I don’t often editorialize on this blog, but there are some things going on in Caddo that have drawn attention in the local paper and I feel they need to be addressed.
After the installment of our new city council and the election of our new mayor, some of our local citizens reacted with threats and accusations. They claimed that members of the new council had made campaign promises and agreed to ally with a certain group and vote accordingly. At the first meeting some issues were raised, facts presented, votes taken and these citizens felt betrayed. They have since complained loudly to the mayor, the paper, and anyone who will listen. Unfortunately they have been vulgar and ignorant with those complaints.
First of all, anyone in this country who is old enough to vote should know that campaign promises are at best the hopes of the candidate, and at worst flat-out lies. That is just the nature of the game we have all agreed to play. Once a person actually gets into office and is faced with facts and figures and opposition, things change. The logical course for a voter is to try to elect the person who has sound values, and a good mind, and will be able to make tough decisions.
Second, as I understand it, there is a movement afoot in Caddo to “return to the good old days” and have a town marshal or night watchman, and get rid of the police force. I’m not sure what good old days they are referring to, but I posted this reminder on the town bulletin board (taken from a memorial page):
City of Caddo
Shortly after 4 A.M. on Thursday, December 13, 1951, Marshal Haddock’s dead body was found lying near the Jones Brother’s Service Station at the intersection of Highway 69 and Buffalo Street. His pistol was still in its holster, his flashlight was in his hand and a cigarette still burned in his mouth.
Three men were later charged with the shotgun slaying ambush of Marshal Haddock. Of the three men charged only Jasper Lee Winineger was convicted and sentenced to life in prison in March of 1952. Grady Sargent died of natural causes before going to trial and Hiram Robinson’s three trials all ended with hung juries. Winineger was granted a parole in 1964, over the protest of Haddock’s wife but was returned as a parole violator in April 1965.
The “good old days” are a myth created by our faulty memory and wishful thinking. I can tell you from my research that there has never been a decade in Caddo’s history without murders, rapes, robberies, and other violence. Such is the nature of man.
If you or any of your friends, family, or neighbors thinks there is something wrong with our police force, or anything else in town, then make a factual, positive presentation to the council about what should be done. I did it. I told them I thought the vacant lots, old trailers, and trash around town should be cleaned up. I showed them photos of the areas I thought were the worst, and volunteered to help. Just complaining vaguely about not getting your own way, and threatening to harm someone, doesn’t do anyone any good and accomplishes nothing except to ruin our reputation as a good place to live.
So true. Hope things have taken a more positive turn.
Posted by: Tawana | May 31, 2009 at 06:40 AM