Another infamous name

Dear Editor,

I am responding to Melissa Clinton's comment. I, too, am related to a murderer.

My mom and my two brothers still carry the name Simants. Yes, we are related to Charles Erwin. As Melissa said, there is a stigma associated with our name also.

My mom still cringes when her name is called at the doctors office, dentist office, etc.

People can be so hurtful with their glares, comments or just plain ignorance!

The sad part of it is, we did not commit the murders but we are being punished because of what a relative has done (whom I've never even met).

The kids of such relatives are NOT to blame, nor are the other family members who are related to them.

Think about it next time you write about something of this nature. There has got to be more cheerful things to write about!

Sincerely,

Patricia Simants Hanken,

Palisade