Thursday, October 29, 1998

Local business

Recently my husband and I opened a business called Neal's Lazy Acres Boat and RV Storage.

When I moved from Houston to Abilene, I was told how caring the people here are and how willing they are to help one another as well as small businesses just getting started. I had business cards and flyers made up for our boat and RV storage business and went around town to ask some of the local establishments if they would allow us to put out our business cards and hang flyers.

The businesses that allowed us to put out our advertisements were so nice, and many even wished us luck. Others, on the other hand, were unwilling to help. Many of the businesses refused, which I could understand if our boat and RV storage would be in competition with theirs, but that wasn't the case.

Some of the businesses that did let us leave advertisements discarded them soon after we left the premises.

If I had a business and the tables were turned, I would be more than happy to help someone getting started, unless it would somehow take my own customers away from my store.

I want to challenge Abilene and the surrounding cities to come together and help out businesses trying to get their foot in the door. This would help our economy and serve as a win-win situation for everyone.

KAY NEAL

Abilene

Rub out graffiti

All Abilenians should take up the challenge to stop the epidemic of graffiti that seems to be springing up all over Abilene. Within the past year I found this generally means youth gangs are active where it appears, so that means everyone should join in in the effort to paint it over or wash it off.

This will show the gangs that they can't push us around.

Each and every one of us needs to do this to short-circuit these gangs and continue to do so until the members get the message that they can't run things like they want to do.

People need to take a more active interest in the ones doing the graffiti painting, and if they see them in the act, then turn them in to the police because this costs businesses or someone money to get this graffiti removed.

The ones caught in the act of painting graffiti should get punishment to fit the crime - in other words, they should have to clean up the very buildings they painted by either painting over the graffiti or scrubbing it off.

This would show these same persons caught that there is a cost to someone for their actions - a cost in labor and effort.

Please, let's everyone pitch in and identify all locations that need cleaned up from graffiti, and let's start an effort to get all of these locations cleaned up and the graffiti eliminated.

MICHAEL PARKER

Abilene

Help for Bois D'Arc

I was delighted to read Jerry Daniel Reed's report on Republican volunteers coming to the rescue of the folks on Bois D'Arc Street.

When I read about their homes being flooded with untreated water, I considered it to be sewer water.

It sounded very repulsive, and I was shocked that no help was to come from city funds.

Praises to Janice Six and Paul Washburn, the motorcycle and apartment association people who are helping get supplies and donations.

Maybe other people would like to help also. If you have a money contribution, it may be sent to First National Bank, Bois D'Arc Flood Fund, account No. 01818486310, 400 Pine, Abilene 79601.

May God bless and keep those flood victims and all those helping with repairs.

MILDRED WOODY

Abilene

It's turning ugly

As expected, the congressional race between U.S. Rep. Stenholm and candidate Rudy Izzard is beginning to turn ugly.

Stenholm in the last election tried his best to take the high road and was bombarded by his opponent with campaign ads containing half-truths and innuendoes. Despite this, the wise voters of the 17th District made the right choice and re-elected Charlie for his current term.

This time, Stenholm has decided to fight back against these misleading ads, and now he is being criticized and accused of running negative ads. Apparently, these same people have not seen Charlie's opponent's ads and accusations against Stenholm.

Congressman Stenholm is one of the most respected representatives in Washington. He has received numerous honors for his work with the military, agriculture and the oil and gas industry. He has worked hard for our veterans and our older generation.

Now is not the time to replace a veteran congressman who has spent years building friends and a coalition in order to better serve Texas and his district.

We urge those of like mind to vote for this fine gentleman on Nov. 3. He has certainly earned our support.

SONNY AND LINDA WATTS

Blackwell

Prudent leadership

Republican congressmen and candidates have strayed from the era of respectable Republican leaders such as George Bush, Gerald Ford and James A. Baker.

For this reason, it is imperative that the people of the 17th District re-elect Rep. Charles Stenholm.

The primary reason: prudent leadership in an inevitably internationalized world.

Playing on fears of "world government" and the "subjugation of American sovereignty," many conservative leaders have thrown fuel on the fire of misguided isolationist sentiment.

Stenholm, though a conservative, has intelligently not subjected himself to such temptation. He has supported U.S. involvement in the Untied Nations, NATO and, most importantly, the International Monetary Fund. His opponent unfortunately does not agree with such convictions.

Without American support of the IMF, it is likely that the Asian financial crisis will spread, possibly to Latin America, a major market for U.S. exports.

In the face of political pressure, Stenholm has done what a true statesman should: voted in the interest of his country.

I do not trust that Rudy Izzard would make such an educated and principled decision.

In an interview with the Dallas Morning News, Izzard said, "What pundits call conservative, we (in the 17th District) just call common sense."

If the people of this area believe common sense involves a self-centered, uniquely American position in the world that shuns the rest of the international community even when support thereof is in its best interest, then I must say I am embarrassed to call the 17th District home.

STEPHEN SIDES

Abilene

Via e-mail

McCall qualified

I have had the privilege of meeting Terry McCall, and I would like to say a few words about his character. His conservative philosophy reveals his dedication to upholding the law and not legislating from the bench.

