Saturday, March 7, 1998

Statler well suited

This letter is in support of Chuck Statler for county commissioner.

Chuck is a person who is well suited to the task of the job of commissioner. His background in the miliary, in business and in community affairs is such that he is well-informed about the Taylor County area. He has participated in both the Citizens Fire and Police academies and has taken every opportunity to gain understanding and appreciation for the Texans who live in this area.

We have known him for a number of years and know him to be honest, hard-working and interested in the welfare of others. He has worked in a profession that has required him to understand and live by a budget.

His personal life is an example to others in good citizenship and personal responsibility. He has committed himself to the task of commissioner, working not full-time but "overtime."

We need a person like Chuck in our county government, and we recommend him to the voters.

REX AND JOANN NUTT

Abilene

Questionable ethics

It's a shame that sometimes good people who run for political office stoop to dirty tactics.

I'm talking about commissioner candidate Chuck Statler and his underhanded and negative campaign schemes -- no doubt driven by his wife, a professional political consultant, who was recently called on the carpet for questionable ethics in the library campaign. Who also, by the way, is running Sandy Self's campaign for district attorney.

And how about the fact that if Statler and Self are elected, he'll be setting her salary and budget for the DA's office. Talk about questionable ethics!

Candidates should run for office based on the issues and their skills to get the job done. If a candidate can't run a clean race and win on his own merits, he has no business in an elected office spending my hard-earned taxpayer dollars.

CASEY DUGGER

Abilene

McCall is qualified

I am in full agreement with your paper's endorsement of Terry McCall for justice on the 11th Court of Appeals. In fact, many of the attorneys here in Erath County are publicly recommending McCall.

As attorneys who practice before the Eastland Court, we want the most qualified person to serve as one of the three judges on that court. I have represented clients in numerous cases where McCall was either the prosecutor or the counsel for the other side in an appeal. There is no doubt in my mind that McCall will be an excellent judge and is the most qualified candidate.

I hope the voters will give full consideration to Terry McCall's experience and demonstrated ability when they choose the next justice on the 11th Court of Appeals.

GARRY LEWELLEN

Stephenville

A political plot?

I've read the newspaper accounts and seen Justice of the Peace Sam Matta on TV denying that he made improper sexual advances to an employee, and I want to know who is plotting against him.

He says this is all a "political plot" that comes up every time he runs for office. I don't recall, but is this the only sexual harassment lawsuit that has ever been filed against him? If not, how many others have been filed, and how much did these lawsuits cost Taylor County? How many other women have accused him of the same thing? Were all these other lawsuits settled out of court?

I think it's time to find another person to run the JP court and let Matta defend all these cases on his own.

TRISTA LONGORIA

Abilene

Matta's integrity

I have known Judge Sam Matta for approximately 20 years. He is a man of honesty and integrity. He has done an excellent job as justice of the peace, which provides the following services for the citizens of this county:

-- Tries civil cases up to $5,000.

-- Holds inquests into deaths.

-- Decides in emergency mental commitments.

-- Holds driver's license hearings.

-- Issues search and felony warrants.

-- Sets bonds.

-- Adjudicates contested traffic tickets.

I have noticed from news reports that Judge Matta is usually the JP available at night and on weekends to hold inquests in most of our tragic deaths.

I believe Judge Matta is doing a good job and deserves another term.

LAWAYNE HARRIS

Abilene

One list tops another

In response to Mr. Bronson's 10-point letter, here are my 11 reasons to vote for Sandy Self.

1. Self is board-certified in criminal law. Eidson is not.

2. With Eidson, pending felony cases have more than doubled, while the number of felony cases taken to trial has declined.

3. With Eidson, pending misdemeanor cases have risen to more than 5,000, while the number of cases taken to trial has declined to zero in one year.

4. In the past 10 years, Self has tried the toughest cases in Taylor County with excellent results.

5. Self has shown, by the cases taken to trial and through her work with the Noah Project, a real commitment to fighting domestic violence.

6. Self has shown this same commitment on behalf of children through her work with Big Brothers/Big Sisters and with her pledge to go after parents not paying child support.

7. Self has refused to stoop to personal attacks -- unlike Eidson.

8. Eidson has yet to admit that either (a) he allowed his staff to work on his campaign on county time, using county resources; or that (b) he had no idea this was happening in his office.

9. Self has demonstrated her commitment to this community through her involvement in numerous civic and church activities.

10. Self is the candidate endorsed by the Abilene Reporter-News.

11. Unlike you, Mr. Bronson, my spouse does not work for Eidson.

KARLA WOFFORD

Abilene

Via e-mail

Mandate for Eidson

The quarter-page ad in Sunday's and Tuesday's papers by the seven prosecutors in James Eidson's office sounds like a clear mandate for his re-election. Only the eighth one is his critic and opponent.

Vote for James Eidson.

It seems that the Abilene Reporter-News should re-think its endorsement.

KATHRYN MORRISON

Abilene

Tyson for court

I have known Judge Candace Tyson for many years and strongly support her candidacy for the Texas Supreme Court.

Judge Tyson has served as a District Court judge in Dallas for 12 years. Judge Tyson would be a conservative, hard-working member of the Texas Supreme Court.

