Published: October 10, 2007 08:58 pm            

Letters to the Editor

Following conscience

This is in response to your editorial appearing in The Times edition of Sunday, Sept. 30, 2007. This letter speaks only for myself and for no other person.

I recently became aware of some anonymous posts on the Internet threatening the Mayor and members of the Hanceville’s City Council. Of primary concern was one featuring a color picture of the Four Horse- men of the Apocalypse, black-hooded, faceless riders stating: “And I saw, and behold, a pale horse, and its rider’s name was death, and hell followed him.” “Beware, evildoers, the Horsemen are drawing nigh.”

Another anonymous post states: “There’s a man who leads a life of danger, To everyone he meets he stays a stranger. With every move he makes another chance he takes, Odds are he won’t live to see tomorrow.”

Another anonymous post states that its author is declaring war, followed by numerous exclamation points. It then states, in part: “You are all a bunch of lowlife cowards, especially you Whitler, and I hope each of you worthless MF’S rot in hell for eternity!” (Followed by numerous exclamation points).

This is followed by some more anonymous posts stating: “Show no mercy is right! The war is on!”

One says in part: “You have got to get mad dog mean, don’t fear the consequences, do whatever it takes to destroy these scumbags, before they destroy you! (Exclmation marks) To war!” Another one states: “They need to pack their belongings and go ahead and move on out tonight. This is not a safe place.”

A third one under this heading says: “Payback is going to be hell!”

A fourth one states, in part: “Show no mercy, take no prisoners!”

Another anonymous post warns: “It will be all out war! Those people better pack their belongings and get out of town in the m.iddle of the night. Remember, there is no fire department there now!”

Still another anonymous post exhorts, in part: “Yall know what they drive and where they live don't you. Get up and go. Do what you gotta do.”

It does not take a rocket scientist to understand what these posts mean. Your readers may judge for themselves.

After I had read the above, I had a decision to make. I could ignore the above and pray that none of the threatened persons would be injured or killed, or I could make a report to law enforcement and let them decide if anything should be done. I decided on the latter, and made a report to the Cullman County Sheriff's Office on Sept. 26, 2007. That way I felt that, if anything bad happended, at least I would know that I had done what I could to prevent it.

I want to make it clear that the report I made was only in regard to a handful of anonymous posts that threatened violence and death. The report did not refer to the huge volume of everyday on-line opinions expressed by citizens, however vulgar some of them may be. The idea expressed in your editorial that I was trying to chill free speech is, therefore, incorrect. Protected speech under the First Amendment does not include threats to do bodily harm or to kill people.

Among the crimes that are suggested in the posts above are murder, assault, menacing, harassment, stalking and arson. It is worth noting that the anonymous persons making the statements seem to believe that they are either self-appointed or appointed by God to carry out their version of justice. When deranged people start writing about the rider (Exclamation marks) of death drawing nigh, heroic lone assassins, war without mercy, and going after people in their vehicles and homes and the like — one can never be sure who intends to act these things out or who will read the posts and feel "inspired" to act them out. For that reason I felt it necessary to make a report to law enforcement.

Your editorial allegation that I attempted to silence critics is just wrong. I made a police report regarding the above, and it was left up to law enforcement as to what to do, if anything. I do not know the Web master, nor have I ever communicated with him or suggested that he do anything or not do anything. My belief in freedom of speech is what it has always been, that people can speak as they please. However, if a deranged person abuses that freedom to threaten violence or death to others, then my conscience tells me to act in the defense of those who could be harmed, probably the least I could do being to make a report to law enforcement. I would do it for you, Mr. Editor, or for anyone being threatened, including those cursing me and calling me names on the Internet.

G. Edward Coey

Hanceville





Mayor should resign

I am writing today in regards to the ongoing situation in the city of Hanceville, and specifically in response to Roger Whitley's letter to the editor published Sunday, Oct. 7.

First, it is my opinion that many of the comments posted on the other Web site were hateful, cowardly, and stupid. Hateful because of the vile content and sentiments expressed and the way they unerringly chose the low road in this fight; cowardly because the authors didn't have the fortitude to sign their names to the garbage they spewed out; and stupid because they had already been warned by the site owner in an earlier thread that their identities could be traced. These comments were reprehensible and their authors ought to be ashamed of themselves.

