Sunday, October 18, 1998

Common ties

U.S. Rep. Charlie Stenholm is one of the few who still has close ties with the common people. He has worked hard for Dyess, the oil industry, farmers and all the people in the 17th District.

A lot of big money is being funneled to his opponent to try to get Charlie out of Washington. He is the highest-ranking Democrat on the Agriculture Committee, and we desperately need to keep him as our congressman.

His opponent will would a beginner, at the bottom of the pole.

We need more people like Charlie in Washington with high morals, work ethics and family values. He doesn't take half-truths or statements out of context and try to build commercials that are not true. He is tired of being the victim of negative political ads, and I'm glad he's decided to fight back.

W.R. HAGER JR.

Weinert

Charlie too liberal

U.S. Rep. Charlie Stenholm's (a k a Abilene's Maxine Waters) re-election campaign must be in bad shape because he has gone negative against Rudy Izzard. Shouldn't an incumbent run on his record?

I believe Charlie doesn't want his constituents to hear about that record because of his continued support of more than 90 percent of the Clinton agenda. Charlie does a good job of supporting his district, but he is much more liberal than he leads everyone to believe.

Charlie, just run on your record (and Clinton's as well) and forget about negative campaigning. By the way, Charlie, wasn't your campaign fined by the Federal Elections Commission?

JOHN CRAIG

Abilene

Bush is for Izzard

I want to respond to R.A. Beakley's Oct. 9 letter. He couldn't be further from the truth on the matter of whether Rudy Izzard has the support of Gov. George W. Bush. It's apparent Beakley just hasn't been paying attention during this campaign.

As soon as the question appeared, Bush unequivocally answered that he fully supported Izzard over Charlie Stenholm. Bush said at a press conference on Oct. 7, "If I lived in the 17th District, I would vote for Rudy Izzard. I think that should just about clear up questions about which candidate has the governor's support.

While Bush is out supporting the likes of Izzard and Rick Perry, Stenholm has said he is "a Democrat and always supports the Democratic ticket." I guess that list includes Mauro, Sharp, Mattox and Hobby this year, just like it included Bill Clinton in 1996. Stenholm is trying to draw Republican support because he knows full well he is on the weakest ticket in decades. Of course, if my name had to appear next to Garry Mauro's, I'd probably run for cover as well.

From Beakley's letter, it is woefully obvious that he just hasn't tuned in to the entire race this year. Of course, that's always been a weakness for those who blindly follow the Democratic Party. They hear only what they want to hear and don't have the foresight to question things for themselves. Beakley has simply fallen victim to the continued distortions of a part's candidate who knows he's about to be on the losing side of history.

CARRIE DENBLEYKER

Abilene

Fight on, Charlie!

U.S. Rep. Charlie Stenholm has worked hard for the people of the 17th District. He is an honest man who always tries to do what is best for our country and the people of this district. He tells the truth and doesn't tell one area one thing and another area something else.

I'm glad Charlie finally decided to fight back at the negative ads being run against him. For 20 years, Stenholm has stood for straight-fact campaigning. He has not wavered from his stance. This honesty is respected throughout the nation.

After his opponent distorted the truth in an effort to unseat this respected man, Charlie has begun to fight back. His opponent is a mudslinger, proven by his last bid at election. Now Charlie is being ridiculed for fighting back, even though his opponent slung the first mud. Fight on, Charlie!

Vote for Charlie Stenholm, a man with a lot of experience and knowledge, a man respected and a man looked up to for his leadership.

JOHN MAYFIELD

Weinert

Partisan Stenholm

I am glad U.S. Rep. Charlie Stenholm voted to proceed with the impeachment process. However, according to the Oct. 6 San Angelo Standard-Times, Stenholm, Democrat, voted with his party to recommit the matter back to the Judiciary Committee, the effect of which would have been to thwart the inquiry and cause it to be needlessly extended.

The rules proposed by the Judiciary Committee merely adopted the those found appropriate and fair by the Democrats in 1974. The Democrats now claim these rules to be unfair and inappropriate. When the shoe is on the other foot,they objected.

Who but the Democrats are making this into an entirely partisan matter?

I am saddened by Stenholm's partisan vote with the Democrats' attempt to thwart the inquiry. It appears he is trying to have it both ways -- being loyal to his Democrat president while seeming to go along with the vast, silent, "unpolled" majority who want dignity, respect and trust restored to the nation's executive office.

