Thank you for your help



I would like to take an opportunity to say a few words about the people of Americus, especially those who witnessed our son get hit by a car in front of Cato’s Fashions in the Winn-Dixie shopping center. I want to say thank you to the nurse; I did not get her name, who was in Cato at the time for her quick response and reassuring tone of calmness. She even got to the Emergency Room before we did and was already hard at work to get our son the help he needed.

To the Americus Fire & Emergency Services, thank you. I know that sometimes people think that you are goofing off, but I am thankful that you were at Winn-Dixie at that time doing another service for the community when the accident happened. Your quick response and professionalism shone through in a tough moment for our family.

To Janice Goodin at Merle Norman, thank you for providing the calmness and serenity of prayer in our moment of trouble. For those who may not believe in the power of prayer, we are witnesses to the blessings, healings and goodness that are given through prayer.

To the many customers of Cato’s, family, friends, co-workers, everyone that has sent up prayers or showed compassion and empathy, thank you. You all have been a blessing to our family and we can not say thank you enough.

Gabriel and Chinquita Green Laster, parents

Willie and Annie Ragans Laster, grandparents

Americus

No wonder God punishes us



This is something I have had on my mind for some time and I would like to stay to everyone. Our forefathers came to America to make a new life for themselves with only their faith in God and their bare hands. They didn’t have any type of power equipment or electricity to work with, just their faith and determination. Just look at what they accomplished; we had one of the most respected countries in the world. All this started with hard work and their faith in God. Now we have put God out of our lives and are watching our country’s standards disappear. Why can’t we open our eyes and minds to see what we are doing?

Our forefathers came to America to make a better life for themselves and their future descendants; now we are wasting all they worked for. They cleared the forests for the farmland. They built homes and soon had factories for their needs. But they always took time to worship and thank God for His guidance. There were no doctors or hospitals, but they always saw to their neighbors’ needs.

We went from just trapping and farming to other types of making a living. Soon we would have our coal mines; then we had oil wells; we had our railroads; we had our gold mines. Then came the automobiles and airplanes. We prospered in every way. But we always remembered to thank God and observe the 10 Commandments by attending church.

Then we let our politicians take prayer our of our schools and put God on the back burner. Since then our society has crumbled. We taught the children to not believe in God, that we descended from animals. Most animals act with much better sense that some people.

When we have these terrorist attacks or storms or floods or all these killings, people want to know why God doesn’t stop them. Why would God want to help people who have disowned him?

I think we need to clean up our Capitol and get our bibles and clean up our own lives. Remember, we are the ones who elected all the people in Washington, but God is the ruler.

Let’s work together and make our country what our forefathers worked so hard for.

May God bless us all.

James L. Wiggins

Americus



Dear citizens of Sumter County,

One of the things I have always disliked is gossip and partial stories. And most of the time the least amount of “stirring the pot” is best. I was hoping this incident would be resolved and the embarrassment would go with it. I know the Americus Times-Recorder reports what information is available and works hard at keeping the public informed. So if you have been reading the stories about the “car chase shooting,” let me give you some details not shared.

First of all you need to know that I have talked to or read reports from all involved personally, except for the driver of the Blazer who I feel is responsible for the police chase. Law enforcement followed every protocol in the chase and in the handling of evidence. Both the driver and passenger had consumed alcohol prior to the chase.

Jonathan McCarty, passenger, attempted to exit the car because he wanted no part in the chase, but due to speed the Blazer was traveling, was unable to do so safely. No law enforcement fired a weapon during the chase! The bullet came from what was believed to be an unloaded weapon. It was a freak accident that will forever change the life of this young man. He is a law-abiding family man with children (who can read). The other men mentioned in the paper with Mr. Cosby had no involvement in the weapon discharging.

I and Jonathan believe the charges brought against the young man were appropriate. All fines were paid and restitution for all damages has been made. The sentence this young man has put on himself knowing that “someone could have died” is greater than any the courts could have put on him.

And for Jonathan McCarty, he is rethinking his lifestyle. Lessons learned: Do not run from the police and check your unloaded gun twice.

Thank you to the law enforcement and the District Attorney’s Office for the swift handling of this series of events. And thank the Lord no one was hurt.

Cat Young

(mother of Jonathan McCarty)

Americus