After reading the editorial on the Ceres plantation house on Feb. 21, I felt I had to send a rebuttal opposing your point of view. Being an arbitrator at heart, I try to see all sides of any issue and do respect all opinions. In this case, I must refute your reasons for demolition of the home in Flowers.

This home is more than just an old house. This home represents to both African-Americans and whites alike a sense of who they are. This house has stood the test of time and still reminds us of how far we have come as people. Two concerned citizens wanting to save the house obtained signatures of support from 14 percent of the adult population here in Vicksburg and Warren County in just a short three weeks working parttime, and more signatures have come in since the last tally.

Let’s take the five major points from the editorial one at a time.

First, you said the home stands in the middle of the industrial park. If you look at the map of the park, it does not stand in the middle but rather at the lower tip of the Interplex. You would have to pass the home to get into the actual acreage available for building. The house simply is not in the way of any potential building, if any ever happens.

Second, any corporation wanting to build any tourist attraction longs for that freeway or highway access. It’s the No. 1 priority. Look at Disneyland, DisneyWorld, Branson, Six Flags and our own Vicksburg National Military Park.

Third, you mentioned the Tyson processing plant. Not only is it three-fourths of a mile away, there are no smells to speak of. There are no live chickens to foul the air.

Fourth, you talked about the sewage treatment plant. That actually stands 2 miles away. I have been at Ceres 25 times in the last three months. Not one odor was ever detected. I am not sure if you were implying that the county was not taking care of the treatment plant properly, or maybe you meant that if the industrial park were fully built out that the county could not maintain the sewage plant and therefore there would be odors. Either way, I believe the Port Commission is doing a fine job and would continue to do so. The Canada geese living on the waters of the sewage plant seem to like it quite fine.

Lastly, you made fun of the fact that 18-wheelers roll down the highway 1,500 feet from where a potential bed and breakfast would stand and the noise they would create. We should then ask Hampton Inn, Quality Inn and others to close since they stand closer to the Interstate than we would have. I respectfully suggest that you seem to be trying to make up reasons; however they just don’t hold water.

De Reul

Restored Properties LLC

Vicksburg