IT WAS A MATTER OF TIME.....

by Sandra Hammon


Well, it finally happened. Actually, it didn't take long at all. Since the stop signs have been removed for the sake of GOING GREEN, motorists have been creeping through these intersections.

However, there are those who still aren't aware of these stop signs being removed. There is no indication they've been taken up. No flashing caution lights so people will know to be careful when crossing.

So, today the inevitable happened. A truck, stopped as it was supposed to at the intersection of 45th Street and 29th Ave, was hit by another car as it pulled out of what was once a four way stop. Assuming the stop signs were still there, he went on through. Imagine his surprise when none other than a MPD patrol car came barreling through without stopping. I'm not sure if the patrol car was on a call or not, but the driver of the truck unknowingly pulled out in front of him. There was an impact and both vehicles went flying. So much so, that the patrol car ended up crashing through a homeowners backyard fence.

To my knowledge, no one was hurt, but what about next time? The mayor wants us to GO GREEN with minimal efforts such as pulling up stop signs around town. Can't the city work crew be instructed to put a flashing caution light at these intersections? I have to ask Mayor Smith, is receiving an award for GOING GREEN worth someone's life?

My Heart Goes Out

By Stephanie Denham, editorial assistant, The Meridian Star


My heart goes out to the families of the two teenagers who were killed the last two days in Lauderdale County. I too have lost a child and can understand some of their pain. My daughter was killed in a car wreck in 1991. My heart is so saddened for the families and especially the parents of the two teens lost. I understand the painful and long road that they are just beginning to go down as I have been on that road for a while now. As we grow older, we see our parents grow older and we think that in the "natural" state of things, we will bury our parents, but we never expect to bury a child. That is the most painful thing that a parent will ever go through. Please friends and families, rally around not only now for these parents, but rally months and years down the road. Please don't think you are being rude or "upsetting" them by talking about these young people. We want to know that they are not forgotten or that they will not be forgotten. You will not "upset" them anymore than what they already are. Let them grieve in the way they want and need, just be there for them...be the "safe" person if you can, and let them be and express the raw deep grief relief that they need. I am praying for them and do understand some of their grief and I am truly so sorry to the bottom of my core being.