Mayor's Row

by Mayor Ned Mitchell

You had to know this was coming so here it is! Those of you who follow this column have a pretty good idea already what the rant of the day will be so read on.

Josh Melton was a husband, father of a 16 month old daughter and a true patriot. If you have paid attention to the local news Melton was a National Guard Staff Sergeant killed in action by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan last week. He was from Germantown, Illinois in Clinton County. He had dreamed of becoming a soldier since he was 8 years old and he joined the Illinois National Guard in the year 2000. Governor Quinn attended the funeral as he has for each Illinois soldier killed in action. Gov. Quinn does not speak at the funeral and does not talk to the press. He sits in the back of the room by himself, pays condolences to the family and then leaves. Quite remarkable! The priest who officiated at the funeral called Melton and ordinary citizen doing an extraordinary duty for his country. Even though Sgt. Melton gave up his life for our country, not much coverage was given to him.

Why is that you ask? You already know the answer to that question! We were inundated with hours of continuous coverage of the death of Michael Jackson. Not even the death of super star pin up Farrah Fawcett or Johnny Carson sidekick Ed McMahon or television super salesman Billy Mays could sidetrack the coverage of Michael. It swept across the world like a prairie fire and people were actually beside themselves emotionally over his death. Trust me folks, the sun came up the next morning and has done so every morning since.

I mean seriously maybe the guy had some talent, he really could moonwalk backwards, whatever that signifies, but to have nonstop coverage on CNN and other major news outlets is a sure sign they had nothing else to talk about. Jackson had so much cosmetic surgery and bleaching done that he looked downright creepy to me but obviously I was in the minority when it came to his popularity.

Hey, its’ not the first time I have been in the minority and it won’t be the last. Stop and think about it, a 26 year old soldier is killed fighting for our country leaving a widow and a 16 month old child and we barely see a blip even locally let alone nationally. His story did not even come close to making the national news let alone international. Yet to me he was a greater figure, a hero if you will, than Jackson, Fawcett, McMahon, and Mays put together.

So now that I have ruffled the feathers of all the Michael Jackson fans, get over it. Thank your lucky stars that we have men and women of the caliber of Josh Melton who when called upon give the sacrifice of their own life so that you and I can listen to Michael Jackson if we so desire.

Speaking of service men and women a collection box is now at city hall for the purpose of gathering up non perishable items for shipment to soldiers serving overseas. If you have the name and address of a soldier bring it to city hall along with a non perishable item or two and it will be sent to those serving our country. Hey, it beats buying a Michael Jackson CD and will make you feel a whole lot better!

Sesser’s First United Methodist Church has welcomed a new pastor and family. Rev. Julie Smith is now serving as pastor of the Sesser and Valier churches. She and her husband Joe and their daughters Frankie Ann (10) and Lyndsay Joe (5) will hold their first service Sunday. Pastor Smith was an attorney for 15 years before being called to the ministry. She was graduated from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in 2007. Former pastor Harold “Bumper” Quick has his family have accepted a new church in Sumner, Illinois. We want to join us at city hall as we welcome the new family to our community.

Alderman Bob Woll has undergone heart surgery this week and had a valve replaced. Bob is a vital part of our city operation and we look forward to a speedy recovery and will keep our fingers crossed that all things mechanical that nobody else can fix will stay together until he gets released from the hospital and recovers at home.

Jamie Jones is home after surgery on his leg the result of a motorcycle accident a few weeks ago. He will be on the mend for some time but we are thankful that his injuries were able to be repaired.

Work continues on the new baseball complex on the East side of town. If you have not been there lately take the time to drive out and see the construction being done. Fence is being installed as well as underground water, sewer, and electrical service that will serve the new complex. The very wet spring that we had this year put the project on hold for a couple of months but we will be playing ball there maybe even this fall.

We are saddened to report the death of our friend Evan “Gabby” Miller who died last week from cancer. “Gabby” was just that, he always had time to stop and talk, even when I didn’t think I did. He would sometimes just drop in the Print Shop and we would talk politics both local and state. He was a unique guy who always told me what was on his mind even if he disagreed with me. That is what I remember him for, his profound honest opinions. We never had a cross word even though we were on opposite sides of some issues and that is the way it should be among friends. I will miss his political philosophy and his outlook on life in general.