Burleson Star (Burleson, Tex.), Vol. 19, No. 32, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 2, 1984 Page: 3 of 26
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Editorials, Opinions
Burleson Star, Thursday, February 2, 1984-3A
The Burleson Star Poll
Anything to stop
drunk drivers
By TERRY M. EVANS
The state legislature had
two opportunities last year to
pass an open container law
that would prohibit drivers
and passengers of motor ve-
hicles from posessing open
containers of alcohol. When
the lawmakers failed to pass
the legislation, certain local
governments began drawing
up their own ordinances to
nurture a decline in the num-
ber of cases of driving while
intoxicated. State Attorney
General Jim Mattox subse-
quently informed city gov-
ernments that it is outside
their authority to regulate
the possession of alcohol,
which open container or-
dinances would evidently do
The City of Arlington has,
it believes, overcome this
restriction to its ordinance-
creating abilities by passing
an ordinance that will go into
effect tomorrow (Friday).
The new ordinance states
that no person shall consume
an alcoholic beverage while
in or upon a motor vehicle.
Arlington police will, there-
fore, be able to cite people
they find actually drinking
alcohol while either in a
moving vehicle or merely
sitting in or on a parked ve-
hicle in public places.
The Burleson Police De-
partment has seen such
merit in this ordinance that
they have submitted a sim-
ilar one to the city council
for consideration at the Feb.
9 meeting. “This ordinance
is almost identical to the
Arlington ordinance and we
have asked that it be put on
the agenda for the next coun-'
cil meeting,’’ said Sgt. Jack
Phillips of the BPD. “It will
regulate the consumption
rather than the posession of
alcohol and we’ll be able to
observe how it works in Arl-
ington before the council
takes action on it.”
The Arlington ordinance
provides for fines not to ex-
ceed $200 for each case of
consuming alcohol in or on a
motor vehicle. The definition
of consumption appears to be
dinance, but a few had con-
cerns that the law would
punish the majority for the
infractions of a few.
Grade Passon, of Turner/
Passon Cartage, was one
with mixed feelings on the
ordinance. “My opinion is
split on this,” she said.
“Most people will have one
or two beers without being
out of control of their vehicle
and it would not be fair to
deny them that privilege.
However, this ordinance
would protect us against
drunk drivers as much as
any city can right now and 1
am definately against people
being drunk and driving.”
Wm
WANDA ROOD
the major hurdle to be over-
come. As it was interpreted
by Roy Abies, Arlington po-
lice chief, an officer would
have to witness a driver or
passenger of a moving ve-
hicle, or a person in or on a
vehicle parked in a public
place actually drinking an
alcoholic beverage for the
law to apply.
lems with the ordinance
“We would have some prob-
lems with this ordinance be-
cause there will always be
those people who will say
that just because they are
drinking does not mean they
are drunk,” she said. “How
can we establish whether
they are too drunk to drive or
not? The bottom line is
DWI’s need to be stopped.”
Danny Wither, a machin-
ist, said that the ordinance
would not hurt anyone and
would stop some of the adol-
escents from drinking in
their cars. “The way it is in
Oklahoma, there is a $50 to
$200 fine for having an open
container of alcohol in your
car,” he said. “It would be
better for the whole state to
have a law dealing with this,
but if the state won’t do it
then it’s okay for the cities to
do what they can. There’s
already an ordinance a-
gainst drinking in the parks
and it’s just kids being kids
when they drink in their
cars, but we need something
to make the parents get in-
volved in stopping it.”
Barney Taylor, a carpen-
ter was strongly opposed to
the ordinance, “That’s a
bunch of noise,” he said “If
I care to drink a beer while
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Taylor did allow that peo-
ple should not drink while
driving “1 don’t like DWI’s,
but I don't want any laws
infringing on my right to
consume alcohol in a sen-
sible manner,” he said. “I
would support tougher laws
dealing with DWI’s. You can
see if a driver is too drunk to
drive by the way in which he
operates his car.”
Kathleen Maines, a real-
tor, was all for the ordi-
nance “That would be mar-
velous,” she said. “I’ve no-
ticed kids in parking lots and
I,eltcr to editor
outside the skating rink
drinking beer This would
not be focused on adults as
much as the kids and that’s
were we need the focus One
almost ran over me on John
son just a couple of days ago
and I felt like calling the
police Then I felt ashamed
to get him into trouble .’’
