LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Hearings won't sway TxDOT

(Note: This is a copy of a letter sent to Ed Pensock Jr., director of Turnpike Corridor Systems for TxDOT.) Dear Sir,

I attended the meeting held on Feb. 11 in the Wharton High School auditorium. It is my personal feeling that these hearings are in fact, "window dressing" in that I truly believe that the decision has already been made to construct the project no matter what the public response may be. In other words, the public opinion be damned because Governor Perry wants it done.

Nevertheless, I offer these comments as my protest:

1. According to your map, the "Recommended Preferred Corridor" encompasses what appears to be an area averaging 5 miles wide for the entire 42 mile length across the county. This would cover approximately 134,000 acres. Even though you make the argument that this is just the proposal and not yet an actuality, you have already adversely affected the market value of each and every acre involved. What buyer in his or her right mind, would purchase a farm or home within these boundaries knowing that there exists the probability the property would soon be confiscated?

2. It is my understanding that the final "corridor" will be 1,200 feet wide. This reduces to approximately 6,000 acres which will actually be continued in the "corridor" and will forever be lost to the county as a source of tax revenue. Where will the county look to replace this source? It will look to the balance of the property owners in the county to make up the difference.

3. I presently live two miles west of U.S. 59 and already know how when weather and wind conditions are right, the noise pollution is very noticeable. The proposed right of way, with the added traffic load would only make matters worse, along with air pollution due to the increased diesel traffic from Mexico. You have but to visit Nuevo Laredo or Matamoros to experience that pleasure.

4. The only access to the area of the county northwest of the corridor would be via Hwy. 71 and Hwy. 60 which would give only limited access to approximately 266 square miles of the county.

5. The state would be prohibited from the construction of any facilities which would compete with the TTC resulting in a de facto monopoly.

6. Last but far from least, the use of the right of eminent domain to confiscate private property for the use by another private entity is in my mind, unconstitutional, and if this effort to construct this facility continues, should face a court challenge. The question then is this: Why should the citizens of this state be required to take to court the very entity which is supposed to be representing them and protecting their interests?

7. This project is of absolutely no economic benefit to Wharton County.

By copies of this letter to Senator Glenn Hegar and State Rep. Dr. John Zerwas, I am urging them to do all in their power to stop this project.

James W. Kuykendall

Wharton

Cuts for Cancer thanks all

Editor, the Leader-News:

We would like to thank the wonderful people of Wharton County for another successful Cuts For Cancer fundraiser. With six salons participating and two massage therapists, a total of $1,394 was collected for services rendered.

Through the generous hearts of others, another $785 in extra donations was also collected. This brings our grand total for the 13th Annual Cuts for Cancer to $2,179.

This will be a great addition to the funds of our local branch of the American Cancer Society. In addition, there were even a couple of clients who were able to cut off 10 inches of their hair for "Locks of Love" to create a wig for needy cancer patients.

A big thank you, too, for those most generous and personal donations.

The 13th Annual Cuts for Cancer was truly a success again this year. But it would not have been possible if not for the help and support of so many generous and giving people.

A special thanks needs to go to the six salons, and their hair stylists who donated their time and talents on their day off. And to our Wharton County hospitals and clinics, a big thank you for donating the special door prizes of free cancer screening tests and healthy gift baskets. Through your gifts, you are helping our community with prevention and early detection of cancer.

Thanks also needs to go out to the people who helped us publicize the event. From free printing of posters, to complimentary publicity in our local newspapers, to the gracious businesses that let us post the fliers and/or who also donated door prizes; we couldn't have done as well without you.

Help also arrived through donated refreshments for the stylists and the clients who came in to support our cause. This helped our day to run much more smoothly, which allowed us to work more clients into the day, therefore bringing in more money for the fight against cancer.

And one last big thank you to all of the clients who put off getting their haircut until it could help in the fight against cancer.

We look forward to many more years of successful "Cuts for Cancer" fundraisers. Way to go Wharton County! This was our most successful year yet - and here is to the hopes of continuing to break this record each & every year to come. Together we can make a difference.

Sincerely,

Jan Dornak

Cuts for Cancer Coordinator

Editor's Note: The management of the El Campo Leader-News has been involved in the fight against cancer since 1978 when the West Wharton County Unit of the ACS was formed, so it is gratifying to see people step up to help. It was Jan Dornak's idea 13 years ago to start this even, and she's been coordinating it ever since. We want to also add our thank you to the stylists and massage therapists, and the hospitals and clinics, and those who got their haircuts Sunday for their support of the American Cancer Society through the Cuts for Cancer.