Terry McCall also has the judicial demeanor needed in an appellate court. Terry's experience with criminal, civil, corporate and tax law has given him the knowledge to review the cases that come before the Court of Appeals.

Terry is an ideal candidate and has all the qualities the Court of Appeals demands of a judge. Justices must examine minute details of law, and Terry 's temperament and studious nature are perfectly suited to the job.

Vote to use Terry's experience to ensure that all 11th District appeals are examined thoroughly and treated fairly. Vote Terry McCall for justice on the 11th Court of Appeals.

DONNA COSBY

Abilene

Via e-mail

Restoring order

I have observed that Lesa Hart Crosswhite is a very hard-working individual who meets the public well and has become well informed on the duties of the county treasurer. She attends the Commissioners' Court regularly and has learned about county business. She is concerned, interested and informed.

Lesa's work experience is varied. She has owned and managed her own successful businesses, been a personnel director, a controller and an office manager. She has experience in supervision, accounting, purchasing, reporting, budgeting, management and investing.

In addition to her work experience, she has a bachelor's degree in business administration, which makes her well-trained and educated for the county treasurer position. She is prepared to do the required work, and I feel under her direction and leadership the treasurer's office will be more efficient and become well managed.

As a business person myself, I know the importance of good management and good record-keeping. In my opinion, to make a difference, Lesa Hart Crosswhite is the treasurer Taylor County needs to restore order and keep it that way.

TOM CARSON

Merkel

Answering rhetoric

If I have ever written a letter espousing a political candidate, I do not remember it, but some rhetoric needs answered.

Negative advertising! Rudy Izzard started that sort of thing last time, so Charles Stenholm is answering. The difference as I see it is that Charles is stating facts, and Rudy's are outright lies.

For the most part Charles has voted as I would have, but I'm not a one-issue voter. I look at the whole package.

Rudy Izzard may be a fine dentist, but he's "gosh-awful" careless with the truth.

Facts are being distorted. Charles did not vote to raid the Social Security trust fund; that was done under Lyndon Johnson to make deficits appear to be smaller. And Charles was not in Congress at the time.

Charles is not for a value-added tax. His words, and I quote: "I would look at it." A good congressman does not dismiss any issue out of hand. He'll decide after a great deal of study.

Raising the retirement age to 70 is an idea that's been kicking around Washington for years, and while it makes some sense, no one has endorsed the idea. It's been studied to death, and no one has endorsed it.

I could go on and on, but I won't.

Rudy Izzard did not file his campaign report by the due date. He said he'd gotten an extension, which is not an available option. We have one untruthful man in Washington; we do not need another.

ROBERT DICKS

Abilene

Like pulling teeth

I think Dick Tarpley (Oct. 27) knows what is best for Abilene as anyone, and I was certainly glad to see his endorsement for Charlie Stenholm. Isn't that a stupid reason to bring Charlie home, because he wouldn't switch parties?

I thinks Ballinger needs its dentist, and I would suggest they leave him there to take care of people's teeth. Phil Graham would make Rudy a good patient; he can certainly open his mouth wide enough.

NORRIS RUSSELL

Stamford

Via e-mail

Izzard's not fair

Rudy Izzard proclaims Speaker Newt Gingrich has promised him seats on the Agriculture, Defense and possibly other committees, if he is elected. When consummate politician Gingrich passes out political plums, it will be with strings attached. If Izzard is elected, Gingrich will expect him to pay his political debts.

That's not fair to the 17th District.

Izzard has been critical of Stenholm for the pension fund he may be entitled to and for not agreeing to his term limits views. Has he criticized Gingrich, Sen. Gramm and a host of others who may qualify for like or greater amounts and who do not subscribe to Izzard's term limit plan?

When he attacks Stenholm and not the others, that's not fair.

Izzard has repeatedly attempted to denigrate Stenholm because of President Clinton's despicable personal behavior, which Stenholm abhors. Yet the House reprimanded Gingrich for ethics violations and noted he gave false information to the Ethics Committee. Gingrich was fined $300,000 for these offenses. Should Izzard not accept blame for Gingrich's indiscretions while he attempts to mar Stenholm's character for Clinton's wrongdoings?

If not, that's not fair.

Numerous TV ads pertaining to transporting low-level hazardous waste used daily in Abilene are critical of Stenholm and designed to enhance Izzard's candidacy. Gov. Bush lobbied for its support while the Texas Legislature approved this action.

Has Izzard condemned Bush for his position on this issue? If not, that's not fair.

R.C. COBB

Stamford

Vote counts more

To all the tens of thousands of people who are eligible to vote but are not registered and those registered to vote who will not exercise their civic duty by doing so, I give my heartfelt thanks. Your unwillingness to express your opinion by voting has multiplied the effect of my one vote by many thousand fold.

Disagree? President Clinton was elected in 1996 on only 25 percent of the popular vote.

On the character, integrity, honesty, etc., of the various candidates running for public office, I offer this thought. How many of them are spending more money running for office than they can ever hope to recoup from the salaries of that office or the honorariums they might make for public appearances?