Keith Gilbert, an eighth
grade coach, was highly in
favor of the ordinance "Bur
leson should adopt this law
for a fact,” he said "If
people want to drink, they
should stay home to do it
There are too many people
being killed by DWI’s ”
Gilbert also speculated on
the effect the law would
have "It would depend on
the amount of enforcement
as to how effective it would
be,” he said “The situation
is a lot worse now than when
I first started teaching in
Burleson five years ago I
live in Arlington still and 1
know there will be a great
effect on that situation be-
cause the Arlington police
will enforce it strongly "
Norman Fisher, retired.
wasn't sure how bad the
problem was with drunk dri
vers in Burleson, but did
support the ordinance "If
drunk driving is a problem
here we need to do some
thing about it." he said "We
need to do anything we can to
stop it People need to realize
that there are places to drink
and places they shouldn't
drink This should start in
the homes with parents edu
eating their children not to
be drinking and driving "
Sports writer too critical
Bl KI.FSON NT\H
(l SP-II797K1H
Second-Class Postage paid at
Burleson, Texas 7602k
BARNEY TAYLOR
The Iturlmon Slur I’oll
took the question of whether
such an ordinance should be
adopted in Burleson to area
residents leaving the post of-
fice. Of eight people inter-
viewed, only one said he did
not approve of such an or-
KEITH GILBERT
Carolyn Bledsue agreed
with the idea and theory of
the ordinance, but was con-
cerned about overregulation
of average citizens “I don’t
approve of so many rules
and an overregulated
world,” she said. “I think it
would create more problems
than it would solve. The ma-
jority should not have to pay
for the actions of the DWI’s.”
Contrary to the thinking of
the previous respondents,
Wanda Rood, an accountant,
said Burleson needs this or-
dinance to crack down on the
number of DWI’s. “There
are just too many deaths due
to drunk drivers.” she said.
“Anything a city can do to
overcome this suthation
should be done.”
Rood did see some prob-
NORMAN FISHER
leaning on a car, I'll doit. We
go to the lake and lean on
everybody’s cars to drink.
Nobody should be able to tell
me where I can’t drink "
I am almost 100% sure I speak for all
Burleson atheletes whether past, pre-
sent or future I graduated from Burle-
son High School in 1983 I earned a
varsity letter in two sports, was a
member of the National Honor Society,
and was in Who’s Who I have put up
with the incompetence of your Stewart
Applin for the last two years and
truthfully I am very sick of him I have
never written a letter to you, but after
reading his article (Trojans top Elks,
Jan 26> I decided to write this letter As
for being a "Sports Writer," he should
join Bobby Wygant and criticize
movies, since criticism is all we ever
hear from him. In these past 2 years 1
cannot remember one, not even ONE,
kind or appreciative word about the
Burleson ^thletes The only apprecia-
tive words written in your paper were
not from any of your writers, but from
the high school’s very own. Mr Charles
Boardman. Thank you, Mr Boardman!
Your, and I emphasize YOUR, Mr
Applin can do nothing but criticize the
athletes in Burleson Even this year,
when our Elks won two football games
he still talked of sloppy play and gave
everyone the impression that they were
very lucky to win I wonder if he has
ever had the chance to feel what it is
like to go through three and four hours
of grueling practice every day for a
game on Friday night, go to the game
and give it everything you have for 48
minutes and then have to take the abase
of his column on top of the defeat Also,
was he ever lucky enough to play base-
ball with a coach who cares'1 We were
at the school by 6:30 every morn
ing practicing baseball and then every
daylrom 2:30 until dark we practiced
more for 31.- months and then we still
took the abuse and cut downs of his
columns week after week after week
Did he ever go through any of this” 1
DOUBT IT! or else he would be report
ing in a different manner on our games.
I doubt "very seriously Mr Applin
appreciates this letter, but 1 hope he
now knows what it is like to be criticized
for his efforts Other people have writ-
ten about your Mr Applin and their
letters never saw print, so I doubt this
one will either! But at least grant me
the wish that your "Sports Writer ” Mr
Stewart Applin reads this letter
Trey Wells
Burleson
