Continue Working Together — By Tommy Purser

I recently watched an interview with former NBA great Charles Barkley who was discussing a number of issues, among which were some of the turmoils infesting the WNBA. At one point in the interview he decried the many harmful posts being made on social media.
Barkley added, and I paraphrase, that social media was the worst thing that ever happened to this country. That opinion has merit, I think, no matter who espouses it.
To that point, and more particularly, I think Facebook is the worst thing that has ever happened to Jeff Davis County. It has revealed the unpleasant underbelly of our community for all to see. The incessant complaining and negativity does nothing good for us. I wish it would just stop.
Of course, there are good people on Facebook saying good things. Positive things that serve us all well.
To paraphrase one such comment I saw recently: “Let’s continue working together, finding solutions, reaching compromises, and ensuring that every group …. feels respected, valued, and supported.”
That comment came from a leader seeking to calm one of the recent displeasures voiced on Facebook.
Last Tuesdays called meeting of the Hazlehurst City Council was unpleasant as feelings of frustratiuon were vented. But it would serve us all well to realize that the result of that meeting is that the city council members at that meeting are now committed to “finding solutions, reaching compromises, and ensuring that (the animal shelter volunteer) group feels respected, valued, and supported.”
Last week’s unfortunate “cleanup” at the city cemetery understandably left many people angry. The result of that incident it that the council is now committed to “finding solutions, reaching compromises,” etc.
Perhaps it would help everyone to reach that needed compromise by reading the following section of the City of Hazlehurst’s ordinance covering the city-owned cemeteries:
Section 3-43: PROHIBITIONS
• Loose Decorations: It shall be unlawful for any person to place loose decorations, what-nots, trinkets, glassware, toys, or other like items on any slab or monument within the City cemeteries.
Consider for a moment that, perhaps, there may have been fault on both sides — not necessarily equal fault, but fault nonetheless. And consider also that the city has never charged anyone with its violation although there have been many, many violations.
By the way, violation of Section 3-43 carries with it “a fine of not less than $100.00 and not more than $1,000.00 and may include a jail sentence of up to 90 days in jail for each day the violation continues as each day shall be considered a separate offense…”
I think the city deserves a pat on the back for its patience with violators.