Henigan reaction

To the Editor: I just wanted to comment on the article regarding the search for a new head coach for the Corsicana Tigers. I have a great respect for Coach Henigan. My oldest son was one of his first players when he came to Corsicana. It was my son's senior year, so he had the teaching of Coach Berry and then Coach Henigan. It was an adjustment for him, but he made it through.

I am hoping that the Athletic Director does hire someone that will bring back the Corsicana Pride. I have noticed in the last few years how the stands have gotten less and less of dedicated Corsicana Tigers fans. In past years, it just seemed that community had so much pride in our team that they followed the team where ever they played. It was truly "Friday Night Lights"!

I have sons that play Corsicana Pee Wee Football, and their desire is to one day put that blue and gold uniform at the high school level. The pride needs to begin in our young people as early as possible!

I pray blessings on Coach Henigan and his family.

Barbara Kelley



To the Editor: I was deeply saddened by the recent news of Coach Henigan’s reassignment. Everyone concedes that he is an outstanding individual with integrity and a deep sense of responsibility towards his students. In a pre-game interview, Mike Tomlin, the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, was asked did he ever think he would be coaching in the NFL, or in the Super Bowl. He answered he always wanted to be a high school coach because “they saved lives, they were heroes.” His answer reveals what Corsicana ISD has forgot: Coaching high school football is not about a win/loss record, it is about teaching values, character, teamwork, perseverance, and dealing with both success and failure.

The primary function of Corsicana ISD is to provide the best education possible for our children, rather than the best Friday night entertainment possible. Frankly, I am more alarmed at the exploding high school dropout rate than the number of football games lost. Coach Henigan is an outstanding role model and has made a difference in the lives of his students where it mattered the most — as an educator. He and his family have been tremendous assets and contributors to this community.

Coach Henigan you are a hero. Thank you for all that you and your family have done to make Corsicana a better place to live.

Lori Rodriguez

Alliance gives thanks

To the Editor: The Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance for the second year presented a grand musical program for the citizens of Corsicana some of our best-gifted talent. IDMA and committee would like to take this opportunity to thank some very fine people for putting this great program together: Valorie Horn, for directing our mass choir; Paul Lewis, Penny Liggins, Evangelist Cathy Douglas and Evangelist Margaret Evans. Special thanks goes to Pastor Rick Lamb for the use of Northside Baptist Church. Thanks goes to each participant on the program, Pastor Mike Alexander of First United Methodist Church for last year’s host, Martin Luther King Jr. Center board, NAACP president Leonard Dixon, Boys and Girls Club, Precinct 2 city council member Ruby Williams, Navarro County commissioner Faith Holt, the Rev. Michael Donaldson, pastor of Grace Temple AME; Bishop K.D. Davis, Corsicana Daily Sun, and Northland Cable TV.

The Rev. Dairy G. Johnson Sr., Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance president



Visitors enjoy welcome

To the Editor: Hello, my name is Stevi Gregory and I am the wife of a Local 798 Union welder Kevin Gregory. We are here on a job right outside the city limits of Corsicana working with Associated Pipe and we wanted to take the time to thank all the local businesses, residents and law enforcement for welcoming us to your town. Special thanks to All American RV Park, you have taken great care of our families. We as a union are grateful to come to such wonderful towns such as Corsicana and to be welcome. Please do not confuse us with previous pipeliners that may not have been appropriate behaving; that is not our style. Once again thank you for your warm acceptance of us and we promise to leave you with a good feeling about us.

Proud 798 members



Another opinion

To the Editor: I am writing in response to a published letter on Feb. 1, 2009 from Linda Brunton on donations to Planned Parenthood. The organization does, as she says, receive funding from both Komen and the American Cancer Society.

But do you know why?

Planned Parenthood of North Texas performs more cervical cancer screenings than any other organization in the state of Texas. It’s also one of the foremost providers of breast cancer screenings.

But most importantly, no other organization does MORE to prevent unplanned pregnancies than Planned Parenthood.

Less than 3 percent of Planned Parenthood’s patient visits every year are for abortion care. The other 97 percent are for reproductive health care that these women and men could not otherwise afford.

They come for contraception, blood pressure testing, diabetes screening, sex education, screening and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, screening for breast and cervical cancer and treatment of precancerous cervical disease. Readers may be surprised to learn that visits also include referrals for prenatal care and adoption services.

PPNT is a safety net health care provider that does so much more that what she would like to target them for.

If you want to prevent unplanned pregnancies and abortions and if you want to improve access to quality reproductive health care in this community, then you will want to join me in supporting Planned Parenthood.

Holly Morgan



Questions water decision

To the Editor: It’s time for the water department to answer questions bill payers have. Walt Powers brought up a very important question — if we conserve are we going to pay for it with another rate hike. Months ago I questioned why residents are paying $3 per month for the “Beautification Committee” when they achieve goals NOT represented by local residents. I request a public reply as to why those of us who have to pay are not given a legitimate reason. Most of all why are there two contrasting articles on the front page of the paper — one telling us to conserve water; the other covering attempted sales of our water to other counties. That’s a bold, crude, rude move by the water company. So, what’s up downtown? I look forward to your response!

Kathy Davison



Appreciates care given

To the Editor: I had surgery on Dec. 9 at Navarro Regional Hospital. I have been overwhelmed with the care I got there — it was the best! From the business office, to the labs, to anesthesiologist Roberts, to the nurses on the third floor, they all were the greatest.

Also, there is not enough I can say about Dr. Cook that would convey what a caring and competent doctor he truly is. We are truly blessed to have a doctor of his caliber in Corsicana.

Ruth Gilbert