Submitted by Linda Gonzales Battle
Our seventh week PTI (Pre Trial Intervention) meeting was held on Monday, June 13, 2011 at the Riverdale Community Center.
The purpose of this meeting is to sponsor a program by the Solicitor’s Office called PTI, which consists of “First Time Offenders” who have been charged with non-violent crimes. This is an eight week program that consists of various speakers who share their ideas. In these sessions, there is a question and answer session.
The meeting was opened by Bishop Eddie Ingram, Pastor, Mt. Sinai Church, with prayer. He requested the participants to introduced themselves. He talked about helping others and gave some examples. He stated that we all need somebody. We need to rejoice everyday that we are able to stand before God. We are all God’s children. In closing, Bishop Ingram told the participants, don’t let no one say you are nobody. We are all somebody. He requested the participants to talk to him in private if they have counseling concerns. He introduced the speakers.
Betty Legette, Manning Baptist Church, stated after being five years clean from drug addiction, she wanted to discuss with the participants the predicament that got her into drugs. Her topic is “Listen.” She reflected on how her mom talked to her in high school, which she gave some examples, and she didn’t listen to her mom. She stated that if you don’t listen, you won’t learn. Listen to your parents because they want tell you anything wrong. This also pertains to the speakers and staff here. By the time you leave here in eight week, you will know what is required of you. Ask God for help. He will fight your battles. She reiterated the importance of listening. In closing, Ms. Legette stated that next week she will be asking them two questions, 1. Remember what she talked about tonight, and 2. Listen to what your mom told you.
Rev. Johnny Page, Mt. Sinai Church, talked about the book of James. He stated that most people talk too much and don’t listen. The mighty tongue can get you into a lot of trouble. We criticize and talk about people. People see you doing something, they want to run and tell it whether it is true or not. By us being so fast, we say the wrong things. God gave you the mind to think. Don’t worry about other people, worry about yourself. God made all of us the same. We are suppose to be brothers and sisters of all nations. If you see somebody out there, don’t knock him/her down and talk about her/him, pick him/her up and help. We talk about things that we don’t understand. Talk to somebody and help them. Don’t always chastise people. In closing, Rev. Page told the participants to read the book of James and it will guide them and don’t talk too much.
Linda Gonzales Battle, Secretary, gave background information on herself. She talked about retiring from Dillon County Department of Social Services, 6/1/11. She gave an overview of DSS various services. She encouraged the participants to get their education. She also gave them some examples of services that are available, e.g. Job Corp. In closing, Ms. Battle told the participants to help and keep in touch with each other after graduating from this program.
Titus Bethea, St. Matthew AME Church, talked about his jobs, Department of Transportation and Bartell Funeral Home. He also talked about attitudes in great detail. He also stated that some kids don’t have father figures in their home. They need help. Trouble does not have an age or color. Trouble is easy to get into and hard to get out. When you get in trouble, you don’t have any friends. True friends have your back. It is ok to have friends. But make sure that they are positive. If they hold you back, let them go. In closing, Mr. Bethea stated that if you make a mistake, that’s ok because you have a chance to change it.