April 13, 2008 02:17 pm
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Perception, perception, perception
I have some concerns over the state of our current school board’s response to the TEA report on Cleburne ISD’s finances.
Robert Damron has been reassigned, and that is fine; however, the board president has indicated publicly that a full and complete audit is not required at this point. My concern is that the board should want this incident completely cleared and put to rest. My response would have been to order a full and complete audit and looked for reason not to do it. I’m sure none would be found.
The second concern is the current assistant superintendents’ response. They look to me like folks who just watched a bank robbery and did not call 911. I know guilt by association is not prosecutable; however, inaction is not tolerated.
Remember the three most important things in an inquiry are perception, perception and perception.
Harold Darling
Cleburne
City needs to recognize importance of history
In my opinion the most under utilized asset Cleburne has is its historic buildings and neighborhoods. I have lived here for almost 30 years and have yet to understand the attitude taken by residents and the city of Cleburne about local history. Cleburne is virtually alive with history ranging from the old springs where the town was founded to all the great old buildings in downtown.
Now there is a “debate” about the museum complex. Very few Carnegie buildings remain in the state. Ours is a virtual treasure waiting to be used. Rather than embracing this asset, our council can’t decide whether it is worth spending money on improving and renovating all the properties involved.
May I remind the council there was no problem spending $3 million on the golf course. One councilman thinks we should just tear down the Smith building and build something cheaper. Once again, I just can’t understand this line of reasoning.
Perhaps our council should visit the Old Town in Burleson to see what renovating and improving old buildings can do. I do know when my wife and I ate at Frescos in Old Town we saw a lot of Cleburne residents. Burleson must be doing something right.
I urge Cleburne to embrace its past and capitalize on it. Promote renovation of downtown and the older neighborhoods. I assume the city realizes that renovated and improved property can yield greater tax revenue.
Sincerely,
Ted Franks
Cleburne
Vote for Cindy Mangrum
I would like to encourage Cleburne voters to support Cindy Mangrum for Cleburne ISD board member. Mangrum will be a strong, no-nonsense voice who will genuinely work for all students of CISD. She is interested in what is best for the students and will work to keep the focus where it needs to be.
I have known Cindy for several years and know she will be a breath of fresh air to CISD. Now is the time, and Cindy is the person. Vote Cindy Mangrum for school board.
Mike Mizell
Cleburne
Thanks from Girl Scouts
Friendship Trails, the division of Girl Scouts that serves Johnson County, would like to thank all residents of Cleburne, Godley and Rio Vista and the surrounding areas for supporting the 2008 cookie sales.
This year our girls sold $71,750 in cookies, which resulted in the girls earning more than $11,000 for their individual troops. The funds are then used by the girls to participate in summer camps, campouts and other character-building activities.
The girls also sold 500 boxes of cookies that are being sent to the recovering military men and women in Fort Hood through the Girl Scout sanctioned Troop to Troop promotion. Girl Scout Troop 2209 also participated in DFW’s Meet and Greet in February and April.
The girls secured funds from businesses in Cleburne to purchase cases of Thanks a Lot cookies. These cookies were handed out to soldiers coming back to the states from Iraq.
The troop would like to send a huge thank you to all donating business owners for their generosity and encourage Cleburne to support them. Our little first-graders could not have brought a smile to those soldiers’ faces and a warm welcome back without your help.
Thanks to Johnson County Co-op, HLI, Peter and Carolyn Bennis, Jeff England Motor Company, Ralph Littlejohn, C&L, First State Bank, Alvarado Vet, Edie Hanna, Rosser Funeral Home, Lisa’s Wellness Center, It’s Personal with Becky Bennett, Westhill Construction, M.C. Davis, attorney at law, Kim and Cody Jones, S&S Furniture, Paula and Ricky Willis, Accents, Curtis Pritchard, attorney at law, and Durham Rental Properties.
Sincerely,
Becky Bennett
Assistant Troop leader
Troop 2209
What to believe
Mr. Bonds had it right in his letter to the editor last Sunday as he compared poverty in the old days with what is now considered unfortunate. In the ’30s and ’40s people worked their way out of crunches as most everyone was getting by with few or no government handouts.
