Letters
Many thanks for United Way's success
I don't know if I've ever witnessed a true miracle, but I certainly experienced Divine guidance and intervention as we have worked to complete our United Way Capital Campaign for 2005-06 to fund the operating budgets of our 14 agencies for 2006.
I've always been taught that good things can come from bad times. It is during such bad times that we discover our true character, and as a former football coach of mine used to say, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going."
Such was the case as we reassessed the United Way Capital Campaign and the increased needs of our 14 agencies after Hurricane Katrina struck our great state. While it would have been easy to have reduced our goal, it was prayerful consideration that pointed your United Way board toward a larger goal of $800,000. As you know, we announced on Thursday, Feb. 3, that we have reached that goal.
This goal was reached because of the caring nature and generosity of the people, businesses and industry of East Mississippi and West Alabama. From the hearts of the United Way staff, board of directors and United Way agencies, we thank you!
It should also be noted that the cooperation and efforts of our local media was a tremendous help to us. Many thanks to Steve Stewart, Steve Gillespie, Ida Brown, Stewart Smith and The Meridian Star for your help and generosity. Thanks also to Tim Walker and John Johnson of WTOK-TV, particularly for allowing us to hold "a town meeting" on the air; Susan Ross of WGBC and WMDN-TV; Art and Al at 103.3; Van Mack and The Radio People; Ron Harper and Clear Channel Broadcasting; and Bill Smith and "Dumpster Dog" at WMOX. I believe the efforts of the media during this United Way campaign to be unprecedented, and we couldn't have done it without you.
Special thanks must be given to David Buckner and Mississippi Power Co. for allowing Brian Finnegan, our campaign chairman, the latitude to focus on the campaign when the immediate needs of Hurricane Katrina loomed large. Also, the United Way directors, volunteers and directors of our 14 agencies stepped up and worked tirelessly as part of our campaign team. Tony Pompelia, Tony Boutwell, Connie Agent and Brandon Thomas of Leading Edges donated so much of their time and talent in producing public service announcements in order to get our word out. The United Way staff — Thad Quarles, Janie Brown, Karen Buie and Jennifer McCraw — gave it their all and then some. And I personally thank my wife, Valarie, and my associates at Community Bank — Jeff McCoy, Bob Huff and Shaun Eubanks — for allowing me the time to focus on what had to be done.
Again, while "thank you" doesn't seem adequate, it is all that I know to say to all of the good people of East Mississippi and West Alabama. This year's campaign in the wake of Hurricane Katrina shows us what can be done when we all work together. God bless all of you.
Bubba Hampton
2005-06 Board Chair
United Way of East Mississippi
Meridian
- Letters
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March is IDD Month
In celebration of March as Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Month, I would like to take this opportunity to encourage all Mississippians to learn more about individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. -
How many nations are we?
I'm a student at Northwest Middle School and I was ecstatic when entering the auditorium for the black history program and they announced that we would be singing the national anthem. -
Appalled at recent column
I am appalled that Mr. Ziemba presumes to “air what the rest of us are thinking” about the US figure skaters at the Olympics, and to use that athletic event to promulgate inaccuracies and distortions.
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Real men wear purses
I went to high school in New York with a friend who spent time in the United States Marines infantry during the Vietnam war. He now wears a "man purse" with a 38 special hand gun in it for protection. He needs this because he worked in law enforcement after Vietnam and developed some serious enemies. He likes to call it a "man bag." After he read Lieutenant Colonel Ziemba's February 21 article entitled "The Man Purse," he recalled that Lieutenant Colonel Ziemba said that he had spent his entire life around "real men." My friend responded that while Lieutenant Colonel Ziemba had spent his entire life around "real men," my friend had spent his entire life around "real women!" Don't you just love it! -
I saw something quite different
This letter is in response to Craig Ziemba's column ("The man purse," Feb. 21, 2010). Mr. Ziemba, I'm so sorry that while watching the men's figure skating at the Olympic games, you saw only pink tassels, feathered gloves and suggestive movements. I saw beautiful COSTUMED performances. You also seemed to miss the strength, stamina, grace, artistry and hard work for years that went into those performances. As to men crying after a performance, I've seen football players cry after a game.
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Not what founders intended
Party politics: Business as usual in Washington, and the capitals of all 50 states, but it was not how the Founding Fathers envisioned the government being run. In fact, the premier Founding Father, George Washington, railed against the spirit of party that has so polarized the country. Party politics is dividing America against itself, convinces Americans to follow their party leaders like sheep, and marginalize any dissenters who would draw ideas from both sides. -
Community programs promote youth development
I was recently asked to serve as a facilitator with the Mississippi State Southern Rural Development Center to discuss how to Turn the Tide on Poverty; Creating Vibrant Communities Together.
- The children are the ones who suffer
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Say 'no' to parole
In March of 1991, Harold Hayes brutally murdered, here in Meridian, my Mother-In-Law, Vivian Powell, who was 83 at the time and barely weighed 100lbs.
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Letters to the Editor, Jan. 31, 2010
A year ago President-elect Obama asked us to envision a better world. And, he asked us to envision a better tomorrow. The, he asked for grassroot campaigns to better this nation and this world.
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March is IDD Month
