The Colony Leader (The Colony, Tex.), Vol. 6, No. 42, Ed. 1 Wednesday, September 9, 1987 Page: 4 of 28
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4A The Colony Leader, Wednesday, September 9, 1987
Leader Editorial
The Colony —
coming of age
No longer are we a step-child. It doesn’t
seem too very long ago when our mail came
through Lewisville, our phone service was out
of McKinney, and our phone listings were in
the Frisco phone book. It doesn’t seem too
long ago that we celebrated when we got a real
grocery store. That was a big deal at the time.
Later a McDonald’s made us feel like we were
"on the map.”
A year ago the new high school opened. Our
new high school. The Colony High School. It
already serves as a true rally point for the
town. A focal point for our community.
Now the new Municipal Complex has
opened. It is spacious. It is comfortable. It is a
symbol. We are now truly a city.
It encompasses city hall, the police depart-
ment, the library, and, at last, a recreation
center.
The complex is beautiful. There is a differ-
ence. As Judge Jeffrey Mosely put it right after
his tour, “there is a difference in ambiance.
There is, indeed. One almost feels compeled
to make an appointment to make an appoint-
ment. The folksy, homey setting is gone. City
Manager Bill Hall said that the new facilities
have led to a renewed enthusiasm, and an in-
creased sense of professionalism.
The atmosphere may have changed, but that
does not mean that everything has changed. It
is occupied by the same people we all dealt with
before. Perhaps a couple of weeks older, but
still the same people.
Our city, too, is unchanged from a week ago.
We had already become a city. The new Muni-
cipal Complex is our new clothes. It marks a
“rite of passage.” It does not change who we
are, but it does help define what we are.
The Colony is coming of age.
Random Thoughts
Buckle up. Take a deep breath. It’s time to get started
again. It’s fall. At least it’s September.
The time to get back in the swing of things is upon us.
Time to gear up the clubs, committees, and plan those
functions. In September a meeting can often seem like
old home week. Even functions that run year around,
like church, can seem like a reunion.
And . . . it’s time for football.
My son started playing football this year. It has been
an eye opener.
“Dad?” he said, right after one practice.
“Yes . . .”
“You know what I like? I like to play defense. I like to
line up just off the center ... and when they snap the ball
rush through the line and crush him.”
Crush him? Crush him? That from my eight-year old.
The little guy that still takes my hand when we cross the
parking lot of a shopping center and does the best Pee
Wee Herman I have ever heard wants to crush?
Must be the pads. Have to admit that 1 can’t help but
call him Bubba when he gets dressed out. He said he
doesn’t like it, but he won’t tell me what he would prefer.
I’m almost afraid to find out.
The big boys are playing, too. Isn’t it great? We’ve
heard several say that the high school serves as a ral-
lying point for the whole town. It’s true.
The Colony Leader will participate in the new Adopt-
a-School program by adopting The Colony High School.
This program was started this summer. We look for-
ward to making a contribution to the high school. Soon
we will be meeting with Principal Malcolm Dennis to see
how we can best make our contribution.
Football season is here, and win or lose we have a
focal point. We have a high school.
Now we may not need to use it for a while, but there is
a phrase that we need to practice for future use.
Repeat after me.
“How ’bout them Cougars?”
Jeffrey Ball is managing editor of The Colony Leader.
Nobody pays attention
to adjournment law
WASHINGTON (UPI) — When Congress was about
to begin its August recess, it first had to dispose of a
technical matter which, if left unattended, could have
prevented the lawmakers from returning.
In the view of some people, both in and out of
Washington, that might not be such a bad idea.
The almost year-round sessions of Congress that now
occur were not always the case. In fact, the legislative
reorganization act of 1946 declared that Congress would
adjourn for the year by the end of July, except in case of
war or unless otherwise provided.
In these days, however, Congress can usually can
keep busy well into October or November, so it is
necessary to waive that 1946 law each time Congress
prepares to take its month-long August break.
As a result, you can count on your representatives
and senators being back at their old stand Sept. 9.
But when the House passed the recess resolution July
29, there was some wistful discussion of the possibility
of sticking with the law, and calling it quits for the year.
“I have many constituents who think the country
would be better off if in fact we lived within the law,” said
Rep. Robert Walker, R-Pa.
Opinion
Look at MHMR facts,
reader urges trustees
To the Editor:
I am genuinely concerned about the
actions the Denton County Mental
Health and Mental Retardation Board of
Trustees is taking to remove Dr. Bob
Bradford, the Executive Director of the
Denton County Mental Health and Men-
tal Retardation Center.
I am concerned because, as I per-
ceive it, there is a very quiet character
assassination being directed toward Dr.
