Published: July 14, 2008 05:58 pm            

Tipton can solve a major problem

To the editor:

I am a native of Dalton and attended Dalton High School from 1966 to 1969. During these years, the nation was in turmoil over civil rights issues. In fact, Dalton High School was segregated in my freshman year. The leaders of our community recognized that there was an inequity in our school systems and decided to make a plan to correct the situation. In 1967, our community schools were desegregated without any incidence of violence. I have always been proud of our community for pulling together and making a better community for all of us.

Today, we have a problem that began over a decade ago. Gang violence and crimes are escalating and they are directly related to illegal aliens in this community who are unable to obtain jobs because of their status. The difference in then and now, however, is that our sheriff’s department continues to deny that a problem exist. This problem has been left unresolved and now it is a mega problem that we are all suffering from including the Hispanics who have become citizens and are part of our community.

Paul Tipton recognized the problem a decade ago and decided to do something about the problem because he has a vision of this community as united and a safe place to live again.

James Zuppa wrote of Mr. Tipton in a letter to the editor on July 9th, “I question (Paul’s) strategy of running for office after losing handily on two previous occasions.” When I read this statement I was reminded of one of our nation’s great leaders, Abraham Lincoln, who ran for public office six times before being elected as president of our nation. I am sure that some men of his time questioned his strategies as well. Some may have called him a “slick politician” also, however, today Abraham Lincoln is known by all as a great visionary who abolished slavery.

Paul Tipton has a vision for this community…I think he deserves a chance to make our community better and he deserves our vote on July 15.

Thank you.



Diane Rhodes

Dalton

        

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