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Judson’s stadium blunder Editor: Superintendent Mackey, I was very disappointed that the Judson School Board approved your recommendation to proceed with the out-of-budget stadium rebuild plan. Covering mistakes made by using available monies from past bonds is not helping the problem. If there are monies available from these sources I would suggest they should be used to cover the out-of-budget Converse Elementary. If you project the cost overruns on the first two projects of the 2006 bond issue to the Judson High School project, it will be some $30 million-$40 million over budget. The question that I did not hear asked was if money can be moved from one project to another within the $64 million line item for district facility updates and repairs. I think the answer is yes it can … and has already has. The list of projects that was presented to the voters is not the same as it is now. If in fact there is no way to cut costs at the stadium, then that is where the funds should come from — not from the general fund or leftover monies that were for previous educational facilities. You would have a hard time convincing me expense cannot be trimmed, even at this point, from the stadium project. The price-per-square-foot for the $2.6 million locker rooms has to be astronomical. The projects under the $64 million renovations bond issue need to be reviewed and prioritized to provide the necessary funds to complete the stadium project. Tom Ponder
Judson resident, employee GOP primary voting dilemma Editor: It appears Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton will be our next president. Even though John McCain would make a good president, his chance is slim with what is happening in the primaries. Record numbers of Democrats are voting all through the nation, being at least 2 to 1 and, in a lot of states, 3 to 1 to the Republicans. Also, It is not probable the Republican far-right Christians will vote for McCain with his platform of gay rights, women’s choice and stem cell research. He is not doing too well with true Republican conservatives, either. His chances of becoming president, with these factors working against him, are slim to none. In the open Texas primary, a pivotal state, voters have a choice of voting Republican or Democrat. Voting in the Democrat primary, you can choose Obama or Clinton as the probable next president. Your choice. Col. Colin Chauret
USAF retired
Universal City resident Judson spending atrocious Editor: As a taxpayer in the Judson School District, I attended the Feb. 21 board meeting. A considerable amount of discussion was about the Judson football stadium renovation. Mr. Luis Rodriguez stated that to keep the cost of the renovation down, the contractors were allowed to sell the bleachers and the light system, keeping the proceeds of the sale. Why has the cost of the renovation ballooned from $9 million $14 million? We cannot afford any more savings like these two above. Where did Rodriguez get, or from whom did he get, permission for these deals? I questioned a board member, who said not from the board. In the 2006 bond issue, the taxpayers were given a proposal that included the building of three elementary schools. The first two schools are already over budget, and I must question whether we have money to buy the land for the third elementary school, or even money to build this school. The information I have received tells me that there is not sufficient money left from this bond issue to fulfill promises made to the taxpayers. Why would any administrative director responsible for working out these multi-million dollar contracts not press for a firm — and final — price from the outset? Please consider the amount of money squandered under Mr. Rodriguez’s tenure and ask yourself is it not time for a change. P. Bernard Hunt Judson ISD resident
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