Good things on Coleman Street

I say first because there may be more.  We’ll see…

Dear Editor,

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “No news is good news.”  That, basically, is how my husband, David, and I, owners of Cedar Row Apartments, read the Snyder Daily News.  In other words, any time we read your paper and don’t see Coleman Street mentioned we feel quite blessed—and a bit relieved.

Even before we took over the apartments in 2008 from my parents, Lawrence and Pat Outlaw, we were told of the history and reputation of The Old Colemans.  Some of that history happened before Mom and Dad began “cleaning up the street” some twenty plus years ago.

But even after implementing criminal background checks and raising the bar as far as who we allow to rent from us, unfortunately, there are times when one of our renters–or, in this case, one of our former renters–puts Coleman Street back in the news.

I’m referring, of course, to Roy Rodriguez who was recently found guilty of sexually assaulting his 13-year-old daughter and sentenced to four 99-year prison terms.  Like I’m sure everyone here in Snyder was when they read the news, we were appalled that such things had been going on.

As I read the articles, I found myself grimacing at how this would further reinforce—at least in some people’s minds—the negative reputation of our street.  But then I thought of something which changed my perspective entirely.

Before we rent an apartment, we not only fix it up and clean it thoroughly, we pray over it.  And one of the scriptures we often pray is Mark 4:22 which says in the New Living Translation: “For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light.“  Specifically, we ask the Lord to bring to light any evil so that it can be dealt with.

Today, a 13-year-old victim is free from the nightmarish torment of her incestuous father because the secret was brought to light.  And this reminds me of another favorite scripture: “We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.” Romans 8:28 Amplified Bible

Yep, there’s always something going on here on Coleman Street.  And most of it is actually good!