By Leesville Mayor Rick Allen 

Too many times I see people struggling financially that have no plan for it to get better. They tell themselves that this is it, I will never have more than I have now. There is no shame in just getting by but I know lots of people that could do better. There is no shame in getting assistance from the government but I wish more people could have a plan on how to get themselves out of this pattern. Why is it that I believe in some people more than they believe in themselves? Childcare is so high that most people are better off getting government assistance rather than getting a job and paying their whole check to childcare. A great friend of mine who has built an empire from nothing but hard work. Once said to me back in the early 90’s; when I was struggling financially but I had a dirt bike and smoked cigarettes. He said “you really aren’t in a bind yet because when you are you will sell that dirt bike and quit smoking.” Man, you talking about hurt my feelings and I will even admit I was upset at him; and how dare he say that to me. Unfortunately, he was right and today it’s hard to convince me that you are in a bind when you have a beer in your hand and a cigarette in your mouth.

It’s also hard to convince me that you can’t be successful when I know you can. You all know me well enough by now to know that I don’t say stuff just to hurt your feelings. But what I hope you realize is that you are exactly who you are supposed to be and you have everything you need to be successful. Just make up your mind to try you hardest. Not for a month and not for a year, I mean from now until the Lord calls you home.

Something that I admire about Traci; my wife, is how she rejoices over the success of someone else. I heard a preacher one time say you should rejoice when you neighbor gets a blessing because that means God is in the neighborhood and you might be next. When you do good, I will rejoice with you because I know my blessings are coming.