Published: January 26, 2008 09:48 am            

Letters to the Editor, Jan. 27, 2008

King nuclear fund

Dear editor,

In his letter to the editor, Phil King’s campaign treasurer Jimmy Day admonishes the Democrat for referring to the nuclear decommissioning trust fund as a slush fund.

He is right in that the trust fund money will be used for clean-up and disposal when future nuclear power plants are closed. The federal plans call for the energy companies to provide for all the money for the fund.

Phil King’s plan shifts the burden to the ratepayers if the companies come up short. I think we all know who will pay for this. It will be added to electric bills that are already far above the national average.

There is something very wrong when a local politician has over a quarter million dollars in campaign contribution in one quarter. Most of this money comes from energy-related companies which have direct dealing with the Utility Restructuring Legislative Oversight Committee which King co-chairs.

King also received large contributions from beneficiaries of the so called homeowner protection bill which actually protects home builders. He also received a smaller amount from the brother of Tom Delay, and for some reason many smaller donations from individuals in Florida.

King pushed legislation that blocked cities from offering low cost wireless Internet access to its citizens. He was involved in legislation to benefit the big phone companies providing services that would be hurt by city-owned wireless service. He also received large campaign contributions from these telecommunication companies.

King’s district is composed of Parker and Wise counties. This is a great area to live. But it is not an area where it would be reasonable for a local elected official to raise and spend hundreds of thousands of dollars every year.

Darrel Behrens,

Aledo



It’s property appraisal review time

Dear editor,

Be heard, make your opinion matter. Read this, think and respond.

State Representative King’s office told me he has had several complaints about the “no rhyme or reason” property appraisals in Parker County and has an active investigation.

I compiled and sent him comps for better than 30 properties in the area, showing values of square footage, acreage, etc., over the past three years.

Five phone calls and many promises of a call back, I have heard nothing. I guess “free” work was worth exactly that to someone we pay — nothing.

Senator Estes, provided with the same information, after three calls to his office, I received a call from an employee who said this was the first complaint they ever had about Parker County Taxes ... OK.

After being told numerous ways, in 30 minutes they could not help (or did not care enough to try?). Obviously their job was to make appeasement calls with no intention/ability to do anything else.

It is appraisal review time, we vote for these individuals, who “appoint” the chief appraiser, who “appoints” the review board.

Take a minute and be heard, or let them hear you loud and clear on the phone or at the voting booth!

Colleen Bennett,

Azle



Sanctity of Human

Life Week

Dear editor,

Jan. 22, 2008, marks the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that trumped state laws and legalized abortion in the United States at any stage in pregnancy for any reason.

The blood of 45 million murdered babies cries out for justice, and this week, Jan. 20-27, pro-lifers throughout the United States will take a stand for these innocent children as we celebrate sanctity of human life week.

Although abortion rates have been declining since 1990, there are still 800,000 abortions performed every year. At current rates, an estimated 43 percent of American women will have at least one abortion by the time they are 45.

The majority of abortions in the United States are performed between 8-12 weeks gestation. Many people do not realize how developed a baby is during this stage of pregnancy.

Consider:

n By week 8, though the baby is only about half an inch long, her heart is beating.

n By week 10, the baby has fingers and toes.

n By week 11, the baby has all of the major organ systems and can yawn and suck.

So, for the sake of unborn children who cannot yet speak for themselves, let’s be a

voice for life in a culture that for too long has cowered behind the slogan, “It’s her body, let her choose.”

Science has long debunked the claim that it’s only a blob of tissue. It’s time to stand for life at all stages!

Joni Boggs,

Poolville



Keep your promise

Dear editor,

I was disappointed to see Joe Tison break his promise that he would run a positive campaign focused on the issues.

His statement in the Jan. 18 Democrat article attacking Phil King shows me how little that promise really meant.

It takes longer to get down South Main than it took Mr. Tison to start resorting to personal attacks. It’s a shame he can’t stick to the issues, but I suspect this is a good indication of what we will see more of in the days and weeks ahead.

I thought I was in for a principled contest between two of Parker County’s finest, but apparently winning is more important to Mr. Tison than how he runs the race.

Joshua Carden,

Weatherford



Mystery solved!

