The Aransas Pass Progress (Aransas Pass, Tex.), Vol. 87, No. 32, Ed. 1 Wednesday, October 18, 1995 Page: 2 of 41
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Opinion
Wednesday,
October 18, 1995
Stronger DWI laws are needed in Texas, Bullock says
State Capital
t» LysdsC SSteas £ It SMe;
TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION
AUSTIN — Lt. Gov Bob
Bullock spoke In favor of
stronger DWI laws before a
state Senate committee,
drawing from a well of per-
sonal experience.
Bullock, a recovering alco-
holic who began drinking at
age 16. recounted hi* own
battle with alcoholism, and
urged the Senate Interim
Committee on Juvenile
Driving While Intoxicated to
pass more stringent laws.
Drivers under age 21 tn
Texas can lose their license M
they are stopped with a
blood-alcohol level of 0.07.
The legal intoxication level for
adults is 0.10.
Twenty-seven ocher stales
and the District of Columbia
have set a zero-tolerance
blood-alcohol standard of
0 02 for drivers under age 21.
said R Gary Taylor of the
National Highway Safety
Illustrating the effectiveness
of zero-tolerance laws. Taylor
said a 1993 study of 12 states
with lower blood-alcohol hm-
llttJjarii’s fourth Cable
By Dick Richards, Publisher
How many ways are there to get ripped off? Last week
I mentioned the letter from Nigeria. It seems like several
of them have shown up tn Aransas Pass. You would won-
der how a little town like Aransas Pass could attract some
international scam artist.
The letter from a Johnson Oliesah In Lagos. Nigeria
claims to have some 820.500.000.00 in a floating fund
and he wants to share this money with someone. In his
words. "Our request is anchored on our strong iaalwi
to establish a
and your comj
to enable os pay into your account the said funds. To
have been recommended by an
residing In your country who sssured
of your ability and reliability to prosecute
transactions that require —»<■«««« ooaMattce "
Next all they want Is: 1. Your Company’s name and full
address; 2. Your Banker’s name, address, telephone and
fax numbers; 3. The account number and name of would
be beneficiary.
Sounds like a deal too good to be true: and it probably
Is.
Next 1 got a letter from Corporate Transfer System.
They are holding money there for me and all 1 have to do
Is call and claim it on this 900 number that cost $3.98
per minute and the average call Is about 7 minutes. So for
a 830 phone call, if my number matches I'll win the
money. When I read the real fine print I find that my
chances of really winning are one In 4 million.
That sure does take away some of the excitement In a
hurry.
Then I get a letter from ACG Independent Judging
Organization and they send me a check for $7,500. But lt
really Isn’t a check. Again I have to call this 900 number
that cost $3.98 per minute. The calls only average 6 min-
utes this time. But as always the kicker is I win if my
number matches and the odds are about one In four mil-
lion.
Finally I get this letter from the National Cancer
Research Center regarding an unclaimed cash prize or
$2,500.00. Again It leads you to believe that you are
automatically the winner of this money, but again In the
finer print it says If your number matches you will be the
winner. And the odds are about one In four million. In the
meantime they ask you to send In a small donation to
help fight cancer. 1 wonder how much of that donation
actually goes into cancer research..
And this does not count all the stuff that I get from
Reader's Digest Publisher's Clearing House, American
Family Publishers, all the record companies etc.
There must be a lot of money to be made giving away
all these millions of dollars. Maybe we should start a mil-
lion dollar give-away here and lt would help us make
some of those big bucks.
Then again, maybe I’ll just stick to the lottery. My
chances are probably better.
RPR
On a much more pleasant subject I must congratulate
the Aransas Pass Chamber. The Port Aransas Chamber
and the Coastal Bend Guides Assoc. They hosted a fish-
ing trip and fish fry for about 20 outdoors writers from
across the state Monday. The fish fry Monday evening
VMM pent and I think they all seemed to enjoy the fish-
ing. The Chambers are to be commended for taking a lead
to promoting our area as a tourist destination. I am sure
Aransas Pass will receive a lot of good positive publicity
from this event.
A special thanks to Jimmie Peer. Greg Rangel. Vic
Medina, Sharon Mayhall and the Chamber staff for a Job
RPR
We have come a long way in cleaning up and fixing up
our city. But. let me tell you we still have a long way to go.
We really need to keep all the trash picked up and keep
the new sidewalks downtown clean and neat. Some of our
buildings are beginning to need a little face lift (mine
todaded) With all this renewed interest In our area we
really need to be trying to put our best foot forward and
present the beat Image we can.
