Invitation from Barton

To the Editor: An open letter to the citizens of Navarro County.

The nation is at a cross roads. The decisions made over the next few years will affect us for generations. From efforts to infringe on your 2nd Amendment Rights to skyrocketing federal debt and ObamaCare – I want to know what you think should be done in Washington.

You are my boss. You elected me to work for you. I believe the best way to serve the people of Navarro County is to talk to you directly. I want to let you know what is going on in the Nation’s Capital, but most importantly I want to answer your questions and listen to your concerns.

Over the next two weeks, I will be holding a series of town hall meetings including one in Corsicana at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, at the Corsicana Government Center. The floor will be yours. We can discuss a wide range of topics from tax policy to the economy, but this is your meeting so you will guide the conversation.

I hope you will be able to attend. If you can’t make it – you can always share your opinion by visiting my website – www.joebarton.house.gov.

I look forward to meeting you!

U.S. Rep. Joe Barton (R-Ennis)

 

Sequestration thoughts

To the Editor: Congress, I’m gravely disappointed in your failure to find an alternative to the March 2013 sequester. Furthermore, I’m deeply concerned with its impact on the Total Force and the security of the United States of America.

Military unit readiness will steadily decline as key wartime training is cancelled and air, space, and cyber systems maintenance is deferred.

Thousands of DoD employees including Guard and Reserve technicians will be furloughed and active duty Airmen could lose their jobs.  

Military quality-of-life programs will be affected as commissaries close on Wednesdays; Tuition Assistance programs are curtailed; children’s education via the DoD schools system is impaired; and eventually there is a reduction in services under TRICARE.

In the end, our "all volunteer force" will be required to carry twice the burden of these cuts as compared to other federal programs. In my opinion, our government is asking those currently serving and veterans of the past to accept a renegotiation of their service contract, as you attempt to balance the country’s budget on the backs of those who served.

Time remains for Congress to find a solution to end the terrible effects of a sequestration and ensure the Nation’s ability to defend itself. I urge you to do everything in your power to make this happen.

Sincerely,

Roger Hardie



Planes and Pocket Knives

To the Editor: A backlash is rising on TSA knife policy. Starting April 1 individuals will be permitted to carry a small knife on a plane. A knife blade can be no longer than 2.36 inch and less than half-inch wide.

Before TSA’s new policy, individuals packed their knife into luggage or would leave it at home.

July 2008 I was vacationing in Nome, Alaska. Fishing and panning for gold is a popular activity during summer months in the small town of Nome. Leaving Nome we boarded a plan from Nome to Anchorage, AK. A state senator from AK was in line with me as we emptied our pockets prior to boarding our small plane. I heard a moan as he emptied his pocket. He forgot to pack his knife in his luggage! Jim, he exclaimed, this is the second time I’ve forgotten. Another, as he said, expensive knife donated to Nome, AK.

What does anyone, including a state senator from Alaska, need with a 2.36 by less than half-inch knife blade on an airplane, traveling to and from their destination. Could be used for cleaning out fingernails. How about peeling an orange or apple? I can peel an orange with my fingers. As for an apple I eat the peel and all!

Jim Basham



Seeking support

To the Editor: I came home to Corsicana to see what the city and the black community did to celebrate Black History Month for its citizens. I am saddened to say that little has been done to exemplify the diversity of Corsicana. Some improvements have been done because I noticed that more streets have been paved. Bunert Park is now beautiful and for many years it was neglected. I am happy to see it being used on a daily basis.

The Boys and Girls Club located at G. W. Jackson Avenue is the best improvement that has been made. For years, children and adults on the eastside of town had no place to go for organized activities. We are thankful to have this club as a part of our community. It is tragic that after three years, no funds from the city or community have been utilized to provide a gymnasium for this club. When I come home and see these kids looking for a place to go for organized activities, it brings back memories of when I was a child and had nowhere to go to participate in sports. This club is just like the YMCA, which would provide little to no activities without a gymnasium. Although this club is located in the black community, the Boys and Girls Club is open to all races and I hope that other races would join me in this endeavor to help improve the image of our city.

I have retired from teaching and would be willing to invest time in organizing activities at the Boys and Girls Club.

I hope that the city of Corsicana will find a way to help build a gymnasium at the Boys and Girls Club. This would be a win-win situation for all parties involved.

I would like to thank Mrs. Eula Linicomn for her vision, sponsorship, and the effort it took for her to ensure that a Boys and Girls Club was built in this city.

If you are reading this article, I hope that you can find it in your heart to help collaborate with the city to build a gymnasium for the Boys and Girls Club of Corsicana. Some of these children have no where to go after school and this would be a safe haven for them. There are about 5,638 students in the Corsicana Independent School District. Some of these kids belong to the YMCA, however others can’t afford it. Having a gymnasium available for them to come to would help keep children off of the streets. It distresses me to think that it took 57 years to get some type of recreation facility in this community and I hope that it will not take another 57 years to get a gymnasium for the Boys and Girls Club.

Sincerely,

Jeffery Thomas