Published: September 25, 2006 05:42 pm            

9/24/06 Letters to the editor

Amen and amen



Dear Editor:



Many thanks to Dr. Barney Maddox and W.V. Bonds for speaking the truth. Something that we seldom here in the media. If you watch enough of any television you begin to believe that everyone is against our president, and that everyone approves of gay marriage and abortion. How refreshing to know that I am not alone.

According to II Timothy, Chapter 3 in the last days we will be lovers of self, slanderous, not lovers of good, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.

Sound familiar? The liberal media will smother us with horrible images of war, protest of those wars and how bad our animals are treated. I guarantee you if Oprah would dedicate a show on the horrors of abortion and the aftereffects, the eyes of the world would be opened.

As long as it’s hidden it will not go away. Pray for those who have been victims of abortion, mothers who grieve over their decisions, fathers and family who didn’t have a voice. Pray for our president. And to those democrats who are for life, stand up or run for your lives. You might as well be holding the knife.



Amy Bednar

Cleburne





Veterans Assistance back Edwards



Dear Editor:



In reference to the article by Times-Review staff writer Matt Smith that appeared in the Aug. 30 publication, accusations were made by Van Taylor that the honorable Chet Edwards was lacking in his support of the veterans in the 17th District.

These remarks couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, the Johnson County Veterans Council and its subsidiary branch, Veterans Assistance, and all of our members, are in full support of the Democratic incumbent Chet Edwards because of his dedication in protecting the best interests of veterans and their families. Edwards is on the Homeland Security Subcommittee as well as the Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee with over 16 years’ experience, and he is the veteran’s strongest ally in Washington.

Back when we were in the 6th District, Joe Barton, our “so called” representative, would show up at our meetings to rally the support of the veterans, providing the perfect “lip service” they wanted to hear, then run off to Washington and vote against nearly every issue that would have been beneficial to veterans and their families.

With Edwards, the veterans in this district finally have a voice in Washington and he has kept us well informed on issues that affect us. His voting record speaks for itself. In fact, the VA hospital in Waco would already be closed but is still open because of Edwards. This is the only hospital in the United States that specializes in assisting blind veterans.

As you can see, we the veterans of this district are very much in favor of keeping our voice and friend Chet Edwards in Washington, and we ask all those who are in support of issues that favor veterans and their families to remember this when its your turn to vote.



J.A. (Andy) Birdsong

Veterans Assistance president

Vietnam veteran





Taylor accusations old news



Dear Editor:



I recently read an article in the Times-Review by staff writer Matt Smith. It concerned the article, “Taylor wants answers for insurance meeting.” I can’t see why Taylor would bring up something as old as this to even discuss. It was originally brought up by then-State Rep. Arlene Wohlgemuth when she was running against Chet Edwards for the 17th Congressional District seat.

The whole issue was settled and now Taylor is bringing it up again. I would say that this is beating a dead horse.

No matter who you are, if you encounter a problem you fix that problem and move on. That is exactly what Edwards did.

Looking back at Edward’s representation of veterans and the military, I do not know of anyone who has been a better friend to veterans than Chet has. For several years he served the area that included Fort Hood. Now that he is in our newly formed 17th Congressional district he has continued to help veterans and active military at every turn.

Going back to an old saying I once heard, “If something is not broke, don’t try to fix it.” Edward’s representation of the 17 Congressional District is not broke and does not need fixing.



Smokey Cleveland

Johnson County Navy veteran





Taylor is the voice needed in Congress



Dear Editor:



Chet Edwards supporters should do themselves a favor and check his voting record. While he claims to have done something about controlling our borders, he makes no mention of using National Guard or regular Army soldiers as necessary to seal our borders.

His votes on the floor of the House reflect the general attitude of the Democratic Party.

Folks, we need to take hold of the security of our borders now, before it is too late. Not only do we have millions of illegal immigrants from Mexico draining our resources, such as health care and education, but it is also relatively easy for terrorists posing as illiterate and illegal immigrants in this country as possible, to become future Democrats.

Do we have to have another 9/11 before people wake up? Talk is cheap.

Van Taylor will be a voice in Congress that we can count on to help President Bush take action to close our borders to illegal immigrants and terrorists. If this means we have to employ the National Guard, and/or reserve or active duty military, then so be it.



Harry C. Kennemer Jr.

Burleson





Group is in camouflage



Dear Editor:



This is to alert all the gun owners, hunters and sportsman of a camouflage job in the making by the liberals who are running for political office. They are not only liberals, but they are adamant about taking your guns away from you. If you hunt or believe in self and family protection or target competition you need to make sure you are not fooled by the follies of these people.

Be very alert concerning an organization called American Hunters and Shooters Association. These liberals are hoping to fool those of us who believe in home security, etc. They will try to say they are for the hunters, etc. Don’t be fooled by their diabolical schemes, they don’t know which end of a rifle scope to look through.

Once they are in office they will do everything in their power to confiscate your arms. Let’s be vigilant and keep them in our sights on the ballot as we make our candidate selection when voting. Don’t let happen to your arms what is happening to the kids’ toys in Burleson.



