LETTERS: "Every student respected Mr. Simmons."

Wednesday
Dec 27, 2017 at 2:00 AM

Coach taught through example

  I owe a lot of my resolve from being around Seabreeze High School’s former dean of boys, football and track Coach Jim Simmons, who recently passed away. You see, I not only played football and ran track, I was also his first-period office assistant for two years. In addition, I lived about one block from where Coach Simmons and his wonderful wife, Sunny, lived.

(READ:Willis: Jimmy Simmons is testament to a coach’s lasting impact)

I saw Coach Simmons as the tough-as-nails football coach who demanded as much from himself as he did from his players. The man never stood still. Even when just standing and talking, he was doing calf raises. He was undoubtedly the strongest man, pound per pound, inch per inch, on the planet.

I saw Mr. Simmons, the administrator and teacher, who demonstrated compassion for all students. Every student respected Mr. Simmons. They knew he would treat you fairly. You just never heard anyone say an unkind word about Mr. Simmons.

I saw Jim Simmons as the wonderful husband who loved Sunny so much. He enjoyed his time at home having friends visit and talking with former players. Seeing Sunny and Jim together, happy and smiling, just made people feel good inside.

I saw Coach Simmons as the ever-popular retired educator, who was invited to just about every Seabreeze High School class-reunion party from the 1950s and 1960s. The amazing thing was that he attended every one well into his late 80s.

I did not see Jim Simmons’ funeral. I was out of town and regret I could not reminisce with high school friends and the hundreds of people who attended. I would have laughed and cried hearing the countless stories about our favorite coach and mentor.

As an educator and elected official, I know Coach Simmons influenced my desire to stay positive, treat people respectfully, not to complain and enthusiastically embrace every day as an opportunity to do something good and make someone better. I only wish all students had a Coach Simmons in their lives.

Carl Persis

Ormond Beach

Persis, a former Volusia County Schools principal, represents District 4 on the School Board.

Sharing success

I have enjoyed the heartwarming stories about area students benefiting from the Food Brings Hope program. These stories are shining lights in the news, and I’m going to miss them. Thank you for bringing them to us!

Maggie Thompson

Port Orange

 

Care for the Loop

When will the Ormond Scenic Loop be cleaned up? There are many places along the loop that have downed trees and branches from the hurricane on the sides of the road. It is not very scenic.

Charles Frey

Ormond Beach

 

Learn to succeed

I’m glad to finally see an article that says to flourish in this society, people need an education! It’s almost all about poverty and low-paying jobs. I had the opportunity to hire literally hundreds of employees. I have seen applications that looked like a third-grade student filled them out. I had applications showing very minimal education and applications reporting bachelor’s and master’s degrees applying for the same job.

With that choice of applicants, I always chose to hire those with the highest level of education. Some would not accept. I never once hired anyone without at least a high-school education. Why would I? Those applications ended up in the shredder. These kids today need to be told the consequences of a lack of education. Without one, they are almost guaranteed low-paying jobs for the duration of their lives.

It’s a life choice. Those who have the ambition to educate most assuredly will be rewarded with higher-paying positions in life. People should go to college or a trade school. It’s their choice. Make a good choice.

Dennis Talbot

Palm Coast

 

Proof needed

Before Rep. Ron DeSantis worries about running for governor of our fine state, he’d best think about not putting the horse before the cart and address some of the more pressing issues at hand.

The congressman should get back to work — funding the Children’s Health Insurance Program, addressing Puerto Rico relief and passing a clean Dream Act.

These issues will be important to potential voters in Florida. The way DeSantis resolves them will go a long way toward how the folks of the Sunshine State view him as a potential gubernatorial candidate. Trust me, riding Mr. Trump’s coattails, or taking photo ops on Air Force One, are not going to get him a lot of traction.

Just some helpful advice from one of his constituents.

Pat Ferraro

Flagler Beach

 

 

One use for paper

The writer of the Dec. 23 letter “Equal offender?” could not be more incorrect repeating his friend’s statement: “A liberal rag not good enough to wrap dead fish.” I agree that The News-Journal is a liberal rag.

But I totally disagree with the comment that The News-Journal is not good for wrapping fish.

