Tuesday, January 27, 1998

Angry over casinos

My husband and I are hard-working, responsible citizens who support church and family values. We live on a tight budget.

One of the pleasures we look forward to at the end of the week is going to our favorite video game room, relaxing and enjoying the nice people we meet. We use the money we would normally spend on a movie and going out to eat to play the games. Sometimes we lose $5 or $10 (less than the cost of a movie and meal for two), but more often we come away with as much or more than we spent in certificates we can use at restaurants and stores.

The Mall was short-sighted in withdrawing its participation. For every person who abused the system, I'm sure there were 10 others like myself who spent more at the Mall in the last six months in gift certificates than I have spent in the three years I have lived here.

It makes me angry that Attorney General Dan Morales and state Sen. Troy Fraser want to declare this form of harmless entertainment unconstitutional. It is quite clear what the politicians are really saying is that they want a much larger piece of the pie than the $67.50 per machine annual fee and permit cost they already receive.

Do Morales and Gov. Bush think Texans are so naive they can't see the hypocrisy in a state full of bingo halls (which pay cash) and which has legalized the lottery declaring penny and nickel video games illegal? I, for one, intend to express my "naivety" at the polls this next election.

NANCY HEYLAND

Baird

Ruining his view

I want the city of Abilene to move towers and unsightly billboards away from my view.

No, I don't live in a $200,000 home on a private lane. However, I am still a resident of the same city as the crybabies who live in the Lytle Lake area. There are items that "ruin my view" and could "endanger my safety."

I think the city and Southwestern Bell should tell the people around Lytle Lake to get used to it. It's called progress.

As for the fear of a plane hitting the unlit tower, have Southwestern Bell comply with Federal Aviation Administration regulations and install hazard lighting on the tower. It would be cheaper than moving it.

The electrical voltage is unlikely to cause any harm to area residents, let alone cancer. It's far enough away from any houses that if it were to fall, it won't fall on anyone's home - except maybe the homes that are being built in a commercial zone.

Why weren't city councilmen listening when the people on Bob-O-Link tried to voice their concerns about Wal-Mart being built in their back yards? Remember how they caved in when Wal-Mart backed out of its agreement about the trees and shrubs?

City Manager Roy McDaniel and City Council members need to get a backbone and tell those "who wield great influence and affluence in Abilene" to move to the country or suck it up. The tower stays. That or they must move the items that are visible from my apartment, ruining my view.

ROBERT GILLESPIE

Abilene

FCC issues order

In response to the letter by Bettie Wiegand concerning the ability of the phone companies to bill Internet users by the minute, a quick check at the Federal Communications Commission homepage (http://www.fcc.gov) shows this to be untrue.

The FCC states an order has already been issued and there will be no per-minute charges. The rate structure will remain as is, with the Internet service provider being the only billing entity.

I feel the FCC did the proper thing. The phone companies simply wanted a way to generate a lot of money. Most people refer to this as greed. The Net is one of the greatest information sources available and should not be ruined by any of the large corporations who seek gain for themselves with no benefit given to the public.

WESLEY SCOTT

Abilene

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