Prison would harm SFA observatory

Prison Gray was on target with its assessment of the prison plans for Nacogdoches. We have plenty of land on the outskirts of town and far away from the SFA Observatory. The economic impact seems attractive but the environmental impact is severe. Find a different site!

Norm Markworth

4402 Ridgebrook Drive

Backing prison a mistake

NEDCO and the city commission are backing a 1,500-bed prison to house immigrant criminals on the north loop, less than three miles from churches, popular shopping destinations and, more importantly, residences. This is a troubling mistake. NEDCO and the city commissioners evidently believe that ANY business is good for Nacogdoches, as long as it neither involves nuclear power, spews lead into the air, or is somehow connected to sex.

Northeast Ward commissioner Randy Johnson, bless his heart, even stated he'd be in favor of five or more prisons in Nacogdoches! (Hope you don't want to be re-elected, Randy.) While this prison, or God forbid, more prisons may not keep tourists from coming to spending their $100 a day here, this kind of industry WILL keep retirees from retiring to this town due to the perceived risk involved in living close to a prison. I certainly wouldn't risk my safety in later years by being surrounded by prisons. When was the last time you heard of anyone retiring to Tennessee Colony?

As to the jobs that would result from the prison, I grant there may be some well-paying construction jobs to be had during the construction phase, but are we really eager to encourage jobs at the level of a beginning prison guard? Is that the kind of salary we want for our residents? The city, if past actions are any indication, will grant a tax abatement for any and all business, including prisons, willing to locate in Nacogdoches, so there will be nothing coming into the city coffers from this business for years, if ever. That certainly won't help residents of Nacogdoches with their tax bills, so it's the residents who'll ultimately suffer most by living with a prison in their home town and receiving no benefit. Shouldn't we be aiming higher for Nacogdoches?

Monita Cooke

362 CR 2041

Thanks from Dilks family

I am writing this letter to thank the law enforcement officers, volunteers and community members who contributed many hours to the search and recovery of Scott Dilks(body). There were so many people that came out to the lake with food, water, prayers and support while Katrenia and I waited from sunrise to past sunset. I would like to specifically thank Tyesha Boudreaux and Christy Wooten for their remarkable articles and photos. Katrenia thought that it was very well-written and outstanding, so thanks ladies — for ALL you did!! Thanks to the churches and individuals that prayed night and day and made any donations to help! Scott was such an awesome man, an amazing daddy to Lloyd and Sarah, and just an all-around nice guy. He will never be forgotten and will continue to be in our hearts. Thank you Tiffany for being there also — it was such a big help to Katrenia and to me. Thank you to Justin Beadles, the pastor of Grace Bible Church, who led a wonderful service for Scott's homegoing. Scott is in the hands of God now, until we see him again.

Rhonda Russell

3204 Logan Circle

Buddy Poppy drive thanks

VFW Post 3893 and the ladies auxiliary want to thank all who donated to the Buddy Poppy drive.

Commander Don Kirkley

VFW Post 3893

Worsham's retirement

He first walked into Nacogdoches Western World in the mid-1970s. At the time, he was a deputy under Sheriff John Lightfoot. It has always been my opinion that a true law-enforcement officer comes into this world wanting to be one.

I have never asked the judge if that is true, but I am sure that it is so with him, because it cannot be the money. It seems that we have never learned to compensate those in society whom we need the most — law enforcement, firemen, medical help, etc.

He walked, talked and dressed the part of a lawman, and through the years, he has served the people who depended on him with fairness, compassion, honesty and devotion to the law.

We all recognize that we will be losers as he leaves his job, but we wish him the very best.

Judge, I tried to pass the hat to buy you a beautiful registered quarter horse, but everyone is hollering about gas prices. I understand that you have two fine horses, so just enjoy them until times get better, and I will try again.

Cletus Harvey

1728 E. Austin St.

Electricity rate confusion

Mr. John Johnson's recent letter to your paper aptly demonstrates some of the confusion surrounding today's electricity market in Texas. Much of the mix-up comes from most of the state having retail competition while the rest of the state does not. Some of your readers reside in the deregulated Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) area while many more are SWEPCO customers who live in the regulated Southwest Power Pool (SPP) region.

State Rep. Wayne Christian and other east Texas legislators have been instrumental in delaying competition for SWEPCO customers until at least 2011. While full competition is postponed in the SPP area, under PUCT rules, with oversight by the House Regulated Industries Subcommittee, customers still have the option to choose to buy power from another retail electric provider. During this transition to competition period, SWEPCO has a pilot program and competitive rates in place. Any customer, large or small, can participate. However, to date, no retail electric providers have entered the SWEPCO market because they simply cannot match SWEPCO's historically low prices. (See the PUC Web site that provides consumer price information at http://www.puc.state.tx.us/electric/rates/NCrate/index.cfmmix.)

Fuel is the single largest expense for electric utilities. About 85 per cent of SWEPCO's fuel comes from low-cost lignite and coal, minimizing our exposure to the high prices in the volatile natural gas market. In contrast, 70 per cent of the electricity in ERCOT is generated with natural gas and only 19 percent from coal. The uncertainty surrounding gas prices is the main reason SWEPCO chose coal to fuel our proposed 600 MW John W. Turk Power Plant in southwest Arkansas. Upon approval, both retail and wholesale customers in Texas will benefit from power from this technologically advanced facility. For more information on the proposed Turk plant, see "Get the Texas Facts" at www.SWEPCO.com.

SWEPCO has been providing reliable electricity to customers in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas since 1912. It is our desire to continue to be your community partner in the years ahead.

Venita McCellon-Allen

President and chief operating officer

Southwestern Electric Power Company

Shreveport, La.