Published: August 04, 2008 01:37 pm            

Letters to the editor for August 3, 2008

Dear Editor,

I would like to address the issue raised in Wednesday’s paper about the campaign sign posted at the Maxwell Cemetery. The sign is placed on my mom’s grave and is our way of showing respect to her. She passed away almost three months ago after a tough battle with liver cancer. She was adamant about my dad running for office. It has been my dad’s goal to become District 2 County Commissioner for a long time and she was there encouraging him to run.

When we lost her, he had second thoughts about even running but he knew she would have told him he better do it. Other people that have visited the cemetery have commented on the sign and actually thought it was quite fitting and almost humorous for us to put it up. They know my mom would be right out there with us knocking on doors and mailing out pamphlets. Putting the sign at her grave is our way of letting her campaign.

It was not put there to gain votes. It was not put there to be taken as a serious act of campaigning. It was not put there to cause apprehension with other visitors of the cemetery.

Talk about discourteous — accusing a person of campaigning at a cemetery. Come on, answer me this. Who there is going to be voting? I am sorry that the person misconstrued our regards to my mother with the idea of campaigning. If that person were from this area and/or knew anything about my mom, dad, little brother or myself, they would not have thought twice about why the sign was posted there. Furthermore, what a person places on their loved one’s grave is none of anyone else’s concern.

My family and friends are disappointed and angry with the letter to the editor in Wednesday’s paper. On behalf of all of them, I write this to address the misunderstanding. We have been working very hard to cope with my mother’s passing along with the election. Maybe next time that person can spend more time mourning loved ones and less time trying to find ways to disrespect others.

Karisa Davis, Ada



Dear Editor,

I am writing in response to the letter written by a lady from Pauls Valley. First of all, she does not know this family. The sign was there because this wonderful lady was his greatest supporter.

She was backing him to run for commissioner. The sign was not there for campaigning purposes, but to let her know he was trying to fulfill her dream for him. This is a loving, close and caring family. The loss of this wife and mother has been devastating for this family. This was a way of communicating with her.

I hope people in this area do not let this sway their thoughts about this deserving young man. I believe the people that know and love him are as upset as myself.

For those that do not know him that well, his intentions were not to hurt anyone. He is continuing to share his life the best he can with the wife he loves.

Priscillia Bottoms, Ada



Dear Editor,

I am writing in response to the lady from Pauls Valley. First of all I am concerned about her ill placed concern over the campaign poster at the Maxwell Cemetery. When I read the comments, I have to admit I was very disappointed at the lack of compassion for a family and husband who had recently lost his wife, mother of his children, his best friend and confidant. This gentleman goes and spends time talking and sharing with his greatest supporter and wife. This family is a very close and loving family. If she knew this family as his friends do, she would never have given this act of his sharing with his wife a second thought.

I was very angry at the comments, at the hurt she had inflicted to this family with her letter. But then I recalled the lifestyle of the lady being visited. She would forgive the lack of compassion and pity the small-minded pettiness.

This is the way she was and is how are family is as well.

In an area of their world that they should be able to mourn and share their thoughts, it should be private. As for myself, my dad has been gone 31 years and I still go and talk to him, and yes, I share my thoughts, hopes and fears. Through tears, I know he isn’t there, but as a human being I relate my feeling with the last place I was able to spend time together.

So, as for me the words, “Shame on you,” for begrudging him his time and manner of sharing with his number one supporter and she always encouraged him in whatever his facet of his career.

As a last thought for the woman who wrote the letter, she owes this man and his family an apology.

Pat Groves, Ada

        

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