Cleburne’s alligator problem



Empower Texans hit the nail on the head when they quoted Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn’s “Worst Waste of 2008” mentioning Cleburne ISD’s unraveling at central office.

Coburn’s report is at coburn.senate.gov. In highlighting the top 10 wastes of federal money, it says on page 10:

“Inflatable Alligator and Under-the-Sea Waterslide — Texas ($367,000)

A preliminary report by the Texas Education Agency, released this past April, found that $367,000 in federal funds were misspent by the Cleburne school district. Audit officials became suspicious when, ‘The district did not provide lesson plans or other documentation to show how rental of an inflatable alligator and an under-the-sea water slide supported reading instruction.’”

What, precisely, an inflatable alligator has to do with reading instruction is left unanswered. Just goes to show, an alligator always gets you in the ... wallet.

Probably the most important thing I have learned from the TEA investigation and the CISD administration and school board response is this: No educator will ever hold another educator accountable for his or her actions.

Until lawmakers change the laws, the education alligator, protected and indemnified by his term contract, will continue to bite the taxpayers clean through the wallet right into his ...

Hope you’re getting ready for the 2009 school bond election. School officials say the board wants to get it right this time. Last time it cost Cleburne taxpayers $70 million plus and a Texas Education Agency investigation for them to get it wrong.

So, taxpayers, how much will it cost you this time not to vote?



Harold Gentry

Cleburne



A New Year parable



One day, at a local Texas 171 gas station, I asked a young couple at the next pump where they were headed.

“Dallas,” they replied.

“You’re heading south,” I responded. “You need to turn around and take the Highway 67 turn toward Dallas.”

“That’s OK for you sir, but we do not need your help, we can find own way.”

I tried again to point them in the right direction, but they objected and in a few moments pulled out, continuing in a southerly direction.

Years passed. One day at a rest area near Waco, an older well-worn car pulled next to mine. Inside was an unkempt, unclean, tired-looking couple.

As they got out and stretched, I noticed they looked strangely like the couple I had met several years earlier.

“Didn’t we meet in Cleburne?” I asked.

“So, What if we did?” they responded. “Did you ever get to Dallas?”

“No, but I think we’re getting close.”

“Please, let me give you a map, I have an extra, it will help you find your way.”

“Sir, we do not need you telling us how to get to Dallas. If you need a map, as a crutch, that’s your problem. We can do it on our own.”

“OK,” I said, sadly watching as they started their noisy old car, and headed the wrong way.

Days later, while traveling to Weatherford, I noticed emergency vehicles in the distance. Approaching the scene, traffic halted, and a patrolman notified us we would be stopped for a while.

“What happened?”

“Some poor couple apparently didn’t see the detour signs and drove off the bridge that is out. They didn’t survive.”

About that time the paramedics pulled the two bodies onto gurneys, covered them, and rolled them past me toward the ambulance. It was the couple I had met on the road.

This story replays everyday, in many places, in many ways.

God puts people in contact with us who know the way to him, who know the way to peace and happiness.

He has given us the map, his Bible, to direct us. He has given us his son, Jesus, as our guide.

Still, we can choose to ignore his leading, his map, and his son. The results are just as sure as with the couple in our story.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Proverbs 14:12 NKJV

As you start a new year, why not start a new life?

Look for, and listen to the one who knows the way, wrote the map, and sent his son to lead the way to new life. Find and join a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching church.

Then follow the road God has laid out for you to true peace, joy, and everlasting life. Have a great journey.



Tom Kavadas

Cleburne



Another church served Christmas meal



I noticed your story about the Crossroads church providing a Christmas meal and wanted to inform you of another church that holds an annual Christmas lunch.

Warehouse 413 on Chambers holds annual Thanksgiving and Christmas lunches on the actual days.

The members of the church serve there before going to their own families. This year they served two types of turkey, six or seven types of pies and many side dishes.

These items are not donated by food banks but put together by the church members and prepared by the church members.

They also provide take-out orders and if enough servers are available, they even deliver. These members work very hard each and every Thanksgiving and Christmas morning, and I wanted them to receive recognition for their service to the community.



Karri McCoy

Keene



ECCC extends thanks for holiday donations



East Cleburne Community Center would like to thank the many families who donated Christmas gifts and money for the youth who participate in our programs.

This year 64 children, ages 4-17, received gifts at our annual Christmas party on Dec. 20.

Families enjoyed a meal, sang carols, and then Santa personally passed out each gift.

ECCC is a Johnson County United Way agency providing programs for disadvantage youth and adults. For information on center programs visit www.eccc1.org, or call 817-556-3716 for volunteer opportunities.



Terri White

Outgoing chairwoman of the board



Big plans for next stimulus package



President-elect Barack Obama has big plans for his $700 billion worth of infrastructure projects such as bridges and highways.

However, how many displaced bankers, loan officers, stock brokers and money managers do you think will go out and take a job as a heavy equipment operator on a highway construction job?

Most of the rest of the work involves setting forms, tying steel reinforcement, and pouring and finishing concrete. As you drive by these work sites, who do you see doing the work?

Hispanic workers, probably from Mexico, for whom this type work is their specialty.

It would be hard to determine how many of these workers are over here legally. Whether they are here legally or illegally, they will be sending a good portion of their pay to family back in Mexico.

Yes, Mr. Obama, this is a good economic stimulus package — for Mexico.



John Watson

Cleburne