Dear Editor:

I would like to express my deep concern once again about the Madison police/sheriff department on how they do there job.We are still having problems with the neighbors lashing out at us and everyone from Taylor to Madison county. But from what we was told is that the deputies are tired of hearing us call them. So what are we to do? We just found out tonight that when someone drives by your house video taping you and your family (kids and all) stopping in front of your house at night and all through the day hollering cussing the kids nothing can be done because it is all hear say. The same people can drive up and down the road with no tag no license no insurance and nothing still be done to them. I mean wow what kind of society are we living if me are my family did that we would go to jail. We call the cops to let them know about them stalking/harassing us and from what they say is that it is a county maintained road and thats not stalking/harassing. But if you look up stalking and the laws for the state of Florida its a whole new ball game but in our case its just words on a piece of paper . So i guess if the laws don't work for us why should they work against us? why should we the people pay taxes for the police just to ride around and do nothing. I understand that they have rules they have to go by but where does it say in the rules that they can just stop doing there job and let us deal with it all on our own? What is being done is what i want to know? I will tell you what is being done nothing is being done nothing at all. Its just is funny how everything works out they threaten an elder man on camera nothing to be done they follow people when they see any vehicles wow thats not stalking. they pull guns on unknown people driving down the road they can do anything they want to do. I wish i could get away with half of the stuff they do. Also the funniest thing happened tonight again the same people who cut my parents fence and stole there cow then claimed the cow to be theres called the police tonight to tell them that the cow that they clam is theres that they stole is tearing there fence down and they will shoot it if something is not done. So the police come out. The neighbors ask them why is the cow (they stole) is still in there field. I mean right there goes to show how bright they all are. All the police had to say is something is being done. Once again tell me what is being done.If by chance something does get done and the cow is gave back it will still go on they will still be harassing/stalking us and everyone around here.

The Madison Public Library and Madison County Youth Services offer our sincere appreciation and gratitude to the following people and organizations, which partnered with us in our "Make a Splash! Read" Summer Youth Program:

Liz Harris, Creatures Featured Pet Shop: Our theme for the Youth Program was water. Ms. Harris loaned a saltwater aquarium to the Madison Public Library filled with several salt water creatures; James Wetmore, a.k.a. Dr. Fun: Mr. Wetmore dazzled the youth with a magic skit and balloon animal sculpting; Dollar General Stores, Greenville: Dollar General donated several t-shirts to the Library for reading incentive prizes; Ranger Rianna Elliott, Suwannee River State Park: Ranger Rianna Elliott demonstrated an edible aquifer using soda, ice cream, and candy. A yummy time was had by all.

Their generous donations and talents made our Summer Youth Program an enormous success. Again, we express our deep appreciation for your contributions. For information about any library services, please contact Madison Public Library at (850) 973-6814.

Sincerely,

April Brooks, Branch Manager

Linda Hesketh, Youth Services Coordinator

You have heard people talk about "Southern Hospitality," but I have seen it first-hand for the last few years living down here in the South. To tell you the truth, I always thought it was a phrase invented by Hollywood for the movies, but there really is such a thing.

Southern Hospitality isn't just something you find when visiting some home of a rich farmer or the local judge, you find it almost every place you go. People in the South are polite. It doesn't matter if they are black or white, rich or poor, from the city or live in a rural area, they are all pretty much nice to you when you meet them.

Here was a real surprise for me. Now that I have moved to Madison County, Florida, I have had to deal with people at the county court house form time to time. I had to register to vote, file my homestead for taxes, get building permits, and get a new driver's license. No matter which office or what person I have had to deal with, I have always left in a good mood. I know this sounds strange, but the people at the Madison County Court House are there to serve you, and they try as hard as they can to make whatever you are doing as easy as they can.

First off, they smile when you walk in the door, and they ask what they can do for you. Then they actually listen, and almost apologize if you are at the wrong place. If you are at the wrong office, they will tell you where you have to go, and whom to ask for when you get there. Many times when you thank somebody for their help, they answer with, "It is my pleasure." Now how nice is that, and how many times has that happened to you in a government office?

When Wanda and I moved to rural Madison County, we started looking for a church to attend. At every church we went to, people were very welcoming, and that happens at almost any church you go to any place in this country, but here in the South, I have had people say to me, "I sure hope our church is right for you, but if it isn't, I pray you find the one that is." No pressure, just people sincerely hoping you find the right place to worship and serve the Lord.

Now I know some people have their doubts about me, after all, I am a Yankee in their eyes, or I should say in their ears. I don't sound a bit like I was raised down here, and even though I tell them I have been working on this Minnesota accent for decades to get it just right, for some reason, they don't buy my claim of a Southern Heritage. However, when I tell them that my wife is from Lower Alabama, and that she was born and raised in Pensacola, they say, "Well then you aren't half as bad as I thought." They say that with a smile.

