All talk, no action on courthouse

On Oct. 25, The Meridian Star Readers Poll asked, “Do you think the former JC Penney Store at Bonita Lakes Mall is a good location to house Lauderdale County Courthouse workers temporarily?” The result: 43% voted “yes” and 57% voted “no.”

I moved back to Meridian in 1990 and, if I remember correctly, the Lauderdale County Courthouse was a project for the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors even back then. And, I can not understand WHY, in the name of everything that True and Holy, hasn’t this project been completed. But, wait, one of the things that I do remember is all the fussing, cussing and the possibility of fist fighting over where, how and when the monies should be spent. However, I can remember this, as it is today, the money being spent for all kinds of specialist and firms for estimated cost of the project. And, also, money being spent out of the “Special Raised Funds,” because of another minor project comes up, that has to be done NOW. So, money, that has been raised for the courthouse remodeling, is used for some project that, in reality, could wait. And, this has been going on for decades.

So, you and I can go back and forth, back and forth, exchanging opinions and suggestions, but that is not going to get the job done. And, with that, I wonder how much longer will it take until the job gets done. And, how much more money will be allocated for this particular job, until it is done.

But, also, I know that it’s going to take a person with backbone to start and finish this job. Oh, I believe that I have hit the problem on the head. For all I can see is that I haven’t seen anyone yet that truly has a backbone to get this job done. All that I have seen is a bunch of wishy-washy individuals who don’t have the know how to get the job done.

So, at this point, I have concluded that this situation is very sad. I do know that this job should not cost the amount that the so-called experts have estimated.

And, in the past, I have offered my services, to no avail. I am a retired Mississippi licensed remodeling contractor, who has done a lot of work all over the surrounding area. And, I can furnish residential and commercial jobs of my past.

Floyd T. Killebrew Jr.

Meridian

Meat industry is scary

I have no fear of goblins, witches, or evil clowns lurking on Halloween. What really scares me is the meat industry.

This is the industry that deprives, mutilates, cages, then butchers billions of cows, pigs, turkeys, chickens – animals who feel joy, affection, sadness and pain, as we do, that exposes undocumented workers to chronic workplace injuries at slave wages, and exploits farmers and ranchers by dictating market prices…

The industry that contributes more to our epidemic of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer than any other, then bullies health authorities to remove warnings from dietary guidelines…

That sanctions world hunger by feeding nutritious corn and soybeans to animals, instead of people…

The industry that generates more water pollution than all other human activities, that spews more greenhouse gases than all transportation, that destroys more wildlife habitats than all other industries.

These are the things that keep me up at night.

Fortunately, my local supermarket offers a rich selection of plant-based meats, milks, cheeses, and ice creams, as well as a colorful display of fresh fruit and veggies. It gives me hope and courage for my future. But I still fear for my friends and neighbors.

Malcolm Williams

 

Meridian