LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Keep town's 'can do' spirit Editor, the Leader-News:

A positive attitude and a "can do" spirit usually translates into success and El Campo has that. It is the difference between a small town prospering, becoming stagnate or perishing. We need leaders that will look to the future and keep El Campo moving forward.

Having lived in the area our entire lives, we have come to the conclusion that El Campo is the "best small town" anywhere. We have had the opportunity to interact with most of the cities and small towns in our area and have found El Campo to be the most progressive and positive community by far!

The Aquatic Center, the new addition and renovation of the Mid-Coast Medical Clinic, the new middle school, the El Campo Bowling Center and the El Campo Volunteer Fire Department Training Facility are great examples of public and private entities that are building and filling the needs of the community, thus attracting new businesses, people and retaining those we have.

Look around the area and you will find that El Campo is the place to work, play and raise your children. On May 10th, vote for the candidates that represent the El Campo "can do" spirit and keep our town moving forward.

Steve and Kim Cooper

EMS truly guardian angels Editor, the Leader-News:

It is truly heartwarming to actually witness a miracle in its happening. I want to thank each and every EMS who came into my father's home and saved his life. El Campo is blessed to have our team of EMS who give of themselves so unselfishly. In my eyes you are all guardian angels on earth.

Thank you for your continued kindness and concern. My family and I appreciate you and your dedicated work.

There is a special place in heaven for El Campo's EMS.

Thank you,

Debbie Chromcak, Kenneth Henderson and family

Don't become Rosenberg Editor, the Leader-News:

This letter is in reply to that written by Jim Ekstrom. I'm Lynn David Talafuse.

Ol' Jim ain't from around here. It seems he moved here from somewhere else some time back, I'm thinking because he wasn't happy where he was. I'm guessing he's not happy here either, because he comes right out and says El Campo needs to change and change again and if you ain't for changing El Campo, you're not right.

Now Jim claims to have moved around a bit in this old world and he's seen this and that. So what, so have I. One of the things I've seen more than once was city guys who move to the country so they can have the easy living, then a year or two later they start missing all the niceties they had in the city and next thing you know, they've built mini malls and what not and the second next thing you know, they no longer live in the country and neither does anyone else.

The way I see it, if you want El Campo to become just like Rosenberg, why not just move to Rosenberg? Listen to your grand pappy and think of us that grew up here as you leave.

Now lets talk about some of Jim's complaints about what people are complaining about. From listening to Jim, I take it that he believes that if the government, meaning the city council, says we need something, then we just need it and if you don't see it that way, well you're some strange minded element who really just wants the whole durn city to dry up and blow away.

I wonder how he stands on the corridor. Perry says that we gots to have it and that it will be of great benefit to all. By Jim's reasoning, we who have protested the TTC at every turn are also some misguide element determined to bring about the ruination of the whole state of Texas, God save our souls!

Jim seems to be against those who are against the recent annexations. OK now I'm confused. Some time back, while Bush the first was in office, a fella by the name of Saddam looked at his neighbor's property over in Kuwait and decided that it would sure be nice to have that property in his own tax base. So, he goes and takes it, without bothering to ask the people in Kuwait their opinion on the subject.

Next thing you know the whole worlds in an uproar and we go pounce on Saddam and beat him up pretty bad. We had our boys and the Russian boys and the British boys killing his boys because, hey, you can't just take someone else's land. What I'm confused on is this, was Jim for or against Saddam? Oh, my bad, it's legal here to invade, oops I mean annex land with or without the consent of the people just so you can tax it.

Another thing he's upset about is the new junior high. Well, he's not upset about it, he's just upset about the people who are upset. Now, if I recall right, there was a pretty tight vote on that one. It seems to me that, with the city split right down the middle, the powers that be might have got everybody together and tried to find some middle ground. But hey, you got a majority of a whole 9 votes so why bother. Besides, the whole other half of the town is a bad element, right Jim? Wish I had my periodic table handy so's I could determine which element that is again.

Lynn D. Talafuse

Local Habitat start-up fails Editor, the Leader-News:

A group of individuals representing a number of churches and civic organizations began meeting in April of 2007 with the goal of establishing a Habitat for Humanity affiliate for West Wharton County.

After many meetings and much consideration, it appears unlikely that that goal will be met. The reasons are many, but I feel it important to elaborate on a couple.

In order to establish a Habitat for Humanity affiliate, there must be a core group of individuals who are committed to functioning as Realtors, architects, general contractors, construction managers, mortgage holders, as well as providing insurance, meals and other necessary resources that are a part of building a home. In addition, there is an extensive screening process to select the family that will be purchasing the home.

While there was a small group of committed individuals that were willing to serve as initial steering committee members, no one came forward to serve as the key leader to complete the task.

Another difficulty came in getting the core group together on a consistent basis. The saying is that if you want to get things done, ask a busy person to do it. The reality is that those who expressed an interest in serving are individuals who are serving in many other areas and generally have two or three other things to attend to every evening of the week.

On the bright side, we were able to raise the initial application funds rather quickly. The community of El Campo is indeed generous! We express our gratitude to those who gave to help with the effort.

Since the funds given were designated for Wharton County, it is our intention to forward those funds to the East Wharton County Habitat for Humanity in Wharton, unless the donor prefers to have their donation returned to them.

In the upcoming week, each of the donors will receive a letter asking if they prefer to have their donation forwarded to the East Wharton County Habitat for Humanity or have their donation returned to them.

If there are any questions, please contact either Rev. Joyce McCormick at First United Methodist Church or Rev. Keith Gibbons at First Christian Church.

Sincerely,

Rev. Keith Gibbons

Vote to build great hometown

Editor, the Leader-News:

I am grateful to our city leaders for their wise and dedicated service to our community. El Campo's long-term development plan is based on sound judgment and I am proud of our city council's efforts to implement this program as we grow.

Annexation is a natural part of a city's growth process and a routine part of the council's duty. I've lived here for 64 years and I don't remember ever voting on such an issue. I also do not remember any group being so opposed to joining up and participating, as fellow citizens, in the future of our fine town.

We all benefit from being a part of a democratic society and we all have an obligation to do our share to support our community for the common good. Our city and school leaders must be elected based on their unselfish motives to improve our city and school. I encourage the public to vote for candidates who will work to build a great community by continuing to improve the quality of life in our hometown.

This is our chance to vote for what we want El Campo to be. I want this to be an ideal community as good as we can make it. We're on a roll. Vote to keep it going.

Best regards, John Hancock Jr.