RPR
Last week was National Newspaper week. We Just sort
of let It slip by but my friend Bill Cooke In Rockdale did >
great column which 1 want to share with you. Since I am
out of fdom this week, ni save it for later. But until then
I’ll so
—
a1,
Its had a 16 percent decrease
tn stngfo-vehftcfe nightume
that the
take a good look at
tomgto
reduce aicohoi-reiated traffic
deaths j
*lf just one child one per-
son. is Injured or maimed by
a person who Is intoxicated
driving an automobile that is
a severe loss to our state * he
TrUrl iti^ pan#4
Clung figures compiled by
the Century Council — a
group that works to reduce
alcohol abuse — Associated
Press reported 358 people
under age 21 died in alcohol-
related accidents in Texas in
1994 Of those. 256 were
killed in crashes in which the
driver had a blood-alcohol
reading of more than 0.10.
to
Texas Democratic Party
Chairman Boh Slagle said
last week he has decided to
step down in December
Slagle who has served 15
years as party chairman, said
Democrats are spending
more time ‘plotting with and
against each other* over his
replacement than preparing
ways to defeat Republicans.
In a letter to Democratic
Part> leaders. Slagle suggest-
ed that the 62-member State
Democratic Executive
Committee hear from all can-
didates for party chairman
next month. It would then
pick a successor at Its Dec. 9
meeting
Slagle said as many as 13
people had expressed Interest
m the post, but he believes
the field will shrink to two or
three by the time of the vote.
Among those considering
the party's top job are
Houston lawyer and
Democratic fundraiser Bill
White. former Attorney
General Jim Mattox and for-
mer state Sen. Hector Uribe
of Brownsville.
Slagle declined to endorse
anyone for the non-paying
post.
Texas Land Commissioner
Garry Mauro. who will head
President Clinton's re-elec-
tion campaign in Texas, said
Slagle's early departure
should ease the transition to
a new state party chairman.
Letters to the editor
/
■
Dear Editor:
The Industrial Process
Course developed through
the cooperation of Aker Gulf
Marine. DuPont. QxvChem.
Reynolds Metals, the School
Districts of Aransas Pass.
Gregory-Portland. Ingleslde
and Taft along with the San
Patricio County Economic
Development Corporation, is
a tremendous first step
towards educating our young
people to meet the demands
of local industry.
Through positive reinforce-
ment. we want the students
of San Patricio County to
know that the community is
very much interested In their
future. Once again, thank
you for the front page cover-
age of this important program
and the students who are
participating.
Sincerely,
Julie Msnson
Executive Director
8FCEDC
CMmu thanked for
helping to unlock truck
Dear Editor;
I Just wanted to tell the city
something nice to hear after
all that stuff about O.J.’s trial
and racial biases.
I was in a hurry to get a let-
ter postmarked before closing
by that very nice, cute lady
named Sue at the Post Office
when I accidently locked my
keys In my truck.
First, a nice young white
mother and child tried to help
me to no avail, then a young
black girl came but couldn't
get her arm In the window.
Then a mother (I guess) and
younger girl began to diligent-
ly work on unlocking the door
and did so quickly. They hap-
pily went on their way hear-
ing my thanks follow them.
What nice people who didn't
care that I was another race,
but that I needed help.
Speaking of O.J., I think the
Jury is to be praised for a
hard Job. and of course they
had a reasonable doubt after
what some of the police said
and did.
I'm sure glad our city sent
such nice policemen to help
me when my house was bro-
ken into about a month ago.
The police are still concerned
and always respond when my
family calls. Also, let's wel-
come back Deases.
Tours truly,
Eva Young
future at community
depends on
Dear Editor:
For over two and a half years
our company has tried dili-
gently to finalize the funding
on several very worthwhile
projects for Aransas Pass.
We have been to several
closings only to find that the
fluids were not available —
they were either unable to
ftdflll their commitment or
unforseen problems came to
the surface at the last
moment.
Tbs degree of difficulty in
and finding major
funds for projects in Aransas
Pass is one of the highest I
have every encountered.
Twelve or 14 different fun-
ders. out of 30 or so. have
sent their representatives
into the area to do their due
diligence review of the pro-
jects and area. The up shot of
their visits leaves one won-
dering what mental process is
at work in our area.
The majority stated the fol-
lowing: (1) The town is dirty
and run down. (2) The atti-
tude projected by a large
number of people spoken to
is *1 don't care if anything is
built or If Aransas Pass grows
or not." (0) Bankers projected
a negative attitude. (4) The
business community as a
whole presents a less than
successful image. (5) The eco-
nomic basis is far from ade-
quate to support serious
growth, especially in light of
their Inability' to address the
needs of the Navy base. They
do not have the service base
to handle even a 12 percent
to 15 percent growth profile.
(6) Suggestion: Do not invest
in the area until the commu-
nity demonstrates a genuine
Interest in upgrading the
business atmosphere,
become fiscally Involved In
the type of projects we are
reviewing and understand
that real growth is a total
community effort and not
Just the effort of outside
Investors.
I fully realize that this Is not
something we citizens of
Aransas Pass wish to hear or
face. But. all one has to do is
go to the local breakfast gath-
ering place In the morning, as
several visitors did. listen to
what is said and you will
understand the picture of
Aransas Pass being presented
and taken from the area.
Somewhere along the line
we need to recognize several
facts. In fact. Kay Wolf has
stated them many times, but
no one is listening.