I know the people I lived with in Northern Minnesota were just as polite as the people here in the South have been, but I don't know if they were as welcoming. And sorry to say, a trip to the Court House was never a pleasant experience up North.

Southern Hospitality is real, and I discovered it sure makes living down here nice.

James Glaser

Dear Editor (and everyone else)

I want to express my deep appreciation to all the people who helped provide refreshments for the Grand Opening Reception at Madison County's new Senior Citizens Center on July 18. What a terrific occasion it was, thanks in part to those who made sandwiches, arranged fruit trays, baked cakes, and created fabulous sweet treats. These churches contributed to the delicacies for the day: First United Methodist of Madison, Pineland Missionary Baptist, Unity Baptist, Evergreen Missionary Baptist, Greenville United Methodist, Rocky Springs United Methodist, Grace Presbyterian, Genesis, Mt. Nebo AME, Shiloh, St. Vincent De Paul Catholic, Hanson United Methodist, Cherry Lake United Methodist, Damascus Missionary Baptist, and Fellowship Baptist. The Madison Garden Club brought little brownies and fudge bites, and those come-back-for-more cakes came from Winn-Dixie, T.T.'s Bakery, and Keri English at O'Neal's.

The Decoration Committee from First United Methodist Church (Jenny Andrews, Penny Worden, and Myra Valentine) created the attractive designs in the dining hall, and we thank them for their beautiful work.

I especially want to thank Ramona Dickinson, along with Deloris Jones and the ladies from Genesis for their assistance in serving the food and the punch. You ladies were invaluable to me.

In the busy-ness of the day, I may have overlooked someone who brought dishes in. Please contact me if I have omitted your name.

To all of these generous people — I cannot thank you enough. How very pr4ecious you are. You helped make the Senior Center dedication day truly an afternoon to remember.

Sincerely,

Ginger Jarvis

Refreshments Committee Coordinator and very grateful person

Dear Editor: I would like to express my deep appreciation to our county leaders, particularly our County Commissioners, County Coordinator Allen Cherry and Solid Waste & Recycling Coordinator Jerome Wyche, for going the extra-mile to invite Neil Seldman, President of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, to Madison County to discuss initiatives that could expand our local tax base and create jobs.

Dr. Seldman's presentation was very informative, offering great hope for our county/region. He said Madison County is in a unique situation because we own our own landfill. He was especially complimentary of the outstanding job Mr. Wyche has done with Madison County's solid waste and recycling program. Dr. Seldman stated that it was very "unusual" to see a program as outstanding as ours, and that Madison County has many avenues open for new green jobs and opportunities.

Our family is proud that our county leaders, both past and present, have led and continue to lead Madison County in the right direction both sustainably and economically. Both go hand in hand.

I hope our leaders will carefully consider the opportunities Dr. Seldman has described.

Sincerely,

Lisa Flournoy

Madison County citizen

(Former Coordinator of Economic Development, Taylor County Development Authority)

After my initial letter I was able to speak to my friend and recognized there was a misunderstanding of his use of the idea of Hammurabi's Code being displayed on the courthouse square as opposed to the Ten Commandments.

I confess that my letter to the editor was written before I even understood who made those comments. When I learned who it was I knew there was more to the story. While we may not totally agree on this issue we are brothers who worship the same Lord and I have the utmost respect for Bobby Tolar. Not trying to start any kind of upheaval or anything but I did want to share a few more facts related to this issue of the First Amendment that I found interesting.

The letter from Thomas Jefferson that contained the phrase "...wall of separation between church and state..." was a reply to an appeal from the Danbury Baptist Convention who asked him to support the disestablishment of the Connecticut state churInch. Jefferson agreed with them but refused to allow the federal government to intrude in state matters. He put the limit on the heavy hand of the federal government and decided what they did regarding religion was the business of that jurisdiction. This limited view of federal government and recognition of the sovereignty of the individual states is known as "federalism" and was widely accepted in this country until recent decades. Jefferson was a very strong advocate of this concept.

If Jefferson intended for there to be no reference of religion in the public square, then why did he along with George Washington, John Adams and the rest of our founding fathers not practice this? Why were they making educators teach the bible in school classrooms? Why did Jefferson, three days after writing that letter, attend the largest Christian congregation in the United States, which, ironically, was held weekly in the House Chambers of the Capital Building?

How are we now saying that we must agree with those who say we must erase every reference to religion in government buildings? Was this what Jefferson, Washington, Adams, et al intended? I don't think so. That is, unless they intended for this concept to begin to catch on 200 years later.

