LETTERS: Balderdash! years ago
To the Editor:
An apology, Mr. Gerald E. Cleverley? NO, the letter you wrote was the longest letter bashing on the city of Florence that I have ever read. I have one question for you, sir. Were you even living in our wonderful community in 2002? Where is your letter on all the wonderful things about Florence? How about all the volunteers who work day in and day out to bring our town together and provide safety to our community? How about all the wonderful events in our town such as Labor Day, Spring Fling, fund-raisers to help those in our community who have experienced financial troubles due to health, fires, and anything else that might occur? Our town is a family that pulls together.
The last thing we need is more negativity and council bashing. We are all striving to build this town up and you, Mr. Cleverley, seem to be on the a path of destruction. This town takes great pride in everything it does.
And as for your comments on ADA, Rome was not built in a day. These things do take time. The city of Florence along with the town's ADA compliance officer have worked very hard to bring these changes about, not just hiring lawyers and talking about it.
Now to address your comment on the increase of numbers in city employees — "With growth comes change." How do you expect the city to meet your demands without those that can change it, build it, protect it, or maintain it?
Correct me if I am wrong, but you implied in your letter that we also had problems with our emergency medical services. Without the town's support and volunteers our nearest EMS unit would be 10 miles away. Do you, Mr. Cleverley, want to wait 10 minutes while your life or the life of someone you love is hanging in the balance? Our town has had an emergency medical technician who has served as a volunteer for 36 years! That means without pay, Mr. Cleverley. I personally have served on this ambulance department for 13 years and as for our record and our compliance with state regulations, we are top notch!. We are very proud of our ambulance and those who take the time out of their days to save lives.
I have seen the same commitment from those who serve on our council. Those who volunteer and never receive any credit or thanks, just grief. The members of the city council and those who volunteer, have worked hard year around to keep Labor Day and other events that bring people to Florence, up and going. Where were you and all the other negative people? Certainly not volunteering, nor attending any events to raise money to better our community.
You want to make a change? Jump in any time and volunteer and work hard with the rest who want to make a change instead of sitting on the sidelines and gossiping with those who are afraid to speak up. GO to the council meetings and speak up. Make this town great! We all need to work together Mr. Cleverley. Negativity will get this town nowhere except in a screaming match.
It's time for me to get off my bandwagon and go do something productive. I wish I could address all the issues you have with the city of Florence, but some people will not accept the good, just the bad. To you, Mr. Cleverley, I say, "Balderdash!" To the council and the volunteers, I say, "Keep up the good job of trying — you can't please everyone."
Judy Creamer