Dear editor,

Thanks to the patrons of the recent murder mystery “The Curse of the Hopeless Diamond” for your enthusiasm and support for our recent entertainment offering at Chandor Gardens in Weatherford (Jan. 18-19). What was started as a one-night event quickly escalated to a two-night event because of your overwhelming response and demand for tickets.

Thanks to Kathy Mosby of the City of Weatherford Parks and Recreation, her office staff, and the staff of Chandor Gardens for fantastic support and assistance for the event. The assistance of Jacob, Meredith and Christie as our “Box Office” was invaluable for our patrons. On-site assistance by Karen, Martha, Steve and Toby were of great help to ensure the Chandor Gardens facility was prepared for everyone.

A hearty round of applause to Harley Farris of Aaron’s Catering. The food and attention to service detail was superb.

Of course, a theatrical production could not have been accomplished without the talents of a great cast and crew. Their efforts were evident by the enjoyment and laughter of the patrons.

Our performance group “Act II’ looks forward to doing this and other entertainment in the Gardens again very soon.

Weatherford Stage Performers

Board of Directors,

Lisa Cockerell, Marie Perkins, Kim Dobbs, Cinde Watson, Sharmayne Bierschenk



Just a rumor

Dear editor,

Despite recent rumors circulating around the community, no one at Weatherford Independent School District has ever mentioned exercising eminent domain over 13 properties located on Eureka Street (behind the north bleachers at Roo Stadium).

The district did, however, recently commission a local real estate agent to approach nine homeowners who own or rent these 13 dwellings to ask if they would be interested in selling their properties at fair-market value.

We have since received both positive and negative feedback. We are determining which of these homeowners are interested in selling, and we will proceed in working with them. Those homeowners who are not interested in selling can simply decline our offer, which has always been their option.

It is true Weatherford ISD has an interest in obtaining properties to help complement upcoming stadium renovations that were approved by the School Board at its Dec. 13 meeting, but all properties are not needed in order to complete the overall project.

District administrators did meet with city officials about a month ago to discuss site requirements for field turf and parking at Roo Stadium, but discussions about these properties were never mentioned, contrary to false information a few individuals have been supplying to the local media.

Deborah Cron, Ph.D.,

Superintendent of Schools,

Weatherford



Bring Marjorie

King back

Dear editor,

With the primary election just weeks away, I would like to say a few things about Marjorie King. She is a Republican candidate for tax assessor-collector.

I worked for Marjorie King for seven years (1993 through 2000).

During that time she was an excellent boss. Her attention to customer service was paramount, and her highly trained and qualified employees were afforded the opportunity for continuing education.

The turnover rate in the office was non-existent. A car dealer section was created so they could drop off the many titles that were brought in on a daily basis and also to accommodate the customers so they would no longer have to wait in line while the dealer transactions were processed.

The audit reports were excellent and her relationship with the regional office in Arlington, Texas, (TxDOT) was great.

Marjorie always had an open door policy for the general public and her employees. Because of Marjorie’s integrity and respect for others, she never had a lawsuit filed against her.

Marjorie’s 12 years experience as tax assessor-collector of Parker County speaks for itself.

Vote for a positive change for Parker County.

Vote early, Feb. 19-29.

Election Day is March 4.

Kaye Rohus,

Weatherford



Actions louder

than words

Dear editor,

I take offense to the remarks Mrs. Virginia Cotton Scott made in her Jan. 20 letter.

I am well aware that her name and family has a deep history within the Weatherford area. As a citizen of Weatherford myself, however, I have worked on the Main Street Committee, bought a dilapidated downtown building and restored it and kept up with the movement to improve the historic town square.

I am quite pleased to see the improvements made to the square. Those who follow the issue agree a loop around town would divert through traffic and ease the burden in the area. Until then, the current project is simply to ease current congestion as best as possible as well as provide a much needed facelift to historic downtown. The small businesses on the square need any help they can get to make the area more pedestrian friendly.

In fact, it seems to me the construction is going fairly smooth without as much chaos as I would have expected. I see progress everyday I drive by. The contractors should be applauded.

Perhaps, if Mrs. Cotton is genuinely interested in the courthouse shining, she could polish up a number of the old, rundown and abandoned properties she owns on the square.

Don’t just complain — do something.

Riff Wright,

Weatherford

        

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