E.G. Frey

Cleburne





Encouraged by Edwards’, Taylor’s views



Dear Editor:



It was encouraging to see both Van Taylor and Chet Edwards express concern over the environmental and public health impacts of the proposal to build 17 new coal-fired power plants in Texas. As we look for ways to address our energy needs, we should rely on American innovation to bring us clean, reliable, homegrown sources of energy.

That’s why Environment Texas urges candidates to pledge to increase energy efficiency in homes and businesses, make cars and trucks more fuel-efficient, get more of our energy from clean, renewable sources like wind, solar and biomass, and triple our national investment in research and development of these technologies.

Rep. Edwards and Taylor both recognize the need to balance public health and the need for new energy; the solution is to move Texas forward into a new energy future.



Aaron Mercier

Environment Texas organizer





Business’ employees did a good deed



Dear Editor:



I would like to write of a good deed. Sometimes you do run across a person or a business that goes beyond the norm to help some one and show an act of kindness. My sister, who is quadriplegic, is moving to Cleburne. She rode transportation to Cleburne from Hillsboro last Thursday. Since she didn’t know where stores were, I had told her about Big Lots and Wal-Mart being across from each other. So she had her transportation drop her off at Big Lots.

When she was finished looking she called Cletran to try to get a ride across the street. They would not come and give her a ride. They said they were too booked up. So being in a dilemma she didn’t know what to do. So thank God for the people at Big Lots. They had one of their employees walk her across the street all the way to Wal-Mart’s front door, even though she had not spent 1 cent in their store. You don’t find people like that everywhere.

I had written a letter to the editor a while back about her wanting to go to church once she got here. This is the kind of thing that the handicap have to put up with daily. Things that you and I take for granted and get to do whenever we like. They can’t even join in on joyous or sad times with families or just get around to take care of business on their own.

There ought to be more transportation for the handicapped. Then they can go shopping on their own or get a ride to church on Sundays or a ride at any time of the day or night if the need arises. I know that Cletran has set hours and are off on Sundays. But with people looking for jobs I know that there are people who would drive for them or some other company at these times or be on call if they would just put their self in the place of the handicapped.

So I want to say a big thank you to Big Lots for helping my sister in her hour of need.



Janice Shivers

Cleburne





Alvarado voters need to vote for school bond



Dear Editor:



Alvarado voters will have a chance to approve a much-needed new intermediate school in the upcoming Nov. 7 general election. A new facility housing students in grades 4-6 is a genuine need for Alvarado ISD not only to replace its current dilapidating campus, but to also allow room for anticipated future growth.

Both current and past AISD administrators over the past few decades should be applauded for making the most out of the current intermediate school, which was built in 1953 — some 53 years ago. It has gone through facelift after facelift but, unfortunately, there’s no more makeup left in the cosmetic bag. Some walls have cracks wide enough to stick several fingers inside them, while seats in the auditorium are falling apart literally by the rows.

It is important for voters to understand that four campuses will benefit from a successful bond election. Besides the current intermediate school, all three elementaries will lose fourth-grade classes, leaving ample room for future growth at Lillian Elementary School, Alvarado Elementary North and Alvarado Elementary South. This will virtually eliminate the need for another elementary campus for years down the road.

Those who oppose the need for a new intermediate school don’t necessarily see the same picture as viewed by school board members, school administrators and several concerned parents whose students deserve the same educational opportunities AISD’s neighboring school districts are providing for their kids. Perhaps these individuals have other things on their minds such as higher school taxes.

It was stated in a recent AISD Bond Information Brochure published on the district’s Web site that those owning appraised property valued at $150,000, for example, will pay “approximately $275 less in taxes in 2007-08 than they did the past year even if the bond passes.” Also, those taxpayers age 65 and over who have also applied for and received the age 65 freeze on their homes, “will not pay any amount of school taxes on their existing home above their frozen level even with a successful bond election.”

It is crucial for those who support the proposed bond to show up at the polls and vote. Early voting is recommended, and AISD is providing many opportunities to cast ballots:



Oct. 23 – Nov. 3

8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Alvarado ISD Administration Building

110 N. Bill Jackson Drive

Alvarado, TX 76009



Oct. 23

4:30-5:30 p.m.

Alvarado Junior High School

1000 N. Cummings

Alvarado, TX 76009



Oct. 24

5:00-6:30 p.m.

Alvarado Intermediate School

102 S. Bill Jackson Drive

Alvarado, TX 76009



Oct. 26

6-7:30 p.m.

Alvarado Elementary North

1500 N. Cummings

Alvarado, TX 76009



Oct. 27

6-8:30 p.m.

Alvarado Junior High Cafeteria

1000 N. Cummings

Alvarado, TX 76009



Oct. 30

5-7 p.m.

Alvarado Elementary South

1000 E. Davis

Alvarado, TX 76009



Nov. 2

5-7 p.m.

Lillian Elementary School

10701 E. FM 917

Lillian, TX 76061



Support AISD and the Alvarado community by voting for a new intermediate campus.



Sincerely,



Derik Moore

Keep Improving District Schools committee member

        

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