May 02, 2008 11:49 pm
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May 10 elections
To the Editor: I am writing this letter in support of Wendy Castleman, candidate for the at-large Corsicana Independent School District board of trustees seat currently held by Kerri Anderson-Donica.
Ms. Castleman, although not well known here in Corsicana, is an excellent choice for a position on the school board. She is a hardworking, dependable, honest and conscientious person. She is straightforward and has an ear for what the parents, teachers and the children have to say about the educational process here in Corsicana. Children have a special place in her heart and she works fearlessly to make sure their needs are met. She is a faithful member of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church where the Rev. R. C. Emanuel is the pastor. Ms. Castleman works with the Young People Department of our church, helping in the different projects our young people undertake. Whenever something needs to be done at the church, she is one of the first, if not the first, to be there, to offer a helping hand. Ms. Castleman works diligently with the Boys and Girls Clubs and the 4-H here in town.
I have been blessed to know Ms. Castleman personally for approximately three years and she is someone that I truly respect and trust. She is a devoted wife, mother, church member, community activist and friend. I believe that she will be an asset to the CISD board.
So remember the name Wendy Castleman when you go to vote May 10. I feel she will be an excellent choice for the board. Thank you.
Yours truly,
Charlene E. Littleton
To the Editor: Tom Wilson is an active board member and longtime supporter of the Humane Society of Navarro County. As a board member and a city councilman, Tom recognizes how important it is that our volunteers and our City Shelter staff work well together toward common goals. He is also keenly aware of the problems associated with stray animals and overpopulation of pets.
The City and the Humane Society share common goals: to find homes for as many adoptable pets as is possible and to educate the public about spay/neuter and responsible pet ownership. As a result of Tom’s diligence, the City has recently announced extended hours of operation at the City of Corsicana Animal Shelter: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. Animal Control services are now available on Saturdays and not just on weekdays. These changes have been made because concerned citizens have requested these changes and Tom has worked to implement them. This is a perfect example of Tom Wilson’s ability to work with others to achieve common goals.
Please join me in keeping Tom Wilson as our Precinct 1 City Councilman. Support Tom Wilson on Saturday, May 10.
Julie H. Maupin
Humane Society of Navarro County
To the Editor: Your vote for the city council seat by May 10 could balance politics at city hall. It could be very easy to find a reason not to vote. I sincerely ask you to reconsider that decision. You folks hold real change in your hands.
Dennis Thornberg has challenged appointed, but not elected, Tom Wilson for Precinct 1 council seat with a new message. Dennis has a deep desire to return government back to the people who pay the bills. His new message “Let your ‘voice’ be heard” starts with your support through May 10.
Mr. Thornberg has the education and background to write and read a budget. He wants to protect your tax dollars and hold government employees accountable to you, the real customer. He wants to serve you with honor and his quiet grace. He wants to bring calmness and good judgment to city hall. He wants to inject his years of business knowledge into government decisions. He “will not” be a rubber stamp of our past history of leadership. He does not have an “ego” political mind. He has a taxpayer frame of mind.
Does Dennis love Corsicana, Christmas and football? Yes!
He has the time to serve you at city hall and hear your ideas and concerns. He has the ability and crew to keep the real spirit of Dec. 25 alive in the hearts of children. He also loves the Corsicana Tigers, but fully understands government cannot be run from our new stadium.
Leave football to our kids and our new future of government to Dennis Thornberg.
Let your voice be heard!
Vicky Prater
To the Editor: The voters of Precinct 1 have a great opportunity to choose a city councilman who I think will do a wonderful job. That man is Tom Wilson. Tom is one of those rare individuals who can combine his talents, efforts, hard work, and organizational skills into a project and make it successful. I first came into contact with Tom in 1961 when he was the CISD quarterback and I was coaching on a rival team.
Tom later became a pint-sized quarterback at Texas Tech University. Through effort and hard work he became the starting quarterback. After graduation and a number of assistant coaching jobs, Tom became head coach at Texas A&M University. Finally Tom made his way back to good ole CISD where he was very successful as the head football coach. During his tenure back here he was selected by his fellow coaches in Texas to coach the high school UIL all-star team.
I am not pointing all this out to let you know what a great athlete Tom was, but to point out what he has accomplished through good efforts, hard work and organization. Tom will use these same attributes as your city councilman. I know Tom to be honest, trustworthy, and fair. He will look at every issue and do what he feels is best for Precinct 1 and Corsicana. Tom has no hidden agenda and will not be a yes man or anti everything. You may not always agree with his decisions, but you can rest assured they have been made thoughtfully. I do not live in Precinct 1, but have property there. I trust Tom to make the best decisions for me. I hope you do also.
Bill Hicks
To the Editor: Go with what we know — that is the rallying cry for the school board election coming up on May 10. Nena Harwell, Lee Montgomery and Kevin Thedford have served Rice ISD for over 15 years. They believe in our schools, they support our schools, they visit our schools and they love our schools. They do not want to see our kids have to travel 50 miles round trip to go to school — we have been there and done that — that’s why we have Rice High School (and why we need a middle school). Many of us remember the fear we all had every day when our kids left home to go to school. That is going backward — not forward. There are many other reasons — too numerous to mention in a short letter to the editor — but remember experience counts, but more importantly loyalty, commitment, dedication and doing what’s best for kids all count, too. Support Nena Harwell, Lee Montgomery and Kevin Thedford. They put your kids first!
Thank you,
Billie D. Bone
To the Editor: Rice Independent School District has seen many changes in growth and excitement since I married Ollie Harwell and moved here in 1980. Early on, I saw the vision and determination of a small community that would save their school district from abolishment. It was a day of hope when the new elementary school was opened. Soon after we were blessed with two children, Collin and Callie, and were so thankful we would have a local facility with good teachers for our children. My husband attended Rice Elementary School, starting first grade in the fall of 1960 with classrooms devoted to two grades and only one teacher. We were thankful the “good ole days” were gone. In 1989, following 12 years of owning and managing a successful retail business in Ennis, I made the decision to devote full time to my family. As I became more involved with the elementary school and as growth continued in the district, our community realized we had the opportunity to revive our high school which had closed in 1956. The vision and hard work of the community, parents, educators, and board members resulted in our new junior high school and high school, graduating our first class of seniors in May 2000. To see children become productive young men and women after leaving Rice ISD is a testament to our devotion to the school district and community.
Let us always keep a vision for the future and have the determination and passion for the education our children deserve.
Please support the proposed Rice school bond package.
Thank you,
Nena Harwell
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