Letters from Our Readers

Not everything has been negative about our efforts to keep a water tower from being built in our community. Throughout our fight to keep the property my grandfather bought in 1936, some great things have taken place.

During this whole process my wife, Caroline has stood beside me. And for the last nine months stood beside me while pregnant. On July 24 she gave birth to our beautiful daughter Emily. The wonder of this new life makes our problem seem quite minor.

As many people know, my father was burned by a microwave oven years ago. He hasn't been able to work since then, going to Emory every few weeks to receive nerve blocks for the terrible pain he endures. Since the county has seen fit to take part of my property, my dad has found new life. He now has a cause.

We have had friends and family from all over call and stop by, each one learning the whole story and realizing the need to do something about it. So many of them are outraged at the county officials' arrogance, and everyone is vowing their support.

It has been amazing to see the public support for me and my family as we fight this injustice. We have met many of our neighbors that we had only seen passing in the road or out working in the yard. Now we know who they are, we know how they feel about their county and their neighborhood. We have found new friends and solidified other friendships.

My children have seen how you must stand when you are right, no matter what the cost. They are learning a lesson that they may never have learned otherwise. They have been to county commission meetings, learned who the candidates were, followed the elections, followed the actions of the court and seen how a government can stack the deck. They have learned what it takes to fight the good fight.

I have learned also. After the hearing where the county was trying to keep me from getting a jury trial an older lady walked up to me with her hand clasped tight. She reached out and handed me a folded $20 bill and said, "I want you to have this because you're fighting for all of us. If this had happened to me, I wouldn't be able to fight them." I plan to keep that twenty folded in my wallet until the rest of what I have is gone!

Along with the other positives, I now have a new perspective. As I go over the good things that have happened, I realize how important it is to be right. No matter how the system works, no matter how bad things look and no matter how much money I have to spend, I have something special on my side. I have the knowledge that I'm right! The system can't take that away!

Dave Williams
Hopeful Community