VALENTINE: Just a southern gentleman

Todd Kavanagh’s letter in the July 31 Press covers most of what I wanted to offer. I will, however, add a bit about an experience I had with Jim Valentine.

I know him through one transaction with his company, which was a good experience. I required a small amount of top soil to establish a flower garden, so I drove my pickup to his facility and stated that I wanted to buy a yard of soil and that I would load it by hand. He smiled and jumped from his rock screen and onto his loader. Without breaking a sweat, I was ready to leave. I handed him a hundred dollar bill but he didn’t have change. He said I could cache the money at a certain point at his facility at some future date. Now that is southern trust at its best. Since that experience, I have met him on the street of Post Falls numerous times and he never fails to wave.

Obviously, he is a man who loves the South, its history and chivalry, when men tipped their hats to the ladies, said “yes ma’am,” “thank you, ma’am,” opened doors for those in line, etc. I will join him in disdain for those who want to rewrite history (cleans all of our warts) and tear down the statues of General Lee and other southern gentlemen.

LEONARD BRANT

Post Falls