LETTERS: A GOOD MAN

To the editor:

The Bible tells us in Psalms 37:23, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delights in his way."

I believe Melvin Gateley is just such a man. He spent much of his life in the public education system on our children's behalf.

He is on the City Council, where I have never known him to back off from any situation. He always speaks up to get to the heart of it -- the truth, the right way -- even at those times when figuratively he stands alone. What better example for our young people and their new school.

He cares about the place he calls home, be it picking up trash in our city or planting flowers to help get the job done. That's dedication. It's one thing to say something needs to be done. It is quite another to jump in and help do it.

Why must we always wait until someone is dead to honor him? This man, Melvin Gateley, is worthy to have the new school named after him. Why not hand him back some of the flowers he's helped plant while he can still enjoy them?

GOLDIE PENDER BENEFIELD

Cape Girardeau