Because We Can

It’s my belief we’re put here to do good with what we’re given.  I believe responsibility taken for choices we make lends to a richer and certainly a more mature existence.  And, for those who might not agree, it’s my belief that, at a minimum, we’re not put here to bring misery to others.  If you can’t do good, at least don’t allow your legacy be a sum of the harm you’ve done to others.  With that mindset, I do try – and believe we all should – to remember that we never know what another goes home to.

Very rarely do we stop long enough to remember that “statistics” are actually based on people, their experiences and their lives.  We never know if the neighbor three houses down is one of those women who make up the 5 million abused wives.  And if we don’t know that, then we certainly don’t know that she’s left her abusive husband and is now staying in a homeless shelter.

Do you know who the families are in your community who are missing a husband and father or wife and mother because of a choice made to join the military and who is now overseas?  You might not know it, but there’s a very good chance this decision, noble and unselfish, is also equated to a financial burden for the family as a whole.

When I worked with Mississippi’s two largest employers, there was an annual United Way drive.  This was important to me then and when I struck out on my own two years ago, that was something that I felt was missing on a personal level.  It was never much I could contribute; and even now, I wonder sometimes whether or not my small contributions really make a difference (even though I know they really do on some level).

It was important to me that I find some way to continue to make, small as it is, a difference.  I chose two organizations that were close to my heart for a few reasons.  Again – it’s important to me.  I contribute to the USO; my dad is a Vietnam vet and my family has always been incredibly supportive of our country’s military.  The USO is dedicated to our country’s military and tries to keep in mind the human aspect of all those statistics and numbers.

I also chose McKemie Place.  It’s a local shelter for homeless women and is the only overnight shelter in Mobile, AL.  It’s relatively new, but in two years, it’s helped more than 500 women whose options before included remaining in an abusive household or sleeping on the streets.  While I have never faced being homeless, I do know the fear that’s in the heart of these women.  The agency provides meals, job referrals and helps women pick up the pieces of what once was their lives.

With the holidays fast approaching, it’s a great time to take a step back from our lives and recognize that while we’re not trying to make anyone else’s life difficult, there are things we can do for others to make theirs a bit better.  Search your soul and then choose an agency or cause that’s worthy.  Choose local or national – whichever you prefer and do it for the right reasons.

As usual, you know I’m going to have a clip from a classic movie that fits this post.  Magnificent Obsession, written by Lloyd C. Douglas, was made into a movie in 1935 and then remade nearly twenty years later in 1954.  The 1954 version starred Jane Wyman and Rock Hudson.  Fantastic movie and in my list of Top 5 all-time faves, no doubt.  Rock Hudson learns the importance of doing good just because he can.

Big Problems in Mobile County District Attorney’s Office

Steven Giardini, Former Mobile County ADA

What’s going on in John Tyson’s office?  The Mobile County district attorney is dealing with a lot these days, including a current assistant district attorney’s arrest on 3^rd degree domestic assault and a former assistant district attorney’s arrest for child pornography, enticement and solicitation.

Michael Hickman, who is now officially placed on administrative leave, was arrested on August 1^st for domestic violence.  He was released on a $300 bond later the same morning.  Those charges were eventually amended to 3^rd degree domestic assault, which doesn’t necessarily mean jail time for the ADA.  The problem is the news broke – and then it magically went away.  I’ve not been able to learn anything else, nor are any of the local media reporting on it.  Then again, this case could have been overshadowed by what followed next.

Two weeks after Hickman’s arrest, a former Mobile County assistant district attorney, who ironically specialized in the prosecution of sex crimes against children, was arrested for allegedly committing those same crimes he was sworn to protect the public from.  Steven John Giardini has been charged with:

• 1 count of acting with the intent to entice a child under the age of 16 for intercourse, sodomy, or other sexual purposes – this is a class C felony and is punishable by up to ten years in prison.
• 1 count of acting with the intent to criminally solicit the production of child pornography.  This is a class B felony that’s punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
• 1 count of acting with the intent to entice a child for sexual purposes, by means of computer, telephone, personal digital assistant, or other electronic means of communication or information storage.  This class B felony is punishable by 20 years in prison.

He allegedly began communicating with what he believed was a 15 year old girl, who was actually an FBI agent.

Michael Hickman, Mobile County ADA on Administrative Leave

Tyson clearly has a full plate.  The fact is, he has an impressive track record over the sixteen years in this office.  He announced earlier this year that he’d not be seeking re-election, but instead would focus on spending more time with his wife and family.  He’s faced major budget cuts, despite an incredible caseload before him.  These two arrests have done nothing for the image of the district attorney’s office.  Tyson, a Democrat, has several in his office that are gunning for the job title, including favorite Ashley Rich, a Republican, who has gained a lot of early support – and rightfully so.  She’s tough as nails when it comes to prosecuting criminals.  This is certainly what Mobile, AL and its surrounding communities need.

As for the arrests of Giardini and Hickman, both are innocent until proven guilty.

It’s Time to Rethink Things

Sheriff Garry Welford

Two well respected community leaders, within a 100 mile radius, have lost their lives due to high speed police chases.  George County, MS Sheriff Garry Welford was killed in the line of duty July 21, 2010 as he attempted to place tire spikes on a rural county road in an effort to capture a couple who were running from the local police.

Brandy Nicole Williams, 18, and Christopher Baxter, 25, were captured within hours of running down Sheriff Welford.  Williams was driving the truck.  Baxter, who was dating Williams, was due in court two days before the pursuit for sentencing on a manufacturing and possession of methamphetamine.  A sheriff’s deputy spotted the couple and began a chase.  After striking Sheriff Welford, the couple continued to flee.  After several hours and a massive manhunt that consisted of other law enforcement agencies in the region, the couple was captured in an abandoned trailer near the George County/Greene County line.

Sheriff Welford had a wife, children and grandchildren. He’d been in office since 2004 and was highly regarded in his community.

Principal Donnie Rotch of T.R. Miller High School in Brewton, AL

Less than three weeks later, a high school principal was killed in a car crash caused by a man who was also attempting to evade capture.  Principal Donnie Rotch of T.R. Miller High School in Brewton, AL was killed instantly, as was the suspect, when their vehicles collided atop a hill on Highway 31 in Bretwon.  It’s believed the suspect, 29 year old Martin Reid, was driving at speeds of up to 130 mph.  Principal Miller was returning home from a meeting.

He too was a husband and father and his community has only begun the grieving process.

These two cases, each occurring so close together and in such close physical proximity, highlight the dangers in high speed police chases.  The time has come to change policies.  While no one questions the dedication of law enforcement agencies around the country, there must be another solution that will allow these officials to capture suspects without endangering the lives of those in the communities they serve.  It’s important to note that this in no way questions the loyalties, integrity and ethics of any officer whose only desire is to serve, but it’s time for policy makers to recognize they’re putting the officers’ lives at stake, too.

I’ll be the first to admit I don’t know what the solution is, but with so much advanced technology available, there are surely upgrades even the smallest rural areas can afford to include in their arsenals that will allow them to avoid these high speed chases.  The tragedy is two community leaders have lost their lives because of three people who chose to break the law.  The young woman who allegedly was driving the truck that struck Sheriff Welford has essentially annihilated her own life.  The man she is/was seeing had been making wrong choices for a very long time and now a 19 year old girl who opted to “follow love” could realistically face the death penalty in Mississippi.  As mentioned, the suspect in the Principal Rotch case was killed on impact as well.