Dear Editor,

In reference to the front page news story Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2011, concerning Panola County Sheriff Otis Griffin and the Panola County Jail:

I am confused. Why would a newly elected sheriff  take a “posse” with him to a supervisor board meeting instead of appearing as a friendly and dedicated public servant with a detailed explanation of concerns that would automatically be important to a board that has the best for Panola County uppermost in their minds?

I don’t understand accusing unnamed county leaders, lashing out a critical lecture-like speech, referring to people “crying to the president” and being so concerned that it is interpreted as anger.

I don’t understand inmates being used on a garbage detail being referred to as, “They are not less, I think in a sense, they’re more.”

More what?

I don’t understand why (County Administrator) Kelly Magee’s suggestion of shopping for the best price and keeping up with the merchandise was grounds for discontent.

I don’t understand “the dangerous environment at the jail; some inmates have attacked jailers recently.”

Does increasing salary solve this kind of problem? I would be inclined to think that this problem involves policy.

I do understand Board President Gary Thompson’s comment “one thing Panola County does not have is an unlimited tax base to fund everything that needs funding.”

I do understand the need for a work session to explore the costs of all the requests. It’s easy to figure that the salary increases alone would mean at least $12,000 a year and that’s not counting the extra hire and (unknown amount) lieutenants’ raises.

I do understand that this meeting appeared to represent a scathing criticism and a personal agenda rather than a polite and cooperating spirit of explaining detailed needs of this county with detailed solutions.

Help. Panola County deserves everyone’s best … or we really will “be another Clarksdale” and then everybody can look in the mirror and blame themselves.

Sincerely,
Joanne M. Autrey