Wednesday, February 18, 2004

Crumpton’s sign battle recalls Fayette preacher

This was so bizarre when my wife called me this morning to tell me of the Fayetteville City Council attempting to ban the “God Bless America” banner at Crumpton’s. She heard the story on Fox News Network.

If I am not badly mistaken this store is sitting directly on the exact spot as the house my dad, the Rev. Chester Burdette Sr., built in the 1950s and in which I grew up.

Dad sold the property when the land became commercial. The husband of my first cousin is a salesman at Crumpton’s.

Dad was a Fayette county native and a Baptist preacher who pastored two churches, Pine Grove Baptist in Fayette County, and later, Rock Spring in Coweta County. My dad was born in Fayette County in the area near New Hope Baptist Church.

Dad spent his whole life witnessing to people about God. He died four years ago at age 80. He would be so dismayed to find that today’s administration in Fayetteville would have such an ordinance against any sign referring to God, whether temporary or not.

Dad also was a strong believer of property rights and the freedom to express free speech in whatever manner one deems necessary. He also was against this type of government interference.

I heard this news this morning in Texas where I now reside. I must admit that my reaction to this story is disgust, dismay, disappointment and embarrassment. This is like suddenly my dad has been given one more chance to speak to from the grave and give one more warning to this Godless society.

Chester Burdette Jr.

Aledo, Texas