Letters to Editor

Dear Terry:

In a recent meeting of concerned citizens, a serious discussion about the construction of a new coal-burning electric plant in Baker County claimed our full attention. Important environmental issues were raised. On grounds of the dangers to the environment, Florida officials in Leon County denied the company permission to build the electric plant there. Thus, the plant officials turned to Baker County, Georgia for permission to build their plant. Much to the displeasure of many environmental citizens of this area of Georgia, the Baker County officials granted their permission. We, and hopefully others, oppose such construction; and we invite others to join in this opposition in any and all the ways that might be open to us.

Though there may be good reasons for the construction of a new electric plant in the area, we oppose it for two reasons. One, the company's executives refuse to utilize up-to-date environmental procedures in its construction, and two, with the air flowin this area of Georgia, all of the environmental dangers from this plant will drift and endanger all of us in so many ways. Please talk with your state officials and anyone who may have authority to prevent or delay the construction of this electrical plant, until the company's officials will apply all of the present day environmental procedures in its construction process. Such is not too much to ask of them.

DeWitt B. Sheffield630 Richter Road Cairo, GA 39827 (229) 377-5612 dwsheff@aol.com

Dear Editor:

My son was seriously injured in a four wheeler accident on August 4. I would like to take this time to commend our volunteer firedepartment and the EMS department for their help the evening of my son's accident. Although there seems to be a taxpayer who thought that the firedepartment being there was a waste of taxpayers' money, I would like to take this time to say to the concerned taxpayer that I hope that he or she never has to experience anything bad happening to their family member or child. My son's injuries were serious enough that the emergency responders wanted to life flight him from the scene of the accident and had they been able to get a helicopter there quickly enough, he would have been life flighted out from the scene, and this is where the firedepartment would have been needed to divert traffic off the roadway for the helicopter to land and to assist the helicopter to land. I work in the medical field, and I know that sometimes the fireand rescue are sent to the scene of accidents because of this reason. Aaron was transferred to Southeast Alabama Medical Center with severe injuries consisting of a skull fracture, broken ribs, a broken pelvis and a punctured lung. He was in CCU for 10 days and was later transferred to UAB in Birmingham for surgery for his broken pelvis. It is sad to know that there are so many inconsiderate, uncaring people in this world. God Bless this ignorant taxpayer's soul! Craig, keep up the good work and thank you for all your assistance. To the EMS Department, Ms. Beth Sykes and the nurses on duty that night at Miller County Hospital, thank you all for everything that you did for Aaron. Thank you to everyone who called, prayed and sent donations. Aaron is at home recuperating from his injuries.

Sincerely Gennette Hayes