I am pretty much going to use this column as my chance to speak out. I don’t speak out too often, and when I do its normally something I feel quite strongly about. Montgomery Gentry, a country music band, sings a song entitled “This is My Town.” This song actually annoyed me for the first few weeks it was aired. Not until the past few days did I realize how important a hometown is. I am from Obion County. Yeah it’s small, but it’s my home.

I was really shocked Tuesday night when I heard the news that liquor by the drink was passed. I may not have agreed a while ago that it would have been bad for our community, but I do think so now. The tough thing is that once a new law is passed, it’ll almost take an act of God to get rid of it again. What really aggravates me is that Union City can’t even get a Cracker Barrel to come to town.

How are we going to get any big restaurant to come in? Hello, just because we have liquor by the drink doesn’t mean our econ-omy is going to change. I have a decent size family, many younger siblings that will in one way or another be affected by liquor by the drink sometime in their youth.

That’s a sour thought. I personally agree with Barbara Castleman, don’t vote unless this is where you intend on making this a long-term home.

Weakley and Obion County were two of a few counties left in Tennessee that were free of liquor by the drink, now we aren’t.

I am going to try now to make the best of this change. I hope and pray that my life and the lives of those whom I hold dear are not affected.

I recently lost a friend to the deceptions of alcohol. Liquor is now just another easy way to have fun. Just try to find another means of having fun, and please be safe.

While I am at it, I think its about time to say that the Pacer is not a means for battleground. So stop trying to use the power of the press as a way to get your point across. To the Crew, if you guys think you are a positive influence then great, use it.

But don’t take someone else’s opinion as a put down. I am glad that you all found a place that you fit well into, everyone needs that. But if you are going to claim to be positive, then put a little bite in your bark. I know a few of the guys in the crew.

Those I do know, I respect and find to have a lot of potential.

Use it to your advantage. There are lots of opportunities here in Martin that you all have to improve our community. Make yourselves known in this community. Not just by your white shirts, but by your positive influence on this campus and the community it’s in. Role models are needed – be one.