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Anger gives way to disappointment Dear Editor: My family & I live in the county; my children attend Thomasville Schools; Thomasville receives income from the 9% sales taxes placed on the merchandise we purchase in Thomasville (where we do most of our shopping) and more than that on the many meals we eat in town. The wet vote greatly affects those of us who live out in the county with the easy availability of alcohol within Thomasville. Yet, sadly, we had no opportunity to vote on the matter. It was not emphasized from either side of the debate, but I heard that since the two largest towns in the county are now wet that the county can automatically go wet; is this true?! Again, we've had absolutely no say in the matter. Is this fair? As I read articles, letters, and ads in the Thomasville Times over the last several weeks, I would become infuriated and seriously considered writing a letter to the editor; but I knew I would have to be very careful to not harm my Christian witness, and I could see that others were tactfully expressing most of my same concerns. Those feelings of anger have now dissipated to deep levels of disappointment and dread. I am disappointed as to Thomasville Times' obvious bias throughout the issue's debate. I am disappointed that professed Christians voted "Yes" or failed to vote at all- votes that would have easily turned the decision. And where is spiritual conviction, knowledge of scripture, reverance for God, and love and respect for each other? This was/is a moral issue, not an economic one. Mostly, I am disappointed at the total disregard for the lives, safety, and moral influences of our children over money/socalled progress. How many of these 'yes' voters have teenagers who are new drivers; or teens who will succumb to peer pressure to 'try drinking'; or innocent teens and children who will be vulnerable to consequences of others' actions. Realistically, underage drinking will increase just by the easier availability and pressures from peers, as will the deceptions, crimes, and auto crash deaths associated with alcohol. Will their stance on the matter change when one of their children dies? And what is the logic in gaining revenue from beverage that destroys brain cells for use to fund the education of our children's minds? What mixed messages are we sending our kids? And is it realistic to assume that most drinkers will 'drink responsibly'? I dread the mother's worry as my 16- year-old son learns to drive on Tallahatta Springs Rd. (a road that is already dangerous without the added factor of drunken drivers); and as my 13- year-old cheerleader daughter gets into the peer-pressure scene; as my impressionable 11- year-old daughter formulates beliefs; as our church youth are under these same circumstances. I dread the worry of receiving the 'dreaded phone call'. Yes, I take this all very personally. I dread the increase in drunken & rowdy behavior among adults and the crime, death, & fear that accompanies it. I dread the consequences; and I dread the consequences for those who refused to recognize the dangers until they've lost a loved one. I pray God will spare them that grief. I pray for the protection of all our kids. I am disappointed in the disunity this issue- that never should have come up- has created. It is sad that we judge one another as being judgemental and manipulate to prove we are not manipulative; that opinions destroy respect for and trust in one another. As was stated at the community prayer service Monday night, God can still take this situation and bring good out of it, even an all-out revival along with forgiveness, reconciliation, and spiritual realization & growth & deep understanding of scripture. Until God does do a work, though, I believe, as a result of this decision, Thomasville has taken several steps backward rather than making progress. I hope the people of Thomasville will acknowledge that this decision to go wet is a mistake and will take measures along with citizens of Clarke County to overturn it.
Sincerely, Rose Walker
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