A Persistent Cadre of Letter to the Editor Writers

Today’s letters to the Editor in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram tell you what THE PEOPLE really think about local government, spending and “news”.

You should read them all.  One below is from one of those “persistent cadre of Trinity River Vision detractors”.  The same one that served his country for many years and has served his community ever since.  Oh yeah, he also helped save YOU from paying for a downtown hotel.  He asks for no thanks in return, just smarter politicians and more transparency for the citizens of Tarrant County.  After all, it’s THEIR money.

Carry on, Clyde.

Riverbank cronyism

The Sunday headline read "Eatery deal is debated."

There's no debate; it's a done deal.

Those silly restaurant businessmen protest too much. Fort Worth recently won the award for "All-America City." It should have been for leading the way in crony capitalism. No bids, no information, no transparency and no accountability, that's really the "Fort Worth Way."

While the average citizen laments lousy roads, drainage problems and gas well and pipeline issues, the downtown lobby is working on a new 10-year plan; Tarrant County College builds high-cost buildings for low-cost education; and the Trinity River Vision squanders tax dollars on wakeboard parks, restaurants and bridges to nowhere.

Water district board member Jim Lane thinks Tim Love will hit a home run with his moderate prices and "specified number of beers on tap."

Perhaps, but for taxpayers, it's strike three. A real home run would be a solid future water proposal.

-- Clyde Picht, Fort Worth

Expensive appeal

I thought this state was broke. After all, we can't afford to educate our kids, pay our teachers or provide healthcare for those who can't afford it.

But we evidently can afford to hire expensive outside attorneys to fight interim redistricting plans drawn by a three-judge federal panel in San Antonio.

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott appealed the court-approved lines to the Supreme Court and hired a lawyer from an elite Washington law firm, a former solicitor general in the George W. Bush administration, to help. Surely Abbott doesn't think the panel's maps are partisan. The panel is made up of two judges appointed by Republican presidents (Reagan and George W. Bush) and one appointed by a Democratic president (Clinton).

Please, Mr. Attorney General, don't waste our money.

-- Jo-Ann Zimmerman, Euless

Superintendent search

I have been following the Star-Telegram's editorials and opinion pieces regarding the selection of Walter Dansby as interim superintendent of the Fort Worth school district after the resignation of Melody Johnson and the call for a nationwide search for a new superintendent.

I find the tone of these articles biased and unfair to Dansby.

As a person who has known him for many years and someone who pays school taxes, I am offended by the tone of these articles.

If I did not know the man, these articles would give me the impression that Dansby was somehow in collusion with some school trustees who may or may not have an ulterior motive. I cannot fathom the reason the paper would advocate this theory, but I feel it does Dansby a disservice. I expected better of you.

I don't know if Dansby can turn this school district around, but I believe he certainly deserves a chance to try. He can't possibly do any worse than some of the previous superintendents, doctorates notwithstanding, Johnson included. She was never my choice.

-- Barbara Thomas, Fort Worth