A letter to the people of Canadian

THERE IS A SERIOUS HEALTH hazard with the Fourth of July Parade. Last year, I held my hands over my ears during most of the parade due to the sirens blasting from the firetrucks, so I wouldn’t be a deaf person. Many people were doing the same, but the little kids running in the street picking up candy were not holding their ears.

Being deaf is not good. Hearing aids cost $7,500 and don’t really help much. Way back, I was appointed “County Health Officer,” so this year, I called a couple firemen and told them that the fire engines were fine but no sirens. They agreed, but the firetrucks from other towns didn’t get the word until I pounded on the side of their trucks as they started up Main Street and ordered them to “turn off the siren.” People thanked me.

Another reason to turn off the sirens is the Smiley Johnson Band. Several days before the parade, I was talking with some of them, and they said last year they were just staring to play “God Bless America” and there were suddenly these firetrucks at the lower corner blasting their sirens and the musicians in the band couldn’t even hear themselves! They were drowned out and probably deafened.

In years past, there were floats, and there were more horses, and there were kids who had woven crepe paper through the wheels of their bicycles. Also, there were more beautiful old cars and maybe even a covered wagon! All of those things were great, and the Smiley Johnson Band is great.

I do no want Canadian to be the town where everybody is “deaf as a post” even the children. So, I am ordering “No Sirens!”

MALOUF ABRAHAM, M.D., Lifetime County Health Officer

Setting The Record straight

Several sleepless nights helped produce our June double edition of The Canadian Record. They also helped produce a monumental error—the reduction of Lady Cats coach Kevin Richardson’s name, to “Kevin Richards.” No error is worth committing without committing it twice, which is what we did: Coach Kevin “Richards” is featured in headlines on both our front page and above the story in our sports pages, which was intended to honor him and his historic legacy here in Canadian.I deeply apologize for the error, and will correct it in our next edition. Well, Kevin, now you have something to remember us by...fondly, we hope. — LEB