True, there are important issues facing our nation but without a leader we can trust, the other issues are impossible to resolve properly. That's why many of us believe the impeachment process is the most important priority for our nation right now.

If Clinton were a statesman, he would shorten the process by resigning and save us all the trouble and get our country back on track.

KEN PEERY

San Angelo

Via e-mail

Bad information

While I was Social Security district manager in Abilene, it was my privilege to work closely with U.S. Rep. Charlie Stenholm on many issues. The relationship has continued, as I now do advisory work for the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare.

I have participated in Stenholm's town meetings, we have discussed individual cases in which he has had an interest, and I have observed his research into many different issues that affect the 17th District. Charlie has always been fair, honest, sincere and thorough in studying and making decisions on any issue that was before him.

My exposure to Rudy Izzard is more limited, but I did hear him speak on Social Security to a civic club recently. The information he gave was very misleading, and much of it was completely erroneous. With only a minimum of research, he would have realized he was presenting rumor and not fact on most of the Social Security issues.

Now Izzard is using inaccurate information in TV ads that accuse Stenholm of "raiding the Social Security trust funds." Nothing could be further from the truth! Stenholm has been dedicated to protecting the Social Security trust funds. This is why he has opposed a large tax reduction until the federal budget has a real surplus without including Social Security's surplus to balance the budget.

We need Charlie Stenholm's honesty, ability and common sense as our voice in Washington.

GLYN HAMMONS

Abilene

True character

My father always told me you don't know the true character of a person until you have dealings with him involving money. Having known Rudy Izzard since 1983 and been a professional business partner with him part of that time, I am in a good position to know his character and integrity. He is honest, forthright and can be trusted. His record has been irreproachable in these areas. It has not changed.

Health care, specifically managed health care, will affect all of us in the future significantly more than it has in the past. Who could better represent our interests than a health care provider? Dr. Izzard has been providing quality dental health care for his patients since 1984. He knows the problems the consumers face in getting quality, affordable health care. He is knowledgeable and willing to work for all of us in solving these problems.

Rudy is a wonderful husband, father and trusted friend. If I were to describe him to someone, I would say he is a Christian gentleman. He deserves our consideration for U.S. congressman, District 17.

DALE McDONALD

San Angelo

No time to change

At a time like this, it is no time for the 17th District to send a freshman to Congress. There is no substitute for reliable seniority.

There are many good things that can be said for U.S. Rep. Charles Stenholm, but the most basic is this: He has in the past and promises to always vote his convictions based on what he believes to be in the best interests of the nation and this district.

It is true that not every one of his actions has coincided with every one of our own opinions, but when we recognize that "he is there" and "we are here," we accept the fact, based on his experience and integrity, that he knows a lot more about a given matter than we and acts on that information.

He deserved the enthusiastic support and endorsement of every voter in the district.

H.V. O'BRIEN

Eastland

Crosswhite's friend

Politics has never been a strong area in my life, but I feel compelled to write concerning one candidate: Lesa Hart Crosswhite, Republican, running for Taylor County treasurer.

Lesa has been a friend of mine for more than 25 years. She was reared by a business-oriented family and thus has a sense of what this position requires. Even in high school, Lesa was responsible. Since adulthood, she has had a very good track record in management, accounting, budgeting and investments.

The office in question is one that requires accounting skills, time-management skills and cooperative abilities in order to work with the commissioners court successfully. The position of Taylor County treasurer is quite obviously a very demanding position. The person in this position must be very disciplined in order to accomplish the tasks at hand. Since elected officials set their own hours, it is crucial that we elect a person who is self-motivated. I think Lesa Crosswhite fits this description.

On a more personal note, Lesa is a caring and energetic person. She approaches people with compassion and honest respect. She is a mother who has been in the working world, and I know, first hand, this takes dedication and determination.

I hope that as voters of our county, you realize that Lesa is the candidate for this position. Her areas of expertise fit perfectly with being in charge of the county's checkbook.

CINDY DUNCAN

Merkel

Treasurer's vote

Who would you vote for as Taylor County treasurer? This person must be honest. He or she must be a communicator. The candidate must have the skills or training for this office. He or she should know what party he/she represents.

I know such a person -- Lesa Hart Crosswhite.

Lesa has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Angelo State University. In the business world, she owned and managed her own successful company, was a personnel director, has been a comptroller, administrative assistant and an office manager.

This is why I will be voting for Lesa Hart Crosswhite for treasurer.

BILL SLOAN

Merkel