Not good enough? I have always found that The News-Journal is the perfect vehicle for wrapping dead fish.

Gene Holland

Palm Coast

 

Shooting down lies

Early Christmas morning I was watching a major TV cable news channel and realized, again, how important it is and how fortunate we are to have bright, capable and good-hearted men and women in journalism who remind us what is factual and true and what is not, and have the courage to say it. Major world tragedies have occurred when truth was suppressed in many countries, when the public did not understand what was happening. Journalists are the guardians of truth.

Nothing is more important that freedom of the press for free societies. God bless all of them for shooting down lies and distortions of the truth!

Thomas R. Meachem

Daytona Beach

 

Thanks to leaders

Congratulations to our pro-growth president! Finally, people can keep more of their hard-earned money, and that benefits us all. I’m particularly impressed with Congress. News outlets have led us to believe that there is discord within the Republican Party. They do not march in lockstep, but that does not mean they are dysfunctional. This is the way government should work to achieve shared goals. Sad there wasn’t more support from the other side.

The doors were locked and the windows were covered when our Founding Fathers gathered to write the Constitution. Ideas were thrown around, some kept, some discarded. They argued about what was best for the country and came up with the most significant document ever written. This is how it works.

Not to make light of this process, but similar situations arise when our neighbors get together to decide on a place to eat out. Everyone puts in their two cents, and eventually we decide on a restaurant all can agree on. Again, this is how it works.

We are the United States of America. It is about time we felt united. Americans want our country to be prosperous and economically successful, to be gainfully employed and to keep what we earn. The stock market, GDP, and employment rates continue to rise, with the entire nation reaping the benefits. Goals of making our country more energy efficient and reducing regulations that inhibit growth have been realized.

Let’s focus on what we have in common, including what has been accomplished, and not what divides us.

Ro Steppe

Port Orange

 

Giving and taking

The government gave people on Social Security a 2 percent raise. We got our letter yesterday telling us that the increase went to Medicare. How unfair that is, since the tax bill gives everyone a tax break but us seniors.

Jeri Carter

Daytona Beach

 

 

Wednesday
Dec 27, 2017 at 2:00 AM

Coach taught through example

  I owe a lot of my resolve from being around Seabreeze High School’s former dean of boys, football and track Coach Jim Simmons, who recently passed away. You see, I not only played football and ran track, I was also his first-period office assistant for two years. In addition, I lived about one block from where Coach Simmons and his wonderful wife, Sunny, lived.

(READ:Willis: Jimmy Simmons is testament to a coach’s lasting impact)

I saw Coach Simmons as the tough-as-nails football coach who demanded as much from himself as he did from his players. The man never stood still. Even when just standing and talking, he was doing calf raises. He was undoubtedly the strongest man, pound per pound, inch per inch, on the planet.

I saw Mr. Simmons, the administrator and teacher, who demonstrated compassion for all students. Every student respected Mr. Simmons. They knew he would treat you fairly. You just never heard anyone say an unkind word about Mr. Simmons.

I saw Jim Simmons as the wonderful husband who loved Sunny so much. He enjoyed his time at home having friends visit and talking with former players. Seeing Sunny and Jim together, happy and smiling, just made people feel good inside.

I saw Coach Simmons as the ever-popular retired educator, who was invited to just about every Seabreeze High School class-reunion party from the 1950s and 1960s. The amazing thing was that he attended every one well into his late 80s.

I did not see Jim Simmons’ funeral. I was out of town and regret I could not reminisce with high school friends and the hundreds of people who attended. I would have laughed and cried hearing the countless stories about our favorite coach and mentor.

As an educator and elected official, I know Coach Simmons influenced my desire to stay positive, treat people respectfully, not to complain and enthusiastically embrace every day as an opportunity to do something good and make someone better. I only wish all students had a Coach Simmons in their lives.

Carl Persis

Ormond Beach

Persis, a former Volusia County Schools principal, represents District 4 on the School Board.

Sharing success

I have enjoyed the heartwarming stories about area students benefiting from the Food Brings Hope program. These stories are shining lights in the news, and I’m going to miss them. Thank you for bringing them to us!