Bradford behind the security and anony-
mity of closed doors. What objective
investigation of fact has occurred to jus-
tify the actions being taken? Or is this a
result of the subjective accusations
made by some disgruntled ex-
employees? I hope the old saying, “The
squeaky wheel gets the grease” doesn’t
hold true in this instance. If so, could
this result in the board being so busy
“greasing the wheel” that they unwit-
tingly forfeit control of the future of De-
nton County MHMR Center to the
“squeaky wheel(s)” by sacrificing Dr.
Bradford?
What professional could want to re-
turn to the place from which he has
grown? What professional who genuine-
ly cares about the clients can justify the
price resulting from these actions? This
price will not be paid by the ex-
employees of Denton County MHMR
who seem to be seeking to destroy the
Center, nor by the board of trustees
who control it, but instead, by the
clients who so desperately rely on the
resources available only through De-
nton County MHMR.
I implore the Denton County MHMR
board of trustees to seek answers to
objective questions, and not rely naively
on subjective criticism. I cannot accept
that members of the board are uncaring
regarding the needs of those who suffer
from mental illness or mental retarda-
tion in Denton County. I do feel howev-
er, they are being manipulated by
“squeaky wheels” — by people who
may feel they can gain personally and
care little about the destruction they
leave in their wake.
What objective measurements can be
used to evaluate Dr. Bradford’s per-
formance? To name a few:
1. What are Dr. Bradford’s qualifica-
tions for the position he now holds?
Dr. Bradford, who received his Ed.D
from East Texas State University, is a
licensed psychologist. He has been in
community MHMR for nine years. He
has been the executive director of the
Denton County Mental Health and Men-
tal Retardation Center for four years.
Prior to employment in Denton County,
he was service director for four years in
South East Texas MHMR.
2. How many programs for the victims If the number and availability of prog-
of mental illness were in place prior to Dr. rams had not grown, if the number of
Bradford s employment? employees had not grown, if auditing
rive. Outpatient counseling, disclosed major deficits, I too would be
emergency services, one residential concerned about Dr. Bradford’s lead-
facility, aftercare (limited), and day ership.
treatment (limited).However, FACT does not substanti-
3. How many programs for the victims ate concerns regarding his administra-
of mental illness are currently available? tion of programs. His staff is highly qual-
Twelve. Outpatient counseling, ified. Three DCMHMRC employees
emergency services (expanded), two have recently been invited to Austin to
residential facilities, aftercare (ex- present professional papers and one has
panded), Psycho-Social club, psychiat- been invited to sit on an advisory com-
ric services, medication clinic, family mittee in Austin
support, respite, case management, This demonstrates to me, the quality
vocational, substance abuse. of his managerial skills in regard to staf-
4. How many programs for the victims fing. Concern about programs has been
of mental retardation were in place prior repeatedly mentioned to me by board
to Dr. Bradford’s employment? members. What FACTS do they have
One. MR Liaison. that substantiate those concerns?
~ hat was G PI
od video Bob.
vleTs 90 Cru ise )
, lo-y grounds.
WRANGLED
TH E
TOUCHED- "
8. What are some indications of cisions. Does the board have this kind of
growth/ courage? Of course, I readily acknow-
a. Prior to Dr. Bradford’s employ- ledge it’s always much easier to deny
ment, there were 20 employees. There error and continue blithly on in self
are currently 80 regular employees. righteous ignorance.
b. Prior to Dr. Bradford’s employ- I can only trust the board will display
ment, fees averaged $500 per month. the strength, knowledge and impartial-
Present fees average $10,000 per ity that they, as leaders in Denton Coun-
month. ty MHMR, are obligated to have.
c. Prior to Dr. Bradford’s employ-
ment, revenues came to about Lyle Long
$500,000. Present revenues are over Flower Mound
$3 million.
5. How many programs for the victims . Other answers which prove interest-
of mental retardation are currently avail- ing are:
able? 1. What is the relationship between the
Ten. MR Liaison, HCS (ICS) North, Benton County MHMR Center and
HCS South, pre vocational, sheltered Wichita Falls State Hosptial?
workshop, family support, respite, fos- I have a letter from R.M. Bruner, the
ter care, D&E, case management. administrator of Wichita Falls State
. Tre, Hospital, which states: “As requested,
& What are the results of external au- I'm pleased to state to you that the
S. , _ working relationship between Bob
Prior to Dr. Bradford's arrival there Bradford and staff at Wichita Falls State
was one DHS audit of the MR Liaison Hospital has been excellent "
program. There were regular financial 2. Whatts the relationship between the
audits. No major discrepancies were Denton County MHMR Center and De-
noted. oh . . nton State School?
