Post by S. L. Jones, M.Sci. on Sept 7, 2021 5:27:19 GMT -5
May 19, 2010 20:47:11 GMT -5 Rachel Denise Melson said:
To whomever mentioned the dog and pony show, I am deeply disappointed that you would associate such foolishness with my godfather. There was no funeral. Dad was a devout Christian and before he passed he assured us all that he was ready and that all was well with his soul. We had a memorial service. There was no music, no yelling, outbursts, or dog and pony show as you put it. The reason why so many people have so many positive things to say about Dad is because he was a Christian first and employee second. I have learned so much from him and I am so blessed to still have his wife, my godmother, still here with me. I hope you reevaluate your statement and rest assured that Harry K. Singletary was a great man, but most importantly a faithful child of God.Mrs. Melson, I've been "indisposed" with my 2nd stay as a guest of the State of Florida. I wrote the following; I will forever remember "Big Red"....Sec.DOC Harry K. Singletary:
'Man for all seasons' Re: An outstanding candidate for the Department of Corrections, Jon East's Dec. 12, 1990, [TAMPA BAY TIMES] commentary on the candidacy of Harry K. Singletary Jr. for Florida Secretary of Corrections.
Prison, intrinsically, is a hard place filled with hard, often bitter, men and women. I know; approximately the last seven years of my life have been spent there. Frequently, convicts adopt an "us against them" attitude, at odds with almost all attempts to rehabilitate them. It takes an experienced penologist with enormous sagacity and insight to overcome that attitude. Harry Singletary Jr. is a corrections administrator gifted with those qualities. Mr. Singletary has visited Zephyrhills Correctional Institute several times. However, despite his lofty position, he has not secluded himself behind the safe, clandestine walls of the administration building but instead, chose to visit the cafeteria, cell-blocks and fearlessly walk the prison compound talking with inmates who always have innumerable gripes to air. Just the fact that he listens says much for this man's character. Harry K. Singletary Jr. can also always be counted on to be keynote speaker at our annual Black History Month celebration and Jaycees' banquets. His messages are delivered to packed audiences (in an atmosphere where apathy is epidemic) and never fail to uplift and inspire the inmates out of the doldrums of despair and negativism.
But, Singletary is no "soft shoe"; his speeches are always grounded in the traditional [Christian]probity that has made his life a success and him a positive role model for all enlightened, aspiring individuals. He continually propounds education, hard work, perseverance, discipline and honesty as the keys to success and breaking the vicious cycle of crime and recidivism. He is thusly admired and respected by inmates and Department of Corrections' staff alike.
Consequently, this "man for all seasons" would ably serve Floridians well as their Secretary of Corrections.
Sheldon L. Jones, 098222 Zephyrhills Corr. Inst.
TAMPA BAY TIMES DECEMBER 17, 1990