Stop infighting and attend to real issues

The July 11 report in The Meridian Star “McAlister, Lindemann spar over chain of command” is the type of behavior and media coverage that dignifies the blatant inattention received by ordinary, tax-paying citizens who fight the good fight for quality of life in their communities.

For example, in Ward 5, there is continued disrespect and hostility from out-of-town, non-community vehicular traffic at the John C. Harris Community Park that blocks neighborhood egress and ingress.

Cronyism and nepotism reeks. And if the city is genuinely concerned about “constant accusations of corruption [hurting] the city’s reputation when economic development is badly needed” then it should start by taking heed of ordinary, tax-paying citizens who deal with daily public nuisances of random gun-fire, casings from automatic weapon discharge, discarded used condoms, stray dogs, violations of no-parking-after-dark signs, vandalism of park property, littering, trespassing on contiguous properties.

Parks and recreation personnel know about it; police dispatch records should reflect the calls. Neighborhood security cameras would fix this foolery.

Yet, all we get is an embarrassing news article about non-consensual tapped telephone conversations by public officials. If it is that egregious, impeach them. The city gets what it deserves. It’s hard, but it’s fair.

Queshaun Sudbury

Meridian

Creating a better future for America

There is a message that we need to write. Words that we dare not say that need to be spoken. Whispers that need to be screamed from the corners of the Earth.

I grew up in Birmingham, Alabama and was raised by the children of the 60s. Witnessing the fight for civil rights and the water blasting of American men and women because of fear of difference, fear of the unknown and the new. A way of life had been brought down generations and become the acceptable terms of existence. A state of denial became rooted into society from within our creation.

When confrontation erupts into violent protests and the blood of a people becomes the acceptable measure of freedom what have we learned? What have we gained? Division tears at our seems and the beauty of humanity becomes violated. Our very creation is denied.

However catastrophic for the present, we begin to learn, to grow, to understand. Through the evils of tyranny my parents learned to teach us of an America without color, without acceptable standards, without race. An America where the beliefs of humanity and freedom outweigh color heritage. A place where a man can create a life for his family with his hands and have neighbors that will protect that family with their blood because it is righteous. Because it is humane. Because we believe in freedom. Because we believe in the future we are creating. Because we believe in the United States of America.

Daniel Gray

Collinsville