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LETTERS:   Families depend on drivers' jobs years ago


To the Editor:

I am Tammy McKinnis Inge. My husband is one of the drivers who parks on Darryl Brewer's land. He comes in every two to three weeks. He has been a professional driver for 10 years. He has safety awards. He has tried working here in the area but the jobs here just don't provide the income we need or have the insurance benefits.

This being said, the Jex Addition group that is fighting the truck parking has said all along that they are for the truck drivers, but against the city. They believe that the city should provide a place for the truckers to park outside of residential areas. That is not reality. The parking there is what we have to work with right here and now.

The group has said in a letter to editor this past week their main concern is the safety of children in the area. A top priority for everyone is safety, even for the truck drivers who use that road.

One or more persons from that group have taken it upon themselves to call the companies of the drivers and make false complaints about these men. They have called into question their dedication to safety and their judgment, which could lead to their firing.

We have four children with a fifth on the way. The baby I am carrying, Aden, has tested positive for a genetic disorder. If my husband is fired and loses his job and insurance, who will provide the money necessary to care for this child, all the medical bills, and support service we might need?

We are the godparents of a little girl. We are in a year-long legal battle with her biological parents to keep her. If my husband loses his job who will pay the legal bills associated with this fight to save this child? As for the other children, if my husband loses his job who will pay our rent to house them, buy our food to feed them, pay our utilities to keep them warm and clean?

In this group's quest to push their agenda, one they say is based on the safety of children, they have and are putting my children and the families of all the other drivers at much greater risk.

The risk to one of their children being hurt playing in that road is just as great whether it is from a passenger car or a semi. But, the risk to the very life of one of my children and the safety and well-being of all of my kids was increased by one or more callous, cold people.

They really don't care about children — they just want to get their way. Their tempter tantrum could cost us the life of our child and the safety of an other.

Tammy McKinnis Inge

Marion

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