By Staff
To the Editor:
My son is a deputy sheriff in a neighboring county. For one of his Christmas presents we gave him several special design ribbed fabric tee shirts. He wears these under his ballistic tactical vest, which has a special pocket over his heart where a "shiny" shock plate fits that stops bullets. He and his fellow officers are afforded respect and provided with current up-to-date equipment. The comment by Hood Richardson concerning the purchase of "shiny" patrol vehicles is at best ignorant. If you want efficiency and results, you provide motivation and proper equipment to have the work completed. I found the previous edition of the WDN and reread the report on the commissioners meeting and their action of denying Sheriff Jordan the funds to fill the vacancies in his department. Also, I read several reports in the WDN about drug arrests made by the Beaufort County Sheriff's Department, nowhere were any of the commissioners listed as having assisted. There was also an article in the WDN concerning our local emergency management team preparing for any possibility of fallout to Beaufort County from any possible terrorist activity. The first responders obviously would be law enforcement agencies, emergency fire, rescue and health care providers. The large area of Beaufort County, and considering a river divides it, would indicate the need for additional officers as well as replacing those positions vacant.
Alan Jordan was elected by the citizens to be High Sheriff. He is purposely, willfully, spitefully being denied the funds to manage the department because of politics. The law officers and citizens of Beaufort County are having their lives and assets put at risk by Hood Richardson and the "personnel committee." We have many fine young men and women in law enforcement in Beaufort County and they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. The contemptible comments slammed at them, through the attack on Sheriff Jordan, are no less hurtful than the anti-war protestors actions are to our armed services troops.
After Sept. 11, 2001 the general population seemed to realize the danger involved in the duties of firefighters, law enforcement, rescue workers and military service. A grateful nation thanked them for the peril they face on an everyday basis to protect us. Now we have troops defending our freedom in a foreign country and freeing an oppressed nation from dictatorship. At home our remaining troops and law enforcement personnel watch over us.
I want to thank all the law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency workers, military troops and health care providers for the services you provide. May God bless all of you and keep you safe from harm, no matter how it manifests itself.
DONNA BUCK WOOLARD
Washington
To the Editor:
There are some individuals who seemingly are ruled by fear, worry and anxiety. This can drain a lot of energy and pleasure out of you.
One such person a while back who fits in this category said he feared of getting sick and having to go to the hospital.
Per se, I was in the hospital six months ago for surgery. I heard the doctor tell the nurse that I needed plenty of sleep for the first three nights. Most of the time when she came with the pill, I was sound asleep. Then, too, they gave me what I call a "sexy gown" as it barely covered the "essentials." I felt like it was on backward (maybe for shock value).
Visiting hours are where your friends come to see you and while there, talk about things that are happening in the community -- giving little time for them to see how you're doing before leaving. The day he was released, the doctor came in with a stethoscope to check his heart, and saying to stop by business office for the amount owed. Good luck and get well soon.
Generally speaking, individuals who are ruled by fear, worry and anxiety think about the possibilities of uncertainties, and of what will happen in the future. These views can be changed by having a positive view of themselves and others in the world. Sincerity in doing this will dissipate fear, worry and anxiety from their life. Life then will give one more joy, happiness and energy for a better life. It's worth trying!
BILL BOWEN
Williamston