Letters to the Editor, Feb. 10, 2008

Tue, May 13 2008

— Letters to the editor for or against political candidates entered in the March 4 party primaries in county, state or national races will be accepted until Friday, Feb. 15 for the Sunday, Feb. 17 edition of The Weatherford Democrat.

Positive campaign
Dear editor,
I would just like to address something that really bothers me. When Joe Tison decided to run for State Representative against Phil King, he promised to run a positive campaign. Since then, Mr. Tison sent out a letter that was very negative against Phil King, and I have seen and read several other articles over the past few weeks with similar tones.
I have known Phil King for a long time and consider him a friend. I have had the pleasure to talk to him one on one at several occasions and I have never heard him say one negative word against or about Mr. Tison since this campaign began.
Politics can be an exciting time, but when all the negative words start to flow it makes citizens grow tired of politics quickly. If you cannot run a fair, honest and kind election, then you should not run for office at all.
Phil King is a man of strong moral principles and he will continue to carry high standards in his campaign for which we can all benefit from. Please join me and stand up for a positive campaign by supporting Phil King.
My question is, “Mr. Tison, what happened to your agreement to run a ‘positive campaign?’”
Brenda Bosecker,
Boyd

Thank you
Dear editor,
On Tuesday, Jan. 29, our property in Brock, Texas, caught on fire during the 55-60 mph winds.
Upon receiving phone calls from many friends, we made the trip home from our jobs to see fire as high as the rooftops close to our homes and barns.
Without the efforts of many fireman, neighbors, family and friends, we would have lost our homes, barns, livestock, horses and dogs that afternoon.
We would like to take this opportunity to say “THANK YOU” to each fireman and individuals who helped us fight the fire that day.
To those who rescued our horses and dogs, and those who showed up or called after the fire for support, we will be forever grateful.
The Parker County, surrounding counties and Weatherford area firefighters are our HEROES!!!
If you ever have an opportunity to support these men, do it with grateful hearts.
Many Thanks and God Bless: Brock/Dennis Fire Department, Millsap Fire Department, Mountain River Fire Department, Greenwood Fire Department, John Roth and Parker County Precinct 3, J.D. White, Steve White, Mike Sims and Stephens Bluff Employees, Matt Tyler, Jon McGuire, Bubba Wright, Ronnie Armstrong, Mickey Jo Denton, Vicky Deaver, Stacy Jerrett, Group W Production Friends, and to those fire departments and friends that fought that we never saw — thank you!
Mike and Sheryl Brown,
Wanda Woodruff,
Jeannie Woodruff,
Wacey Cathey,
Brock

Don’t fix it if
it’s not broken
Dear editor,
I have been disappointed with some of the negative campaigning I have seen coming from the Joe Tison campaign. It’s so disappointing because I know what a good man Phil King is.
I know Phil to be a hardworking family man that has very strong moral convictions and I am going to be supporting him in his re-election bid to be our State Representative. Phil has represented us so well, and I see no reason to replace someone that is doing such a good job.
Dan Buttolph,
Weatherford

A couple of things
To editor,
Thank goodness someone stepped up to the plate and is giving Mr. Lippincott an opponent for tax assessor-collector. Marjorie King’s many years of prior experience in this position brings invaluable knowledge to the table. The table is also in need of smiles, courtesy to fellow employees and citizens and a friendly, helpful environment that people can feel when they walk through the door.
It is time for a positive change.
Also, I appreciate Commissioner Jim Webster’s efforts in the articles he has written concerning the water used for well fracing and in his recent billing to three gas companies for road damage.
Thank you Mr. Webster for taking the lead.
Cheryl Cooper,
Willow Park

Proud to vote
for Phil King
Dear editor,
I have moved to Austin during legislative sessions to be a full-time volunteer lobbyist for a pro-family organization since 1997. I feel compelled to tell you about the outstanding job performance of our State Representative, Phil King.
My experience, from sitting in legislative committee hearing rooms for hours upon end, observing countless witnesses testifying before legislators, sitting in the House and Senate galleries while watching heated floor debates, visiting with legislators and their staffers, and walking from office to office in the Capitol hallways, has provided me an excellent background for evaluating an individual lawmaker.
Few people from Parker and Wise counties can say they have seen Phil King “on the job” in Austin as much as I have. I have observed him from the house gallery as he skillfully debated many bills into the wee morning hours. I have observed him serving as committee member and committee chair, which he does with professionalism, expertise and grace. Phil King’s stamina and youthful vigor enable him to withstand the grueling late night hours throughout session.
In my opinion, Phil King is among the best. Phil King has introduced, supported and passed some of the most significantly conservative legislation in the Texas House of Representatives during the 10 years I have observed him “on the job.”
Phil King has supported conservative, pro-family, pro-America and small government legislation with countless votes. Phil King is an experienced, courageous and proven leader, to whom his conservative colleagues often look for leadership, especially when the liberals on the house floor contentiously challenge conservative ideals.
Phil King’s conservative voting record, leadership ability, tenacity, comparative youth and 10 years of experience in Austin highly qualify him to continue to represent the citizens of Parker and Wise counties as our State Representative.
I am proud to ask you to vote for Phil King for Republican State Representative on March 4.
MerryLynn Gerstenschlager,
Republican Chairman,
Parker County
Precinct 450

