LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

No-spend, no-growth? No way! Editor, the Leader-News:

I moved to El Campo 11 years ago under the notion that El Campo was in most respects a pro-business, pro-family community - that it was a town full of people that were interested in growth and quality of life. So it was pretty disappointing to discover a few years later that this town has an element in it that is very much at odds with the concept of progress and the greater good.

I speak of people that don't much care about having nice schools ... or nice public buildings … or paved roads … or paid firemen … or publicly supported recreational facilities … or well, just about anything if it doesn't benefit them directly and especially if it could possibly pull a few dollars out of their pockets.

They are the people that always seem to have an ax to grind … who accuse good people of conspiracies and conflicts of interest - or of being "aristocrats" … who groundlessly sue our public servants when they don't get their way … who run for office on single-issue, self-interested platforms rather than a selfless desire to contribute to the institutions that serve us all.

I truly don't understand the attitude of this element, because in the long run, their version of being "responsible" will have the very effect they seek to avoid. I have seen it over and over in the places I have lived and the places I have visited. A no-spend, no-growth, don't do anything that isn't absolutely necessary style of governance results in a stagnant, depressed community, and anyone with a choice either leaves or never arrives.

The people that stay end up with high taxes, hamstrung services and few opportunities to change their lot in life.

I'll never forget one of the great lessons my father passed down to me when I was a completely self-absorbed teenager. He encouraged me to understand that it was in my best interest to be considerate of those around you … that you reap considerably more profit over time than you would just by thinking of yourself.

Similarly, a growing, attractive community with people that care for the common good creates far more wealth for its inhabitants than pinching pennies ever could. I offer that lesson to our current slate of anti-progressive candidates … free of charge.

Jim Ekstrom

Match votes to vision of city

Editor, the Leader-News:

Why do you live in El Campo? That is a question that you probably do not ask yourself often. We have been asked that question many times. Our answer always revolves around one thing, "quality of life".

We could easily have decided to raise our family in a larger community; instead we decided to trade our commute for more family time. What kind of quality of life would we have here in El Campo if we did not have the museum, Northside Center, or the recreational facilities?

As people who envision themselves making El Campo their "forever" home, we look with great interest to the growth and progress being made here. We read Mayor Spenrath's columns with optimism for what El Campo can become and applaud the City Council for looking toward the future for our family. The simple fact is, if El Campo does not look toward the future, there will be no future. Suddenly, all that has made El Campo great will be lost!

As Election Day approaches, ask the candidates what their vision is for El Campo; see if it matches your own. Do you really want to elect candidates that believe El Campo should only be a city that supports the necessities? What would you do if there were no recreational facilities? We will be asking the candidates what their plans are for our community and will vote for those who want to help El Campo grow. Let's keep El Campo off the state's obituary page.

Sincerely,

Abby and Brian Goerig

Louise-Hillje cleanup huge success Editor, the Leader-News:

The Louise-Hillje Beautification committee would like to thank all the volunteers who helped make our spring clean-up on April 5 a huge success. We appreciate all who donated their time, machinery, vehicles, trailers, food, drinks, and to persons who donated cash to help defray the cost of dumpsters.

A special thanks to Precincts 2 and 3 for their continued support. This marks our 12th anniversary and the committee urges all citizens to help keep our community litter free with clean country air to share!

The Louise Beautification Committee,

Eula Mae Crowell, member