Text The Times.

Text The Times.

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870-225-1456

Here’s what everyone is

pr talking about this week:

Yeap they will not put anything in the paper that go against the grain. Put the board members who stole the hospital money. Like how the Patterson been price gauging us. [Editor’s Note: If the implication here is that we only print “Good News, ” I’d imagine you have us confused with that other paper you see around the county (though I can’t remember what it’s called…). To the two “examples ” you offer: No one stole money from the hospital. No one has ever suggested that they did. I’m not sure where you got the idea that was what happened, but it didn’t. The hospital had its share of problems, but that wasn’t one of them. On your allegations of price gouging, if you actually drive around town, you ’11 actually see that Exxon consistently has the highest prices in town, that the gas stations (regardless of ownership) near the Interstates are consistently up to a dime more per gallon than anywhere else in the count}’, and that prices van’, even within the same company, based on location and immediate competition] The city of earle just dont know when to stop, now they have a speed trap going on 64 hwy. I wonder if they are radar qualified. [Editor’s Note: While I can’t say one way or the other for Earle, I will tel! you a story. Last year, I got pulled over for going 63 in a very short stretch of Highway 64 in Parkin that drops to 55.

I was speeding, and to be honest, as much as I don’t like getting a ticket, I can’t really argue. I mean, I was speeding after all. Anyway, I went to court in Parkin on my court date, and I was greeted in the court room by the city attorney. He was trying to settle minor cases before court actually started. He asked my name and I told him. He looked me up in his file and asked if I’d be willing to just accept a fine for “inattentive driving, ” which was less than the cost of a speeding ticket and would not go on my record. Never one to pass up a bargain, I agreed. I paid my $65 dollars (rather than $135, plus potential court costs) and went on my merry way. After telling someone that story not long after, he told me I should have pled not guilty, becuase, not only would the officer likely not be there to dispute it, he wasn’t radar certified anyway.

Don’t know if that’s true or if it even applies here. Just thought I’d throw it out there]

***

I just read the article about the lack of training at the Marion Police Department from 2/26/16. I can tell you the unnamed parent is 100% correct! MPD has some serious leadership issues which no one either seems to care or would rather bury their head in the sand and not address.

Fact is, there has been basically zero training offered to the great officers of the city in quite a number of years but rather dress sharp and look good for the public. Which is certainly an issue which will some day catch up. It’s a dog and pony show at best. I challenge anyone to prove me or the parent otherwise through department training records.

Wake up Marion. It’s not 1965 anymore! [Editor’s Note: I was fairly sure that last Friday’s story would stir up opinions. While there are always going to be concerns about the safety of our community’s children (and I am by no means an expert on school safety, law enforcement training or crisis management) I think the most important things to take away from that incident are the need for awareness and preparedness.

In this instance, from what I understand, the school and the police followed prescribed procedures and the best possible positive outcome was achieved. If the story was controversial, but it leads to the aforementioned awareness and preparedness, then it’s worth the controversy]