Another, less rosy picture of Brooksville
Oh my gosh, I cannot believe the article that Birney Imes wrote about Brooksville in the Sunday, March 1, 2015, Commercial Dispatch.
First let me say, Mr. Imes, that I sincerely hope that the penny that you found in front of the “Down to the Penny Accounting Tax Service” did indeed bring you luck, because we the citizens of Brooksville can pick them up all day long and it would NOT help us.
To enlighten you … the strips of aluminum foil you referred to as “used to obscure the interior of the building” hide pool tables. I have only seen the “Down to the Penny Accounting Tax Service” open during tax season, so can’t say much about it.
The Mennonite mother walking, well we have to wonder how many times she has been harassed while doing this. The Church located where Parker’s Hardware was is a blessing since it is a church and not something that can cause further embarrassment to Brooksville.
Which brings me to the City Hall and Police Department. City Hall is probably closed on Fridays because for some reason the mayor you talked to does not want to have “full time” employees. And you stated in your article that Sgt. Andreas Walker is part time and while working was watching Jerry Rice reruns.
In the meantime, the Town of Brooksville has ATVs running the streets; scooters that are not registered driven by riders without drivers licenses; houses being broken into, day and night; cars sitting in yards, carports and parking lots of churches — yes you read that right churches — being vandalized (cars are locked when this happens). The mayor’s focus is on the school, which with all this happening doesn’t seem to be the answer. Oh and let us not forget the burglary of the pharmacy not once but twice and the last time they had pictures! Concerned. Both have a strange way of showing that dedication to the town and its citizens.
Your article ended with the following:
“As I drive north toward home, I considered the afternoon in Brooksville. Interesting conversations with interested, engaged people. I felt — need I say it — downright lucky.”
Mr. Imes, you talked to only two people in this town, perhaps you need to talk with people who live here full time instead of part time like Sgt. Walker and a mayor who’s concerns are stray dogs. Downright lucky, yes you were, you left without having your vehicle, camera or personal belongs vandalized or stolen.
Debbie Wilkins Whitfield
Brooksville
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.