To the Editor:

This week’s news article on Dr. Alan Edwards was very sad news. It seemed like he was being tarred and feathered. In America you are supposed to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. The article assumed he was guilty before all the facts are known. It falsely led you to believe that he had run away and was hiding, and that he is guilty of all the charges. All the facts should be known, both by the newspaper, the community and the county, before they come to the conclusion of guilt. This type of news destroys individuals, families and communities. Just remember there are two sides of a story and that there are variables in every situation.

Before you throw him under the bus ask yourself if you have ever made a mistake that you deeply regretted afterward. If you haven’t, go ahead and make your own judgment. Southampton and Franklin citizens are compassionate and just. Dr. Edwards has served the community and county as a dedicated physician, almost 30 years on the county’s planning commission, and as a supervisor who diligently supports reducing the county’s debt, reducing expenditures to avoid raising taxes, and for open government.

Let’s wait to get the facts before we make any judgment.

Glenn and Lynda Updike
Newsoms