Sunday, April 26, 1998

'Exploiting' Alisia

I would like to address this letter to the woman who called my house and told me how ashamed I should be. Ashamed that I would exploit my daughter Alisia for profit and fame in the disguise of helping others.

First of all, my daughter Alisia began this project in an attempt to help others like her brothers. If you were to see the tears on her face each month as she lays flowers at her brother David's grave as well as at her sister Katherine's, just 15 feet apart, you'd know why she does what she does.

She never knew Katherine; she died at birth after Alisia's birth. David was the brother Alisia tried so hard to comfort in his pain. Her brother Georgie has been the brunt of children's as well as adult's stares due to his disability. Only Alisia looks past this and tries to help others understand.

As for profit, you only had to read the story to see that any money made from awards goes directly to charity. Alisia uses her allowance, birthday money and Christmas money to buy the stuffed animals. When very generous citizens have sent donations to Alisia through Bassetti, it's gone directly into purchasing more stuffed animals.

The only "profit" Alisia or her family see from what she does for others are the smiles and cards from very happy children. Happy because someone cared about them.

LISA OROSCO

Abilene

McMurry defended

In reference to the article about "McMurry-hazing" on April 16, I must attempt, as a student at McMurry University, to voice my opinion that Dean Jackson is not in the wrong for dropping the charges against Theta Chi Lambda social club.

These events that took place were so minor compared to other universities' pledge programs that it is ludicrous how out of proportion this has been blown.

I am a member of a social club here, and there is no such thing as "forcing" a person to do something. Yes, the members do encourage that you participate in all pledge functions, but if you simply feel it is against your will to do a certain function, then speak up! Let them know you don't want to participate. There is no shame in saying no.

Dean Jackson should not have to answer why he dropped the charges that were brought up. To say he is not concerned with the safety of the students on this campus is simply absurd.

Jackson is the dean of student affairs. The students are his life here on campus. There isn't one student here that he wouldn't stand up for. So before you begin to knock our university, get the full story.

AARON NOLAND

Abilene

Support for Siltman

I worked with Bob Siltman for 19 years. I was minister and he was minister of music at First Christian Church.

I found him to be a hard-working, creative Christian gentleman. It has been my observation that for a board, especially a school board, to operate efficiently it must have a balanced membership of professional minds.

Bob has served in the field of education for 40 years. I feel he can represent that field very effectively on our school board. I shall be voting for him.

CHRIS DIEBEL

Abilene

A proper warning

I am writing in regards to the tornado warning sirens. I moved to Abilene in August 1997. I have found this community prides itself on being a caring community. I do not find it very caring that a city will not provide a proper warning system to protect its citizens.

The main reason being stated is that it will cause more injury because people will go outside to stare at the sky. That does not give much credit to the intelligence of the community.

Are we going to sit and wait for a tornado to come upon us? Or have the recent tornados this season been enough warning?

In an average tornado season there are about 60 fatalities. This year has already brought 100 fatalities. You cannot depend on television and radio if the power is out or for those who do not have either one.

The bottom line is this city needs to get the sirens in place for an adequate warning system.

Once the system is acquired, educating the public would be the next step. There are many ways to do this -- television, radio, newspapers, fliers, billboards, public speakers and public meetings.

I cannot believe the pros and cons are weighed out in this issue when the only thing you should be looking at is the pro -- human life.

JENNIFER LAPSEY

Abilene

Child molesters

If you would, explain something to me please?

Explain to me why more people are serving time in our prisons for hot checks, theft and drugs, etc., but child molesters are walking away with deferred adjudication, probation and some small fine for taking away a child's innocence for the rest of his or her life?

Can anyone in their right mind explain that to me? You are letting these pedophiles walk our streets to be around our children, but if someone writes a hot check they are off to prison.

Who sentences these people, anyway? They plead guilty to a charge of child molestation, and people feel like they are really sorry; so they slap them on the wrist, say don't do it again, and they walk out the courtroom doors serving probation. Then the next thing you know, six months, 10 months, three years down the line, here they are again, same charge, different child. Could even be your child this time. How are you people going to react this time?

The community of Abilene kills me. What a joke it is to think it doesn't want the clubs in town to stay open until 2 a.m. The God-fearing community it is, but it's OK to let child molesters walk our streets to hurt our children.

We have another child molester coming up for sentencing in May. I can just imagine. Get prepared for another slap-on-the-wrist sentencing.

CATHLEEN BACH

Abilene