On April 25 about 7 p.m. my son, Paul Donovan, had an accident on his motorcycle. Local law enforcement personnel and the ambulance arrived and took Paul to the hospital. Everyone did a fine job and Paul is going to be OK.

This letter is about the towing. Shorters Towing Service arrived on the scene. The motorcycle was not in the right-of-way. A friend of Paul’s told Shorters that he and another friend would roll the motorcycle over to a parking lot and it would be picked up shortly. Shorters stated that he could not do that as they (Shorters) had to tow it for insurance purposes. That is not true. A motorist has the right to select any tow operator or remove a vehicle. If I had been on the scene, the motorcycle would not have been towed.

I called Shorters the next morning about 10 (15 hours after the accident) and said I would pick up the motorcycle as soon as I could get there. The charges were $235, which I considered a total ripoff.

If local law enforcement allows these people to tow vehicles, there should be a schedule of charges set by the city and county to protect citizens from predators.

Michael C. Donovan

Vicksburg

Diminishing returns

The 2013 federal budget will represent 19 percent of America’s gross domestic product.

To put things in perspective, can you imagine a poker game in which 19 percent of each pot is taken to cover the expenses of the game? Many players would drop out, leaving a rapidly diminishing pot to be taxed. This seems a poor design for economic recovery.

Obama’s naivete never ceases to amaze me. Or does he clearly understand what he is doing? That is even more scary.

William W. Watson

St. Joseph

The job, not the man

It was my great pleasure to visit Vicksburg for my 45th class reunion May 1-2. It had been quite a while since I had been to my hometown and I was amazed at all the positive changes that had taken place.

While visiting with classmates who still live in Vicksburg, I was compelled to ask them about the upcoming election. I was surprised to learn that many of them felt Mayor Leyens would not be re-elected. Oddly, the overwhelming reaction was that many people strongly approved of all that he has accomplished, but on a personal level they were less than satisfied.

Although I can’t cast a ballot in your election, I would like to endorse Mayor Leyens. Vicksburg looks wonderful and it certainly made me proud to see my once-crumbling city make such an impressive turnaround. I believe first impressions are lasting impressions and each of you as a citizen of Vicksburg has much to be proud of.

Please think about this before you vote. The leadership Mayor Leyens has provided is far more important than personal feelings. Will a new mayor be equally qualified to continue the impressive work? I wouldn’t be willing to risk it.

As a resident of Jackson, I can assure the voters of Vicksburg that we would welcome the opportunity to have someone of Mayor Leyens’ ability. We may never have that opportunity, but the citizens of Vicksburg do. Please keep this man in office! He has represented the citizens well and deserves another term.

Martha Harper Hamilton

Jackson

Quality in setting stone

Please let it be known that for 105 years Martin Marble Works (Vicksburg Monument Company) has installed monuments in the proper manner and will continue to do so.

We are and always have been responsible for the quality of our work, including but not limited to our installations. If a monument is not aligned properly, it is repaired at no expense to the family or cemetery. This has been our policy since the inception of our business. We pride ourselves on our longevity and the families of Warren County are our No. 1 priority.

Anyone attending the town hall meeting on Green Acres Memorial Park who was told the cemetery would have to fix the mistakes of any outside monument dealer was misled.

Furthermore, I believe that the cemetery’s fee of $450 for installing a monument, something we do every day for much less, is out of line. I do understand what an “inspection fee” is and I am more than willing to support that concept, providing that all case law as well as the principles of equal access are adhered to.

Jeff D. Pace, president

Vicksburg Monument

Brookhaven

Mayfield shows he cares

I am a pastor in the community and an instructor in the Vicksburg High School JROTC Department, but as a resident of Warren County, I cannot vote in your city election. I just want to give you some food for thought.

As a pastor, I have known Mr. Michael Mayfield over 12 years as a Christian and as a man of his word.

Last April, I wrote a letter to the editor, referencing the threats of family breakdown throughout our community, while drugs, poverty, violence, gambling and unequal opportunities are battering our families. I asked the community for support of a crusade for Christ here in the city for our youth. I also asked for the support spiritually, financially and materially.

I know the spiritually part was met, because it happened, but for the latter two the only two who stepped forward were Mr. Mayfield and his secretary, Mrs. Bell. They assisted us in acquiring the Vicksburg Auditorium as well as monetary assistance for the event. 

As a JROTC instructor, I can say this man has helped us with your children in so many ways, including taking the time out to come and speak to them on a number of occasions. He has supported us with food items for our picnics over the years, attended our military balls and just been a decent and reachable politician who took time with our children. He was very instrumental vocally in helping us acquire the building on Lee Street where JROTC is now housed.

What I am really trying to say is, even though he has no opposition, come election day I would be happy and proud to vote for him, but can’t. What I am asking is others to get out and vote to show their appreciation for a man who is setting the example in the community that others should be proud to emulate.

Pastor/Sgt. James Bowman

Vicksburg

Let’s recycle recycling

I have a suggestion for Vicksburg and our lack of recycling. When the recycle bins were in the former K-mart parking lot, they were very easy and convenient for contributing newspapers, plastic, etc.  Since they are no longer available, I suggest putting those containers in the former Kroger parking lot. It would be a good central location. I think it would most likely add enough to the amounts of recycled items to MIDD-West that they would like it, too.

I have spoken with quite a few people who also stopped recycling for the same reasons. Vicksburg needs to get with the program.

Allison Hubbard

Vicksburg

The law is the law

The headline in Thursday’s paper about Columbus police officers being asked to leave the Vicksburg National Military Park got my attention.

We have visiting law enforcement officers sworn to uphold the law who are caught violating the law? If these so-called law officers were ordinary citizens, they would have been arrested on the noise ordinance alone if the park rangers uphold municipal laws as noted in the article. These law officers should have been removed from participating in the training exercise and been recalled by the Columbus police chief for disciplinary action. I plan on contacting the park service to inquire as to why the park rangers did not arrest these individuals. This sets a bad precedent as if an ordinary citizen does the same thing, then they should only get a slap on the wrist.

Dan Hall

Vicksburg