Dear Editor:

This letter is written in response to the articles in Sunday’s paper with the Editorial Board and the “Concerned Citizens of Meridian.”

I am appalled this group would attempt to stop this major step in improving our public schools in Meridian. They have demanded a meeting with the Superintendent and the School Board. When they were given answers to their concerns, they did not want to hear what Mrs. Autry had to say nor did they believe the information she gave them.

Mr. Jennings says he has “an ax to grind and it’s about the ignorance of the people in the city of Meridian.” I strongly object to that remark, Mr. Jennings. Does the fact that you have “an ax to grind” have anything to do with the fact that the city is trying to recover

monies that you were given to spend for a project and have now been required to pay back? Does this have anything to do with programs you were paid to do, both by the city and the schools, but never accomplished? Did you ever live up to the contract with both these entities? Now, just when it seems this community is about to make strides in our racial issues, you come into town making accusations, i.e., the School Board is “trying to turn this into a racial issue.”

Rev. Thompson, you said you are going to file a lawsuit, and as a minister, you should know what the Bible says about this. However, according to you, “they have had enough time to come to the table and work this out.” Then you go on to say, “our children deserve to have role models.” What kind of role model are you Rev. Thompson? Are the children seeing a man of godliness or one filled with animosity and bitterness? On one hand you talk about being in favor of the School Bond, but then you contradict yourself by saying you are going “to put a stop to any activity that relates to the spending of this money.” Then we are told that we have to understand that it’s not about them or us, it’s about the children. If this were not such a serious matter, that statement could border on being funny.

I would be interested in knowing the real motivation behind this proposed frivolous lawsuit. I am left to wonder if one of the reasons

is because you did not get the results you wanted in a more racially balanced teaching force. Is this group looking for quality or just quantity? But, with this action it seems to me that you are holding the children of Meridian hostage and blackmailing the School Board to have your way. How sad that supposedly grown, educated men would stoop to these kinds of tactics.

Now I would say to you Mr. Markham, how grieved I am that a man of your caliber would be a party to such a repugnant action as this. There are other recourses available to you for pursuing a resolution to your concerns. For you to become part of this action by a small group of unhappy, disgruntled men that would hold our children’s education “hostage” for their own personal gain, does not reflect well upon your character.

If this lawsuit is filed, and the spending of the bond money is stopped, it will truly be a dark day for this community. Everyone will

suffer from it.



Violet T. McBride

Meridian