Letters to the Editor: published April 8

Property owner says make your vote count

Dear Editor,
I am a resident of Wahee community, own property, pay taxes and vote. But my vote will not fix our county needs. We need to band together to keep our county from going down the drain. The good ole’ boy days should be brought to an end. We need to look hard at our county and city elected officials that are in this group and ask for a change. One person does not need more than one position or to have so much power, to keep a hand over the people that we voted into the city and county council positions that they are afraid to listen to the voters that elected them.

These elected people should not dismiss the voter’s opinion for their own and stand up for their districts. I would like to hear of district assembles that would make the voters aware of things that are coming up in our city and county districts so that people can come by and talk to their representatives instead of having to hunt them down. This would be a good way to know what your district voters would like you to take a stand on or ask for in their districts. If not, we need to get new people in those positions.

This is my opinion a man told me if you wanted as apple out of the top of a tree you had to shake the tree to get it and if this will shake up our county government lets all shake the tree. Your vote counts.
Ted Dimmery

Children need advocates

Dear Editor,
How do we deal with the uncertainty of recent financial events? Part of the answer is with hope for a better tomorrow. Hope allows us to face difficulties with patience because we believe that our circumstances will improve. Hope gives us the power to endure a today that is difficult. With hope, we keep on trying. Without hope, we give up.
There are thousands of children in South Carolina who need someone to help them hope for tomorrow. Through no fault of their own, these children are abused or neglected by the persons closest to them. More than 5,000 of the state’s children reside in foster care and are involved in the family court system. 

In a country where there are so many avenues of assistance, it seems unthinkable that children would be hopeless and suffering. Yet, for children who are living in abusive situations, getting help can seem next to impossible. If an abused or neglected child does ask for help, will an overburdened system be responsive? If a child has sought help and received none, then he has no hope for a better future. Because there are plenty of cases to keep agencies busy, children can easily fall through the cracks. And because abuse does happen more often than most of us realize, our children need help from concerned adults who are willing to give their time to speak out on the child’s behalf.

Adults who want to assist our most vulnerable children are greatly needed. The Marion County Volunteer Guardian ad Litem Program is training new volunteers beginning May 5. Volunteer Guardians ad Litem advocate for children who are abused or neglected. Separate from the Department of Social Services, the Guardian ad Litem Program uses volunteers to speak on behalf of the children’s best interest. 

As a volunteer Guardian ad Litem, your goal is to make sure that children do not get lost in the system and that they find safe, permanent homes as soon as possible. You can give a child hope – and with hope, a child who was fearful can prosper. You can ensure that no child is forgotten. 
Being a volunteer Guardian ad Litem is challenging and yet, experienced volunteers say it is one of the most rewarding activities they have ever done. It is absolutely necessary that abused children have an advocate in Family Court to speak from their perspective. 

For most of us, it is difficult to confront child abuse and hard to hear what children have endured, but it is harder still to be the child that has been abused. To learn more about becoming a volunteer Guardian ad Litem call me at (843) 275-9903. You can give a child hope, 365 days a year.  You may also visit our Web site at http://www.Marion.scgal.org for information or to download an application.
Barbara Ann Woodbury