Letters to the Editor
By Staff
A yes vote doesn't crucify
Editor,
The proclamation that a "yes" vote will crucify Christ again is an unbiblical statement.
The only time this is mentioned in the Bible is when Paul declares that those who doubt they are saved, or that they can lose their salvation, keep coming back over and over seeking salvation.
In Hebrews chapter 6, Paul assures all the promises of salvation through Christ is immutable, for God is not a liar.
Paul says those who have this disbelief not only crucify Christ over and over, but they also never move on towards perfection and are unknowledgeable in the Word of God.
In Romans 14:17, Paul makes clear the Kingdom of God is not meat or drink, but a kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Vote yes or no according to your convictions concerning the sale of alcohol, but please stop using our Lord's Holy Word to bring about the result of your convictions. Especially by making people think it is the things we do or don't do that determine our salvation. Salvation is determined by the acceptance or rejection of Christ.
Jimmie Clemons
Hartselle
Vote 'yes' signs disappearing
Editor:
I'm sure you will not print this because it is not in tune with your one-sided paper's view but I must voice what I have recently witnessed. I have placed several signs out for a "vote yes on November 5" and guess what? They are disappearing. I would have thought that the good Christians living within our town would be fair about this coming election. For this type of activity, I guess it goes to show you that what the "Families for a safe Hartselle" is publishing about our town are down right lies. "We already have thieves here in a 'dry' Hartselle." So what is the big deal?
Ed Forster
Hartselle
No illegal activity in vote
Editor,
This letter is written in response to an article printed in the Hartselle Enquirer on Oct. 17.
It has come to my attention that some people have mistakenly interpreted "meeting in a backroom" as referencing illegal activities.
While I do believe there is a group of people working hard to push the liquor referendum, I do not believe or have any reason to believe they are engaging in any illegal activities.
I apologize for any misinterpretation of the article.
Each person has the right and freedom to urge voters to support the legalization of liquor sales in Hartselle or otherwise.
Thank you for the opportunity to submit this response.
Jeff Johnson
Hartselle
Alcohol caused many problems
Editor,
I could state my own personal opinions of why legalized alcohol sales would be bad for our city, but who's to say that my opinion is any more valid than another man's.
I could tell of several people I know who have actually died from alcohol use because of liver damage.
I could also tell of homes I know that have been broken because of alcohol abuse.
But in response, one might argue the people I speak of should have used moderation in the use of alcohol.
So, I will not give my opinion on the issue of legalizing liquor sales in the city of Hartselle. After all, my opinions can be faulty and at times even biased.
Instead, I would like to submit the opinion and advice of someone we all should listen to very carefully…that is God himself.
What does God tell us about alcohol? Proverbs 20:1 says "Wine is a mocker and strong drink is a brawler and whoever is led astray by it is not wise."
Alcohol mocks us and makes fun of us. It makes us behave in ways that make us look foolish.
I didn't say it-God did.
Alcohol is a brawler…it causes fights. We will see more fighting take place inside our city as a result of alcohol being sold here.
I didn't say it-God did.
If our city is led astray by alcohol, then we are not wise.
I didn't say it-God did.
Will alcohol sales bring money to our city? God says in Proverbs 21:17 "He who loves wine and oil will not be rich." Proverbs 23:21 says "For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty."
Alcohol steals from us and brings poverty.
I didn't say it-God did.
Will alcohol enhance our way of life? God says in Proverbs 23: 29-30 "Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long at the wine, Those who go in search of mixed wine."
Alcohol will bring sorrows, contentions, and wounds to our city.
I didn't say it-God did.
Now I realize the moment I brought God into the issue I lost many people's attention. People would rather I express my opinion and then fuss and fume at me for my backward thinking.
But when God's viewpoint is presented, you only have two options: Line up and agree with Him or put yourself in the awkward position of being in disagreement with God and arguing with your maker.
This is the only area in which I feel that I should make my opinion known-it's not wise to argue with God!
I love the city of Hartselle and I pray that her people will make the right decision on Nov. 5.
Greg Lane
Hartselle
'Yes' vote is a sin
Editor,
I'm very sure by now most of you have read the statistics concerning alcohol being in Hartselle. You've probably heard all about the harm it would bring-crime and injuries-but I would like to offer one simple reason to vote "no"; it is a sin!
I know people are thinking, "But think of all that revenue," and, "This is the only way to get more money for our city."
Well, let's bring it down to where the rubber meets the road: "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Proverbs 14:12.
Please listen-we do not need such garbage and filth in this town. We need to get back to the Bible.
In 1 Corinthians 6:10, the word of God says that drunkards shall not inherit the kingdom of God. The truth is drunkards go to the eternal torments of a literal burning hell.
I want to speak now to all of the people who intend to vote "Yes" and whose names are on a church roll somewhere. Get saved! Your name might be on a church membership, but it wouldn't be found in the Lamb's Book of Life.
For all those truly born again, let's pray. Pray without ceasing and beg God to touch the hearts of every man and woman eligible to vote. Pray they will vote no and for Jesus to open their blinded eyes, come into their hearts, and save their souls.
The truth is usually neither popular nor goes over well. I just hope it will stir enough of you to vote "No."
I love the people of Hartselle, but most of all God loves you. How much do you love Him?
