LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

WCJC responsible for car disaster Editor, the Leader-News:

There was a time when the local college (WCJC) would help those in need or of insufficient means (by repairing their vehicles). You were responsible for the cost of parts and a $10 shop fee. You needed patience and understanding because not all repairs could be done in a timely manner but if anything went wrong they gladly rectified the problem. What a great service (the college) was providing for its community.

Unfortunately this time came to an end; a very costly end to my situation and a few others that I have been made aware of by the mechanic shop.

My vehicle went in the fall semester of 2005. At this time it was my brother's vehicle. He gave me his vehicle because he was dying. He died in May of 2006 and I became responsible for the repairs. So starts my long journey of ups and downs, twist and turns, and a vehicle that finally came out of the automotive program in the fall semester of 2007 on a trailer with almost $1,500 in missing, damaged and destroyed parts. This does not include almost $700 dollars in labor.

When I was able to take my vehicle to a local mechanic shop for repairs I (was informed) of all that happened while my vehicle was at (the college). I had already had issues with (the college) previously for parts to my car being stolen, lost or thrown away. No one could truthfully tell me what happened to these parts and the only way I did find out that something was wrong was because of the students. I tried speaking to the automotive instructor (my brother Ruben Hernandez), who was able to tell me that I would have to talk to the Automotive Head.

The Automotive Head spoke to me maybe four times and he was very hostile. He would not return any of my calls or respond to any of my messages. On those occasions I had to go directly to the Vice President of (the college) and after great pressure the Head of the Automotive Department finally authorized the purchase of the missing front CV axles and the entire exhaust system at a price estimated at $650.

So again my vehicle was assembled and repaired or so I was told. No, it did not happen; my vehicle came out and it would not even start. I have since tried to come to some sort of amicable resolution to this problem and have contacted the Division Head of this department to no avail. When they finally did contact me it was to say they do not feel responsible for what happened to my vehicle while it was in their possession.

This experience is going to cost me about $3,000.

Some people may think I am trying to get something for nothing but I only want them to own up to their responsibility and liability in this matter.

Sincerely,

Rita Hernandez

Wharton

The Junior College responds …

We at Wharton County Junior College take our responsibility on behalf of the college's Automotive Technology Department very seriously. As such, we are conducting an internal investigation regarding the allegations made by Rita Hernandez (please see related letter to editor) in reference to her vehicle.

The Automotive Technology Department provides automotive repair services to the community for a $10 service fee. The college does not charge a labor fee for its services. It is the responsibility of the customer to pay for vehicle repair parts.

As part of the program, students gain valuable hands-on work experience by providing repair services to the community. These work-place experiences are recommended by the U.S. Department of Labor Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS).

The Automotive Technology Program is certified by the National Automotive Technicians Educational Foundation (NATEF) and is Automotive Service Excellence Certified (ASE) in eight areas of automotive repair.

Zina L. Carter WCJC Director of Marketing and Communications

Annexation spat should stop Editor, the Leader-News:

The group called the Citizens for a Responsible El Campo "CREC" claims that there should be a vote on the recent annexations by the city and apparently seem determined to take their fight to the highest courts. While the rallying cry of the "right to vote" makes for a good sound bite, the fact is that voting is rarely used for annexation in the state of Texas.

Do our neighboring communities and others around the state normally vote to annex? Have we ever voted to annex before? Because the answers to both questions are both "No," why should we be different now?

Didn't our city's comprehensive plan specifically identify these areas for annexation years ago? Did these concerned citizens not believe that the city would ever have the leadership in place to carry out this plan? Apparently they did not. Otherwise they would have exercised their right to vote in prior City Council elections, some of which were even uncontested.

I can only imagine the prepared responses to these simple questions from their big city public relations manager or world renowned law firm - "But we thought we could trust these elected leaders...." Give me a break, and give the citizens of El Campo paying to defend your lawsuit a break.

It may be that the "CREC" has unlimited funds for attorneys, PR managers and litigation, but we as taxpayers do not. The lawsuit needs to stop.

Amy Rod

Rec facilities a boon for city Editor, the Leader-News:

This letter is in response to comments posted on a local Internet forum about El Campo having "too many parks and not needing the Aquatic Center" because "nobody uses them."

On Saturday, March 15, I went to the Aquatic Center at 3 p.m. There was one birthday party in progress and about 20 other patrons using the pool. I then drove by all five of El Campo's parks, ending my drive at about 3:30 p.m. All five of the park pavilions were in use and at capacity. From what I could gather there were multiple birthday parties, a baby shower and one wedding, not to mention many other citizens using the park facilities for walking, jogging, soccer, basketball and other recreation.

I, for one, like the fact that El Campo has such nice facilities. I would like to see the facilities properly maintained and added to as El Campo continues to grow and prosper. No, they'll never make money, but they're what make cities into communities and places people want to live and create businesses.

When I was growing up in El Campo we did not have as many recreational opportunities. My wife and I chose to return to El Campo to be with our families, not for the amenities, though without them we probably would not have come home.

What about families or Empty Nesters who want out of the big city and are looking for a nice small city to rear their children or to retire? If they do not have family or employment in the area, what's El Campo's draw, why would they come, why would they stay?

Our parks and Aquatic Center are positive, healthy public places and even without making money are tremendous assets. We should support them fully. I also think it's important that our leaders believe our city is much more than a municipality. It's a place where folks become real neighbors, not just the people in the house next door. I like to think it's our wonderful parks and other facilities helping to bring them together.

Respectfully,

George Willis IV

Editor's Note: This letter was originally e-mailed to the Leader-News March 18, but the e-mail was apparently overlooked. The newspaper apologizes for the delay in publication.