Dear Editor,

I am not an old time resident of Columbiana, but the years that I have been here, I have grown to love and respect the quiet, safe, reserved atmosphere of this community where my grandchildren go to school and play.

I want to stand up and shout for our City Councilman that voted AGAINST the proposal for a security school facility for rehabilitated inmates. I think it took courage and I hope and pray that that councilman will not fall pray to the pressure of our mayor who is speaking out of both sides of his mouth, it seems.

On the one hand he says he would like to see Columbiana remain the quiet place that it is, and on the other, he is promoting a facility that will bring in a multitude of bad press.

Let&8217;s look at the &8220;other&8221; cities that have a like facility Trenton, NJ. What is the population of that city? It is NOT less than 6,000, and how about Denver, Colo. It is a large city. Therefore a facility like the one proposed is not visible to the public.

Now our Mayor wants to plop a facility like that right down in the middle of town. This piece of property that was voted on by the public was misrepresented in the first place. Where will the future expansion of Columbiana come from? Do we plan on ripping out residential areas that surround the city for progress? Why can&8217;t the promoters plan a facility like that out by the existing County jail where there is easy access?

It&8217;s not what will be inside those walls that is a concern; it is the clientele that will come to visit the inmates. You cannot convince me that there will not be heavy illegal traffic in that respect. Let&8217;s protect our community. Hands up for the councilman that voted no.

Sylvia Baker

Columbiana

Dear Editor,

I was just wondering if I was the only one that finds these anti-abortion signs repulsive, sickening and offensive.

I&8217;ve been driving down the road a few different times and have seen these grotesque billboards on vehicles and on the side of the road in Pelham, Alabaster and Hoover.

I&8217;m not for abortion, but when my children have to see these gross pictures of dead babies with blood all over them while sitting at a red light, then my rights of not having to view this are violated. I hope we can stick together and put an end to these grotesque pictures within our communities.

Tony Barber

Alabaste