This past weekend was the beginning of the State Games of Mississippi in Meridian.

I wish that the news teams... could know how rude it is to have out-of-town guests and only dwell on the money being made on them. All you hear is how these folks are filling motels, buying food, gas, etc. Even Mayor Smith comments on monetary rewards our city is reaping.

I don't live in the city, but am a Lauderdale County resident. It is embarrassing to me that we can't wait until these good people go home to start counting our money.

Couldn't we just tell our guests that we are proud to have them visiting our area, and would like for them to come again soon ? That's called Southern hospitality.
Peggy Pearson
Collinsville

On PACS, polls and partisan pundits
To the Editor:

Are we really surprised that our "Royalty" would slip a legislative perk into their retirement plan in the closing days of the session that would almost double the retirement pay of an average state employee?

Remember, the defeat of term limits was purchased again in November, leaving the entrenched monarchy firmly in place, to wit the 92 percent of incumbent legislators who were re-elected in the last statewide election due to the overwhelming advantages of incumbency money will continue to enjoy their offices bought and paid for.

These legislators, owned by Mississippi "big money" will continue to pass laws, deliver contracts, etc. in accordance with instructions via "hotlines" from their controlling PACS, polls and partisan pundits. Why shouldn't they share in the graft?

Another big winner in this purchase is the media to which most "big money" campaign funds are funneled for the purpose of prejudicing the wanting electorate. We saw this money at work leading up to that election as we were satiated with partisan TV and radio ads and outsized (and expensive) newspaper spreads which the electorate could never afford, not to mention the selective editorial biases.

The media will continue to enjoy and protect the flow of the millions of dollars of perpetual campaign money into their coffers perpetual campaign money that wouldn't otherwise be required, hence denied to the media under a system of "term limits."

No sour grapes here. Mississippians are just being hoodwinked again but continue to bow and curtsy to their masters. Duh!
Armond "Si" Simmons
Pell City, Ala.

Editor's note: Mr. Simmons writes me a lot of letters. I couldn't resist the alliteration in this one. He makes a good point about PACs but, just for the record, we don't have a hotline to the Mafia and are not part of any conspiracy.

Industrial park is best news in 20 years
To the Editor:

To Meridian and Lauderdale County:

I have been in Meridian since November 1974. The announcement... about the potential new industrial park at the intersection of Highway 45 and Interstates 20/59 was the first significant action to assure the survival, and hopefully growth, of our community in more than 20 years.

There is much to be accomplished before the site can be occupied, and there is much opportunity for cooperative effort by everybody.
Herb Stott
Meridian

Street lighting needed near Bonita Lakes
To the Editor:

The recent addition of lighting along Highway 39 North is a progressive step for that area. However, the same ones who got that job done now need to provide lighting for the Highway 19 South Bonita Lakes Mall and Bonita Lakes area.

A drive in sight of, or in, that area after dark will convince you that it is too dark. There are no signs which indicate the mall entrance there, or on South Frontage Road, nor are there enough lights at the entrance area on Highway 19 South to distinguish it as such. 'Nuff said.
Carolyn Starnes
Lauderdale County

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P.O. Box 1591
Meridian, MS 39302