The case law looked at or litmus tests courts have used to make these decisions on religious themed display is this: Is the purpose of the display intended to advance or disparage religion? In that regard the federal government is to do neither. My point is this: Since we have started down the road of secularizing the country, what is stopping the march from coming right into your church – or house? I mean, we the people are the government, remember?

So, what happened to federalism? Our founding fathers were adamant about making sure the federal government didn't lord over these United States about religious issues.

Fast forward to today and we see organized groups – small in overall number but very loud and with the backing of celebrities and bureaucrats – doing things that should shock us into action. They are filing ridiculous lawsuits such as against schools who have prayer before a football game. These groups are relying on the "separation of church and state" argument. They have a real problem, though because it is coming to light more and more that their acts are unconstitutional and they are losing cases.

While the Bible tells us to obey the law of the land, this law is not cut and dried. Many times courts have found the display of scripture in a government building to be constitutional.

Mr. Gene Stokes made a very good point yesterday when he said that the most important thing is for God's law to be written in our hearts. I agree.

I only hope we recognize that local citizens still have a say so and sometimes need to give Big Brother a reality check. With regard to lawsuits, people should not automatically lie down in submission when they hear the letters ACLU either.

Joe S. Reams III

Dear Editor Bembry, We live in the greatest country on earth and the reason for that greatness is freedom. However, freedom is not free...

I believe too many people fail to understand the real definition of freedom. John 8:32 tells us what can make us free. " Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free." Freedom is found in truth. The foundation of this nation is planted in truth that each person is better equipped to make decisions about his own life than government bureaucrats. Our founding fathers understood this and wrote the Constitution. Our Constitution was meant to be the basis of the truth that would govern our land. The Constitution was written to control government, not men. It was to keep government out of the everyday lives of the people. Thomas Jefferson said, "That government is best which governs least."

We have failed to follow our forefathers by allowing government to read many rights into the Constitution that were not a part of the truth our forefathers set down. By failing to follow that simple truth, we have lost much of our freedom! It is important to realize that once we allow something that is forbidden in the Constitution, the next thing is to prohibit something that is allowed (second amendment) and when that happens, freedom is dead!

Now is the time for all Americans to stand up for the truth as our foundation. I encourage you to re-read our Constitution and fervently pray II Chronicles 7:14, "Then if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will forgive their sins and restore their land."

Last, but highly important, we must all register to vote, educate ourselves about each candidate and VOTE the courage of your convictions. Together we can make a difference!

Sincerely,

Lilla Johnson Howerton

An incident of arrest at a private party was reported factually and completely without any unnecessary irrelevant details. All news media should follow your example.

Marianne Green

To The County Commissioners of Madison County

To the ones who voted YES for the Ten Commandments to be placed on the Court House Lawn, thank you for being the Christian that God expects us to be. Our country was founded and built on the Ten Commandments, what better place to have a monument. Let people who visit Madison know what our beliefs are, and Who we believe in.

For the ones who voted NO, you should be ashamed to even enter another church. And if you do, remember how richly blessed you are to be able to worship in a church. For so many people do not have this privilege. And if we, as Christians, don't start standing up for God in every way we can, I feel God will be pushed further and further out of our children's lives. They have taken God out of our schools, and our government. We need to have the Ten Commandments posted as a constant reminder of God's blessing on us.

A Christian standing up for God,

Janice Brooker

It was a sad day then the 3 commissioners of Madison County voted against putting the 10 Commandments as a historical monument on the Court House grounds. Embodied in the 10 Commandments is what we would like our culture to be. The purpose is to convict us – not one has kept the law. Maybe at this point we need to rediscover who we are. As our Pastor pointed out today we need to go further than putting the 10 Commandments at the Court House. If we put them up anywhere and read them, people will be convicted and the Church needs to be ready.

This fight for the 10 Commandments needs to be in GOD'S honor, not for our worldly desires. If it is done the right way I believe GOD will honor that stance in miraculous ways. I do believe our American Culture is under attack to drive GOD our of America's public places. I hope this brings us all back to where we need to be, as a people of a wonderful county Madison and Nation. This will only be accomplished through the voice of the people.

Jeff and Mina Bloodworth

To the Editor:

I would like to applaud and say "thank you" to the two commissioners who voted for the "Ten Commandments" monument. This slowed their stand for God and our county and the love for their country. For the three who opposed, you showed your districts trust in you. Election time is nearing and you make our decisions. Why should we have to wait to see what happens in Dixie County before deciding for our county. We Christians sat around and let one woman take prayer out of our schools and guess who won? Come on people. "Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed. But let him glorify God on this behalf." (1 Peter 4:16)

Louise Webb

P.S.: So what if the Courthouse lawn looks like a cemetery? Our forefathers fought and died for their belief in these commandments.