DEAR EDITOR: One of the hardest things to do is run a small and independent business. My youngest brother does just that. This is to let you know that the St. John School Board is one of many parish school boards in need of money to pay its teachers better. The bi-yearly grass maintenance contract, which has an option for a two-year renewal, was supposed to be up for bid this year, being that it had already been renewed. This unfortunately did not happen. It was instead renewed again to a contractor that does not even live in St. John Parish. No attempt was made to save money or offer the residents and business owners of St. John Parish to reap the benefits of their tax dollars. By sending the business out of parish it is depriving residents of prosperity and removing vital tax revenue from the parish. It is also a slap in the face to the business owners of our parish by saying no one is qualified or competent to do the job. We are all responsible for making St. John Parish grow and prosper, and only as a team can we achieve this. When the rules are not followed, or when people are excluded from the opportunities to excel or prosper, it seems as though we have a “good ol’ boy” system at work. If all is on the up and up, then it should be apparent; but things don’t appear to be on the up and up. I’m not saying my brother should get the contract just because he is from this parish. I’m just saying that he and the rest of the business owners in St. John Parish never even got the chance. I hope that in the future we remember that it is our residents and business owners that keep this parish alive. Remember, if you mess where you sleep, where can you lay down?

Ronnie J. Champagne Mt. Airy