v freedom of speech v freedom of the press v freedom of speech v freedom of the press v An Independent, locally owned newspaper Founded June 27, 1902
MISSION STATEMENT: The Independent Appeal strives to promote and advance McNairy County, educate and inform its citizens, while protecting the people’s right to know, and the rights and interests of our readers and advertisers. The Independent Appeal has a legacy of independent family ownership.Past publishers were: William J. Rail 1976-2000; Leslie Houston, 1974-1976; Bruce Hurt, 1970-1974; George Hamilton, 1964-1970; Wilbur Wright, 1946-1964; B. O. Weeks, 1941-1946; Ken Duke, 1938-1941; Orpheus Abernathy and Family, 1920-1938; Col. J.W. Purviance, 1902-1920. “Dedicated to the peaceful, progressive and proud people of McNairy County.”
Opinion Independent Appeal
Making McNairy County Opinion headlines for more than 110 years
Time Capsule If you talk to a person raising kids during that time, they will probably tell you it was a There use to be a site I better time. It was hard times would visit on the internet for many, but they all knew called Marie Time Capsule. how to work together to raise You type in a date, and you their kids and keep them could find out the history of clothed and fed. I rememthe day, the top music during ber hearing stories about how one neighbor that time, and much raised chickens for more. I am not sure eggs and rabbits for this site is still availfood. Many walked able, but I did print off to work or school. the year I was born and Some didn't have the years my kids were the luxury of elecborn. This is what I tricity or running found in the year 1957. water in the house, If you were born in 1957, your parents Laura Specie much less a bathroom in their home. might have listened to the Milwaukee Braves beat- Imagine kids of our day having the New York Yankees 4-3 ing to deal without such in the 53rd World Series. The things. Many didn't have TV’s top songs were “Young Love” . To watch such shows as The by Tab Hunter and “Wake Real McCoys, Cheyenne, and Up, Little Susie” by the Ever- Have Gun Will Travel would ly Brothers. Elvis Presley had have been a great treat. Even three top songs that year with if it was in black and white. “All Shook Up,” “Jailhouse The top toys of that time Rock,” and “Teddy Bear.” were the Frisbee and Tonka Also, Sam Cooke had “You Trucks. Some of us might Send Me.” Jimmie Rodgers have looked at our parents had a hit with “Honeycomb,” and rolled our eyes when just to name a few. In 1957, they complained about the the price of bread was just music they were listening to. nineteen cents a loaf, milk I think every generation has was a dollar and the stamp that. In the fifty's it was Elvis. was just three cents. Cars ran Yes, the 1950s was certainly a around $2,100.00. Gas was different time. A time when just thirty-one cents a gallon. teens collected soda bottles You could buy a home for for gas money and a movie. just $18,000. Minimum wage If the site is still there, go was just $1 an hour. My, how visit it. There you will learn times have changed. Now, what was going on. Who was President you can't touch a car for un- President/Vice der what the cost of a house during that time? Dwight D. use to be at one time, and the Eisenhower and Richard M. price of gas, well, it creeps Nixon. ever so close to that $4 mark. Columnist
One Moore Novel: The Copper Beech By Molly Moore
There are several colorful characters, but some of my favorites were the priest, In a rural Irish village there the childless schoolteachers, is a beech tree in front of a and Maura the single mothThe author describes schoolhouse. This tree has er. each with grand seen many children detail- some from learn and grow beneath birth to adulthood, its branches. Most along with their failof the students have ures and successes. carved their names There is no one left into this tree, along short-changed. with true loves, hopes, If fast-paced is and dreams. The what you cravenames carved here are Molly Moore throw this one back. the characters Maeve Binchy’s novels are Binchy uses in this novel about ordinary people with heartwarming and cozy; her extraordinary lives. The Cop- works simply feel like home, per Beech is a comforting nov- even though we are thouel, full of simple, loveable (and sands of miles from Ireland. The Copper Beech is one of my not-so-loveable) characters. Binchy is a truly talented favorites from this Irish austoryteller. The characters thor. She easily captures the she introduces to the read- true spirit and hidden secrets er are ordinary, small-town of small town life. After all, people with interesting lives, we all know small town life is and she braids their stories anything but dullsville. together seamlessly. Even though there are several storylines throughout this novel, following the characters is not a chore. In fact, the chapters The Copper Beech are written in a way that each 400 pages character gives us a personal Publisher: Dell view of the town and the peoCopyright: 1992 ple in it. Columnist
Mail to: Letters to the Editor, The Independent Appeal, P.O. Box 220, Selmer, TN
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Page 8A v Independent Appeal
By Laura Specie
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Independent Appeal welcomes your opinion. Letters to the editor are subject to editing or omission for length, style or libel. All letters must include the writer’s name and signature, as well as a phone number and address for verification. The Independent Appeal does not publish anonymous letters. Letters deemed suitable for publication will run as soon as possible after receipt on a space-available basis. Because of space limitations, letters should be limited to 400 words, about two double-spaced, typed pages, one letter per person every 90 days.
