Views from readers: Renaming a school + communications with elected officials

A suggestion

Biloxi is a shining gem in the state of Mississippi, in part thanks to one of its present-day leaders, Dr. Paul Tisdale. I believe that his name should be a contender as we consider renaming Jeff Davis Elementary.

You likely recognize his name because Tisdale is currently serving as a City Councilman, but he previously had a long career within the Biloxi public school system: first, as a student (BHS Class of ’70); then as an elementary teacher and principal; later, as a high school administrator; and, most recently, as the district superintendent. During Dr. Tisdale’s tenure leading the district, he accomplished the following feats:

• Biloxi’s first three Blue Ribbon schools were recognized.
• Restructured the curriculum in accordance with teacher input and school board support so teachers and students could take accountability for their teaching and learning.
• Introduced and improved the use of technology throughout the school district including the district’s online presence.

As our community moves forward in considering renaming Jeff Davis Elementary, I respectfully submit Dr. Paul A. Tisdale’s name as a worthy choice.

He is the first and only Biloxi district superintendent who was a product of Biloxi schools, the only superintendent who walked through those halls and knows firsthand what it means to be a Biloxi schools student. How fitting, to name a Biloxi school in honor of a man whose life’s work has been to better educate our city’s children – and who, just a few decades ago, was one of those youngsters himself.

Jill Treutel

Biloxi

Lines of communication

I emailed our elected officials, U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith and U.S. Rep. Stephen Palazzo, about my concerns of a possible $2.2 billion cost saving cut to the military health care system.

I received only one reply, which was from Wicker’s staff, who left a voicemail thanking me and relating that Wicker would be notified about my concerns.

The response from Palazzo was an initial email of South Mississippi updates, followed by a photo-op with a WWII veteran reflecting the 75th anniversary of the Japanese surrender of WWII, and a weekly update from Congress. Apparently the former Marine has other priorities than medical care for our troops.

Nary a word from Hyde-Smith.

Appears that Washington presently has more interest in preserving The Stars & Stripes publication than providing health care funding for military personnel and their families. Shame on them.

Fritz Hurley

D’Iberville

Socialized medicine

The GOP propaganda that comes in the mail is mostly lies.

It claims that socialized medicine would spell the end of our free society. Be advised that we have had socialized primary education (K-12) for over a century and it has not affected our government at all.

In fact, it provides an example for socialized medicine.

Private schools were not banned when public schools were begun. They still exist for those who can afford them. The same can be applied to health care. Medicare can be made available to those who want it without banning private insurance.

Medicare need not be free, just reasonable, as it is now. I have it due to my age, but I pay for it by a deduction from my social security. That is where the Democrat’s objective is aimed.

Bruce Emerick

Biloxi