Tuesday, July 21, 1998

Emergency plans

On July 16 the regular quarterly meeting of the Taylor County Local Emergency Planning Committee, Abilene acting fire chief Alan Plumlee gave a thorough, detailed address.

He reassured the committee of the cooperation of the Abilene Fire Department in its commitment to make available to the LEPC a hazardous materials analysis within the city of Abilene by the end of the year. Plumlee also assured the LEPC that incident reports concerning hazardous material accidents would be expeditiously reported to the LEPC by telephone, fax, e-mail or hand-delivered in care of the Taylor County Environmental Office, 400 Oak, Abilene 79601, (915) 674-1393, as mandated by state and federal law.

Also addressing the LEPC were volunteer fire officials, rancher Don Russom of the Big County Fire Fighters Association (comprising Taylor County and all surrounding counties) and rancher Gary B. Young, Taylor County Rural Fire Fighters Committee.

The citizens of Taylor County can be assured of the best firefighting and rescue capability for home, school, church, ranch and industry.

NORRIS LINEWEAVER

Chairman, Taylor County Local Emergency Planning Committee

The money trail

In the July 17 Abilene Reporter-News, it was reported that Rep. Stenholm received two-thirds of his campaign money from PAC groups.

I wonder how many of those groups are based in this district and if they represent the needs of the district. If it comes down to one of those PAC's interest and our (the people of this district) interest, who will he side with? More than likely the ones who "showed him the money."

WILLIAM BARLOW

Abilene

Via e-mail

A city responds

Thanks to Abilene for reassuring my faith in Texans and just people in general. Just read the story on the Internet this morning about the tramp veteran who was found dead there and how the city of Abilene responded.

As a fellow Texas veteran, retired in Arizona now, it brought a tear to my eye and made me oh so proud of my fellow Texans to read how beautifully you handled the gentleman. Special thanks to the Veterans Honor Guard. I salute you.

DAVID MITCHELL

Casa Grande, AZ

Via e-mail

Billboard rights

I just finished reading the front-page article on Pat Barber's sign board. A Colorado City attorney, Mr. Barber has objected to some of the drug stops the local drug task force has made. By protest, he placed a sign on his property explaining the rights of an individual when stopped by a drug task force officer.

I suspect drug task force personnel know they are sometimes infringing on the rights of those they stop when they intimidate and coerce them to allow an inspection of their vehicle. That's why they're so upset with Mr. Barbers sign. He's telling them they do have constitutional rights.

Now, Blair Haynie from the Texas Department of Transportation writes a letter to Mr. Barber saying he has to have a permit to have a billboard on his land. I am sure Mr. Haynie is only following the laws he is responsible for. But I think the billboard law should not interfere with Mr. Barber's right to speak out, particularly on his on property.

I am not an ACLU fan. But I do believe in my constitutional right to speak out when I believe something is not correct. Freedom of speech must not be infringed. We must get drugs off our streets. But we must not tramp on our citizens' civil rights to do so.

I hope Mr. Barber refuses to kowtow to those who would force him to abandon his freedom of speech civil rights.

ANDREW CARGILE

Abilene

Via e-mail