Thursday, February 19, 1998

Abilene's standards

I want to strongly protest the lack of action being given by our local district attorney and other city officials concerning the so-called "eight-liner" gambling machines that are apparently running rampant in Abilene.

Since the governor and the attorney general have both declared these "gambling machines" illegal, several cities throughout the state, including Lubbock and San Angelo, have closed them down. Yet, the district attorney in Taylor County is apparently still trying to find ways for these machines in Abilene to stay open for business.

In a city where three major Christian universities and more than 200 churches are supposed to have such influence, why are we letting the district attorney and our other officials not enforce the law?

Is it because the poll taken by the Reporter-News a few days ago is true?

Only one out of three people in this city thinks these "gambling machines" are a menace! If this statistic is accurate, then it is probably politically expedient and much more politically correct for law enforcement officials to continue looking for ways to keep all of these "gambling establishments" wide open to the public.

Nevertheless, I've been praying and believing that Abilene has standards at least as high as those in San Angelo and Lubbock.

JOHN LEE

Abilene

Melinda qualified

It was my great privilege to serve two years on the board of directors of the Boys & Girls Club of Abilene and two years as president of the board.

As president I worked very closely with Melinda Cunningham.

During Cunningham's tenure at the Boys & Girls Club, she developed and implemented the Human Resource and Operations policies manual and was responsible for the operations of three major facilities serving up to 450 children daily.

She supervised a bus program that provided transportation to more than 200 children daily from 17 Abilene Independent School District campuses on Boys & Girls Club vans and buses. She personally went each year to an annual bus auction and bought and sold vehicles for this program.

Melinda was responsible for the budgeting and implementation of an annual budget of almost $500,000. She was responsible for raising these funds from the United Way, foundations, business and individuals.

Additionally, Melinda was responsible for developing positive relations with the community, the employees and the board of directors.

Melinda Cunningham excelled as executive director of the Club. Her leadership, vision and courage brought the Boys & Girls Club from a struggling organization to a strong and vibrant leader among Abilene's nonprofit organizations, and she can bring those same qualities to the Taylor County commissioner's office.

CHARLES CLARK

Abilene

Via e-mail

May be surprised

I was just reading Jack Townsley's letter (Feb. 15) concerning Ken Starr's attempts to destroy the "special parent/child relation by using his unlimited subpoena power."

Yes, it does seem Mrs. Lewis and her daughter, Monica Lewinsky, have a special relationship. Just how special I'm sure you will be surprised to find out in days to come.

Take heart, I'm sure there are and have been others who would agree with you -- like Ma Barker and her boys and John Gotti and son.

In the meantime, I think Starr is doing just fine, thank you.

BRYAN BOSS

Canton, Pa.

Via e-mail