Published: April 17, 2007 12:09 pm            

4/15/2007 Letters to the editor

Attacks on Jo Damron unwarranted



Dear Editor:



The recent articles in area newspapers have publicized again the vocal, negative attitudes some want to present about the employment of Jo Damron, wife of CISD Superintendent Robert Damron, as a business teacher at Cleburne High School. It is now time for the teachers at CHS to stand up for one of our own. As co-workers and friends of Jo, we are incensed that her name continues to be an issue! Only someone with true malice would belittle our administration because she is here. Godley ISD (where she taught before CHS) continues to miss her. As a faculty, here are all the reasons we celebrate having Jo Damron as a co-worker:

• 30 years’ experience and certification for teaching the Business Education Cooperative Program

• UIL accounting students have placed first, third and third at the state level in the four years since she arrived on our campus. This year, her accounting students were first, second, third and fourth at district UIL. They will be competing in the region contest in a few weeks.

• Accounting students have been awarded over $35,000 in scholarship money related to their successes in UIL accounting.

• She assists with UIL and Business Professionals of America. She receives a $200 stipend for UIL and $0 for BPA. Quite frankly, that means she works hours extra every month for less than $25.

• She arrives early and stays late to present an organized, efficient classroom.

• She is a team player. In our TAKS Enrichment period, she has to walk to another building. She is there every scheduled day, without complaint.

• Last spring during UIL accounting, she was on medical leave. She insisted that her students come to her home for extra tutoring. They did — and placed third at state! She is now a cancer survivor.

• Jo is a wonderful person. She is respected and enjoyed in every aspect of our school, and we at CHS value her experience, work, opinion and time.

• Jo Damron was elected our 2007 CHS Teacher of the Year! Hopefully that will send a message to anyone who dares question that she is one of us.

• Our state salary schedule is very easy to understand. Representatives of Acce$$ Cleburne try to interpret it as “favored.” That is a lie.

Jo Damron’s employment has meant that her talents and presence have blessed our students, school and district. We are so glad that she decided to seek employment with us. People who have criticized her being at CHS are simply trying to create problems that only serve their selfish purposes; they are definitely not interested in the welfare of our students.



Lorna Smith

Lisa Benson

Sandra Gilliland

Ryan Abt

Pat Cantrell

Justin Marchel

Holly Kelley

Tommy Webb

Teresa French

Rebecca Roe

Darla Naylor

Jana Trimble

Roxy Sherwood

Dawn Kerbs

Hannah Coleman

Florence Dossett

Robert Ramos

Lyle Lackey

Diane Crosby

Ross Taylor

Janette Blair

Janice Hinman

Alicia Garcia

Paula Allen

Consuelo Ortiz

Debbie Parker, RN BSN

Lisa Agricola

Mickey Williams

Ron Garcia

Christin Pack

Michelle Stone

Robin Gosdin

Pam Elam

Don Spaulding

Lesli Cox

Randy Allen

Beverly Langner

Pat Tuggle

Kay Fenn

Barney McClure

Gene Bundock

Ann Lowrie

Amy Teague



Speaker answers Barkman comments



Dear Editor:



Your paper recently published a column by Patrick Barkman titled “How not to fire U.S. attorneys.” The column’s author falsely claims that I “recently killed a provision to create a standing special prosecutor to investigate TYC (Texas Youth Commission) abuses.”

Three weeks ago, House Bill 427, a bill that would expand the jurisdiction of the special prosecution unit to include prosecution of crimes committed in TYC facilities, was discovered to contain a technical error while being debated on the House floor. The bill was sent back to the House Corrections Committee, where it was amended and voted out again by the committee last week. It will likely be debated on the floor sometime later this month.

Everyone realizes this is an important tool in addressing systemic problems at the TYC; however, it is equally important to ensure that the legislation is drafted in a way that will provide the best outcome when prosecuting crimes that occur within the TYC. I anticipate House Bill 427 to pass the House. In light of the recent revelations of the abhorrent behavior at the Texas Youth Commission, it is my hope that this legislation will go toward helping to fix this broken agency.

Sincerely,



Tom Craddick

Speaker of the Texas House



You should be scared



Dear Editor:



I’m scared.

And if you have any sense, you are too. Or at least, you should be.

