ACLU urges

caution in

use of TASER

Open Letter Concerning the Adoption and Use of TASERS®:

We have learned that the St. Martinville City Council is considering acquiring TASERS® as weapons to provide to the city Police Department. This letter is to provide additional information about TASERS® and to request that, if TASERS® are adopted, the Police Department receive extensive and adequate training to ensure that these weapons are not abused.

According to the Dec. 3 issue of the Teche News, Nary Smith, assistant chief of police, has said that TASERS® “are not lethal weapons.” When used as intended that is true, and TASERS®, when used properly, are indeed preferable alternatives to firearms. We hope that, if adopted, the officers in St. Martinville will restrict their use of TASERS® to circumstances when firearms might otherwise be used, and in a way that will protect rather than cause harm to those in police custody.

However, you may not be aware that TASERS® fire twin metal barbs that emit a 50,000-volt charge into an individual, causing the person to collapse from the loss of muscular control. There have been numerous instances of people dying or being seriously injured after TASERS® were used on them. On Jan. 17, 2008, a man died in Winnfield after a TASER® was used against him while already in restraints. Similarly, an innocent New Orleans businessman, who was also subjected to a TASER® by members of the New Orleans Police Department, sustained long-term medical problems as a result, and has since sued the city of New Orleans for damages.

We know that St. Martinville police want to protect the residents of the community, and we support whatever measures will enhance public safety consistent with good police practices. However, in light of Mr. Smith’s comment about TASERS®, it is important for the City Council to know that TASERS® can and do kill, and that their acquisition and use must be accompanied by adequate training to ensure that they do not inadvertently cause harm.

Marjorie R. Esman

Executive Director

American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana

New Orleans

City streets

can be scary

for bike riders

I just returned from a bicycle ride. I would like to thank the auto drivers who don’t try to scare me or run me into a ditch or try to make me fall.

There are those who do try to do that by staying as close to my bicycle as they can, even when they could move over three or four feet to the left.

Sue and I ride our bicycles most every day. We try to be as defensive in our riding as possible. The only really safe place to ride a bicycle is in the State Park or in the City Parks, but to get there from home is sometimes a challenge.

We will ride on the sidewalks when necessary, although it probably isn’t legal. We would rather ride on the roadway since the sidewalks make for a rough ride in most places.

One of the obstacles we face on city streets and in the City Parks is road bumps. If just 12 to 16 inches of the road bumps could be removed on either side that would certainly be helpful.

Another area that is scary to ride, is going North on Main Street from the State Park to the City Park. The shoulder needs some attention to make it easier to ride.

Errol F. Greig Sr.

Teche Drive

St. Martinville

Glasgow’s shoes

hard to fill

There is no doubt that Sara loved her job and the animals that she cared for. Unfortunately, there is no excuse for OWI. But let’s remember all the long and weird hours that Sara kept in order to help the parish control its animal emergency.

Good luck to you, Sara Glasgow. And also to the parish, because I think her shoes will be hard to fill.

Debbie A. Gauthier

Breaux Bridge

SM’s Christmas

parade success

The St. Martinville Knights of Columbus Council 1276’s 17th annual Christmas parade held Dec. 7 in conjunction with the St. Lucy Festival was blessed with beautiful weather and a very attentive crowd.

I would like to thank our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and I am glad this year we honored the unborn child in place of a parade marshal.

Thanks to the bands from SMSH, SMJH and BBHS, all volunteer fire departments, dance teams, dignitaries, queens, businesses, clubs, family groups, the SMPD and SMSO, the media, Howard Boyer (who helped with the lineup) and judges Mitchell Simon and Samantha Douet.

I truly believe that my Lord gives me the drive and fortitude to maintain a wholesome and quality Christmas parade.

The true meaning of Christmas is not always receiving, but mainly giving of oneself of heart and soul to our fellow man in the name of Jesus Christ.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

George Choplin

Parade Chairman

K.C. Council 1276

Obama’s tax

plans worry

businessman

I am both worried and hopeful.

My husband owns and runs his own business We are worried that President-elect Barack Obama’s proposed taxes on small businesses will raise the company’s expenses so high that we will feel the negative impact on our household budget. I work, and my paycheck goes directly into the family pot, but I fear it won’t be enough to offset Obama’s taxes. Worse yet, I worry about the viability of my husband’s company in these times of uncertain economics and taxes.

I am also concerned about some other proposed federal tax plans. Portions of Louisiana’s economy depend on offshore drilling. If the energy companies working hard to reduce our reliance on foreign fuels, such as those operatig drilling platforms off the louisiana Gulf coast, must pay higher taxes, Louisiana could be forced to witness the energy companies withdrawing investent dollars and cutting hew and existing jobs, and an overall economic slowdown will ripple through the state.

Fighting to see the glass half full, I remain especially hopeful that my husband and I can find ways to keep his business healthy during these uncertain economic times.

Allyson LeBlanc