Having said all that, however, Mr. Whitley's comments appeared to me to be quite disingenuous given the current state of affairs in Hanceville — a state of affairs caused primarily, if not solely, by his spouse, Mayor Katie Whitley. When he mentioned the fear felt by his grandchildren, he somehow neglected to mention the fear felt by all of the residents and business owners of Hanceville, both young and old, who have been living with limited to non-existent fire service for several weeks now — a situation created solely by the actions of Mayor Whitley. If her instructions to the fire chief were all legal and above-board, she ought to have been able to explain that to him before the problem became such that she felt she had no choice but to suspend him. If her action in suspending him was justifiable and necessary, she ought to have had the courage to come before the citizens of Hanceville and explain herself. When all is said and done, the overriding need of the citizens of Hanceville and surrounding communities for a reliable and trained fire service ought to have caused her to carefully weigh her actions and their timing so as to ensure the continued protection of the people she has sworn to serve.

If this situation with the fire chief were the sole blemish on an otherwise outstanding record of service to the citizens of Hanceville, the community response would not have been as outraged as it has been. Unfortunately, this latest incident is but another in a long line of controversial decisions made by a mayor and city council that not only fail to put their citizens' needs first but also appear to consider themselves exempt from the need to explain themselves and their actions to their constituents. These actions show great arrogance towards her community that cannot help but engender ill will and led directly to the vile comments to which Mr. Whitley rightly objects.

Under the circumstances, it is this man's opinion that Mayor Katie Whitley has shown such manifest incompetence, arrogance, and outright hostility towards her constituents that she ought to resign her office and allow the citizens of Hanceville to select a new mayor who can begin to rebuild the city's services and heal the damage caused by Mayor Whitley's failed administration.

Dan Wilson

Centers Hill



Government should work for the people

Some people may not know our government in Hanceville has been the way it is now for the past three years. People who have spoken out have usually received some type of reprimand. It has only come to light in the firing of Fire Chief Mike Watson that the business owners and citizens of Hanceville have become enraged.

Take away the sanitation department, some discontent. Take away the park board, more discontent. Take away the fire department, chaos.

The council members of Hanceville, Selma Bamett, Hubert Jones, Larry Comett and Wayne Armstrong, need to wake up! The mayor has not accomplished anything without your votes. Selma Bamett, you have done more administration than legislation. Hubert Jones, it seems that you have lost compassion for the people of Hanceville. Larry Comett, your bitterness is not only to certain people but seems to have spilled over to everyone who lives in Hanceville. Wayne Armstrong, why, when you have served our country and put your life on the line for our freedom, would you sit silent and not speak out for the people of Hanceville to have a voice? All of you have a vote. Do you not realize you could make a difference?

It appears the government in Hanceville has become the ideas and interest of mayor and council, not the citizen's best interest. Mayor, take a poll — the people who voted for you are not speaking out for you. Give back the people's right to speak at council meetings. Let Hanceville be the example of no more secrecy, no more bias, and no more closed-door decisions in government. Mayor Whitley and Council you have silenced the people and we will not sit by and let this happen. Too many people have given their lives for our freedom. Hanceville citizens let your voice be heard. Write to the governor and the Attorney General requesting honesty and openness be put back in our government in Hanceville. Remember, all elected officials work for us.

Betty Dover

President Hanceville Business Owners and Concerned Citizens



Cullman still in hearts

It has been five years since I was diagnosed with breast cancer. And, as I speak about cancer I cannot help to reflect on our dear friends and the Cullman community. At the time of my cancer, Chris was a solo OBGYN at Woodland and Katie and John were in elementary school. Our family was 500 miles away in Missouri. But, our Cullman friends and even many who did not personally know us helped us as we battled cancer.

You prayed, and prayed some more for all of us. You cheered for Katie and John when I could not. You helped make sure they got to their activities. You gave them hugs, helped them in school, and shared lots of love with them. You helped each of us to be strong. Many brought meals, sent cards, cleaned and made sure the kids were taken care of.

Five years later we are all well and strong. Katie and John are excelling in school and enjoying life. Chris has a busy practice here in Missouri and I am well and able to now care for my mom. Survive cancer you bet! But, not withou a community that truly cared and shared so much with us. We now are 500 miles away from Cullman, but we carry each of you who touched our lives and made a difference, in our hearts.

Thank you, dear Cullman community!

Susie Baldwin

Rolla, Mo.

        

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