Joe's Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor:
A couple of weeks ago, the Xbox people came to Madden and Leake County to put on a media extravaganza, with Leake County to be the center of national attention for a couple of hours. They checked out the Leake Academy football field and pronounced it perfect for their needs. Actually, it was the only place in Madden with seating for a crowd. All the area high school bands were invited and it looked like Leake County was on the map and the Carthage Band was going to be on National TV. Then a few days later Melanie Hartley reversed the original decision and said their band and students would NOT participate. The reasons given were the cost of fuel to bus the band to Leake Academy, legal issues and that the "visual images" on TV might be "misused". I guess if you decide NOT to do something, one flimsy excuse is as good as another! It must have been obvious to everyone, including the Xbox people, that the REAL issue was that it was to be at a private school. Political correctness struck the project and the Xbox folks had to scramble to find another spot for their extravaganza. It finally came off in a private pasture, a couple of miles from Madden. The Kosciusko Big Red Band, the Philadelphia Band and the Leake Academy cheerleaders all performed. Jerry Rice, Marshall Faulk and Warren Moon made appearances and lots of prizes were thrown. It would have been quite a chance to put Leake county on the map. Too bad the Leake County schools and the Carthage Band were not allowed to participate. Melanie Hartley will take most of the flak because she was the messenger. Some say it was the school board and others blame the board attorney. I guess there will be enough blame to go around.
Joe T. Reeves
2120 Hwy 488
Carthage, MS 39051