March 21, 2004

By Staff
What's the deal
with Meridian streets?
To the editor:
Wake up, Meridian, and smell the asphalt. What is the deal with the streets in Meridian? I assume that Mayor John Robert Smith does not have to travel these wagon trails. Where is the $6 million that was borrowed last year for the road projects? I'll tell you. Putting Meridian in larger debt at 3.76 percent interest rate. You do the math. It seems none of your fearless leaders will.
I urge you in 2005 to vote for a change in Meridian or you will continue to watch Meridian waste away.
Tony Reynolds
Quitman
There's value to N.Y. trip
To the editor:
Having read the criticism of the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors for making the New York trip and having had the experience of more than 40 years of public bond issues, I know the value of going to New York and meeting face to face with the bond attorney, underwriters and rating committees. I know this trip is no vacation.
I.A. Rosenbaum
Meridian
USM alum laments
current controversy
To the editor:
As a former USM student from the 1980's, I have closely followed the series of controversies that has transpired during the administration of Dr. Shelby Thames, seemingly from the day he took office. These events have brought back so many memories of USM, student life, the campus and the faculty that it seems as if I were a student again, despite the years that have gone by.
I remember when Dr. Thames was the well-respected leader of the Polymer Science Department, a pioneer in his field who helped to bring USM nationwide recognition. I feel deeply saddened that the institution which I remember so fondly could be brought to such an ugly impasse.
It seems to me that, no matter what series of events come to pass in the resolution of this conflict, no matter who is deemed "right" or "wrong," no matter what the eventual truth of all of the allegations is, the credibility and reputation of the University of Southern Mississippi has been heavily damaged for a long time to come.
As I understand it, there are some 100 odd faculty positions that are currently unfilled. I have to wonder how many well-educated, professional scholars, researchers and scientists would now consider applying for a position at USM. I have to wonder if some of those who have applied are now thinking of withdrawing those applications. I wonder how many of the current faculty, both tenured and non-tenured, will be back for the next semester or the next school year.
For most people, perception is reality. Whether true or not, our school administration now has a reputation for dictatorial decision-making and vengeful retribution against those who oppose it and, as more time passes, this perception only seems to be spreading throughout the state and region.
I have to wonder exactly how long it will take to repair the damage that has already been done. Perhaps a survey of the current faculty and students should be taken, asking them if they intend to stay with the university and, if so, for how long. I think that it would prove very interesting to see the results of such a poll.
Thomas W. Gouchie
Toomsuba
New friends
To the editor:
Meridian, Mississippi, was to be an overnight stop for us on our way to Atlanta. But, when we broke a hub flange on our 1986 Vixen Motorhome it became 10 days of true Southern hospitality. In a test of faith, Robert was our guardian angel though his towing us on the night of Feb. 19 down Springhill Road to Harrison and Son Performance Collision and Automotive Center.
He along with Randy and Joel Harrison, Jason, Ken, Jonathan and all the crew are testaments of Good Samaritans. There were many others who came to our aid Joy and Joyce at the UPS Store for our e-mail connection, the welder/machinists at Red Pylate, and especially Dan at Denton Hydraulics, who allowed us to work with him to create a part not currently available.
We saw much of your city in our search for the things we needed, but it will be the warmth and generosity of your people that we will remember. We will surely be sharing the word with other fellow travelers to stop in Meridian. If they need help they'll get it, if they want history they'll find it, and if they need a friend they'll have it.
Thank you one and all.
Jack Taylor and Linda Hinde
Bremerton, Wash.
Nothing fair
about free trade
To the editor:
We can all agree that the loss of approximately three million jobs in the U.S.A. can be attributed to Bill Clinton's NAFTA and to the free trade efforts of our president, George W. Bush. Mr. Bush claims that tax cuts will create jobs. Under normal circumstances he is right, but, we are not operating under normal circumstances.
Tax cuts will not restore the jobs that have been lost as a result of NAFTA and free trade unless our representatives in Washington pass legislation to level the playing field. The jobs that left the U.S.A. and went to Mexico, China, India, Bangladesh and other countries are lost until the playing field is leveled.
Businesses in the U.S.A. have expensive government programs to contend with programs that those operating in foreign countries do not have. A few of these: OSHA, EPA, FICA, Medicare, unemployment tax, Workers' Compensation, minimum wage, I.F.T.A., apportioned tags, heavy truck taxes, use saxes, sales taxes, and ad valorem taxes.
Our representatives in Washington need to pass legislation immediately to repeal NAFTA and place in effect tariffs to offset the free trade effort of those countries like China that are flooding our country with merchandise produced by workers who receive one dollar per day for their services.
Those representatives who don't see fit to take immediate action to correct the loss of American jobs should be voted out of office in the next election.
We, the individual consumer, can let our retail merchants know that we want them to sell American made products. Wal-Mart used to claim that they sold American made products. When you visit Wal-Mart or Sam's Club today you find very few products made in the U.S.A.
To counter the Wal-Mart situation we need to shop around until we find an American made product to serve our needs. Leave the foreign made products sitting on the Wal-Mart shelves and maybe they will see the wisdom of stocking and selling products made in the U.S.A.
Charles F. Clark Sr.
Shubuta