Sue Hutson
Chuck Hutson
James Moody
Board Chairman
Publisher
Editor
j Subscription Price 112.95 Per year
! In Johnson And Tarrant Counties
' Other Areas Of Texas. 115.95
Outside Texas. 116.95
The Burleson Star is an indepen
dent newspaper published twice
weekly on Monday and Thrudac in
the interest of Burleson and adja
cent areas by Burleson Publishing
Company. Inc.. 319 V Burleson
Bled Burleson. Tx . 7602X. Any er-
roneous reflection on any indieidual
or firm will be corrected if brought
i to the attention of the editor Ad
dress all correspondence to the
Editor. Burleson Star. P C) Drawer
909 Burleson. Texas 7602k
-7*r-
TEXAS PRESS
ASSOCIATION
TOPS 4 Teen TOPS 6 30 p m
Briaroaks City Council 7 30 p m
Adult Learning Center 4 GED Classes
a m — 12 noon 6 30 8 30 p m
A A 4 Alanon 0pm
Girls Basketball vs Lamar |T) 6 4 7 30 p m
8th Grade Parent Orientation at BHS 4 30 9 00
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
FEBRUARY
. .X \
Johnson Co Commissioners Court 9am
Burleson School Board 7 30 p m
TOPS 4 Tepn TOPS 6 30 p m
Adult Learning Center 4 GED classes
a hi 1 2 noon 6 30 8 30 p m
AA 4 Alanon 8pm
VOC Employer Employee Banquet 6 8pm
Story Time Library 10 30 11 00 a m
Omega Delta Sorority 7 30 pm
Xt Nu Mu Sorority 8pm
SPEAK UP1 7 p m
Alcoholics Anonymous 8pm
9th Grade Boys Basketball vs Nickels Jr Hi iT)
4 30 p m
Boys Basketball vs Lamar i T) 6 4 7 30 p m
Story Time Library 10 30 11 am
Bass Club 7 30 p m
Zeta Theta Sorority 8pm
Pro Family Forum 8pm
Burleson 4 H Club 7pm
Alcoholics Anonymous 8pm
9th Grade Boys Basketball vs Young Jr Hi (T)
4 30 p m
Boys Basketball vs L D Bell (T) 6 4 7 30 p m
TOPS 4 Teen TOPS 6 30pm
Burleson Band Boosters 8pm
Adult Learning Center 4 GED classes 10
a m 1 2 noon 6 30 8 30 p m
AA 4 Alanon 8pm
Story Time Library 10 30 11 am
Mound PTO 7 30 p m
Omega Delta Sorority 7 30 p m
Xi Nu Mu Sorority 8pm
Burleson Assoc ot Gifted 4 Talented 7pm
Alcoholics Anonymous 8pm
Wednesday
Johnson Co Commissioners Court 9am
Ministerial Alliance 11 15 am
Adult Learning Center 4 GED classes
am 12 noon 6 30 8 30 p m
Alcoholics Anonymous 1 p m
Steppmystone Youth Bible Study 7 30 p m
Burleson Garden Club 10am
Lions Club 1 2 noon
Adult Learning Center 4 GED
am 12 noon 6 30 8 30 p m
Steppmgstone Youth Bible Study
Alcoholics Anonymous 1 p m
Burleson Library Board 7pm
Burleson Arts 4 Cra'ls Guild 7pm
Adult Learning Center 4 GED classes 10
am 12 noon 6 JO 8 30 p m
Steppinqstone Youth Bible Study 7 30 pm
Nakiva Camp Fire Leaders 9am
Alcoholics Anonymous 1 p m
J “ HUGULEY HOSPITAL
i 1
II
Thursday
9th Grade Boys Basketball vs HuR-hew Jf h.
(Ti 4 30 pm
Girls Basketball vs Richland <H, 6 4 ' iu pm
Burleson Chamber Banquet 7 30 p rr
Steppmgstone Youth Encounter 7 R [ m
Alcoholics Anonymous 8pm
Burleson Newcomers Club 9 It
Burleson City Council 7pm
Steppmgstone Youth Encounter
Alcoholics Anonymous 8pm
Girls Basketball vs Martin (Hi 6
Friday
Saturday
Rotary Club ' a
Boys Bask^'tial’ .
Si.qipi' jC j*-' --
HASKEW 4 GAMBLE
109 W Ellison 295-1161
7Own 4 C 'inn'. .
Rotary Club ’ i
Boys Baskefbah
Ijjfc GUARDIAN TITLE COMPANY
ISS 200 N.W Ellison 295-1 131
Steppmgstone Youth Encounter
Alcoholics Anonymous 8pm
11801 South Freeway
293-9110
Central T?.* Appraisal 7 30 p m
lions Club 1 2 noon
Adult Learning Center 4 GED classes
am 12 noon 6 10 8 30 p m
Steppmgstone Youth Bible Study 7 30 p m
Alcoholics Anon/nous 1 p m
20-23 SIX WEEKS TEST* AT bH S
Burleson City Council 7 p m
Steppmgstone Youth Encounter 7 30 p n
Alcoholics Anonymous 8pm
Rotary CM'
Boys Ba-
Business 4 Professional Women s Club 7pm
Story Time Library 10 30 11 am
American Legion No 549 4 Ladies Au* 7 30
P m
rj’et,. Theta Sorority 8pm
All ohohes Anonymous 8pm
All Six ids Banquet BHS Gym 7 p rrt
HILLEY S PHARMACY
215 N E. Wilshire 295-1125
CORONA SOUTH PLUMBING & ELECTRICAL
813-A N. Burleson Blvd. 295-2253
29
Adult Learning Center 4 GED classes 10
am 12 noon 6 30 8 30 p m
.Steppmgstone Youth Bible Study 7 30 p m
Alcoholics Anonymous 1 p m
vjry j.g. w Art t Arru«ncc ohlco a ocnvicc
246 S.W. Wilshire in Basden Plaza 295-1725
18
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Moody, James. Burleson Star (Burleson, Tex.), Vol. 19, No. 32, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 2, 1984, newspaper, February 2, 1984; Burleson, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth760644/m1/3/: accessed July 6, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Burleson Public Library.