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Letters for May 9, 2008
In The Daily News’ Web site’s “Editor’s Notes” blog, Heber Taylor suggested that Galveston ought to revive the public celebration of Rosenberg Day.
Give Henry Rosenberg A Day Named After Him
I want to commend Heber Taylor on his blog on Henry Rosenberg (“Happy Rosenberg Day,” The Daily News, May 1).
Rosenberg funded not only the public library and the Texas Heroes monument but also a home for white and black orphans.
He funded an old folks’ home and provided fountains for horses to drink out of.
He was a true benefactor of Galveston. He definitely deserves a day named after him.
A. J. Jinkins Jr.
Galveston
Contractors working for CenterPoint Energy destroyed a children’s tree house in Letricia Banuelos’ yard, saying it was too close to power lines.
Tree House Destruction Was A Matter Of Safety
Having recently retired after almost 37 years of service with a neighboring power company, I’d like to comment on the story “CenterPoint destroys tree house” (The Daily News, April 24).
Many times I’ve unfortunately been witness to or otherwise involved in the tragic results of individuals making contact with power lines in the easements of backyards.
Most people don’t realize that the slightest contact with a stick or child’s toy while standing in or on top of a tree house has devastating effects to the human body.
If the individual survives the contact, he or she most often loses one or more limbs and suffers massive pain and must incur months of rehabilitation and years of suffering.
I’ve seen this occur in both children playing in trees and adults in the working world making deadly mistakes while performing their respective jobs.
I agree that, evidently, CenterPoint could have used much more tact and done a much better job explaining the reasoning behind the removal of the Banuelos family’s tree house. I can assure readers that there is a cost associated with everything the light company does and that taking action and expense like this is something not done lightly or out of spite — it is absolutely a safety issue.
Hopefully, many more people will learn from the Banueloses’ experience, let their children have their fun and grow their imaginations but, in the future, build their tree houses away from deadly power lines and appreciate the fact that others are also concerned about their children’s safety and well being.
Curtis Seelbach
Texas City
Rodeo Does A Lot Of Good
April 20 marked the final day of the 70th annual Galveston County Fair & Rodeo. Since then, most of the talk has been about two very unfortunate incidents and one extremely tragic incident involving a motorcyclist.
In no way would I attempt to downplay the seriousness of these incidents; however, I feel that the negative publicity being focused on them seems to be overshadowing all the positive and great opportunities the fair and rodeo provides to the youth of our county.
Those opportunities include, but are not limited to, building self-esteem, developing social and leadership skills, learning to accept responsibility and having the ability to partially fund their continuing education by raising, showing and eventually selling their animals at the livestock auction.
My wife and I have been involved with the fair and rodeo as volunteers, committee members and proud parents of children showing animals and arts and crafts at the fair. As most parents, volunteers, committee members, corporate sponsors and members of the various Future Farmers of America and 4-H clubs would agree, commitment to community, family and, most importantly, commitment to the youth of our county is what the fair and rodeo is all about.
So, let’s focus our attention on all of the positive and life-changing opportunities that the county fair and rodeo has afforded to thousands of youngsters during its 70-year history.
Hats off to all who made the 70th anniversary of the event such a huge success!
Jimmy Fullen
Santa Fe
Criticism Of County Fair And Rodeo Was Unfair
In reference to the April 27 letters “County officials should make safety top priority” and “The fair’s violent fighters were no better than dogs,” I was outraged to see readers blaming the Galveston County Fair & Rodeo for lack of security measures.
I have been a 4-H manager and leader for several years and would like to shine some light on the subject.
The Galveston County Fair is a nonprofit organization and it runs with volunteers who work tirelessly year round in preparation for the fair. It is not the Astrodome, Reliant Park or Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. This is our hometown county fair, which has been around for 70 years.
The Galveston County Fair & Rodeo, Galveston County Ranchers Association and others provide college scholarships to a number of students each year through fundraising.
The Galveston County Fair & Rodeo is family oriented and cannot be blamed for individuals who enter the fair to cause harm to others.
Galveston County Fair & Rodeo is not a baby sitter; parents are seen every evening dropping their children off at its front gate, only to pick them up later.
There is adequate security at the fair — everywhere you look, security folks are there, whether it be on horseback, four-wheelers, golf carts or walking around.
People need to be responsible for themselves. If they want to pick a fight, they should do it somewhere else.
If Galveston County Fair & Rodeo were to put in metal detectors at every entrance, the cost would be astronomical and this would be at whose expense? Again, this is a nonprofit organization. Is someone willing to donate the metal detectors?
Christy Shotwell
Santa Fe
The Daily News’ rules about election letters prevent last-day accusations that candidates cannot answer on election day itself. Today is the last day for candidates to make such rebuttals.
I Stand By My Statements On Rival’s Voting Record
My Galveton District 6 rival, Dianna Puccetti, has accused me of inaccuracies in my recent political ads (“District 6 opponent attacks me with inaccuracies,” The Daily News, May 8).
I stand by my statements:
• In a public forum on April 22, with Puccetti present, I stated “... that I have not seen any traffic plan associated with the massive 1,100 acre (Marquette) project; please correct me if I am wrong. ...” Neither Puccetti nor anyone else has said a word to me about any traffic plan.
• The original sandpit permit was for emergency sand for Jamaica Beach in 2006. I attended the city council meeting for the extension. Puccetti never noted that the basis for the original permit no longer existed.
• Galveston’s city manager filed an amendment to the Marquette agreement that allows Marquette Investments to escape property taxes by allowing continued agricultural exemption until construction starts. It was negotiated in secret and the city is withholding documents pertaining to that negotiation. If Puccetti would release the details, the public could be fully informed about the agreement.
I respect Dianna’s years of dedicated service. However, I would have voted differently under the circumstances on these key issues. I am listening to Galveston families.
Karen Mahoney, candidate, District 6
Galveston
A story in Sunday’s edition reported on people who are leaving the suburbs for more rural communities.
Suburbia — You Either Love It Or You Don’t
Raising mules and horses on large acreage is a fine lifestyle, but it is not for everyone. Some of us appreciate the suburban living that League City offers. Suburban — not country — lifestyle appeals to many Baby Boomers and Generation X’ers.
For every person whom suburban growth has driven to Santa Fe and other more rural areas, there are five people who appreciate and want the more urban middle ground that League City offers.
I do not want to mow five acres twice a week or have to care for a large lot.
League City suits me fine and, if we get a chance to catch our breath up here and solve our growing pains, it will once again be the perfect place to live.
Marc Edelman
League City
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