Sunday, November 29, 1998

Addressing the needs of police department

Your Nov. 24 letter from Mr. Randy Smith of Baird ("View from Baird") raised questions about the Abilene Police Department's needs and how the department might benefit from the approved sale of bonds. I would like to take this opportunity to address some of the points of interest regarding the police department and our plans to upgrade equipment.

Recently, the city manager recommended, and the City Council approved, the upgrade of computer equipment within the police department.

The equipment replacement plan will enable the police department to meet Year 2000 compliance concerns.

Additionally, the replacement of the city's Public Safety Communications System is envisioned during the next four years.

Voters can be assured that the current technology needs of the police department are being addressed by the City Council. The bond election provides for needed improvements that will directly and indirectly enhance the quality of life for all of us who live in Abilene.

I hope you will join all of us at the police department in supporting the bond election.

MELVIN MARTIN

Chief of Police,

Abilene

Inmate offers thanks for AIDS support

This letter is to thank the person (the Most Rev. Michael Pfeifer, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of San Angelo) who wrote the Nov. 21 letter, "AIDS is our disease."

I recently found out that I'm infected with the HIV/AIDS virus. I appreciate all the support I've received from different people.

I'm an inmate in the Taylor County Jail. Yet people still try to give me support to keep going on. So to those people, I say thank you.

CHARLES ALLEN

Abilene