Friday, October 23, 1998

Voting for Lesa

I have been in and around the banking business most all of my professional career. As a result of being in banking and dealing with loan and deposit customers on a regular basis, I feel as if I am a fairly good judge of character.

Lesa Hart Crosswhite grew up in Taylor County. She worked under me in the banking business in the early 1980s. I have known her parents for almost 30 years. I have known her husband for almost 20 years. Lesa Crosswhite has character.

Lesa has the knowledge and experience to do an excellent job as our next Taylor County treasurer.

She has management, accounting and investment experience as a result of her ownership of several successful businesses and a wide variety of positions she has held with companies in various industries.

With the situation that has been going on in the office in the last several years, e.g., delinquent preparation of bank account reconciliations and tardy filing of financial reports to the county commissioners, we need someone with Lesa's business experience and capabilities in the office now more than ever.

I am going to vote. In fact I am going to vote early, and so should you, for the most qualified candidate for Taylor County treasurer, Lesa Hart Crosswhite.

JOHN WRIGHT

Abilene

Wilson endorsed

Hardly a day goes by that we don't hear of some decision coming out of the courts that makes us wonder what is going on within our judicial system.

There are too many judges more concerned for the rights of criminals than for the victims and/or for what is politically correct instead of what the law intended. This seems to be going on at all levels of the courts.

Everyone needs to know more about the judicial candidates, but unless you know them personally, it is hardly any more than a shot in the dark when making that critical choice.

As a rancher and longtime Republican, I would like you to know something about Randy Wilson, candidate for the 11th Court of Appeals. I have used his services as an attorney and have been impressed with his skill and straightforward, no-nonsense approach to the law.

With the low regard generally for lawyers and all the legal hair-splitting and stretching of the law, it is refreshing to know someone who is the exception.

With Wilson, there are no gray areas; it is either right or wrong, good or bad. Common sense still means a lot to Randy, and he uses it freely.

Randy Wilson, Democrat, attorney, believes strongly in those things that made our country the greatest on Earth. We are a nation of laws. Randy is dedicated to the preservation and to the application of them.

I (a Republican) would not have any reservations voting for Randy if I had the opportunity. We need more like him.

TONY McCLENNY

Gatesville

View from Towers

As a former Abilene Towers resident I'd like to respond to some of the articles I've read in the Abilene Reporter-News.

-- Not all residents are trash.

-- We had foil over our windows because my roommate works nights and must sleep during the day. It turns out the foil also served another purpose -- to keep out prying eyes.

-- I'd like to thank the staff for making my stay pleasant.

-- Thank you, current management, for your help in helping residents move, i.e., apartment information, letting people take furniture.

The Towers has been a nice, safe place to live, and I've met some nice people.

If I didn't have to move, I wouldn't.

JO CHOMA

Abilene

Terrific fly-in

The Southwest Regional Fly-In was a success. The turn-out of volunteers was wonderful. The support of the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau, the airport staff, Dyess Air Force Base personnel, the 111th Engineer Battalion of the Texas Army National Guard and the city as a whole made the fly-in a big hit. We cannot thank you enough.

Aircraft and pilots came from as far away as Oregon. We could not fly the aerobatics on Friday as planned because of rain and wind. On Saturday the Aerobatics did start, but was interrupted by rain. After the rain passed, the planes got back in the air and finished the show. Some of the nation's best aerobatics pilots performed with superb skills, doing maneuvers that were almost unbelievable. We are sorry many people left during the rain because they missed some really great flying.

Saturday evening an awards banquet was held with awards given to the planes judged to be the best in their class. The Cooper Fiddlers entertained and the audience was captivated. They are an outstanding representative of the Abilene schools and Abilene.

This year was a good beginning. It laid groundwork for a great year in 1999. With better weather there will be many more pilots coming from around the country.

LOREN HENSON

Abilene

Via e-mail

No fan of hockey

I am a Taylor County taxpayer and have been for some time now and an avid sports fan. I love baseball, football and basketball as well as rodeos and car racing. I have never seen a hockey game live, and now I probably won't.

We as taxpayers paid for the Taylor County Coliseum. They don't charge for parking at the Fair, rodeos or any other events. Stop it for the hockey games so maybe the sport of hockey will stay here.

JACK SMITH

Abilene

Via e-mail

Talking of schools

Have you noticed many of the candidates for office talk about schools? Bush also talked about schools when he told how he wanted to spend the surplus tax money. He wanted to give the smallest amount to schools and teachers. Children cannot vote, so that was a safe bet.

I want a governor who is a native Texas, someone who has lived and made his money in Texas and understands us.

SIBYL SEARS

Rising Star

CropWalk success

On Oct. 11, the rubber met the road -- more than 200 people representing a dozen Abilene congregations slid into their sneakers to give their neighbors around the world hope for a healthier life. Our annual CropWalk raised just over $8,100.

What does that money do? CropWalk funds help provide the tools and technology for building wells for fresh drinking water in Cambodia.CropWalk funds help supply livestock for Bosnians who are trying to rebuild their lives and community. And CropWalk funds help right here in Abilene -- benefitting our residents served by the Food Bank, Meals on Wheels Plus and Breakfast on Beech Street.

On behalf of the CropWalk Committee and all the walkers, I'd like to thank our many contributors of both cash and in-kind gifts; our friends in the local media -- especially the Abilene Reporter-News, KRBC-TV, KTXS-TV, KEAN radio and KOOL92; and all those who prayed for the success of our efforts. God bless you all.

DEBBIE BOLLS

Abilene

Via e-mail

Misplaced values

From a city that used to have two sports radio stations, isn't a shame that game four of the World Series was the first game broadcast on local radio?

It amazes me that the Cowboys post-game show carries more weight than game two.

TODD HOLDEREAD

AbilenE

Via e-mail

Sacrifice questioned

I cannot imagine why we would sacrifice the hard-earned seniority and stellar leadership of U.S. Rep. Charlie Stenholm for a political newcomer with questionable campaign tactics.

These are challenging times, and Stenholm's common sense, integrity and tireless work ethic are of enormous value to this district.

VIANEI LOPEZ ROBINSON

Abilene

Via e-mail

Staying at home

I appreciated Cal Thomas' Oct. 19 column. My stay-at-home mom positively influenced five children, who are passing that influence on to Mom's 35 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Among her five kids are two millionaire entrepreneurs, a college librarian and two "home CEOs" running large families.

RUTH YORK

Cisco