I wrote a letter today and will mail it Saturday morning and will post any response I get, good or bad.
The Historical News April-17-2015
P O Box 1068
Hiram, Georgia 30141
To Whom It May Concern:
I read the article on page 23, in the April issue about the violation of private property by someone using a metal detector and wanted to write to you and express my opinion on this.
This does not represent the majority of people in our hobby who voluntarily abide by a code of ethics and only represents a very small minority. There are bad apples in every barrel and we must sort them out and remove them from our hobby to save those who are ethical members and always ask permission to go on private property.
Not only do I ask permission from private property owners, I always check with the people who manage public property and get their permission and assure them I will leave no holes unfilled and carry out small trash items. I’m a taxpayer and it is public property, but I feel I have an ethical responsibility to ask.
I feel that I perform a public service by removing trash such as nails, broken glass, fish hooks, syringes and needles from public parks and swim areas. I also work to educate people about our hobby and we are not out to destroy public or private property, but to recover and protect it.
A few coins or relics are a small reward for our efforts and the fresh air and being outdoors is our greatest pleasure.
Sincerely,
W. L. Ellerbee