Hamilton Tries to Get Points across to Du Quoin City Council

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Mr. Robert Hamilton had a very successful career at the Choate Mental Health Center in Anna years ago. He returned to his beloved Du Quoin with his wife and became wholly involved at the community. He frequents the newspaper, has sat out in the yard at our home and talked about everything from his fear that President Obama might be assassinated because he's the nation's first black president, to the state of the city, to his hope for our youth.

He worries about Du Quoin. He said he thinks a lot of the things mayor John Rednour has done for the city, but felt all the time and aggravation aren't worth being mayor and felt maybe Rednour should retire to save his health. He genuinely cared.

Things are always on his mind, and a beautiful mind it is. About four years ago Mr. Hamilton had a stroke. He knows what he wants to say--he just can't always say it. The thoughts are clear. The words just come out in bursts. Monday night, Mr. Hamilton--with the help of commissioner Rex Duncan--tried to get the words out over his concerns about hiring practices and about reinstating many of the town's real estate taxes that had once been abated.

"People don't have jobs. People are losing their houses," he said. The discussion deteriorated and despite the mayor tapping his gavel on the counter, Mr. Hamilton wouldn't give up.

Finally, the mayor asked two officers to escort Mrs. Hamilton from the chamber.