awareness &Education Coordinator Mitchell Distributing Meridian