Neighbors and kinfolks helped out if possible, at least with moral and physical support. Many depended on home-raised food. Hand-me-down clothes were standard, many homemade and labeled Purina or Red Chain Feed or Bewley’s Best. Barefoot or tennis shoes for summer and high tops for school and church were all the shodding needed by youngsters.
If a man got behind on rent or a house loan, he worked something out with the local banker requiring more hours of labor but not asking for any government help. Government help consisted of things like the CCC. Look it up if you don’t understand how that worked. Thirty dollars a month, all you could eat, and long, hard efficient work days. Most of that money was sent home. Work and cooperation were the keys.
The mind set now is to expect relief when we have bitten off more than we can chew, and many in Congress actually believe that the way to go is to raise taxes for everyone over the poverty level to take care of those who they consider unfortunates. Bail out underachievers and financial institutions and then blame the fiscal shortfall on the administration and the rich. After all, Katrina and its problems were Republican Bush’s fault, including the flood.
So, the government needs to rebuild the lives of all of those unfortunates who depended so much on welfare and their own local political despots that they did not have the initiative to walk, run or ride the idle school buses away from the forewarned catastrophic event.
What do you think about Congress allowing billions to be spent carelessly and unprofessionally in a mismanaged corrective program for the Katrina damaged area?
With all respect and sympathy, do you agree with giving huge money gifts to families of the victims of the World Trade Center Muslim-induced disaster? That was political foolishness more than sympathy and merit. The well advertised slogan suggesting “just say NO” should be applied to pressure congressmen of all stripes, not just youngsters, also under pressure.
I know there have been decent and intelligent people sent to Congress who were equipped to straighten things out. Many are still there, much wealthier, fatter, grayer and politicizing everything while butting heads over long-forgotten philosophies and who do whatever is necessary to remain in an office with unbelievable perks. I asked our representative for his job description. I have not received an answer.
I believe that our schools should teach practical living and spending habits, since many parents don’t. It’s interesting that many illegals are able to live well, dress well and drive well. But if you wish to replace the illegals by working at second jobs for more income, those food stamps, rent subsidies and free medical perks that many of them receive will not be available to you, a citizen. You can darn sure believe that!
Monte Swatzell
Cleburne
Cleburne has lost again
In Sunday’s letters to the editor Sherri Graf stated, “Don’t let museums get away.” It is now too late. Cleburne has already lost the chance to have a great railroad museum.
Two years ago this month I visited the Age of Steam Railroad Museum at Fair Park in Dallas. My cousin, Robert Willis, is on the board of directors, and he gave me a tour of the facility.
Robert told me at that time that Fair Park wanted the land where the museum was located for additional parking space, and they were looking for a place to move to. He wanted to move the museum to Cleburne as his dad had worked at the Santa Fe Shops here in the 1950s.
At that time several acres of land were available on North Wilhite Street where the old cotton compress had been. Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad said they would give enough track to place all the engines and cars on.
About this time the city had spent most of its bond money on the water park and sports complex and no one was interested in a railroad museum.
Last week, I read in the Dallas Morning News that the city of Frisco had agreed to take the museum, furnishing the land for the museum and up to $1 million to have everything moved there.
We lost again.
John Watson
Cleburne
Thanks for work during storms
We wish to thank the personnel involved in working during the early Thursday morning storms. The police, fire and sheriff’s departments, along with city personnel responded with several hours of intense, dedicated service and teamwork.
Among those were Cleburne Police Chief Terry Powell and police personnel of Cleburne, Cleburne Fire Chief Clint Ishmael, Battalion Chief Wylie Daughtry, Battalion Assistant Chief Randy Jenkins, Lt. Don Oesch and crew, Lt. Richard Knutson and crew, Lt. Allen Connell and crew; Johnson County Sheriff Bob Alford and personnel of the sheriff’s office; and the city of Cleburne public works department.
The teamwork and service provided by these departments is appreciated. Thank you for a job well done.
Curtis and Gayle White
Cleburne
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