Efficient court system

I was both honored and humbled last week. Honored that our court system would consider me qualified to serve on a jury, and humbled that I was with 11 of my peers who were intelligent, thoughtful, caring people. Court officials who consisted of an alert, attentive, highly qualified judge who guided the system very smoothly. The attorneys and their staffs showed that they were very professional courteous and respectful of all.

The bailiff was equally efficient.

Both parties were represented in the case were honest discerning citizens and each completely believed that their complaints were just.

Both sides having their points, making it equally hard on all involved to make a judgement.

The bottom line is that if the rest of our country's court system is as just as our in Nacogdoches County, our country will remain the greatest in the world.

And as one famous person once said, "We have nothing to fear, but fear itself."

Cletus Harvey

1728 E. Austin St.

Leave violent situations

Hope this isn't too late for family violence month because here's some usable advice:

The first time your husband, partner, or whoever hits you, go directly to the women's shelter. Don't wait to think it over, and don't tell him you're leaving; just leave at your first safe opportunity.

This way you're not involving the lives of innocent policemen again and again and again. It's your problem. Leave, and the women's shelter can help you.

If you stay after that first time — you have, in essence, given him permission to continue forever, and he will.

Counseling rarely helps. There was no women's shelter 35 years ago. It's only your fault, if you stay.

Mary Costello Courtney

Nacogdoches