I am a lifelong resident of Calhoun County who has utilized Calhoun County public education for the past 20 years, and I currently have a son at John Ford Middle School. In response to Mr. Flodin, there are many reasons for the public outcry over closing Guinyard Elementary and John Ford Middle School.

As a taxpayer, the first reason I see is the $30-plus-million cost when these two schools are not in poor condition. Yes, renovations and certainly ADA updates must be completed, but to abandon these schools is ridiculous in the mind of this taxpayer. Secondly, I will never be convinced that K-8 schools are more appropriate than elementary schools with grades K-5 and middle schools housing 6-8 graders. Any parent should surely see the foolishness of putting these children together who will be using the same cafeteria, library, office, etc. They will not be separated at all times and there is a world of difference between a 5-year-old and a 14-year-old.

In addition, middle-schoolers deserve a unique environment to prepare for the adjustment to high school. They need intramural and school activities geared just to them. They need more than a "souped-up" version of elementary school.

And finally, the reason I feel most important to the argument against this plan is the fact that it continues segregation issues that have plagued this county for long enough. The truth is that the only way the U.S. Justice Department would approve the addition of grades 6-8 at Sandy Run Elementary was to build an exact replica of the school in the lower part of the county. It has nothing to do with what is good for all children in the county. It has to do with Sandy Run getting more grades at its facility so that its children will not have to utilize John Ford Middle School.

This county is only large enough for one middle school and that school should be centrally located as it is now. The taxpayers should not have to pay for a continuation of segregation. As for sentimentality, of course there are ties in a community where schools have graduated students for 50 or so years. But my three older children who all graduated from Guinyard Elementary and John Ford Middle School have just as much attachment to these two schools as anyone else in the community.

Blocks and mortar will not destroy the "vestiges" of segregation. Only changes of the heart will do that, and that will only occur when everyone in the county works for the welfare of every child and not just a certain few.



-- Melody Pedings, St. Matthews

SPCA, Vickie Smoak

deserve much credit

I read the recent editorial by Vickie Smoak about the SPCA and I, for one, would like to thank her for her commitment to this community's homeless animals and the care the SPCA provides. It's a tough job to take care of the many animals that find their way there.

People in the community should educate themselves on the differences between the County Animal Control and the SPCA. They are two separate and different entities, so people need to be sure where they are placing any blame.

In December 2006, I adopted a mixed, male Lab and couldn't be happier with him. Vickie spent the time not only showing me Rambo, but also all the pets that were available. She also took the time to show me the facilities. I visited the SPCA four times, sometimes announced, sometimes unannounced, and each time I came in, the place was clean.

Vickie screened me as a potential owner to make sure Rambo wasn't going just anywhere so she could clear a stall for another. She truly has the care and concern of the pets at the forefront of her duties.

I would encourage anyone seeking a new pet to take a visit to our SPCA and see what they have to offer. I'm glad I did and will again when I look for another pet. For those not looking for a pet but concerned about the animals at our SPCA, step up and give your time or give a donation to help support the efforts of caring for these animals and finding a home for them. No matter what route you take, you'll feel good knowing you've helped these pets. Give these pets just a little and they'll give you so much more in return.



-- Billy Kennedy Jr., Orangeburg

Wrestlers should be

checked for steroids

In reference to Brian Linder's write-up about Chris Benoit (T&D, June 26), I think this is a sport that needs to check all of the wrestlers to make sure that nothing like this with steroids happens again. My children and I watch wrestling all the time and to see something like that happen to a man that everyone admires is very terrible. I look up to wrestlers like John Cena and Batitsa. My heart goes out to the family and friends of Chris Benoit and Nancy Benoit.



-- Lynn Murdaugh, Orangeburg

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