The recent tribute to Nell Wiegand reminded me of the role model she was for me and other young professional women. She came onto the hospital authority at a time when the hospital was beginning to evolve into a regional medical center. She had a vote that counted on the direction the medical center would take.

In the spring of 2006, when I was winding up the "hands on" treatment for my breast cancer, I had an occasion to compliment her and "Trell" (LeTrell Simpson) on the medical care available to me in my own community. How exciting it was to have been there in the beginning of the long-range development of the medical center, they as decision-makers, and I as a young reporter documenting as much of the progress as possible.

The '70s were difficult for young women starting out in nontraditional professional fields. Examples for "breaking" through the glass ceiling were on either extreme of human behavior. Then, there was "Miss Nell," an educated woman whose voice was heard in a room of mostly male decision-makers. With her grace and style, she didn't break through the glass ceiling. She simply ignored it and it melted as though it were a thin sheet of ice just beginning to form on a pond.

I never quite developed the grace and style of "Miss Nell," but a few did. However, I did learn a good deal about how to move with confidence in pursuit of a long-term goal that you may see and others don't quite yet grasp.

Nell Wiegand was one of the many visionary members of the hospital authority through the years. It takes a community to build a reputation to go with the bricks and mortar. I was privileged to have had an opportunity to see some of the beginning of the transformation.

Jackie A. Sosby
Gainesville

Lawyer defends illegal acts
In response to the letter by David Kennedy, I am a retired peace officer of this county and I take issue with his accusation that Department of Natural Resources rangers are profiling illegal aliens and targeting them for fishing without a license.

Having been a former prosecutor in the Hall County State Court, Mr. Kennedy is extremely familiar with the DNR's procedures. When someone is checked for fishing license, just as in the case of a driver's license, and the individual is unable to produce one, you request another form of ID to be able to fill out the citation. This then led to the discovery that the individuals were here illegally.

Fishing without a license is a misdemeanor. Misdemeanor violations under Georgia law are subject to arrest, or in certain cases, simply issuing a citation. It is within the officer's discretion; therefore, it was not an illegal arrest. To even suggest that the men were "legally entitled to resist with appropriate force" is absolutely ludicrous. Kennedy is supposed to be an educated, trained and experienced practicing attorney. He knows better.

Mr. Kennedy refers to these men as otherwise law-abiding men. To be in this country illegally is a crime. These men are criminals. People who are here illegally are not subject to the protections of our Constitution. They are already protected by the immunities assured by their governments. To refer to illegal aliens as "undocumented immigrants" is like calling a drug dealer an "unlicensed pharmacist."

The Times' editorial is an endorsement of the laws of our land and the will of the people. These are the same people who are tired of seeing their tax dollars doled out to illegal aliens in welfare payments, WIC, food stamps, Medicaid, Medicare, taxpayer-furnished attorneys and subsidized housing.

Rickey Tumlin
Clermont