How pure are the motives of anyone who seeks public office as an administrator or legislator when their only function is to make or administrate laws for others to live by?

Which weighs more heavily in an elected officials decisions, the people who voted for them, or the PACs and contributors who helped pay to get them elected ?

A final suggestion to those who will exercise their right and duty to vote. Ignore the campaign advertisements. Whether you agree with them, carefully consider the recommendations and comparisons in the local newspapers, television and radio news programs and the material provided by groups or associations to which you belong or respect. They are undoubtedly slanted, but still more likely to be truthful than campaign ads.

WILLIAM NEWMAN

Abilene

Via e-mail

Stenholm no help

As the mayor of Ballinger from May 1993-May 1995, I asked Charles Stenholm to help our small community in regards to federally imposed unfunded mandates. The City Council was working on our yearly budget, and the mandate for sanitary landfills was high on our priority list.

Stenholm told me, during a Ballinger town hall meeting, that he would get a moratorium passed and not to finalize our budget until we heard back from him.

Numerous calls to his San Angelo office proved futile. A joint resolution from local communities, sponsored by the city of Abilene, also received no relief. To this date we have not seen that moratorium and have not heard from Stenholm. We did pass the budget, though, but that unfunded mandate cost the citizens of this community dearly.

Without relief from the mandate, our problem doubled, as we now had to close our sanitary landfill and find one that would take our trash. One man stood out in helping our small community. That man was San Angelo city councilman Rudy Izzard. He did everything possible to help our cause.

I have known Rudy for the last five years and know he is a man of his word. His support and ideas for health care, veteran's benefits and Social Security will insure a secure future for all of us.

Complacency has cost all of us. Let's make a difference and have Rudy Izzard lead us into the new millennium.

DAN MORELOCK

Ballinger

No Clinton buddy

I am really tired of reading all the comments about U.S. Rep. Charles Stenholm and President Clinton being so close. After all, he still is our president until Congress changes that. Charlie doesn't sleep with Clinton, so how was he supposed to know what went on in his personal life.

Hindsight is great. I wish we all had it.

SYLVIA MORELAND

Anson

Rudy's character

I have been listening to the personal attacks, by Charles and his supporters, of the character and integrity of Rudy Izzard.

As a close friend of Rudy's for more than 25 years, it upsets me that the "honorable" incumbent of 20 years must resort to these tactics. Why can't he just stick with the issues and let his voting record speak for itself?

Stenholm talks about what he is going to do to get the farmers and ranchers out of their economic slump. This slump did not just pop up in the last few years. If Charlie is so valuable to the agricultural community, why is it in the shape it is in now?

I know drought and weather are factors, but everything can't be blamed on that.

When Rudy speaks of term limits, Stenholm acts personally offended; it seems he doesn't think he can make a living anywhere except politics. He probably can't make as much as he is making off of the taxpayers!

It is honorable that Rudy promises to take his turn at representing the people of the 17th District and then turning it over to someone else instead of trying to make a career out of politics.

As for the attacks on Rudy's integrity, they are unfounded. The newspaper reports and quotes have been distorted and taken out of context. I know Rudy to be of high moral standards, and I know he has a true desire to represent and serve the 17th District.

DAVID HILL

Early

Via e-mail

Farmers' friend

Farmers, we need to vote for U.S. Rep. Charles Stenholm. He is one of the very few friends we have in Washington.

ERWIN HAMILTON

Rochester

Taking the oath

Is there anything in the Presidential Oath of Office that refers to marital infidelity?

MAXINE PERINI

Abilene

Midslinging race

Whatever the outcome of the election, this has been the mudslingingest campaign that I can remember. While it has been a two-way street, most mud has come from the Democrats, with lieutenant governor candidate John Sharp winning the trophy for running the dirtiest campaign. Even Charles Stenholm has gotten a little mud under his fingernails.

In answer to Dick Tarpley's letter (Tuesday, Oct. 27), Stenholm may be a conservative back home, but as a Democrat in Washington, he gives his voice to the likes of Bill Clinton, Ted Kennedy and Barney Frank.

MAXWELL DAVIS

Abilene

Via e-mail

'Notch baby' woes

Not everyone knows what a "notch baby" is. It refers to us old folks born between 1916 and 1926.

A number of years ago I had a letter from the former Social Security administrator stating that when they started figuring Social Security for this age group, they cut benefits for us beyond what they should have, and when they discovered what they had done, they simply corrected the formula for those born from 1927 on. They did not go back and give us what we should have received.

The letter seemed reasonable. They sent a petition for us to sign to be addressed to our congressman and senators.

I do not like petitions, so I wrote direct to U.S. Rep. Stenholm, requesting that he check this out for me. He sent a nice reply stating that this was not true; that we had not been cheated. It mattered not that the Social Security administrator put out the information.

I received another petition in the morning mail to be forwarded to Stenholm. I will not sign it because I already know his attitude on the subject.

To other "notch babies," you need to know this issue has not died, and our congressman has his mind made up.

NORMA WEED

Abilene