A thank you to Cullman

Two days after Hurricane Katrina ripped through the Gulf Coast, my family and I left our home in Ocean Springs, Miss., and sought more favorable living conditions.

The damage to our home was minimal compared to most; but no water, no sewer and sweltering heat drove us to escape. I watched my 73-year-old mother-in-law wilting as the day’s heat index climbed and, ironically, not a breeze to be felt. It was time to get her out of there. My son, who lost his home in the storm, came with us.

We packed the car, my wife grabbed the phone book, and we hit the road. Where would we go? Would we have enough gasoline to get there? We didn’t know. My wife opened the phonebook to the yellow pages and called a “1-800” number for Best Western. She explained our situation and, Jennifer, the Best Western associate, searched and searched until she found a motel that had vacancies and would accept our dog. “I found you a room in Cullman, Alabama” she said. My wife’s response was “Where in the world is Cullman, Alabama?” We now know that Cullman is somewhere very near Heaven.

From the time we arrived at this wonderful little town, we felt welcomed and safe. The American Red Cross was so very, very helpful and caring. We didn’t want for a thing.

The Red Cross and the local churches worked together to feed us three times a day. Clothing and medical supplies were provided to my son.

Help with filing for disaster assistance was provided. Monetary assistance was provided. We experienced a remarkable outpouring of love and concern from the local people.

One local family “adopted” us and blessed us tremendously; and even provided water and food to take back home to others in need. The motel, where we stayed, went out of their way to make us comfortable and keep us informed of assistance information. We were amazed and touched by the generosity and support we received during our stay.

This letter is meant as a heart-felt “thank-you!” to all who helped us during our time of need. Alabama should be proud of such a great community as Cullman.

And Cullman should be proud of its people, churches and its chapter of the American Red Cross. Special thanks go to: St. Andrews United Methodist Church; Beverly Denson, Director of the Cullman chapter of the American Red Cross; the Vermillion family; Best Western Motel; and all the local churches that provided such wonderful help.

Virgil Dunbar

Ocean Springs, Miss.



Taking away prayer had impact

On Sunday, Nov. 30, you published a letter of great concern from a great-grandmother, Glenice Smith.

One of the ladies in our Sunday School class read this letter to the class. After much discussion and prayer, we decided to share with the Times’ readers that we agree with Mrs. Smith.

We agree that God is always watching over us. We agree that when prayer, and even the mention of God, was taken out of our schools, changes immediately began.

The changes were in the classroom, on the school grounds, on the school buses, at sports events, and even on the streets on the way home from school. Sexual crimes increased, children are killing children with some children killing their family members. I’m not exaggerating, every day in the newspaper and on TV we’re told of these events happening.

Everything is being taught to the children except the Ten Commandments. Some of the children never hear God’s Word.

They are not taught at home and they are not taken to church to hear His Word. We agree with Mrs. Smith that something needs to change and fast.

Our children are the future of this great nation we live in. One day they will be occupying the seats in the Senate and in Congress, and yes, even in the Oval Office.

Not only has prayer been taken out of the schools, but look at our merchants who are not allowing their employees to use the phrase, “Merry Christmas” because Christ is mentioned in the greeting. Some even want to change the lyrics to our Christmas carols. Behind most judges’ desks, in the courtrooms, are the words “In God We Trust.” Do we really trust in God? To say this and actually do it is what we’re going to be judged for one day.

My class of 10 ladies, all faithful Christians, with the majority being grandmothers and great-grandmothers, support the suggestions that Mrs. Smith made about contacting our state representatives, senators and whoever else we need to contact in order to get the great state of Alabama to speak out against what is happening in our schools. If a poll were taken, I promise the majority of Alabamians, especially Cullman County, would vote in favor of prayer in schools.

While it is fresh on your mind, take the time to write our senator and our representative in Montgomery and express your feelings about the prayer in school being removed.

Encourage these elected officials to go even further and encourage the officials in Washington D.C., to make it nationwide. Let’s work together, for our grandchildren’s sake to make a change in our system.

If one person speaking out can get prayer taken out, what would happen if hundreds of thousands spoke for prayer being put back? Let’s get our lifestyles back where they once were and let the world know we love God and thank Him daily for His watch over us and His many blessings. God created us in His image — isn’t it time we begin to act like Him? Speak up, Cullman. Speak up, Alabama. Speak up, America.

Bobbie Burgett

Kingdom Seekers Class of Good Hope



Big quack in Duck Dam plans

About Opera they say “it ain’t over till the fat lady sings.” Well, for the stalled and now knocked completely off the tracks Duck River Dam project, the fat lady hasn’t sung but they can hear her tuning up in the dressing room.

This project, or boondoggle as people are now referring to it has been hit by a couple of major blows.

I know I have commented in this paper before about how the Duck River Dam should not be built. I am now willing to take a stand to say that the Duck River Dam will not be built.

