Don’t rely on your 500-plus

Editor:

Concerning a “Letter to the Editor” from F. Mills, “Is Anyone Listening,” in the March 29 Herald: I am sorry to pop your bubble, but please don’t put any money on your 500-plus “dear” Windcrest friends who submitted cards in opposition to home rule. Don’t expect them to come out and vote.

Remember when the state Legislature passed tax freeze? More than 92 percent of our Windcrest friends voted in favor of the constitutional amendment to freeze taxes for seniors.

Council wouldn’t do anything, so we had two — yes, two petitions — calling for a vote to freeze taxes here in Windcrest. Petitions, like the cards, on home rule were easy to get, but did your “dear” friends come out and vote? If they did, it was a vote against, because contrary to what they said in the statewide election, the measure failed both times.

Don’t believe me? I’ll bet a steak dinner we could get a third petition to freeze taxes in a week.

Sil Crim, Windcrest resident

Editor:

Live Oak is a fun place around election time. I feel sorry for Mayor Henry Edwards. Seems Councilwoman Loretta Kusek wants him recalled so she can become mayor. She seems to know everything about running City Hall. I pretend to be her friend so she tells me everything people do at City Hall.

She voted Police Chief Mark Jackley to be acting city manager, then turns around and blames everyone but herself, saying Jackley did everything wrong. And do you think anyone on the council helped him? Nope. Councilwoman Kusek is the first perfect woman I have ever had the pleasure to meet.

She even calls her husband in Iraq to get his advice on city matters. Poor Mayor Edwards. Last election he was the only one with the guts to run for mayor. I am a Vietnam veteran and was wounded in action, but if I were mayor and had to put up with five women on the City Council, I think I would shoot myself. In that respect, I confess I am a coward.

I think we should give Edwards the Medal of Honor for the fine work he has done for our city. By the way, I live on the other side of Toepperwein Road, so please don’t send me any hate mail.

Four score and seven year ago, Abe Lincoln said, all were created equal. Sorry, Abe, but women are trying to take over the planet. I promise to keep you all informed on Councilwoman Kusek’s comments.

David W. Hunter, U.S. Army Special Forces, retired
Live Oak resident

Editor:

Residents of Live Oak, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to an angel and a neighbor of yours by the name of Ann Mancillas. I refer to her as an angel for her unselfish volunteer work at Fort Sam Houston, where she spends about 20 hours a week preparing taxes for our wounded soldiers and their families at no cost. She also works as an accountant with the Mental Health Association, which helps families pay for medicine and other needs for the mentally disabled. Again, she does not charge a fee as this organization is a nonprofit group.

Where she finds all the time to volunteer is unknown to me since she is married and, along with her husband, James, is raising four young boys ranging in from 2 to 11 years of age.

When I asked her why she is so committed to these causes, her reply was a sincerely humble statement: “This is my way of saying thanks to the soldiers and their families for the freedom that I enjoy because of their sacrifices.”

Yes, Live Oak residents, an angel lives among us.

Nick Davies, Live Oak resident

Editor:

We are writing to you as members of the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City School District 2007 Facility Naming Committee. We are currently seeking nominations for the facilities being built under the 2006 bond program.

This committee is comprised of six community members, each appointed by a current school board member. We have been tasked with soliciting recommendations from the community for possible names for the five news schools being built, as well as making a recommendation for the two existing schools that are being replaced and eventually repurposed.

This task is not easy, and we hope the community will get involved in the process. We have used many tactics to get the community involved including sending e-mails, placing an advertisement in the Herald, holding an April 2 public forum, and sending flyers home with the students.

We have not received more than a handful of nominations to date, but do hope to see more come in before the deadline. All nominations are due by 4:30 p.m. Monday to central office.

Once our committee has reviewed all of the nominations, we will make our recommendations to the SCUC School Board May 22 during its monthly meeting.

Anyone interested in making a nomination can get a copy of the Name-A-School Nomination Form on the district Web site (www.scuc. txed.net), at central office or any SCUCISD school.

Once again, we hope the community will get involved and be a part of history by helping name a school.

Leah Castro, Loretta Davidson, Ted Duigon, David Jones and David Pevoto
SCUC community members

Editor:

On Mayor Henry Edward’s report on the audit, and the recall petition: A recent article in the Herald extolling the tremendous improvement in financial reserves of the city of Live Oak did not mention the cost in city services caused by arbitrary decisions as a method accomplish this tremendous gain.

The audited results show cuts from the approved 2006 budget passed in early September 2005. In city departments, cuts totaled $875,778 and a revenue shortfall of $84,612. A net increase in cash flow of $791,166 resulted.

Further, the city fathers and staff determined it is better to not acknowledge purchase orders made prior to Oct. 1, 2005 that are to be paid post October 2005. That’s like you and I buying a large number of Christmas gifts on credit and then saying our finances are great on Dec. 31 because we aren’t worried about the bills until after the New Year.

The recall petition is just that, a petition for a recall election on the mayor. Once approved by 713 valid signatures, a recall election can be called at the next valid election date.

As someone mention to me (and I agree), “Those individuals who want a change will willingly sign the petition, and those opposed to change will not.”

Only the election will decide if the mayor is removed from office — not the petition. I hope and trust that Live Oak residents will make their own decision in this democratic process of choice.

Richard R. Lamothe, Former Live Oak councilman