C urrently DCM HMRC is audited I have contacted Dr. J erry Vincent by
regularly by KHS, TRC, TDMHMR, telephone. He states the working rela-
TCADA and the Child Licensing board. tionship between Dr. Bradford and staff
DCMHMRC has never been put on ven- at Denton State School is excellent,
dor hold, nor been under the threat of In conversation with board members
funds being withheld or withdrawn. and in open board meetings, no reason
DCMHMRC has never taken an ex- has ever been given for removing Dr.
ception on a financial audit. All prob- Bradford. This leads me to question if
lems have been corrected to a satisfac- the basis of this action is primarily poli-
tory level. tical. Oh, how I hope I'm wrong! What a
7. What are the results of internal au- trivial shallow motive if this is true!
dits? I beseech the board to review objec-
Prior to Dr. Bradford’s arrival, there tive data, to search out fact and not base
were no internal audits. this vitally important decision on the
Regular internal audits are currently apparent whims of some who may have
being done. These audits have found gained their attention.
some problems which have then been I fervently hope the board does not
addressed and corrected to a satisfac- continue with this travesty merely to
tory level. save face or because, as one board
The audits have been positive and member stated, “We have the power.”
helpful in detecting snags. Again, once It many times takes great courage to
these are identified, they are resolved, admit one’s mistakes, or premature de-
Practice fields need
cutting, cleaning up
To the Editor:
We attended our son’s first soccer
practice of the season on Wednesday
night at the practice fields on Miller and
Strickland.
I was upset to see the condition of
those fields. The cracks in the earth
were large enough that the kids were
tripping because their feet kept falling
into them; the weeds were so tall that it
was a chore for them to run through the
paces and to get the ball around the
field; and the fire ants were all over the
place.
The playing fields on Turner are final-
ly getting to a point that our city can be
proud of them. Now, can we see some
improvements on the practice fields?
Julia Warren
The Colony
Consideraton needed
along with new school
To the Editor:
Due to the recent middle school con-
troversy and the fact that I am a resident
of the area and live directly across from
Stewart’s Creek Elementary, I feel
compelled to make a few comments.
Six years ago, we (having no children
at the time) were told we would have a
lovely park across the street. We are
still waiting for the park but the school
was there a year or so later.
Now that I have children, I am looking
forward to the convenience of sending
them to school across the street but
until then, there are a few inconveni-
ences that one has to tolerate but can be
helped greatly by parents and police.
There are often loiterers at this
school and I am sure there will be more
when the middle school is done. Howev-
er, parents can minimize that by know-
ing where their teens are at night. And,
the police are just going to have to plan
on making more rounds by the schools
through the night.
Also, just because peoples’ homes S
are “on the way to school,” that doesn't S
give other residents the right to make :
“short cuts” through their yards. We's
work hard to keep a nice yard, just ass
you do, and the exercise used to walk to.
the end of the block won’t hurt you on’s
your children — not to mention that it's
will teach them to respect peoples prop-
erties. I would like to add that horn-
honking should be kept to a minimum as's
we also have children who nap, etc. S
Yes, The Colony needs the middle
school, but a little consideration for each’S
other as residents will go a long way . .
toward making everyone happier to liveSSS
here. §
Nancy Villecco
The Colony
Youth doesn’t like
arcade close to town
To the Editor:
I’m writing about Wrangler’s, the
adult video arcade that shows bad.
movies which leads people to do bad.
things like the men charged with inde-
cent exposure.
I go to church and I am a Christian. It
says in the Bible that God is not pleased-
with this kind of beha vior and I don’t like
Wrangler’s so close to my town.
Why can’t we open up a family skating
rink in The Colony instead of things likes
Wrangler’s video arcade?
Chris McCaslin, age 9
The Colony
Letters welcome
The Colony Leader solicits and en
courages you to voice your opinion on
matters of interest to you and other
readers through the letters to the editor.”
column.
Letters should be signed and includes
your address and telephone number.'
This is requested in case we have a
question or need to verify that the letter
came from you. Only your name and “
hometown will be published.
All letters to the editor are edited for
clarity, good taste and potential libel. N
Please address your letters to: Let-
ters to the Editor; The Colony Leader:
4916 Main Street (FM 423); Suite 150F
The Colony, Texas 75056.
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Ball, Jeffrey. The Colony Leader (The Colony, Tex.), Vol. 6, No. 42, Ed. 1 Wednesday, September 9, 1987, newspaper, September 9, 1987; The Colony, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1666513/m1/4/: accessed June 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting The Colony Public Library.