Star & Enterprise Letters to the Editor: published Jan. 28

Dr. Worrell’s death is loss to us all
Dear Editor,
I just wanted to take the opportunity to send my best wishes to the family and friends of Dr. Pat Worrell, who we lost last week after fighting cancer for years. After working in local media for 10 years, I had the chance to become close friends with Dr. Worrell and see first hand his inspirations on other individuals. Although he underwent his yearly test, Dr. Worrell was diagnosed in his fourth stage, but never gave up. Not only did he speak in public to inspire others to be tested, he would even call individuals he never met including my daddy (Lanneau Hayes in Lake View) to persuade individuals to never wait to be tested.
The United Fund of Marion County recently presented him an award in his honor of courage, strength and love of the community. The award will be presented annually in honor of Dr. Pat Worrell.
I will never forget his strengths and his love of the community. When he came by to see me a few months ago, you could tell he was weak, but he never gave up.
I will always be honored to have his positive memories.
Cindy Lesieur

Writer wants public to support county’s animal shelter
Dear editor and members of the public,
This is being written on Jan. 21. It will appear in print on Jan. 28. Getting $10,000 to help our local animal shelter could rest on a vote you could make that day. On Jan. 31, the animal shelter receiving the most votes in this national contest will be the winner of that amount of money. The Marion County Animal Shelter desperately needs to win. Please, please, please, if you have an e-mail address and are at least 18 years old, vote for the Marion County Animal Shelter.
Do it before Jan. 31 ... already, 332 people have done their part. Visit http://www.care2.com/animalsheltercontest/74979 and vote.
A thousand thanks!
Eleanor D. Kitchens