An absurd accusation
Dear editor,
I was appalled at the things Bobbi Klein had to say about Parker County Tax Assessor-Collector Larry Lippincott in his letter to the editor Feb. 3.
I don’t believe for a minute what Mr. Klein had to say is true. I’ve known Larry Lippincott for many years and I know him to be a kind, polite gentleman. He’s a man of integrity and has served the honorably for the past seven years.
The accusation Mr. Lippincott was “surly and rude” is nothing short of absurd and is obviously intended to be a ploy to win votes for Mr. Klein’s chosen candidate, Marjorie King.
For those who don’t remember, Ms. King served as the Democrat county tax assessor-collector for 12 years. Mr. Lippincott won the office fair and square as the Republican candidate in the General Election of 2000.
Mr. Lippincott has done an excellent job in office and introduced a number of innovative new service options for the people of Parker County. I’ve always found the service to be excellent. Mr. Lippincott also opened the first-ever, full-service auto registration office in East Parker County.
Ms. King has been trying to get what she calls “her job” back ever since she lost as one of the last Democrat elected officials in Parker County. Ms. King mysteriously became a Republican in 2004 so she could run against Mr. Lippincott in the Republican Primary and she lost that year also, and now she’s running again.
Mr. Klein has the right to say anything he wants, but I believe it would be more helpful if he extolled the virtues of his candidate rather than attacking the integrity of an honest, hardworking public servant like Larry Lippincott.
A vote for Marjorie King is a vote for the past and frankly, I prefer the future with the most qualified candidate. I’ll be voting for Larry Lippincott.
Marvin Herring,
Republican Precinct Chair,
Precinct No. 400

Vote Lippincott
Dear editor,
It has been several years now since I found myself standing in a ridiculously long line that ran out the door of the tax assessor/collector’s office and down the hall. I recall questioning the wisdom of my return to Parker County if that experience was typical of the service one could expect from county government.
After standing in line almost 45 minutes, I reached the counter and was even more exasperated after seeing county employees casually slouching around with no sense of care or concern for the unacceptable number of citizens waiting in line to conduct business. Finally after finishing her nails, an employee came to my rescue!
Soon after that totally frustrating experience, the good citizens of Parker County hired Larry Lippincott as tax assessor/collector with their vote. The change in service has been striking! Immediately the long lines vanished! Under his leadership the tax assessor/collector’s office became customer oriented. Attitudes and performance by employees changed dramatically!
Lippincott brought his office from the 1950s into the 21st century by developing, among other services, an interactive Web site, www.auto-registration.com/index.htm. Now Parker County citizens can conduct business from any online computer at any time day or night.
I believe the underlying reason for the sustained improvement in the tax assessor/collector’s office can be summed up with one word — leadership! Lippincott knows what it means to be a “public servant” and his employees demonstrate his desire to serve with each transaction.
Next time you go to his office, you will not be forced to stand in line for 45 minutes as before Lippincott. You will be greeted by a competent, courteous and motivated employee who genuinely cares about you and the business you are there to conduct.
Let’s keep this dedicated public servant in county government. Vote Lippincott March 4!
Leonard “Lenny” Leatherman,
Weatherford

Get the facts straight
Dear editor,
What a blessing it is to live in America where you can say anything you want to about a politician, even if it is untrue.
For anyone who saw Sunday’s Letters to the Editor about me, it is important for you to know that most of what was said was untrue and the rest was factually incorrect.
One thing I have learned about politics, especially in an election year, your political enemies will say bad things about you and sometimes, when they get desperate, they will lie about you.
It hurts to have people say bad things about you, especially when you are really a nice person.
I find that after I a pray for guidance as to how to proceed and how to react, God gives me peace and I feel better in the morning. After all, if something happens that causes you to pray more, it can’t be all bad.
In the final analysis, it is just politics, all in a days work for me.
For the record, things are going great in the County Tax Assessor’s office. I have a great staff in the auto registration department and contrary to what you read in the paper, you will find nice people who will provide courteous and efficient service.
We are not perfect and we know that. It is important to remember that perfection is not a place, it is a direction, and we are headed in the right direction.
Larry Lippincott,
Parker County Tax Assessor-Collector,
Weatherford