(1) We have a truly beautiful
area, once you scrape off the
grime. (2) We have a year-
round climate that people In
other areas dream about. (3)
We have the nucleus of a
truly great area, one that will
draw people from all over the
U.S., from new business to
retirees. (4) We have one of
the last available water living
areas on the Gulf Coast. (5)
We possess the basis upon
which to grow, a basis that
95 percent of the nations'
communities do not. and
never will have. It is right in
front of us. Just beyond the
end of our nose, if we will just
see It and use It in a positive
manner.
Personally. I am very dis-
heartened by the reactions of
people coming in to look at
us. Although our city govern-
ment is putting forth a
valiant effort to project a new
linage, it is we who must pick
up the gauntlet and move for-
ward. If we sit back and wait
for others to do lt for us. it
Just won't get done or we will
lose control of our own des-
tiny. No matter what excuses
we use. it still will be our fault
and we must live with the
conditions WE allow to exist.
When a community- presents
a totally negative attitude, it
is contagious and very easily
read by others seeing us for
the first time. The other side
of the coin, a positive atti-
tude. is just as easy to see
and creates a totally positive
response. It is just habit and
nothing more, so we have to
change our habit of putting
everything in the negative.
I love our area. I believe In
our area. I believe in my fel-
low citizens and believe we
can have a great future, if we
all pull in the same direction.
It is not going to be a simple
task, but one not difficult, if
we all start pulling together
tn the same positive direc-
tion.
These statements are not
platitudes, but quotes and
facts, and clearly state that
what took place in the past
must not dictate what is to
take place in the future. We
are the future, what we say Is
the future, what we think and
project is the future — the
future must start now.
Regards.
R.C. Deal
Aranaas Paaa
Trustees on the right track
The Aransas Pass Independent School District board of trustees
on Monday made the right choice.
In a non-binding consensus, members supported the whole-
some, correct decision to allow the reinstatement of a
Baccalaureate (religious, giving thanks to God) service at Aransas
Pass graduations. That consensus has yet to become a reality, but
it should — and Mealy wiH -^- Hr'*-*"- - ^ t
Too many times have a very raucously vocal minority dictated to
society what we beiieve to be in error. Too many times we’ve been
convinced that religion, truth and faith are
wrong. We know better. We are a nation
founded on trust in God Freedom of reli-
gion has — too many times — been
replaced with freedom from religion.
We’ve allowed the name of God be
removed from almost ail but our currency
— the worst ommission coming in the edu-
cation of our children. State legislators this
summer took the first step in correcting that
mistake, and APISD trustees picked up the
gauntlet Monday.
They are to be commended. While being
careful not to circumvent current (and soon
to be past. I think) laws, board members took the high road toward
not only academic excellence, but to a stronger moral responsibil-
ity.
Religion and faith in our God should not be forced, but neither
should it be ignored. Students who choose not to participate ought
to be accommodated, but not at the cost of the overwhelming
majority.
Trustees aren’t mandating one religion, they’re giving students
who wish to thank God for their achievements a voice — one
that’s been mute far too long.
The vocal minority has had their say, and they’ve been proven
wrong. Our school board recognizes that, and they're taking a
leading role to correct that mistake.
Our school board was elected to represent us, and we ought to
have faith in their decision.
They did, after all, make the right choice.
JOHN LOWMAN
THE ARANSAS PASS PROGRESS
U.S.P.S. 028-900
Sobunption Rales San Paint n County. Cities ot Pori Aransas and Rockpon - Year
$22 40 Six months $14 00 Outside the above area $26 00 Six months $18 50 9
month student rale $19 50.
Publishers i G Richards and R.P. Richards
General Manager R P (Dick) Richards. Associate Editor John Cowman. Features Editor
Juliet k Wenger. Lifestyle Editor SaSy Richards; Stafl Wilier Mary McAdam
Advertising Manager Erin Richards: Advertisings Palsy DkJcn. Undy McCoy
Member Texas Press Association. South Texas Press Association. National Newspaper
Association
Any erroneous statement regarding corporations. Arms or individuals w« gladly be cor
reeled when called to the publisher's attention
The Aransas Para Progress (USPS) 028400 is publish ed weekly by Richards
Enterprises. Inc. 346 South Hourton Street. Arawiss Pom. Texas 78336. Second
Class Postage potd at Aransas Ns, Texas. Aw—Iw. Send oddre
The Aransas Pass Progress, P.0. Bra 2100, Armas Pan. Texas 78335.
O Letters to the editor are
telephone number. Afl letters i
be withheld on requel <
slble. Letters may be i
Progress. P.0. Boa 2100, i
(FAX) 758-5393.
WHMrs. Indude your name, address and
i the name af the witter may
I be brief, la gw point, and typed If poo-
ls: The Aransas Pass
178335. Telephone 512 758-5391
-tt- >•
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Cole, Mary. The Aransas Pass Progress (Aransas Pass, Tex.), Vol. 87, No. 32, Ed. 1 Wednesday, October 18, 1995, newspaper, October 18, 1995; Aransas Pass, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1171942/m1/2/: accessed July 13, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Ed & Hazel Richmond Public Library.