In the line of duty

By: Letters To the editor | Winston-Salem Journal
Published: October 15, 2009

I am so very sorry and horrified that two of our Winston-Salem police officers, Sgt. Mickey Hutchens and Officer Daniel Clark, were shot on Oct. 7 in the line of duty. They truly do place their lives in jeopardy each and every day.

My heart, like those of so many, goes out to their families, friends and fellow officers. I have a friend who is recently retired from the department and a son-in-law who is a Greensboro city fireman; I know first hand of the peril, commitment and pride they take in their jobs. I am ever so grateful and that is an understatement.

I also think how very, very sorry I am for the young woman, Sally Evans, who was working, managing a business and I am sure trying to provide for her family. She did not want or ask this ex-husband, Monte Evans, to bring his explosive actions to her workplace. My sympathies and prayers are very much with her, her family, and the ex-husband's family and friends, also.

ELEANOR B. WILLIAMS

Winston-Salem

Don't take them for granted

Having lived in Winston-Salem many years, I, like many others, sometimes take our police officers and firefighters for granted. Only a stark reminder of the hazardous duty these folks face daily, like last week, makes one realize how lucky we are to have these brave people standing by our side. Sgt. Mickey Hutchens and Officer Daniel Clark never blinked or hesitated when they were called on to do their duty.

We have become accustomed to thanking our brave military personnel when we see them in uniform; may I suggest that we do the same to a police officer or fireman the next time we see one. They need to be thanked for their service by all of us who simply think they'll be there when we need them. They proudly serve all of us, all of the time.

WILLIAM D. GARDNER

Winston-Salem

Sgt. Mickey Hutchens died on Oct. 12, after these letters were written. -- The editor

Poor judgment

In leadership positions, the best intentions don't fix poor judgment. Despite his purportedly good intentions, Winston-Salem City Council member Dan Besse has shown poor judgment in spades. In supporting his review of the baseball stadium deal, he simply signed off on letting his constituents shoulder all of the risk in the project.

Whatever form of economics Besse practices, his city tree ordinance won't cover the millions taxpayers must now front to complete Billy Prim's giant mud bowl beside I-40. Besse may have opposed tax increases in the past, but his poor stewardship of city dollars will make them a certainty in the future.

The current city government leadership, including Dan Besse, should pay for its incompetence. Fortunately, new leaders like Ted Shipley will give voters a chance to send people like Besse the bill.

DOUG JOHNSON

Winston-Salem

No reason

There is absolutely no legitimate reason for our troops to be in Afghanistan. They need to be in Pakistan and other countries where al-Qaida forces are. The Bush administration never made a concerted effort to destroy al-Qaida, much less attempt to get Osama bin Laden.

WILLIAM BEAM

East Bend