Mayor’s Row…….by Ned Mitchell
We have all been shocked by the disaster in the south and while many folks are blaming everything from global warming to politicians to race, Sesser has joined in on the efforts to send help to where it is needed. There will be many drives in the next few days soliciting help from area residents. Over the weekend we at city hall sent out direct mail letters to all of our water customers with a list of reputable charities that are already on the scene helping victims. We are told officials in that area do not need folks with food drives, clothing drives and loading up and hauling things down there. What they really need is money and those in the charity business will know where to send it and what to buy with it and how to distribute what is needed. We can all play a part in helping fellow Americans and we have assembled a list of reputable charities and we ask that you consider them if you want to make a donation. Donations to these organizations are tax deductible also. They are:
The Red Cross 1-800-435-7669
America’s Second Harvest 1-312-262-2303
United Methodist Committee on Relief 1-800-554-8583
Salvation Army 1-800-725-2769
Catholic Charities 1-800-919-9338
These are all charities that spend the money they collect on the victims and not administrative costs. Due to the vast number of people wanting to help it may take you some time to get through the phone lines to make a donation but keep trying and eventually you will be successful.
Now for the bad news about donating money to worthy causes. We were told at city hall to advise our residents on some safeguards to take when donating money. Do not ever give money to someone who calls you on the phone. If you want to donate, you make the call, that way you can control who you are talking to. If someone calls you asking for money, hang up. It is not a good idea to give cash to anyone unless you know the person and know where the money you donate is going to go. Be hesitant about dropping money in collection buckets in stores unless the money is being collected for a local cause and one that you are aware of and comfortable with. The scam artists will be out in full force as they always are when there is a disaster. We want to do our part and ask that you join in with us. If someone calls you soliciting money be very cautious.
Another very worthwhile cause that we have taken on at city hall is a drive to collect items that can be sent to Iraq for American soldiers in battle. Here again we all have our opinions about this war, we are not here to discuss the pros and cons. The bottom line is we have American men and women on the battle field that need our help. There are things we can all do to aid in this effort. At city hall we have a blue plastic 55 gallon drum. We are asking Sesser area residents to bring items in that can be placed in this barrel that will be sealed and shipped overseas to the battle field. Soldiers are in need of toothpaste, waterless hand cleaner, shampoo, soap, deodorant, mouthwash, granola bars, jerky snacks, magazines like Time, Newsweek, People, etc (no pornography), pens, and pencils, writing pads. Be creative and think about non-perishable items that can be used for personal hygiene and care. If you don’t have the money to purchase these items, sit down and write a letter to just soldier. Tell the person you are writing to that you appreciate their sacrifice. Put the letter in an envelope, seal it and put it in the barrel. You don’t even have to put a stamp on it. If you can afford to buy items to be sent buy the travel size and we can get more in the barrel and more soldiers can get the benefit. If you cannot afford to buy anything, take a few minutes and write a letter, it costs you nothing and we will see that it gets sent to the battlefield. To my knowledge Sesser is the only city in Franklin County thus far participating in this effort. We encourage you to join us as we support our brave men and women on the battlefield. If you cannot get your items to city hall give us a call at 625-3611 or 625-5322 and we’ll come pick them up and put them in the barrel for you.
No, I did not find time to attend the reformer/unreformer’s bar b que at the Du Quoin State Fair. Since I only got five invitations a few folks amusingly asked if I attended. The older I get and the supposedly wiser I get, the less phony I get. I decided it would be in Sesser’s best interest if I just stayed away and that way I would not open my mouth and tell anyone how I really felt. I would be blabbing about the 4 million dollars handed out to Jackson County last week for transportation, the 3 million dollars to Williamson County for a little league ball park, the 4 million dollars to Jefferson County for a new interchange on I-57, the 4 million dollars given to Williamson County for a new interchange on I-57, the $800,000.00 given to Continental General Tire for employee training and the list goes on and on. But hey, wait a minute, I did not mention Franklin County. Shucks even Saline County got $40,000.00 to plant wildflowers in Eldorado. Now there is some real economic development! They may have lost hundreds of jobs in Saline County in the last year but at least they will have $40,000.00 worth of Bachelor’s Buttons to look at next year. Perhaps folks can make salad out of the greens.
So as I told a good friend who was pressing me to attend, no it would just be better if I did not. Franklin County has consistently delivered the vote on election day for democrats good and bad, it makes no difference. If you are a democrat, this county will deliver. That is fine, folks have the right to vote however they wish and I don’t have a problem with that. My problem is we in Franklin County are being ignored by the reformer/unreformer governor. I understand how our county chairman needs to be silent and how Senator Forby or Representative Bradley really cannot get into a squabble with the reformer/unreformer, but that does not apply to the rest of us. We all need to make our feelings known to these folks. I am constantly making mine known but I’m not too sure about the rest of you. Perhaps you are content with the way things are in Franklin County. I happen to not be one of those. The squeaky wheel philosophy needs to be tried in Franklin County.
In sick bay this week Gayla Smothers is home after surgery, Susan Zettler is undergoing tests, and Larry Spann is in a St. Louis hospital. These neighbors of ours would appreciate a card, phone call or visit. Please keep them in mind.
City council members at last week’s meeting passed a new ordinance for Sesser. Using our Home Rule powers we adopted an ordinance that would make it unlawful for anyone to protest or disrupt a funeral or military service. God forbid that we would ever have to use this law, but in the times we are living in we felt it was the least we could do out of respect for our soldiers and veterans. Freedom of speech, right, take that somewhere else, you come here with that baloney and disrupt a funeral and we’ll give you a free ride to the county hotel. We deal in simple concepts!
If you need us, or have a comment or concern please call us at 625-3611, 625-5322, 625-5788, email nedmitchell@verizon.net or www.sesser.org or do it the old fashioned way and stop by for a visit. Sesser is a pretty small town and we’re not hard to find.
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