Dear Editor,

I have noticed all around Alabaster that there are many new residential and commercial developments being built.

I think these are great for improving the city, but I believe that things could be done in a more ecologically efficient manner There are pieces of land that were cleared for construction a year ago and until recently nothing was being built. There are new shopping centers going up and old stores closing down. The closed store space could be utilized by new stores before a whole new shopping center is built. I am also concerned with the native wildlife. Deer, especially, are being forced into residential areas and roadways. In February of 2004, a deer ran into the side of my car on Highway 119. I have always been aware that deer jump out in front of cars, but this one came from an area that had been cleared over a year ago and is still empty. This not only creates a hazard to the deer but also to humans. If the old store space is not utilized by new stores, then why not tear them down and re plant trees? This could help give the wildlife a place to go and maybe cut down on deer-car collisions. New shopping centers and a Wal-Mart on every corner are great for bringing in more business, but shouldn’t we also take the ecosystem into account with every new store or subdivision?

Sarah Davenport

Alabaster

Dear Editor,

Last week Gov. Bob Riley mad a decision that will affect every citizen of Shelby County, especially in District 9. The governor appointed Robbie Hayes as our new county commissioner. Commissioner Hayes will take the place of Don Armstrong. Robbie is a gentleman among gentlemen. He is what a lot of people call a &8220;good old boy.&8221; Robbie, since moving to Chelsea, has done many great things. On Friday nights during the football season, you’ll find him on the sideline in case any player gets hurt. I don’t mean just Chelsea players but all players on both teams. During fall baseball season, you’ll find him coaching 4 and 5-year-old boys. During regular baseball season, he’s right in the middle of the game. A newspaper out of Birmingham said Robbie had three children. If you talk to the boys he has coached, they will tell you he has about 300 children. He is a great father figure. He also works on the Chelsea Planning Commission. He does all the above things while running a successful optometry business. Commissioner Hayes is a great guy.

Carl King Jr.

Chelsea

Dear Editor,

Expecting mothers need to have reserved parking spots at all local retailers in Montevallo. Unfortunately there is no reserved parking for expecting mothers. Some people may disagree with me. Those who oppose may think expecting mothers need to walk, and I agree to a certain extent. Although some expecting mothers face conditions like swollen feet and ankles, aching backs and large stomachs, which makes it difficult to walk long distances. Having been pregnant before, I know how it feels to have to walk a long distance to get to my point of interest. One of my co-workers, who is having twins, was ordered to limit her walking by her doctor. She kept swollen feet and ankles and could only stand up for a short period of time. My sister was also ordered to limit her walking because of shortness of breath. Due to physical conditions pregnant women should have the opportunity to park closer to their point of interest. Imagine if it were your wife, sister, or close friend being drained from walking before making it to where they needed to go. Expecting mothers are carrying another life inside of them. Let us think about those expecting mothers and put up reserved parking at our local retailers.

Taminika Reed

Montevallo

Dear Editor,

To the head football coach and parents of SCHS athletes: If the coaches teach, or even condone, the actions of your football team Friday in the Chelsea vs. Shelby County football game, you should be ashamed as parents and the coaches should be looking for a job. Late hits, thrown punches, etc. led to at least four unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and a player being tossed in the second half. This is in the least indicative of a discipline problem and should be seen as a disgrace to your community. Chelsea didn’t win the game, but at least we didn’t lose our integrity.

Greg Smith

Chelsea

Dear Editor,

My faith in human kindness was renewed this morning in the most unlikely place. The morning of Oct. 28 started busy as usual. I hurried about taking my two small children to daycare along with all of their Halloween party goodie bags and cupcakes. When I arrived at daycare, the teacher informed me that instead of a pizza for the party, the teachers decided to go get

Happy Meals. To accommodate this change, all parents needed to &8220;donate&8221;

$3.25. Knowing my three-year-old would be crushed if he didn’t get a Happy Meal, I ran to my car to grab my purse. Of course, all I had was $2.

Panicked, because I was already late for work, I rushed over to the BP on Leigh Lane in Calera and prayed for an ATM. When I ran in, the owner informed me that he did have an ATM, however the service charge would be $2 plus whatever my bank charged. Desperate, I agreed to the charges, telling the owner of my situation. The owner smiled at me, open his register and gave me the $1.25. He refused to take advantage of my situation and make me pay the service fees. When my husband picked up my children that afternoon, he stopped in to repay the kind stranger and thank him. After much hesitation, he took the money and I took a very good lesson. Kindness still exists, sometimes in the most unexpected places.

Dorann Tanner

Alabaster

Dear Editor,

Last Friday we were thrilled to have a ribbon cutting at the Academy of Fine Arts of Shelby County. I would like to express my appreciation to all those who attended and all those who have supported and encouraged us to make the Academy a success. Thanks to all the merchants, community

leaders, neighbors and children that joined in our celebration. Also, I would like to add a special thanks to Stacy Walkup, executive director of the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce for organizing the ribbon cutting. We are very excited about the future of the Academy of Fine Arts of Shelby County and the opportunity to bring exceptional fine arts programs and events to our community. Readers, check the Shelby County Reporter for updates &045; all of our programs and classes will be announced here!

Terri Sullivan

President, Board of Directors

Academy of Fine Arts of Shelby Count