Maggie Thompson

Port Orange

 

Care for the Loop

When will the Ormond Scenic Loop be cleaned up? There are many places along the loop that have downed trees and branches from the hurricane on the sides of the road. It is not very scenic.

Charles Frey

Ormond Beach

 

Learn to succeed

I’m glad to finally see an article that says to flourish in this society, people need an education! It’s almost all about poverty and low-paying jobs. I had the opportunity to hire literally hundreds of employees. I have seen applications that looked like a third-grade student filled them out. I had applications showing very minimal education and applications reporting bachelor’s and master’s degrees applying for the same job.

With that choice of applicants, I always chose to hire those with the highest level of education. Some would not accept. I never once hired anyone without at least a high-school education. Why would I? Those applications ended up in the shredder. These kids today need to be told the consequences of a lack of education. Without one, they are almost guaranteed low-paying jobs for the duration of their lives.

It’s a life choice. Those who have the ambition to educate most assuredly will be rewarded with higher-paying positions in life. People should go to college or a trade school. It’s their choice. Make a good choice.

Dennis Talbot

Palm Coast

 

Proof needed

Before Rep. Ron DeSantis worries about running for governor of our fine state, he’d best think about not putting the horse before the cart and address some of the more pressing issues at hand.

The congressman should get back to work — funding the Children’s Health Insurance Program, addressing Puerto Rico relief and passing a clean Dream Act.

These issues will be important to potential voters in Florida. The way DeSantis resolves them will go a long way toward how the folks of the Sunshine State view him as a potential gubernatorial candidate. Trust me, riding Mr. Trump’s coattails, or taking photo ops on Air Force One, are not going to get him a lot of traction.

Just some helpful advice from one of his constituents.

Pat Ferraro

Flagler Beach

 

 

One use for paper

The writer of the Dec. 23 letter “Equal offender?” could not be more incorrect repeating his friend’s statement: “A liberal rag not good enough to wrap dead fish.” I agree that The News-Journal is a liberal rag.

But I totally disagree with the comment that The News-Journal is not good for wrapping fish.

Not good enough? I have always found that The News-Journal is the perfect vehicle for wrapping dead fish.

Gene Holland

Palm Coast

 

Shooting down lies

Early Christmas morning I was watching a major TV cable news channel and realized, again, how important it is and how fortunate we are to have bright, capable and good-hearted men and women in journalism who remind us what is factual and true and what is not, and have the courage to say it. Major world tragedies have occurred when truth was suppressed in many countries, when the public did not understand what was happening. Journalists are the guardians of truth.

Nothing is more important that freedom of the press for free societies. God bless all of them for shooting down lies and distortions of the truth!

Thomas R. Meachem

Daytona Beach

 

Thanks to leaders

Congratulations to our pro-growth president! Finally, people can keep more of their hard-earned money, and that benefits us all. I’m particularly impressed with Congress. News outlets have led us to believe that there is discord within the Republican Party. They do not march in lockstep, but that does not mean they are dysfunctional. This is the way government should work to achieve shared goals. Sad there wasn’t more support from the other side.

The doors were locked and the windows were covered when our Founding Fathers gathered to write the Constitution. Ideas were thrown around, some kept, some discarded. They argued about what was best for the country and came up with the most significant document ever written. This is how it works.

Not to make light of this process, but similar situations arise when our neighbors get together to decide on a place to eat out. Everyone puts in their two cents, and eventually we decide on a restaurant all can agree on. Again, this is how it works.

We are the United States of America. It is about time we felt united. Americans want our country to be prosperous and economically successful, to be gainfully employed and to keep what we earn. The stock market, GDP, and employment rates continue to rise, with the entire nation reaping the benefits. Goals of making our country more energy efficient and reducing regulations that inhibit growth have been realized.

Let’s focus on what we have in common, including what has been accomplished, and not what divides us.

Ro Steppe

Port Orange

 

Giving and taking

The government gave people on Social Security a 2 percent raise. We got our letter yesterday telling us that the increase went to Medicare. How unfair that is, since the tax bill gives everyone a tax break but us seniors.

Jeri Carter

Daytona Beach

 

 

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