Heated Discussion

Only in Lumberton, Mississippi could an invitation to the Firefighter Fall Festival become more heated than a three alarm fire. I think the conversation entered the PNR (point of no return) when the following comment was made: "It's really sad that someone would stoop low enough to put down any fire fighters on 9/11. . . Vanessa, please think before you speak. These are the same people that respond when your family members have medical needs or they are involved in a car accident." I'm certain that this person is aware that Vanessa is still dealing with her son's car accident, and that's probably the reason why they made that comment. It's funny that they don't think anything should be said about fire fighters on 9/11, but in the same breath, would bring up a car wreck to a mother that's still grieving the loss of her son. Another person said that Vanessa's comment "every house you all came to has burned to the ground; we might as well don't have a fire department" kick started the melee. Whatever ignited the fire storm of insults, threats, and cyber bullying claims; it shows that our city is still far from being united.
The comments were really out there, but people generally don't show their true colors until they're angry. The other night at the board meeting, Mayor Holder asked Jerry Walters to tell the firefighters working at the football games to identify themselves instead of just telling people to get off the fence. Rather than complying with the mayor's request, Jerry made a point to say, that if someone gets in my wife's face and start going off, then I'm going to go off. It's interesting that he feel that he can "go off" on someone because the police department has brought them on to help secure the football games, but its okay for Kent Crider to disrespect Mayor Holder. Jerry later made some very disparaging comments when the meeting was in a state of chaos, but he feels that everyone should just support him. After reading one of his comments, I realize that he claims that "the Mayor caused the contract to be cancelled with the county." No wonder he has such disdain for Mayor Holder. At least now, I have discovered on of his sources of angst against the mayor. I'm sure it also has to do with many of his lengthy conversations with the city clerk, but some people don't need to be convinced to show their prejudice for another person.
The lowest point of this conversation came with a Lumberton police officer, Justin Martin said that “in my opinion only a 1/4 of the people in this town are worth saving." Now, these are the people that are employed to serve and to protect. How effective is a person in their job when they have this view of the citizens they are sworn to protect. Firefighters, first responders, police officers all have a very difficult job and for some reason, the vilest individuals are generally the ones attracted to these positions. I don't know if they have a hero complex or if they're just attention whores, but whatever the case may be, they need to be honest, fair-minded individuals if they choose to serve or volunteer in these areas. In small towns, we know each other and as a result, we know so much about the backgrounds, and political beliefs of those serving in our city. Jerry has said, on several occasions, that he has tried to get more black men/women to serve on the LVFD, but he has failed to do so. He's also said that his department is mostly comprised of women. I don't care if the department is all white. I only care that the people working on that department is there for the right reasons and not sitting back saying which neighborhoods they will and will not respond to. I don't agree with a lot of the things that were said, but don't preach unity in one post and then tear apart everyone else in the next. Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.