I am one of many concerned citizens of Adams County. In my opinion, and that of several others, the election that took place Aug. 7 regarding the race of circuit clerk, should be considered illegal and invalid as M.L. “Binkey” Vines’ name should not have been allowed to be on the ballot.

According to the Mississippi State Code 25-5-1, if a public officer is found guilty of a felony, he shall be removed from office. What is the difference in being found guilty and pleading guilty? Does this make the law completely invalid? Does this mean that being removed from office does not apply simply because he pleaded guilty instead of being found guilty? Does the state code need to be rewritten or read by people that can understand what it means?

I am so ashamed of what has transpired with this situation. In the past, our state and Adams County have been the focus of so much negativity. Thanks to the media and biased reporting, the majority of the country had been led to believe that majority of Mississippians are all stupid, illiterate, “bumpkins.”

We sit on our front porches every day with our church fans watching the grass grow, we have one front tooth, outdoor plumbing and a third grade education, if that, and our elected officials are just a few “good ole boys.” All it takes to get elected to office is a hand shake, a Christmas ham or turkey, and showing up to feed the multitude with food that was paid for by the taxpayers, but, was believed to come from your pocket.

What happened to honesty and integrity? This is ludicrous. Where is Connie Chung? We need to get the opinion of Nancy Grace, she would have no problem reading and interpreting the law.

What about MSNBC? They need a little news instead of worrying about Britney Spears and her personal problems. Let’s contact Fox news.

We, the taxpayers of Adams County, need help. Is there no official with the appendages to step up and say, “No, this is wrong, this is illegal, you cannot use and take advantage of the public trust and get away with it anymore.”

John M. Rodriguez

Adams County resident