Our Readers Write...

State should
control spillway

To The Editor:
Reelfoot Lake was formed in a series of earthquakes that caused the Mississippi River to run backwards and create the largest natural lake in Tennessee. 
Two hundred years later, its unparalleled fishing and hunting opportunities combined with its nesting eagles, scenic views and diverse wildlife make Reelfoot Lake a state treasure that benefits all Tennesseans. 
The state of Tennessee just spent millions of dollars to make sure that Reelfoot Lake would be enjoyed by our children and grandchildren with the addition of a new spillway. 
This new spillway replaces one which was leaking, making it impossible to keep the water at a constant level. With the addition of the spillway, the addition of new boat ramps, and upgrades to the refuge the state of Tennessee has put a significant amount of money to ensure the continued existence of our lake. 
However, with the spillway project almost complete the TWRA is going to release control of the spillway into the hands of the federal government. This would means the state of Tennessee would not be the main entity behind the management of Reelfoot, giving other states the ability to decide make decisions about what would be best for our lake. With the U.S. Fish and Wildlife being mainly concerned with waterfowl management, lake access and fisheries would not be a priority. 
If the TWRA is unable to handle the demands of managing the lake, the state of Tennessee itself needs to accept that responsibility. It would be a travesty if any Tennessee lake was given to the federal government, but especially one with so much history and natural beauty. 
Albert Einstein once said, “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”
That is what we need to do with Reelfoot Lake: Look at its natural beauty and understand it needs the proper management to continue to be a Tennessee treasure.
Mike Hayes
Former TWRA
commissioner

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Send children
off with prayer
To The Editor:
Colossians 3:21 — “Fathers provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.”
The word provoke means to stimulate or give rise to a reaction or emotion, typically a strong or unwelcome one in someone. I chose the above scripture hoping, praying, trusting God that the parents who read this will stop look, listen and consider with a prayerful heart the type of spirit or spirits they send children away from home with each day.
Children have feelings that they can’t talk out or express the way adults can, but they need your love shown in a kind voice when you wake them up in the morning, not loud voices filled with anger, profanity and belittling bitter words. They don’t need to be threatened, pushed, or slapped in the face or upside the head to hurry them on their way so they don’t miss the bus. They need to be embraced, and comforted with prayer. Let peace surround them and assure them of your love.
When you send your child to school full of wrath (extreme anger) it comes out of them at school when the teacher tries to correct their disruptive behavior in the classroom. Teachers are often attacked by children who are reacting to the emotional covering put over them before they leave home. Our teachers live in the same world we live in. They have bills, sickness, death, bad marriages, and disobedient children of their own to deal with, and yet they put their needs on hold to care for and educate our young ones so they will have a better life and grow into productive and stable adults.
Prayer should begin at home. Teach your children the value of prayer and teach them to love and respect their teachers. A child’s first school is the home they live in and their first teacher is you. Please hear the word of God according to Ephesians 6:4 which instructs parents not to provoke your children to wrath (rage, fury, extreme anger) but bring them up in the nurture (instruction) and admonition (warning) of the Lord. Yes, the government has taken prayer out of schools, however, if prayer is over your child and in your child when they leave home, then prayer will be placed back in the schools upon their arrival.
Bishop Barbara Bolden
Anointed Church Of The Living God
Union City

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Many making
a difference
To The Editor:
My home county has made me very proud and I want to personally thank all the social organizations, churches and individuals who contributed this year to Northwest Safeline-Obion County Program for victims of domestic violence.
Your help really does make a big difference in their lives. All help is appreciated more then you can know.
Thank you, again. May you all have a Merry Christmas.
Sarah Collins
Obion County Coordinator
South Fulton

Published in The Messenger 12.19.12

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