Sitting in the audience of Gov. Bobby Jindal’s visit to Vidalia, I heard some positive things concerning the workforce, education and health of people who live in Louisiana.

I know that’s politics, but I do believe that when politicians set their hearts on running for office and are elected, they mean well, but they soon find out that they may not have the power to change things as they thought. One thing that stood out to me was when he said “(Louisiana) is not a poor state, we just have had poor leadership in the past.” He also said that “this is an important time to change Louisiana.”

More than four years ago, I moved my family to Ferriday from across the bridge. When that happened I was questioned by people living here as to why I wanted to move to Ferriday. They also said that Natchez had a lot more to offer. I could not argue that point, but I knew that Ferriday had supplied me and my family with income for over 15 years. I also knew that it wasn’t a big issue where I lived just as long as my family and I were getting our needs met.

And more importantly, I felt that something good was to come of Ferriday and I wanted to be part of it. Today, I’m still questioned concerning how do I like living in Ferriday. Well, my response is still the same, Ferriday has supplied my family with over 20 years of income and I still feel that something good is going to happen for Ferriday. One thing that concerns me is the negative words that I hear about this town. If it’s not from the people who live here, it’s from the people who don’t. The biggest issue in Ferriday you would think is water.

Hello! I have gone north, south, east and west in the United States and out of the States and have experienced a water problem in a lot of towns and cities I have visited. Really, I don’t believe there is good water. Most all water is chemically treated. No, this is not the biggest issue.

Ferriday, just like other cities, has a lot more issues of concern and the biggest issue is the negative things we say about our town.

Ferriday is a part of Concordia Parish which is a part of Louisiana which is a part of the United States of America. And when a small town like Ferriday hurts, Concordia Parish should hurt, Louisiana should hurt, and the whole United States should hurt. We all should be mindful of the things we say.

The Bible says as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. What a man thinks in his heart will come out of his mouth and in his actions. We should stop speaking negative words, myths or legends that once were. It’s time for a change and as Gov. Jindal said, this is an important time to change Louisiana, and I believe it. I want to be a part of the positives that will happen to Louisiana. I see, in this parish, that change is necessary and we must first start with the words we speak. We should work together as a parish to help build Louisiana.

Think it, speak it, and it will come alive. Words are powerful. Be mindful of the things that you say.

Beverly Gibson is a Ferriday resident.