Editor’s Note: Because election day in Southlake occurs the day after the next edition of the Southlake Journal, our current edition, May 2, is the last in which we will print election-related letters.
Civil Service
Dear Editor:
Southlake citizens face a major decision this election regarding a state version of civil service for our police and fire departments. It has been noted that this question has become divisive in our community. Regrettably, that is a correct observation, as a few people on both sides have allowed their emotions to overwhelm their common sense. So I thought I would try to introduce a note of pragmatic thinking into the debate.
I will vote against this proposal, and urge others to do so, as well. My opposition is not meant as a criticism of our police and fire personnel, and I’m not against the concept of improved personnel policies; I would even volunteer my time to writing improved policies and procedures that would address the concerns of some of our officers. After this election is over, our mayor and City Council should give careful consideration to the appointment of a commission to examine all our personnel policies. We could even call our improved policies a civil service system, if that would make our officers happier.
Section 143 was created by the same body of misfits and buffoons that foisted upon us the Robin Hood system of school finance. My word to the citizens of Southlake is to ignore the political rhetoric and read the statute yourselves. I believe you will agree with me and vote against civil service. But if you conclude that you favor the matter, so be it, but make your decision from a position of knowledge.
— Richard L. Sandow,
Treasurer, Southlake Citizens for Good Local Government, Southlake
Dear Editor:
I am very disappointed that the Southlake City Council opposes the adoption of civil service in the upcoming referendum. I believe this is not only unwise, but unethical. As elected officials of this city, they are the same group that has been in charge while all the problems within the Department of Public Safety have occurred. What have they done to help stabilize the situation and create a positive work environment for Southlake’s police officers and firefighters? The answer seems to be “nothing.”
However, the council is apparently quite capable of action when our public servants go to residents and ask for help. Their response has been to use fear tactics to scare Southlake residents into believing that taxes will go up and that unions will run our city if voters adopt civil service. This is not true. Ms. Edmondson’s column last week highlighted the points of the statute showing that the passage of Chapter 143 does not allow the creation of unions or open the door to collaborative or collective bargaining.
Civil service will not take away local control. It will establish a stable work environment in which our firefighters and police officers can serve our community professionally. Civil service will eliminate cronyism and remove the type of political pressure that interferes with the way firefighters and police officers do their jobs. Read Local Government Code 143. The facts are there.
I urge all Southlake residents to vote for civil service. Southlake’s public safety officers are counting on you.
—Jack Luna, Treasurer,
Southlake Citizens for Professional Fire and Police, Southlake
The Candidates
Dear Editor:
Over four years ago my family relocated to Southlake from Atlanta and like any relocation it was a challenging experience. The first person we met was Suzanne Maisto who worked tirelessly as a professional Realtor to assist us in the process.
We actually considered surrounding areas that were convenient to our places of employment, but upon Suzanne’s recommendation [insistence], we settled in Southlake. She did not sell us a house, but sold us on the concept of Southlake as a community. Her passion for and knowledge of Southlake was rather unique. In fact, our purchase of the home was just “incidental” to our positive experience with Suzanne.
After our relocation was complete, Suzanne kept in constant touch with us regarding matters affecting the community. She testified before the City Council on issues involving undesirable high density housing, has worked to keep our kids safe as a founding member of SPARK, supported a balance of commercial and residential growth helping to enhance the tax base while protecting our quality of life and supported recreational development pushing for more and improved parks. She will also be a valuable asset as we go forward with natural gas exploration in Southlake.
Suzanne is not a politician, but a strong advocate for our community willing to roll up her sleeves and fight for our collective interests. As such, Suzanne Maisto earns my vote for Southlake City Council Place 6.
— David Helms,
Southlake
Dear Editor:
I am a Vietnam-era Army combat medic veteran, and I know what hero means, specifically someone who willingly puts his life at risk, so that another may live. In July 2006, my wife Jamie desperately needed a kidney transplant in order to live. The University of Maryland Medical Center was willing to perform the risky operation, whereas, no hospital in Texas would, because of a concomitant blood disorder.
In an answer to many prayers, a total stranger responded to donate his kidney; even more incredible, he was a perfect blood and tissue match. But as a back-up, Pamela Muller accompanied us to Baltimore, ready to step up should plans with the stranger go awry. No major surgical procedure is 100 percent risk free; there is a chance of complications and death for the donor, be it the stranger, or be it Pamela. We were very touched that they would willingly risk their lives. The stranger and Pamela are heroes. Today, Jamie is alive, and our ninth-grader has his mommy.
I encourage you to look at Pamela Muller [www.pamelamuller.com], and vote for her for Southlake City Council Place 6. To continue to make Southlake a great city to live in involves making tough decisions, and for us, Pamela has the guts to do so. Pamela loves Southlake dearly, and is ready to dedicate her life to Southlake.
— Jesse Cadiz,
Southlake
History Debate
Dear Editor:
I wish to thank Mr. Williams for his candid response [“Let’s not waste our time...”], concerning efforts the city should take to discover and preserve Southlake’s history. For too many years I have remained silent while a small, dedicated group of volunteers has preserved our history. Mr. Williams has spurred me to express my gratitude to the Southlake Historical Society.
Thanks to SHS’ efforts, I have been able to learn much about our city’s past in a fun and enlightening way. Writings about businesses, schools, churches, leaders and ordinary citizens from our past as well as oral histories and the log cabin project are but a few of the undertakings of this wonderful organization.
While I appreciate that comments such as Mr. Williams’ reflect a conservative attitude of minimalism for city endeavors, the callous, flippant response gives me pause for concern. It makes me question whether he adequately appreciates the symbiotic relationship the city shares with multiple citizen groups. Groups such as SHS, BJNC, FOSL, SWC, and a multitude of others work with city leadership to help make Southlake what it is today.
Please take the time someday to visit the SHS Web site, southlakehistory.org, and the library where much of our history is available that otherwise would have been lost. Please take the time to care about our past as we look toward the future. And please take the time to vote, and when you, do be mindful of Mr. Williams’ response.
— C.D. Peebles,
Southlake
Dear Editor:
The preservation of Southlake’s history is incredibly important. We need to preserve, protect and defend the beauty and charm of this wonderful community. It is too bad Ralph Williams thinks there are other much more important issues such as “development.” I will be too busy with more important issues than to vote for Ralph Williams. I will be looking for someone who can intelligently plan this community and preserve its heritage.
Ralph Williams is an idiot! There I said it.
— Jack Beuttell,
Southlake
Dear Editor:
I appreciate the history of our community as much as anyone. I also believe that Southlake residents have every right to campaign for or against whomever they please.
However, I do not consider it appropriate for them to do so in the name of the Southlake Historical Society, as if to say that the society as a whole is endorsing a certain candidate regardless of his or her position concerning the preservation of the history of the City of Southlake.
— Merrill Stacy,
Southlake