Deregulation
Dear editor,
“Texas now ranks as the 12th most expensive state in the nation when it comes to electricity rates” — (Bernard Weinstein, FWST, Feb. 3, 2008).
“Deregulating electricity in this state has done no one any good except maybe the CEO who retired from TXU with more than $300 million in getaway money” — (Ed Wallace, FWST, Feb. 3, 2008).
Wallace is wrong. Texas politicians, such as Phil King of district 61, are benefiting from having their campaign treasuries filled to the brim by the profiteers. King led the effort to pass the deregulation legislation in Texas.
Parker and Wise County voters who are happy paying some of the highest electricity rates in the nation should vote for Phil King’s re-election. The rest of us need to find an alternative.
Larry Mason,
Azle

Is he flip-flopping?
Dear editor,
As a conservative Republican I was deeply concerned when it was brought to my attention Joe Tison attended a “Turn Parker Blue” Democratic rally in late October 2007, right here in Weatherford. This rally was attended by liberal Democrats from across the state, and even representatives from the Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama campaigns were there. You can see for yourself on the Parker County Democrat Web site in the “rally photos” section.
Tison is running on the Republican ticket against our friend and neighbor, State Representative Phil King.
Phil King is a true conservative Republican who stands firm for lower taxes and smaller government and against liberal ideas. Why on earth would we vote for someone that identifies enough with Democrats to be attending their events?
Phil has received a “Defender of the American Dream” award presented by “Americans for Prosperity-Texas.” How they rated the legislative votes and issued taxpayer’s legislative report cards can be viewed at www.afptx.org.
Phil was also listed in the legislature’s top 25 fiscal conservatives by the “Texans For Fiscal Responsibility.” The link www.empowertexans.com/index shows how they scored the legislators.
Why should we vote for someone that identifies enough with the Democrats to be attending their events. Is Joe Tison running on the wrong ticket?
George Parker,
Wise County

Vote for Phil King
Dear editor,
I am encouraging my fellow citizens to support Rep. Phil King in the upcoming Republican primary for House District 61.
While I am not a “political junkie,” I do know principled, conservative leadership when I see it.
Rep. King has led the fight in Austin for everything from parental notification (for teenage abortion) to keeping more of our tax dollars in our own pockets. Furthermore, Rep. King puts the people of his district first and foremost.
Phil lives, works and goes to church right here among us. He is acutely in tune with our needs and is always willing to listen.
In these times when our conservative principles are being challenged by the left, we need Phil in Austin fighting for us more than ever.
Robert A. Paulukaitis,
Hudson Oaks

Vote Tison
Dear editor,
Rep. Phil King accepted two Super Bowl tickets to the 2004 game from a utility industry lobbyist. He sat in the luxury suite of CenterPoint Energy, a company that appears before his House committee. He and his staff were entertained after the last session by AT&T and FPL Energy.
Thirty percent of his contributions came from energy and telecommunication pacs. In fact, only 4 percent of his contributions come from within the district. As we all know, these outside gifts do not come without expectation of reciprocation.
Phil King has been the representative from Parker and Wise County for 10 years. If you are Phil King’s constituent, I have a question for you. Can you truly think of any specific thing that he has done in Austin that has benefited you, your family, your school, your city or Wise and Parker County? If you can, you probably want to vote for him again. If you can’t, you finally have a choice.
You should consider Joe Tison as our new representative. Mr. Tison was superintendent of Weatherford ISD and is immediate past mayor of Weatherford. Seventy-seven percent of his funds come from the district. He was not offered tickets to the Super Bowl. Were you?
Bunny Perry,
Runaway Bay

Ron Paul has it all
Dear editor,
Through fear tactics, we have been stripped of many of our constitutional rights. We are bogged down in an endless war in Iraq and we are trillions of dollars in debt. We must face up to this now.
Does America truly want a change for the better this election year? What we really need to do is vote from the heart and vote for the best qualified candidate.
America needs a president who will:
Never violate the Constitution and work to restore government control to the people.
Put America first over foreign interests and stop taxing Americans to build foreign nations.
Bring our troops home and secure our own borders (no amnesty for illegal aliens).
Protect U.S. sovereignty and jobs from unfair trade deals.
Protect our right to bear arms and our right to free speech.
Protect our property from eminent domain (no Trans Texas Corridor).
Stop the debasement of our currency to protect us from inflation.
Support a free market health care system where patients and doctors are in charge (not HMO’s, big drug companies, and bureaucrats). Universal health care = federally managed disaster.
Ensure our veterans receive the best care when they return home.
Restore our privacy (no REAL ID) and keep the Internet free and unregulated.
Protect the money paid into and stop taxing Social Security.
Never cede control to special interests.
Seems like a tall order doesn’t it?
According to the media, no one fits the profile. But, there is someone who believes in and fights for all of the above and his message is spreading. He is a 10-term Texas Congressman by the name of RON PAUL.
Please take the time to research this man because he is truly HOPE FOR AMERICA.
Go to ronpaul2008.com to check out the issues.
Glindolyn Whiteside,
Weatherford