The economic prosperity that the Barnett Shale has brought to our area has also brought a real threat to our very lives: out-of-control trucks. Case in point, the deaths of two and critical injury of another Johnson County resident at the intersection of Farm-to-Market Road 916 and Texas 171 on April 8 — killed by an empty 18-wheeler gravel truck that failed to stop in time.

Now, before we go any further with this, I want you to know that I understand trucking is essential to the American way of life. Trucks bring goods and materials where they’re needed by the most economical means available. I am in no way advocating the removal of trucks from our roads and highways.

That said, we simply must take action to protect ourselves. Now. Before we lose more lives in senseless accidents.

You need look no further than a couple of counties to the north to see where we’re headed. Denton and Wise counties have experienced increased highway fatalities and accidents brought on by trucking traffic related to Barnett Shale activities.

I don’t know the statistics, how many more deaths and injuries are directly to blame. I’m sure they’re available if you want to look them up. But whatever they are, they are not acceptable to me. Nor should they be to you.

What can we do about it?

Enforce the law.

Trucks that are tailgating should be ticketed for reckless driving. Zero tolerance on speed limits. Close monitoring of moving violations of any kind. Truck drivers in Johnson County should know that they are being watched — closely. Signs to this effect should be posted throughout the cities and county.

Fines and penalties need to have teeth. Repeat offenders should have their licenses revoked. I don’t know if it’s possible, but tailgating truckers should be charged with assault. They are directly threatening the lives of the occupants of the vehicles in front of them. They might as well be holding a gun to their heads. What’s the difference?

No doubt, we will need to increase the number of law enforcement officials, not only in the county but the cities as well. How do we pay for it? One resource might be the increased property tax windfall related to gas wells and Barnett Shale activities. There are other sources for funds as well.

But I don’t want to hear excuses for why this can’t be done. You can always equivocate and find reasons why something can’t be done. Or why it might “take some time” to get the ball rolling.

It can be done. It must be done. Now. Before someone else is run over by another out-of-control truck.

I urge our county commissioners to take up this vital concern to the residents of Johnson County at the earliest possible opportunity.



Ed Isbell

Grandview



Cain column on the mark



Dear Editor:



Cheers, cheers and more cheers to Scott Cain’s column about Nancy Pelosi in last Sunday’s edition. Mr. Cain was dead on target concerning this woman.

Apparently, Speaker Pelosi, in her mind, believes that the office of the president is like the queen of England, a mere figurehead position, while foreign policy and the decisions concerning such are to be left entirely to Congress (or a few select members thereof) to decide. Sorry, Nancy, that’s not the way the Founding Fathers set it up. You and those of your ilk are a danger to this country and to every man and woman serving in our military. I despise you all!

What Mr. Cain hinted at, I will say, is that Nancy Pelosi should be removed from office, arrested and charged with high crimes against the nation. Namely, treason, as her actions clearly fall under aiding and abetting the enemy. Since Syria along with Iran supports and finances worldwide terrorism, one had only to watch any news broadcast and see the outcry of support she received from major terrorist organizations in the region. And so, O Great Pelosi (you idiot!), where to now, Tehran? They are always looking for ways to besmirch this great nation of ours, and I’m sure they would welcome you with open arms to share your infinite wisdom amid promises to stop their nuclear weapons program if only the great Satan would bend to their will as Allah decrees.

I myself don’t agree with all of President Bush’s decisions concerning the war in Iraq. However, if I were a member of Congress, I would in no way be a participant in any type of legislation that would in any shape, form or fashion withhold funding for troops in a combat theater just to make the president look bad, nor would I allow myself to be used for propaganda purposes to make our nation look weak and divided as Nancy (the most powerful woman in the world, in her eyes) Pelosi has done, such action is treasonous and should be dealt with accordingly. Mr. Cain, thank you again, it was a pleasure to read your column. God bless America, all the brave men and women who serve in our military a protect us from fools like Nancy Pelosi.



Rikky D. Perkins

Cleburne



Thanks from Williams family



Dear Editor:



We would like to thank the public, our friends, co-workers and our family for all the support you have so graciously given to us to help in our fight against cancer. You all have been an inspiration to us, and we really appreciate the help. May God bless each one of you.



John D. and Melba Williams

Cleburne

        

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