E-mail to: submissions@independentappeal.com
Volume 110, Number 01, Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Mcnairy voices Are you going on vacation this year? If so, where?
Debra Smith (McNairy):
Sue Ray (Selmer):
“Yes, the Tennessee River.”
“Not right now. Not that I know of.”
Roy Newton (Bethel Springs): No, I doubt it very seriously.”
Barbara Fowler (Ramer):
Brandy Strayhorne (Selmer):
Johnny Reynolds (Selmer):
“No.”
“Yes. We’re going to Orlando, Fla.”
“Not at the moment.”
McNairy Voices is a new feature in the Independent Appeal highlighting the opinions of average citizens about the issues that affect the citizens of McNairy County, the state of Tennessee, and the United States as a whole. The participants are randomly selected on the streets of the county. Their viewpoints are not necessarily that of the Independent Appeal.
ON THE WEB: Go to independentappeal.com and express your opinion on our related online poll.
Letter to the editor
Bethel’s gray cloud may have silver lining after all Could this be another reason for the mess in Bethel Springs? I attended the monthly meeting of the Bethel Springs Mayor and Board of Aldermen on May 7, 2012. I made the mistake of asking Alderman Bobby Gray how much his sewer and water bill was at his furniture store on Main Street in Bethel Springs. I got a severe tongue-lashing from the senior alderman. I was talked to in a very unprofessional manner, I was told that I was a troublemaker and all I wanted to do was start trouble, and finally, was told to shut my mouth and get out of the meeting. There was fairly large crowd at the meeting, and Alderman Gray used some bad language. There is a video of the meeting that you can view online at the Independent Appeal website. It seems that Alderman Gray has been operating a used furniture store on Main St. in Bethel for several years, but he does not pay a water, sewer or garbage bill. In fact, he does not even get a bill. His reason for
not paying was, and I quote, “I ain’t got a bathroom, and you don’t have to pay if you ain’t got a bathroom.” The mayor and all the aldermen were present at the meeting, not a single one said a word. They did not correct the statement or dispute what he said in any way. So do you suppose he was right? The clerk said that Gray’s business is not hooked to any water source, therefore, he does not have a water or sewer bill. I respectfully disagree with Gray’s statement that he did not have a bathroom and the clerk’s statement that he was not hooked up to any water source. Here is why I disagree. I ran a store in the same building about 7 or 8 years ago, and I know for a fact that there was a bathroom in the building at that time. In fact, the bathroom had just been remodeled and made bigger, all new fixtures and new water heater was installed. I have not been in the store in a while, but there certainly was a bathroom there when I ran it. You know, one possibility is that since we
don’t have a police department, someone may have stolen the bathroom. So if someone tries to sell you a used bathroom, you might call Alderman Gray. As for the statement about the building not being connected to the water system, the building was one of the first buildings to get city water in 1962, though I don’t blame the clerk for this statement, because she uses the information that is given her. That meter has been connected for 50 years, but it really does not matter if you are connected or not. If the water or sewer line goes by your house, you will get a bill just the same. My water has been turned off for two years and my bill is $1,304.50. One other citizen and I settled up with the town clerk about 16 months ago, and we paid all we owed. Alderman gray was supposed to pay his deposit then also. If he did and started paying, he should not owe anything. Otherwise, he owes the same amount as myself and Ray Hickman. But as it stands now, Jackie Miller,
$1,304.50. Ray Hickman, $982. Bobby Gray, $0. But, you know, there may be some justice in this after all. Remember the ordinance that was passed in September, 2011 to pursue legal action against the citizens that won’t pay their water and sewer bill and have tampered with the meters? The bill that Alderman Gray voted “yes” on and it passed. In January, 2012, concerning the same ordinance, Mayor Cox made the statement in the Independent Appeal that the penalty for violation of the ordinance was a fine up to $10,000 and carried a sentence of 2 to 12 years and was a class F felony. So, Alderman Gray, because he was violated this ordinance by not paying his water and sewer bill may have unwittingly voted to pursue legal action against himself. So the gray cloud hanging over Bethel Springs may have a silver lining after all. Jackie Miller Former mayor of Bethel Springs
doodles The story of America's quest for freedom is inscribed on her history in the blood of her patriots. -Randy Vader Make sure to thank a veteran this Memorial Day!
