Letter to the editor

(Editor’s note: In the following letter, the writer has mistakenly assumed that mobile homes over 20 years old have been outlawed. “The new ordinance would not affect a mobile home that is ‘grandfathered,’ already established on an existing lot,” according to the story about the May meeting of the land commission.

“The new ordinance would affect a mobile home that has never been moved to property before or a mobile home that replaces one already on the lot,” according to the report.)

My name is Red Hudson. I was born and raised in Panola County and have lived all my life here except for my time in the military. I always thought I lived in the best county in the United States; however, as time goes on, we have some people who know better on how we should live our lives.

I understand we have rules to live by, but I also believe somewhere those rules should end. Here in Panola County we have a planning and development commission. Their duty is to decide what rules and guidelines we should live by. Some people are more prosperous that others and that’s O.K. with me. I just don’t like to see less prosperous people forced to live in a world they can’t afford.

As it stands today, the planning and development commission (known in my circle as “the goody two-shoes gang”) wants to outlaw all mobile homes over 20 years old. Now, if they are going to condemn my home, then I should have the right to condemn theirs. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander. I live in a mobile home. I raised seven children and after I fed, watered and clothed them, there was no brick house money left. My home is 25 years old. That, by “the goody two-shoes gang,” makes it worthless.

I cannot sell it, I cannot trade it, the only thing I can do with it is stick a match to it.

Now our tax structure is based on value. My question is — since my home is declared worthless, am I still going to get a tax bill on it every year?

I do realize that through time some mobile homes get a little too ragged but they still keep people warm and dry. I still feel like there should be a place for them.

I just don’t want to see some people legislated into living under a bridge because they can’t afford a big brick house.

Members of the “good two-shoes gang” get their information on what rules to make from Mr. Barber, who comes down from DeSoto County and meets with them each month. He keeps bringing these big city rules down here because he gets paid to. If he didn’t bring any rules, he wouldn’t get paid.

People remember Mr. Barber comes for “the check,” not necessarily what is good for Panola County.

And to our supervisors, think hard on this before you “RULE” on it. Let’s not make any more people homeless because they cannot afford more than they already have. I have always believed that part of something is better than all of nothing.

Sincerely,

Red Hudson