Published: August 14, 2009 07:07 pm      

Letters to the Editor 8/16/09

Kudos to Buster

To the Editor: The Aug. 9 copy of the Corsicana Daily Sun was a pleasure to read. After city workshops, discussions, meetings, votes, secret meetings, and the final vote of yes to raise our water rates again on Aug. 4, I had lost hope in any relief for the public taxpayer.

Then I read “Mayor forms budget panel” and Bob Belcher’s “Leadoff” commentary.

I could not believe my eyes! A budget advisory committee had been formed to get some fresh ideas. It was too good to be true.

I recognize and respect the names on that panel including Chuck McClanahan, Dennis Thornberg, B.F. Risinger, Aric Bonner and Jan Noblett. I would liked to have seen some industry CEOs, bankers and a good mix from all of the precincts on the panel, but I’m sure the chosen five will get the job done. All they have to do is pull all the pork off the budget and get back to the basics. Corsicana will never fly until someone advises us how to crawl, walk and stand first. I have great hopes for our new budget panel and their fresh ideas.

I eagerly await their first meeting as Oct. 1 draws near and we start a new budget year. I’m sure they have already started to meet and the ideas are pouring out of their heads. I hope they keep the public informed as they move this project along.

Most of all I want to thank Mayor Brown and the city manager in their efforts to seek help from the public and for the public in these very trying times.

Vicky Prater



Top 10 response

To the Editor:

Dear Mr. Williams, First of all, if more Americans would get involved and were as passionate as you, we’d be better off, but sir your top 10 list is so full of holes, it makes Swiss cheese look solid. I’d be happy to debate you anytime, anywhere over socialism vs. capitalism, and the may pitfalls of Obama-care.

Let’s take your No. 3 reason first. You said, “The Bush White House printed so much money running up their own deficits, when we got it, it was overheated!” You are correct sir, but if Bush created this huge deficit, how is Obama running it up three to five times as much going to help matters? He has outspent Bush three times, and by the time all the interest kicks in on his loans it will be five times. Whew! There isn’t room to rebut all your top 10 list. Let’s look at No. 7: “The wealth is not being spread around fast enough because many corporations won’t pay their employees a livable wage and health benefits.” Mr. Williams, do you honestly believe it’s up to government to spread wealth around? I trust the private sector and free-market capitalism much more than government! Have you checked out Social Security lately? It’s going broke, sir! They can’t even handle “Cash for Clunkers,” another Obama disaster. How are they going to mishandle health care? Ask our valued veterans how the VA works for them.

Mr. Williams, we live in a free-market country. If a business wants to provide health care, that is their choice. No business owes us anything, but proper working conditions and a set-upon paycheck. It’s up to us to leave if one doesn’t like their pay and to find better benefits. You have that freedom, sir.

Mark Fleischer

P.S. I still think my top 10 list makes more sense. Good day, Mr. Williams.



More thanks for support

To the Editor: From our volleyball hearts — our team volleyball camp in July at University of Texas at Austin was a great experience and we could not have done it without the support of our local business community. A special thank you is extended to: CiCi’s Pizza, the Saipongi family, County Electric and Italian Villa (accidentally left out in first posting), Gilfillan’s, The Other Place, City National Bank, Pactiv Corporation, Cason’s Flowers, Dealer’s Electrical Supply, and Darrell Van Horn, DMD, MS.

We also had two large supporters who really went above and beyond by donating a large amount to our team. They wish to remain anonymous, however, they are thought of in our hearts (you know who you are).

It is a great feeling to know your local community is there to offer support and helped us get to camp. Eleven girls were able to go to volleyball camp without having to pay any fees. We worked very hard to raise additional money through garage sales, car washes and bake sales.

“Always know good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice.” — Psalm 112:5.

Thanks again and we hope to see you at our volleyball games this season. Go Lady Tigers!

CHS volleyball team



Roberts played many roles

To the Editor: Nancy Roberts was organist, choir, and composer for Temple Beth-El’s religious services for years. I have no actual records, but know she became a part of our services circa 1955 till the temple closed in 1981.

I can remember that during one of our most religious holidays, a thunderstorm knocked out the electricity which also included the organ. That did not stop Nancy nor the rabbi. Rabbi continued the service, and Nancy came down from the choir loft, took a seat on the piano bench that was near the altar and continued playing and singing our beautiful holiday music. I would like to add that the majority of the words of the musical selections for our services were in Hebrew, and Nancy sounded like a native Israeli.

During our High Holy Days, she became a member of our choir of four. Our choir was not composed of the temple members, but were gifted vocalists from Corsicana, and of course were paid for their services. Through the years as our membership became smaller, we could only afford a vocalist, Nancy, and an organist, Dixie Owen. When Dixie’s husband was transferred to another city, Nancy became the entire choir — vocalist and organist. As our congregation continued to shrink as well as our funds, Nancy would be in the choir loft when we had a visiting rabbi once a month. Through thick and thin, Nancy was a part of Temple Beth-El till congregation disbanded in 1981.

As a personal note, my children grew up hearing Nancy’s beautiful voice singing our religious music. My oldest son scouted and camped out with Bo. When my daughter, Robin, married in 1978, who else would play and sing for her wedding, but Nancy. I remember when Nancy sang “Sunrise, Sunset,” my tears flowed like wine. I can truthfully say, whenever I attend services in cities such as Dallas, Columbus, Ohio and others, when I listen to the hymns, my mind tells me that they do not compare to Nancy’s rendition.

Babbette Samuels



Advice for Corsicana

To the Editor: Our city is in need of funds. They own a piece of prime business property at the South Business 45 and Highway 287 Y. Instead of selling this property to make money for the city, it is being considered for a city park. Where is the profit in this? The city will have to pay upkeep and patrol for vandals. And lose a large amount of money in property and sales taxes for whatever business might buy it. This just does not compute. Please rethink this. The city has already wasted enough money for the railcar and repairing brick streets. And those projects turned out so well, right? We need to make money not spend more.

Sincerely,

Donna Picone