DAVID WEBB

Abilene

At the Paramount

Thanks to the Paramount for bringing in one of the best family movies made in the 1990s, "That Thing You Do!" The music is fun, peppy and musically sound. The story line is wholesome and engaging for viewers of all ages.

The video is a favorite of my four children ages 6 to 12, and I am still enjoying hearing it in the background. (Most parents will understand that statement.)

I encourage you to join me in taking your family to experience "That Thing You Do!" on the big screen tonight.

JACKEE HAMP

Abilene

Via e-mail

Chuck proves value

Chuck Statler will get my vote on Tuesday, and here's why.

Chuck has a proven worth ethic. For 15 years, small businesses and large corporations have counted on him to help them make good business decisions that would help their business grow. Few people these days stay with the same job that long, and I believe that's a sign of commitment and dedication, traits that will serve us well when he is elected.

The customers he has served are loyal to him, and he to them, which I believe is a mark of character and trustworthiness.

He is bright, hard working and dependable. This community has been a great place for me and for my family, in large part because people like Chuck have worked hard to keep it that way. I will be proud to have him as my county commissioner.

ULRIC ANSTEAD

Abilene

Information source

Concerning the letter from Travis Snider in Tuesday's paper, it's interesting to note that Snider was in the eighth grade in 1992 when Mark Cunningham filed for bankruptcy in his business.

How would he know how many workers Dr. Cunningham employed? How does he know what kind of vehicle the Cunninghams owned? And what gave him a thirst for knowledge about Junior League of Abilene when he was in middle school?

I'd like to know where Snider got his information. Perhaps from the Statler campaign?

Shame on you, Chuck Statler, for sending babies to do a man's work. And shame on you for trying to undermine your opponent.

SCOTT BOWMAN

Abilene

Concerned for Kollin

The more I hear about the race for the 11th Court of Appeals, the more concerned I become. It seems that the best man for the job, Kollin Shadle, is the one with the least amount of money to spend. This may not be unusual in the game of politics, but it sure is troublesome considering the importance of the position.

Kollin is the only candidate who has experience as a felony prosecutor and an appellate lawyer. Because 70 percent of what this court reviews is criminal in nature and 90 percent of that involves felony cases, I think felony experience should be a must.

Kollin is fair, honest and has a real desire to serve on this court, along with the needed experience. Isn't that more important than a pocket full of money?

DANNY OSBORNE

Abilene

Self's leadership

Sandy Self is a model Abilenian.

She is a devoted wife and mom as well as an active member of the Highland Church of Christ.

She is a valuable volunteer for community projects like the Noah Project, the Child Advocacy Center and the Crime Victims Crisis Center.

And she is the top prosecutor for Taylor County.

Our community leaders are the people we look up to and the people we trust to make Abilene the best possible place to live.

I trust Sandy Self to lead our community in such a crucial role as district attorney.

ANGELA HOUSTON

Abilene

Bankruptcy bother

I am offended that Taylor County voters are being asked to consider a candidate for county commissioner who filed for bankruptcy only a few years ago. Although her husband has suggested the blame was his, she was in fact the bookkeeper in the family business when that bankruptcy was filed.

Mrs. Cunningham cannot tout her business experience one moment, then deny any responsibility for the family's personal bankruptcy the next. Under Texas law and in life, husbands and wives who enter such ventures together rise and fall together.

Like many other business people, I have been on the receiving end of a bankruptcy, forced to absorb the loss after delivering a product or service in good faith.

When a person files Chapter 7, creditors are left with little recourse but to take the hit. Often they are forced to make personal sacrifices the debtor was unwilling to make. That is wrong.

I don't believe the concept of paying one's debts, be they business or personal, is an old-fashioned idea. On the contrary, it's the right thing to do.

Many of us remember the days in West Texas when a man's or woman's handshake was as good as a signature. Unfortunately, we can no longer rely on such a contract.

We should, however, expect people to meet their own financial obligations before we entrust them to manage our tax dollars.

MARY CLARK

Abilene

DA staff's support

I'd like to commend the assistants for stepping out to support their leader, James Eidson, in the race for district attorney.

It is amazing to me that although James encouraged them to remain neutral for their own good, they felt strongly enough to risk their jobs to take a stand. They did this to inform the voting public because there has been so much misleading and underhanded speculation as to who the better candidate is.

Political promises and whispered accusations are one thing, but the opinion of those who have worked beside them both for years is another. After this act of courage from an obviously united office, there is no doubt that James Eidson wins my vote.

JILL MONK

Abilene

Warren for judge

This is a letter of endorsement for Wesley Neil Warren, candidate for Eastland County judge.

I have had the privilege of being a friend and neighbor to Wesley most of my life. From this experience I can honestly say there are very few individuals I respect more. I know it to be a fact that Wesley is a very hard worker, in addition to being a very intelligent and honest person.

Voters of Eastland County would be very hard pressed to find anyone who will work as hard and honestly with as much regard to fairness as Wesley Neil Warren.

JOHNNY EAVES

Gorman

Voting your rights

While I was campaigning for Taylor County commissioner, Precinct 2, a citizen told me: "I don't vote because they put who they want in office."

This statement concerns me. If you do not vote on March 10, "they" will put who "they" want in office.

I urge all citizens to exercise their constitutional right. Go to the polls on March 10 so your vote will speak for you.

NOWLIN COX

Merkel