In September of this year during the public comment period, the Corps of Engineers received over 400 individual comments concerning legal and scientific matters.

The Corps has forwarded these to the ones building the dam. This has them stumped, although they have said in this paper for the last 10 years that all the necessary studies have been done.

This is no longer just me beating my head against the wall. Some really smart lawyers and scientists submitted these comments. They know those same questions will go in front of a judge and the last time that happened justice prevailed.

The permit was voided. The Corps seems to be doing the right thing. Joy Earp, project manager said they will not issue a permit until the comments have been addressed.

The other thing. In August of this year, the Cullman County Commission let the dam builders know that they will be “investigating other water sources and will likely not be involved in the Duck River Project.”

They cited the more than 50 million dollar price tag as the reason. Folks, this is the silver bullet, they are out of business. The county accounted for 40 percent of the water they were going sell so they would be paying for 40 percent of the project, yet have no control over its development.

Remember how it used to be that every time the dam builders did anything or had a meeting it made front page news? Why did they not tell this newspaper about the county pulling out? If they are in such a hurry to build the dam, why have they not answered any of the comments as requested by the Corps? Why has the Cullman-Morgan Water District not held a meeting since Nov. 18, 2003? Have they ceased to exist, was that a failure, a bad idea? The City of Cullman Utility Board is the one spending all the money in pursuit of this. Seems like someone should ask some questions. Seems like the Duck Dam plans just won’t hold water.

Steve Masterson

Hayden



Thanks for support of students

On behalf of the Human Services and Behavioral Science Departments at Wallace State Community College, we would like to thank the Cullman community for all of their dedication and support of our students.

With the help of several community leaders, we were able to expand our resources and offer students a wealth of knowledge that could only have been obtained through a cooperative effort.

The following individuals and agencies volunteered their time to empower and engage students in life-long learning by allowing the students to tour their agencies, complete clinical internships, listen to speakers, and perform volunteer work: Warden Bryan Buglar and Sergeant Jerry Teichmiller and all of the individuals at the Cullman County Detention Center; Captain Milton Parrish, Sergeant Randy Frost and the Cullman Drug Unit; Judy Bonds and the teachers and staff at the Alternative School; State Representative Neal Morrison; Jeanne Vinson, Keith Murner, Lisa Maddox, and Lin Maurizi of Mental Health Care of Cullman; Javon Daniel and Sheila Jester of Cullman Caring For Kids; Lynn Bradford and staff of Child Development Center; Cullman County DHR; Brooks Place; The Bridge; Woodland Medical Center Behavior Healthcare Unit; Katrina Gamble of Victims Services; Nancy Jester of Wings Across Alabama and NAMI, and Javier Morales of Project Apprende.

A special thank-you goes to our hard-working community leaders in law enforcement, education, and social service institutions. Again, thank you all for your unselfish and gracious support.

Susan Beck

Susan O’Rear



Thanks for Addison coverage

I wanted to thank all of you at The Cullman Times for your great coverage of the Addison Bulldogs throughout the state playoffs and on winning the State Championship.

Your reporters did an excellent job on all the stories and also took some great pictures for us all to enjoy.

My nephew, Jordan Lee, is a senior there, and by receiving your paper, my family and I are able to remember these great moments forever. Thanks again.

Wendy Smith

Cullman



We must do what needs to be done

Saddam Hussein — how does he compare to Hitler?

Both were ruthless dictators, both envisioned themselves as world rulers. Both started by conquering adjacent countries. Hitler grabbed Poland, France, etc., instilled slave labor and confiscated their assets and so was able to wage a war that cost untold millions of dollars, and millions of lives. In Germany in 1945 at two different times, the man next to me was killed in battle.

Saddam tried to conquer Iran. If we had not stopped him he would have Kuwait. He had his eye on Saudi Arabia.

Should Mr. Bush have gone to Saddam and said, “Please be nice as Chamberlain did in dealing with Hitler”? Does that work with a bully in public schools or world politics? No, never!

You stop a bully before he beats you into the ground and you become helpless. If Saddam had all the oil locked up, our planes would not fly, our tanks could not roll. Our workers could not even drive to munitions factories. So when you see what must be done, do it and quit belly aching. Remember 9-11, whether you remember the Alamo or not.

William L. Hollis

Cullman



Please keep troops in prayers

Please keep our troops in your prayers.

I remember a Christmas I spent in Saudi Arabia. As a Christian I was not allowed to legally practice my religion. That meant no church, no decorations and no Christmas as I knew it at home. Our military personnel are serving under very difficult circumstances. The stress of war is not easily explained. Our troops are mostly young and away from their families for the first time. Many are teenagers finding themselves in the middle of combat.

Keep their loneliness and fear in your mind as you pray for all of those who will be especially challenged to remember the joy of the season. Merry Christmas.

Nancy Thornton

Cullman