Pubdate: Wed, 19 Dec 2001
Source: Kingsport Times-News (TN)
Copyright: 2001 Kingsport Publishing Corporation
Contact:  http://www.timesnews.net/index.cgi
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1437
Note:  Will not publish letters in print editions from online users who do 
not reside in print circulation area, unless they are former residents or 
have some current connection to Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee.
Author: Sheryl J (Young) Barnes

LEE NEWS SAD

I often search your Web page for news articles pertaining to my hometown of 
Stickleyville. As I started reading the article "Two jailed in Lee County 
after raid on methamphetamine lab," I became mortified. I realized that the 
people listed in the article were my first cousins. The property that is 
mentioned has been in the family for over 100 years. I have fond memories 
of my great aunt and aunt in that house. Never would I have dreamed that 
there would be a methamphetamine lab in Stickleyville, let alone in that house.

We hear so much in today's news about teens being addicted to drugs. CBS 
News just did a story regarding the teens in Pennington Gap, Va., using and 
abusing OxyContin. When I watched that newscast, I wondered how they 
obtained these drugs. This is an area that was so quiet and reserved with 
folks living a wholesome life, God-fearing people, neighbors knowing 
everything about their neighbors.

Evidently the area has changed so much that I feel lucky to have left the 
area to raise my children.

My great aunt and aunt worked hard to keep that property going in the early 
1900's and later during the rains and droughts.

They were hardworking women and for them to lose the control of their 
property because they could not stay there because of being afraid of their 
own children would be a shame in this society.

Sheryl J. (Young) Barnes

Newark, Ohio
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MAP posted-by: Beth