Not an investor

This past week a list of investors and investments associated with the George Hudgins case appeared on the Internet. One of the names listed was similar to mine, however, a quick phone call to the offices of Kelley Crawford in Dallas revealed that person resides in another state. I would greatly appreciate this letter getting printed, as I want my name disassociated with this matter. I feel greatly for those who are involved, many are friends and acquaintances of us all. However, I am not the person mentioned in the list and would like to correct this matter.

Anne Sullivan

2721 N. Pecan

Support for county judge

To Tom Strickland, Commissioner Precinct 4:

I want the same thing we all want, a balanced budget, with no increase in taxes. I agree with Judge English on doing away with county vehicles for commissioners.

The July 13, 2008, article in The Daily Sentinel, "Proposed County Budget Defended" reads: "Strickland said he gets calls at night about road issues, trees falling across roads and other problems that he believes he should address personally, and he needs the transportation to do so. He cited examples of personally removing trees that have blocked roadways and helping to repair a bridge. Road and bridge employees are on call for such purposes, and those are examples of duties that fall under their job description, English said. However, Strickland said he believes that when he is personally called about a problem, he feels an obligation to attempt to solve it."

Question: If I, or any citizen in Precinct 4, call you and say there is a person breaking down our door, and that they have a gun — and since you are on call — will you feel, because you are personally called, that you are obligated to take this call, or will you refer it to one of the deputies — who, by the way, make thousands of dollars less a year than the county commissioners?

In the July 15, 2008, article "County Budget Closer to Balanced," Sheriff Kerss states that currently a deputy patrol officer makes $29,496, regardless of how long they have been employed, and they are not eligible for raises at any point. Statewide, the median salary for a patrol officer is a little over $42,000.

Question: How do you, as a county commissioner, justify your making thousands of dollars a year more than the officers whose lives are on the line every day and who put in more hours than county commissioners? No matter how you look at it, being a county commissioner is not as dangerous as being a law-enforcement officer.

In the same article, Sheriff Kerss states "There are currently 16 deputy patrol officers, but the county needs at least 20. The officers need more manpower, but, more importantly, so do our citizens. Not only do we not have the ability to back each other up, but we don't have the ability, in many instances, to respond to the needs of our citizens in a timely manner, when they are in need of help."

Question: Since you are on call and have a vehicle to respond, could you can be sort of another deputy and help Sheriff Kerss with this problem, without having to hire another deputy, since you are already on the payroll?

Darlene Gilcrease

P.O. Box 631024

Kingham made right choice

The decision of the J.E. Kingham Construction Company to withdraw its bid for the DeWitt School of Nursing project reflects a high standard of professionalism. The reported actions of the SFA board of regents in this matter appear to raise reasonable doubt as to whether or not the board maintained an equal standard. Perhaps, the additional cost of $51,000 (taxpayers' money) will be of some benefit to our local hotels/motels and eating establishments, but cannot possibly offset the economic loss to this established local construction company, its owners and employees.

J. Jack Yarbrough

judgejack@suddenlink.net

Thanks from All-Stars

The Garrison All-Stars would like to say thank you to all our sponsors and donors. Your help made our trip to the state 14 and under Class C softball tournament in Abilene a success.

Michelle Bush

Team mom

Garrison

Honesty and decency in Nac

We often speak of the "good ole days," when more people seemed to care and look after their fellow man. Perhaps this is true, and maybe people used to be a little more "neighborly." However, two recent incidents have made me realize that good and decent people still live all around us.

A few weeks ago on a Sunday morning, I found my Daily Sentinel at the curb, soaked thoroughly by our sprinkler system. I called the Sentinel to ask for a replacement paper, and within an hour, the delivery man, Rayford Williams, had brought a replacement to our front door. As he handed me the paper, he explained that he had driven his truck up our driveway and as he backed out, he put a deep tire rut through one of our flower beds. Mr. Williams apologized and said he would be back with some gardening tools to fix the problem. After Mr. Williams left, I went out to survey the damage. The flower bed did have a deep rut in it, but could be fixed with a little landscaping dirt and some good elbow grease. I did not wait on Mr. Williams, as he appeared to be in his 70s, and I did not want him to exert himself in such a physical manner. Within 10 minutes, he returned with some gardening tools and a large bag of landscaping mix. I was very impressed. He asked me to let him repair the flower bed, but I declined his help, as he had already done more than I expected. Mr. Williams apologized for about the fifth time, and I thanked him for his efforts. He showed me accountability, character and integrity. It made my day.

A couple of weeks later, I laid my billfold on the roof of my car as I was filling my car with gas. I became distracted after conversing with a friend who had pulled up to the next pump. After completing the fill-up, I put the credit card in my pocket and drove home, leaving my billfold on the car roof. I was in a hurry, because I was leaving town that evening for vacation. About 30 minutes later, as I finalized my preparations for leaving town, I received a phone call from Chad Houck. Chad explained to me that he had my billfold, all my credit cards and about $60 in cash. He found it in the middle of Starr Street, with money flying all over the road. After gathering the money and other billfold items, he took the time to find my phone number and give me a call. When I met Chad to pick up the billfold, he would not take any reward money. Chad is one of the most honorable and decent people I have ever met. His character and integrity is second to none.

Finally, it should be also noted that H.W. Britt, along with Chad, helped retrieve my personal belongings from the road, as well as about another $30. He gave Chad his telephone number and told him to have me call him for my belongings. I did so and recently received the remainder of the items from Mr. Britt.

Where are all the honest and decent people? They are all around us. Yes, I know there are slimy individuals out there, but they are a small minority in Nacogdoches. In times of trouble/distress, I hope all of you will come across someone like Chad Houck, Rayford Williams and W.H. Britt. As for me, I will "pass it on" in their honor.

Danny Kaspar

P.O. Box 13037

SFA Station

Humane Society statement

The Humane Society of Nacogdoches County stands for enhancing the quality of life for animals in our community. We are a group of non-paid volunteers. Our purpose is to prevent cruelty to animals, relieve suffering among animals, providing education in the humane care and treatment of all animals in the community, and raising funds for, advocating and assisting with spaying and neutering animals as a means of controlling the animal population. We are not affiliated with the Animal Shelter that is run by the City of Nacogdoches, nor are we responsible in any way for the daily operations taking place at the shelter. Any questions or concerns about the Nacogdoches City Animal Shelter should be directed to the City Environmental Health Manager, Tommy Wheeler, or the City Manager, Jim Jeffers, at the Nacogdoches City Offices.

Humane Society of Nacogdoches County Board of Directors