It's time for a change, people

How many wonder about the robbery that took place on Oct. 9th 2009, at the veneer mill in Cross City.

When the officers that where dispatched out in search for who stole money and a safe from the company, in their search across the street the local paper stated  that they found two local residents that had been running a methamphetamine lab. The paper stated that there was a smoking jar and several chemicals in the home found to manufacture the meth.

Question: why did they not quarantine the home and keep it safe for our community ? The trailer is now for rent or has been rented--the ad ran in the paper for 2 bedroom 2 bathroom for rent $425.00 month.

Personally, I would be concerned that if it was as bad as the paper and our local police stated that it was, the trailer should be condemned!

So, as I started at the beginning, what happen to the veneer mill? Did they ever find the person or people that robbed the company? The charges for Christopher Odom Jr , who was arrested in connection with the crime, were dropped because it was not him.

Finding that the man was one of the few residents in Reedville who worked at the mill. The have two children, and from what the paper stated, the children were at home when the police arrived at the home, and the child let the officers in the home before the parents new they were there!

The mother was asked if they could search the home for the money and the mill's belongings, but the mother said “no” and asked “why” because they were already searching her home without their permission. Is that our “finest” violating the 4th amendment ? The mother then left the scene to take her two children to school at Old Town Elementary and returned to the scene where  her and her husband were arrested.

I understand that people in America still have rights, or do we? Even though this couple may be in the wrong, how many times do we pay attention to what our “finest” do to make the paper or a name?

Now think about this: almost every Wednesday when you read a paper you see a bust for meth  or some kind of finding of manufacturing, list of chemicals or supplies to make meth or even arrest on pain pills. It is really good that they are getting this stuff off the streets and even saving peoples lives!

How come you see repeated people that were born or raised here in Dixie get arrested for the same kind of charges and get out on a bond and a few weeks later get arrested for the same exact thing! When you have someone that is not from Dixie get arrested for the same thing, it takes them two months to get a court date, get no bond, then get a court date and then get a $100,000 bond and have to wait another couple months before another court date.

Does that seem like they are treating people the same? No, it make no sense, but over the years there have been a lot of unjust things that go on in Dixie. Is it true that you really got to know someone, or be a true native of Dixie, to be done right by?

Even to my findings, it is hard to even get a job here if you don't know someone or don’t have family here because the people are afraid of what people in town will say.

Think about it.  All Christians in this town need to come together to have a breakthrough to help our loved ones and our community that has been going through so much over the years. The Bible says to love thy neighbors and forgive our debtors; how can we do that when we can’t even treat people the same?

There are a lot of people in our community who are already coming together for a change-- Our local churches, freedom fest, our local Foodland, the United Christian Service that helps our community regardless of race ,religion, town people or not.

Come on people, Christmas was just here. Pay attention to your surroundings. Remember how many times you have heard the phrase, “Two wrongs don’t make a right?”  What did we all just celebrate? Christmas! What is the real meaning of Christmas? It is Jeasus Christ’s birthday, and if we all try to be Christ-like, what would our Dixie turn into ?

People it’s time to take a stand for our rights. Not just the people who have made wrong choices in their life, but all people! Its time for a real change DIXIE.

LaDonna Odom