Brandon Miller
Hartselle
Alcohol sales will help city
Editor,
Carefully, honestly, and thoroughly, examine the wet/dry issue in Hartselle and, with logical rather than political intent, answer the question,
"Why not legalize the sale of alcoholic beverages in Hartselle?" If alcohol sales become legal in Hartselle, what will change? What will be different from the way it is now? The one big difference is greater tax revenue for the city of Hartselle and its residents. Tax revenues, both alcohol and sales tax, plus ancillary revenues from direct and indirect sales will remain in
Hartselle, benefiting Hartselle rather than someone else. This benefit has been conservatively estimated to be in the range of $1 million annually, all with no significant negative effects. This is the positive side. There is a negative side – without it taxes must go up.
The principal issue, if not the only issue, against legalizing alcohol in
Hartselle appears to be the religious issue. But why is this the case?
In Biblical times wine was a natural way of life, being consumed as much so, if not more so, than water. Why cannot wine and religion work together?
Where in the Bible does it say wine (alcohol) should not be consumed, other than the excessive consumption of it? In other words, it is acceptable as long as it is controlled. There have been planning sessions, with in-depth discussions, held to minimize negative effects and insure the control of alcohol in Hartselle.
Then where is the issue? It is quite plain, Hartselle can only benefit from a yes vote.
James L. Nix
Hartselle
Sign stealing an omen of future
Editor,
The people that are stealing and destroying the "vote no" signs on private property are doing it under cover of darkness.
These are the same people who want to legalize liquor in Hartselle.
Their thinking is that they can get this done by committing a crime. I hope everyone can see this is just the tip of the ice burg-a prelude of things to come if liquor is to be legalized here.
The people who are committing the crime are the same who will be doing the drinking later.
Gary Phillips
Hartselle
Alcohol issue a Hartselle topic
Editor,
Why wet?
Why dry?
These are questions a lot of people ask that have no perfect answer.
Some of the people who are trying to take control of Hartselle have no stake in the fight.
As citizens of Hartselle, we are the ones it will affect the most, not the rich people who are pouring money into the hat to keep it out; most of whom don't even live in Hartselle. They live in Birmingham, Cullman, Decatur and Morgan County.
The ministers say they aren't trying to force the issue. Then why do they go door-to-door and try to make people vote their way?
Where were these people when the kids passed out at school and later found out drugs were involved?
They stayed home and said, "What a shame."
Drug dealers are everywhere. They don't buy license, pay taxes, check identification, or share revenues with the city.
Why don't the ministers fight this just as hard?
Decatur doesn't want Hartselle wet. That would mean lost revenues for Decatur from Danville, Falkville, Cullman, Eva, Winston County and Hartselle.
People, let's keep this in Hartselle and ask the rich, influential people to keep their money and mind their own business. We know our needs and what the revenue will do for Hartselle.
If it goes wet, it will not cause any one person to start drinking because it is wet.
However, if it stays dry, it will not cause any one person to quit drinking because it is dry.
Michael S. Silver
Hartselle
Alcohol won't bring problems
Editors,
I am a recent transplant from the west coast and now a resident of Hartselle. Hartselle is a quaint, little town and a great place to raise a family.
The editorializing about the liquor laws lately has been amusing and very entertaining. I read the letters to the editor and wonder what planet the authors of those letters are from.
Due to not being a long time resident, I have the ability of looking at the situation objectively. The "nightmare scenarios" painted in those letters are very far from reality. Neighboring communities, with liberal liquor laws, do not have the problems forecasted by the letter-writers. I have not seen any public drunkenness, liquor-induced brawls, alcohol-related crimes or gaudy, flashing neon lights advertising liquor. I do however, see neon signs, even in Hartselle, for chew and tobacco products that are as much, or more of a health issue than alcohol.
This is clearly a feud between church and state. Hypocrisy abounds! Notice the parking lot at the Hartselle Liquor store (Conoco station at the bottom of the hill) on a Friday or Saturday evening.
Morality begins at home. Morality or immorality on the shelves in the markets and convenience stores. Our most important job as
parents to teach good values. Forbidden fruit is even more tempting. The bigger the deal that is made out of this, the more tempting it will be for the young people. It is not nearly as big of a deal as it is being portrayed.
Elliott Teuscher
Hartselle
Hartselle not a city of sin
Editor,
If the legal sale of alcohol passes in November and half of what the people who oppose it say will happen does, then I expect to see the following:
Drunks passed out on the sidewalks of downtown Hartselle at four in the afternoon. Drunken prostitutes standing on the corner of Main and Sparkman streets and in the parking lot behind McDonald's.
Jails will be bursting at the seams with DUI offenders and spouse/child abusers.
Divorce, bank repossessions and suicides will increase tenfold. All non-drinkers will be pulled into the dark world of alcohol.
Give me a break.
The Hartselle community has some of the best people in the world here and, believe it or not, some of the finest and most prominent residents and leaders in this community do drink.
I find it very difficult to believe this will transform Hartselle into a "City of Sin."
I haven't decided how I will vote yet, but if this nightmarish, over exaggerated reasoning is continually shoved down my throat like I am some kind of idiot, that will make my decision for me.
Please allow the residents of Hartselle a little more credit than they are being given. We are a more intelligent than one might think.
Michael Wages
Hartselle