Our thoughts and prayers go out to members of our community who are serving in the armed forces: • Specialist Allen Alexander • SGT Joseph W. Baggett • SGT Andrew W. Bayless USMC • A1C Dustin Blakney, USAF 331TRS/FLT073 • PFC Andy Bryant • Sgt. Kyle A. Brown, USMC • GySgt. Christopher T. Byrd, USMC • PVT Matlock Caffrey, USMC • Staff Sgt. Susan Cawley • Staff Sgt. Alicia L. Coil, USAF • CPL Mandy L. Cooper, USMC • SPC Mark A. Cooper, US Army • SGT James P. Crain • PFC Anthony “Tony” Crouse • SGT Major Joel Crouse • SP4 Richard Crouse • Aaron J. Cull Senior Airman U.S. Airforce • SGT Bobby J. Dickey US Army • C.W.3 James R. Dickey, Retired • SGT Todd Joseph Drobina, US Army • Captain Bonnie Lynn Dunlop • Corporal Bradley Eisenhut, USMC • Master Sgt. Lonnie J. Ellis, Air Force
• Kip Ellison • LCPL Dwight A. Emily Jr. • PV2 Jana Estes • Specialist Bryan Ray Ferguson • PV2 Skyler Gammill, US Army • Lydia Gillis, US Navy E3 • Malcolm Gillis E6, US Army National Guard • SSGT Stephen R. Graham • Daniel Gray, USMC Lance Corporal • SGT Rob Gray, US Army • A1C Stephanie Lynn Griffin, USAF • SSGT Dustin Hamm, USMC • PFC Isaac Harville • A1C James Taylor Haubrich, US Air Force • Lieutenant Colonel (Chaplain) Billy Hawkins • SPC Matthew Hemby, Army • SGT Brian W. Hendrix • SGT Timothy Hixon • Staff Sergeant Brian Lee Hood • Wes Huffman, Air Force • Private Alex Johnson, US Army • SGT Ricky L. Jordan, USMC • Army Officer 1st Lt. James Lax
• Sergeant Joseph Lilly • Captain Troy E. Mathis • 1st LT Jessica Mayfield, US Army • SPC Ritchie A. McCrary • SPC Dustin McDonald • A1C Amanda K. McMillen, USAF • Joshua Lane Meek, Army • CPL Jeffery Mitchell, USMC • SSGT Patrick Michael Moore, Nat. Guard • SGT Major Paula Norris • Pvt. Justin Overton, USMC • CPO Denise Picard Culverhouse • SPC Jeffery A. Pickett, US Army • SPC William Andrew “Andy” Pickett, Nat. Guard • SPC Robert H. Pittman, II • CPL James Scott Powell • CPL John M. Powell • Ernest Purez, Air Force • E4 Sophia Reinke • SGT. Charlie Rickman, US Army • John Robinson US Navy • S/ST Ryan Robinson Air Force • Angel Rodriguez, Petty Officer US Navy
• SPC Blake Rudd • Specialist Robert Rzasa • Veronica Sebree Petty Officer 3rd Class • Alan Seigers, Army • SFC Patrick Michael Shaughnessy • CPL Gene Smith, USMC • SPC Hector Soto, Jr., Army • CPL Sam Speck, USMC • SGT Shaun Spicher, USMC • SPC Daniel Sullivan, Army • Jeremy Thompson • ET3 Jeremy Wilbanks, US Coast Guard • PVT Demaro Wiley, SC, Army National Guard • Joseph Lloyd Williams MM3 US Navy • Master Sergeant Stanley Wilson, USAF - Retired • SPC Jeffrey Witoszczak U.S. Army • Petty Officer James Matthew Wolford EDITOR’S NOTE: If your loved one has had a change in active duty status, please contact us at (731) 645-5346.