Letter to the Editor:

"Look here, I have nothing to do with this event so save your liberal ramblings for someone else. I’m on vacation and don’t need your type sending me emails!! Comprende Dickhead??"

Such was the email response I received from your esteemed City Administrator, Mr. Hunter Hendrixson, June 11, 2016. I wrote him a letter regarding the highly controversial "Gigging for Grads" activity involving the cruel, torture-mutilation killing of frogs for college scholarship money, sponsored by the DeKalb County Young Farmers and Ranchers. Various scholarship alternatives have been offered instead of continuing this practice and have all been rejected in favor of this event where frogs die a slow, agonizing death from organ failure and hemorrhaging. Is this the responsible, admirable practice of those wanting to become farmers and ranchers? Is this an appropriate, well-reasoned response from a City Official to a member of the public?

Mr. Hendrixson may not realize that the contemporary world outside of Tennessee knows "gigging" as freelance, or short-time project work done post-college as an alternative to a full-time position. Though in Tennessee, the cultural and traditional "norms "may recognize "frog gigging" as an acceptable activity, bright, young, college-bound students should not be taught that it is decent and commendable to collect financial assistance on the back of animal cruelty and torture. A third-world mentality may accept this kind of obscenity as "cultural tradition," but the microscope of the modern public categorically deplores this practice. Regardless, the

flimsy amount of money garnered by the "winner," will have a laughable impact on a tuition bill. It is high time for Smithville to end this useless, archaic affair. Mr. Hendrixson’s insensitive response to my concern is troubling.

Apart from any belief system or personal bias Mr. Hendrixson possesses or does not possess,

I found his response to be unprofessional, unethical, and offensive under any circumstances. He does not know my political affiliation nor does profanity have any place in any response from any City Official. His response is a prime illustration of a person lacking education, refinement, judgment, and finesse. No matter the issue, a careless or belligerent response from a City Official spotlights that official’s lack of understanding of issues, disdain for the opinions of those he serves, and exhibits a general callousness and shallow, juvenile perspective. I think my tax money could be better spent in other areas than to maintain the salary of a public servant demonstrating this kind of infantile behavior, but that’s just me.

It is for you, the people of Smithville, to judge. Is this the profane response of someone you want representing your interests to the world outside of your town? Does his narrative rejoinder exemplify the eloquent speech illustrative of the educational systems of Tennessee? Are you actually paying for crude, unschooled retorts from this City Official?

If it is, you can be sure you are getting your money’s worth. You must be so proud.

Dr. Lesa Jacobsen

St. Paul, Minnesota