Letter to the Editor

Councilman thanks all for help with cleanup

Saturday, October 22, 2011

To the editor:

First of all, let me say thank you for allowing me to be one of your councilmen here in our great city. This has been more than a humbling experience to say the least.

As we prepare to bring our last cleanup to and end Oct. 29, until the spring, I ask all of you who will to come out and join us this last time. Let's go out with a bang. We'll have some great memories to take from our cleanups.

Yes we do. Like getting the chance to fellowship and meet with many different people in our city. Telling stories about the neighborhoods we all worked in. Or finding we never thought of. Like the house Tom Wiktorek's crew found on an overgrown lot. The smile on his face was priceless. Not to mention a loaded 45 clip that was found.

Also, some of us won't forget the poison ivy that found us, including myself. I say this straight from the heart -- the little discomfort from the poison ivy was worth it all, for what we achieved.

I also received a call from Dr. David Thompson, who wanted to thank everyone that came out and helped on Lilly Street. (They did a great job). It's people like Dr. Thompson and volunteers like you that make our city great. You know we had the "nay-sayers." Some who really didn't want to see this happen, and yet they care about our city. But when God's in control, no one can stop his work.

He's most certainly in control and gets all of the glory and sends us people like Steve Southard, who's always first in line when it comes to helping our city. Sam Scruggs, the best backseat driver I know. He's very seldom seen and never looks for a photo op, but helps hundreds of our little ones get the head start they need in their little lives.

This is our city and we are coming together. Do we have issues? Yes, we do, but together we can overcome them. So I ask you to help us overcome these issues and help our city move forward as we've shown in our cleanup efforts. We have a long way to go, but together, we can make it happen.

Councilman Stan Parks and I would like to thank everyone, including businesses, civic organizations, the Chamber of Commerce, all of our youth, BHS football players and a special thanks goes out to our Emergency Squad and Police Department. These guys did a magnificent job. Hats off to you guys.

For those of you who didn't get the chance to come out and help us, we look forward to seeing you this spring. I promise you it will be an experience you will never forget. Just ask anyone who was a part of it. Cleaner and Safer Blytheville is not a program, it's a movement here in our city. Will you join us in the spring?

As I close this letter here are the cornerstones of our community who came out and helped make this possible:

Pastor Paul Strong-BFA, Pastor Mike Welch-Trinity Baptist, Pastor Brian Olden-New Jarusalem, Bishop Theodis Rucker-Mount Moriah MBC, Dr. Don Hall-First United Methodist, Pastor Burton Furlow, New Immanuel MBC, Elder Henry Mays-Open Doors House of Prayer, Pastor Rigney-Pathway Church, Pastor Robert Davis-St. Paul Church, Pastors Raymond and Mary Golphin-Frontline Ministries, Father Scott Trotter-St. Stephen Episcopal Church, Pastor Odale Jones-First Missionary Baptist, Bishop John Blair-Holy Tabernacle, Pastor Danny Pankey-Ruddle Road Church, Pastor Spears-Grace Life Church, Bishop John Mayberry-Eternal Salvation, Pastor Johnny Moore-St. Paul MBC, Bishop Crenshaw-God's Holy Temple, Pastor Terrie Brassfield-Harvest Time Tabernacle, Pastor Dennis Fitzpatrick-First Lutheran, Pastor Leon Chew-Christ Temple, Pastor Greg Bowers-First Baptist Church, Pastor Charles Warman-Revival Center, Pastor Carl Rogers-True Gospel Baptist, Bishop Brown-Evangelistic Church, Pastor Lawrence Echols-New Mount Olive, Pastor Clark Phillips-New St. Paul, Pastor Tim Rogers-Prince of Peace, Bishop Murphy-United Spiritual, Pastor John Seward-Gospel Lighthouse Church, Pastor Larry Guyton-UMBC, Minister Joe Jacobs-Greater Jubilee, Bishop Vancell Lucas-Holy Temple Church, Pastor Curtis Pointer-Mount Nebo, Pastor Poole-Faith and Glory, Pastor Laddie Whaley-First Baptist Lepanto, Pastor Jay Slaughter-True Light MBC and the Mississippi Baptist Association Disaster Relief Unit.

Councilman John Musgraves
Blytheville