SENATE SHOULD NOT CONFIRM MELTON TO NARCOTICS BUREAU

Gov. Ronnie Musgrove has announced the nomination of former Jackson
television executive Frank Melton, an individual with no prior law
enforcement experience, for the position of Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics
director. As a retired federal law enforcement officer and a new resident
of Mississippi, I am very perplexed at this nomination.

Gov. Musgrove has been quoted as saying he considered Mr. Melton "the right
guy for the job. Part of leadership is having a passion to make a
difference." With all due respect to the governor, this nomination makes
absolutely no sense. Leadership and passion are admiral qualities, but they
fall far short of the necessary requirements for a position such as this one.

The job requires a seasoned law enforcement veteran with valid drug
enforcement experience and valid law enforcement management experience
sufficient to gain the respect and trust of all statewide local, state and
federal law enforcement agencies and personnel.

The nomination is a "slap in the face" to every hard-working man and woman
in law enforcement across the state.

The nomination has to be confirmed by the state Senate. I urge every
citizen, civic group, professional organization and law enforcement
fraternal organization to contact the governor's office to express an
opinion and to contact their state senators and request they vote not to
confirm Mr. Melton's nomination.

Ralph Kennedy

Nesbit

Melton Nomination Just 'Ploy' For Votes

Gov. Musgrove has outdone himself this time. His appointment of Frank
Melton is nothing but an outright ploy to get the black vote in Mississippi.

To appoint a man with no experience whatsoever is a slap in the face of law
enforcement statewide because what he is saying is that there is nobody
currently in Mississippi law enforcement who can do the job.

And I guess that the state's judges had better start worrying about their
jobs also, because not only did Melton pledge to put the bad guys in jail,
he also said that they could forget about bail.

That statement alone shows how far Melton has to go, because even the
greenest of rookies in any police department in the state knows who makes
arrests and who sets bail when that arrest is made.

It's a shame that Musgrove would do all this just to get votes.

He can forget ours!

Danny and Karen Tutor

Oxford

I Support The Rare Democrat Melton

I am not the biggest fan of Gov. Ronnie Musgrove's and Frank Melton's
politics but I am a big fan of Melton's dedication, persistence and
sincerity when it comes to cleaning up neighborhoods and helping/forcing
people onto their own two feet.

Society has found a Democrat who wakes up every morning looking for a way
to solve society's problems with his personal resources instead of looking
for a way to solve society's problems with everyone else's personal
resources. He is a rare man, indeed, and he has my support.

Jason Horne

Madison

Let's All Support Melton Nomination

As a retired law enforcement officer with a lifetime commission, former
manager and supervisor of robbery/homicide investigations, U.S. Marine,
lifelong active Republican and owner of a new business in Madison, I fully
support Gov. Ronnie Musgrove's appointment of Frank Melton to head the
Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics. I urge everyone in our state to do the same.

In the very short time I've been a resident of our state, I've learned that
for many years Frank Melton has been a strong activist in various efforts
to lead people away from drugs. His heart has been in the right place all
along.

As a law enforcement officer, I realized the business sides of the drug
issues, and they are supply and demand.

I find nothing wrong with Melton's desire to direct attention to the demand
side, as long as he follows sound principles.

Law enforcement officers working domestic violence, child abuse, burglary,
robbery and homicides have seen firsthand the causes of drug
addiction-abuse, and we have witnessed the next generation being taught to
do the same. We must reveal these ugly truths to the public and show the
real effects of the demand side.

Melton needs to lead his department in a manner that balances both sides of
the coin. He should ask for volunteers within his department to bring facts
to the public as they attempt to change the behavior of society.

It would also be appropriate for him to invite members of municipal law
enforcement agencies who investigate youth crimes, robbery and homicides to
join him in this effort.

Patrick McGaha

Madison

Melton Appointment 2nd 'Dumb' One

I have tried to stay out of the governor's business, even when he appointed
Solomon Osborne to the bench ("Musgrove: Judge's past no surprise," Aug.
28), but two dumb appointments were more than I could stand.

Frank Melton's desire to eradicate the drug problem in Mississippi would be
compared to my desire to fly a jet plane; desire and conviction are not
enough. The director of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics must have a law
enforcement background.

Melton simply knows nothing of the policies and procedures.

Fishing for votes is one thing, but Gov. Ronnie Musgrove should try some
other bait.

Frank Smith Greenwood

Give Melton Fair Chance In Bureau

I read with interest of Frank Melton's nomination as director of the Bureau
of Narcotics, and I must say it is a novel approach. I think Melton should
be given a chance to prove himself; after all, we've seen how the experts
do things. Maybe it's time for someone to bring a new perspective into the
bureau.

Lane Russell
Hattiesburg

Frank Melton Concerned For Children

I congratulate Gov. Ronnie Musgrove for his excellent appointment of Frank
Melton to head the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics.

In my opinion, this was one of the best appointments I have seen in many years.

My family and I make it a point to watch The Bottom Line on WLBT-Channel 3
each week.

Having heard Mr. Melton conclude that show many times, I think everything
he says shows his concern for the education and moral values of our
children. He is serious and puts himself on the line in support of those
values.

George C. Cutrer Sr.

Tylertown