Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor,
Where are the video cameras when you need them?
On a recent Sunday evening, I was on Seventh Street behind Ace Hardware, and was going to turn left to the highway. I was diverted by a big brown pelican calmly walking across Seventh Street to the vacant lot at Henderson and Seventh streets.
I knew something had to be wrong for this pelican to be walking in a residential area. Several children from a nearby birthday party were gathering around to see the big bird. Two men also came running out telling me to stay back from the pelican or I could get hurt.
This is how I met the Dominguez family, and they are some really nice folks with kind hearts. We followed the pelican trying to figure out what was wrong with him. Then I saw something that looked like a knife or a fork stuck in the pelican's left wing.
We cornered the pelican, and then the older man, Daniel Dominguez, grabbed the bird by the beak and held him while we examined him. We then saw the problem: a six-inch fishing lure with treble hooks on each end. One end was stuck in the wing and the other in its chest area. Andy Dominguez then used a pocketknife to cut feathers from the end caught in the wing.
The bird was so calm, it was as though he knew we were helping him.
Then A. Dominguez worked on the flesh of the bird's breast area where the other end of the lure was stuck. He carefully cut a little at a time, as the bird only fought a little one time.
Once that was done, it appeared the bird was in shock, so we decided he needed to get to the water. D. Dominguez grabbed up the large bird, got into the back seat of my car with the pelican, and down to the water we went.
We turned the pelican loose in the water, and he kind of fluttered for a moment, I think he was still in shock, then off he went, swimming across the water as though nothing had ever happened.
During all this, I actually touched and petted the pelican, as I will probably never get another chance. Just watching that big guy swim off in the water brought tears to my eyes. What an amazing experience and what a wonderful way to meet good neighbors, the Dominguez family.
I thank them for being animal lovers as I am, and helping to save the pelican's life. What a thrill.
Diana Megginson
Dear Editor,
I am writing in regard to the current situation involving high school football coach Stuart Burleson. It is common knowledge several parents think it is in the best interest of the team for Burleson to be replaced. I say this is one of the biggest mistakes ACISD Superintendent Wayne Johnson could make.
My brother is a sophomore at RFHS and is a hard-working athlete and scholar. Burleson has encouraged him both athletically and academically, challenging him to be the best at what he chooses to do and supporting his efforts.
I think it is important for the people of Rockport, the parents, students, and supporters of RFHS to remember “Rome was not built in one day.” Burleson has not even been given two full years to build a football team and program which will help talented players to become their best and to be noticed. You cannot expect to bring in a brand new coach and have a perfect season immediately. It takes time and effort, both of which Burleson is committed to giving. It also takes dedication from the team. With so much dissension and slander toward Burleson from parents, the students are losing respect for a great coach and not putting forth the effort it takes to become a great team.
I have heard first-hand of parents threatening to move their kids to another school. I say, good for you and good luck. You can look at past examples of parents who have done the same and see where their kids have ended up. Yank your kid in and out of schools and change coaches like you're changing your clothes, and you will see no good of it. In the past parents moved their kids to Calallen because of its great athletic program and winning tradition. Here's some news for you, Danaher has been at Calallen for 20-plus years. Winning teams take time and dedication.
In order for Rockport to be a winning team, it is going to take work on the part of Burleson and his staff, the athletes, students and the parents. We are blessed to have a coach who cares as much as he does about each individual athlete and I believe if given a chance, Burleson will build the foundation for a great football program here in Rockport, and in turn a football team and athletes we can be proud of.
Every parent at RFHS wants to see his or her son succeed and the only way this is going to happen is if this community works together for the good of the school and the football team as a whole, instead of saying “my son this, my son that.” The team is made up of young men who are dedicated to the sport they love. It is won by the group as a whole, not just one man. A touchdown pass is caught by the receiver, thrown by the quarterback who is protected by the linemen. Coach Burleson knows this, and if he is allowed to build a team and not just a few individuals who are talented, then the entire football team will shine.
Katie Lynch
Where are the video cameras when you need them?
On a recent Sunday evening, I was on Seventh Street behind Ace Hardware, and was going to turn left to the highway. I was diverted by a big brown pelican calmly walking across Seventh Street to the vacant lot at Henderson and Seventh streets.
I knew something had to be wrong for this pelican to be walking in a residential area. Several children from a nearby birthday party were gathering around to see the big bird. Two men also came running out telling me to stay back from the pelican or I could get hurt.
This is how I met the Dominguez family, and they are some really nice folks with kind hearts. We followed the pelican trying to figure out what was wrong with him. Then I saw something that looked like a knife or a fork stuck in the pelican's left wing.
We cornered the pelican, and then the older man, Daniel Dominguez, grabbed the bird by the beak and held him while we examined him. We then saw the problem: a six-inch fishing lure with treble hooks on each end. One end was stuck in the wing and the other in its chest area. Andy Dominguez then used a pocketknife to cut feathers from the end caught in the wing.
The bird was so calm, it was as though he knew we were helping him.
Then A. Dominguez worked on the flesh of the bird's breast area where the other end of the lure was stuck. He carefully cut a little at a time, as the bird only fought a little one time.
Once that was done, it appeared the bird was in shock, so we decided he needed to get to the water. D. Dominguez grabbed up the large bird, got into the back seat of my car with the pelican, and down to the water we went.
We turned the pelican loose in the water, and he kind of fluttered for a moment, I think he was still in shock, then off he went, swimming across the water as though nothing had ever happened.
During all this, I actually touched and petted the pelican, as I will probably never get another chance. Just watching that big guy swim off in the water brought tears to my eyes. What an amazing experience and what a wonderful way to meet good neighbors, the Dominguez family.
I thank them for being animal lovers as I am, and helping to save the pelican's life. What a thrill.
Diana Megginson
Dear Editor,
I am writing in regard to the current situation involving high school football coach Stuart Burleson. It is common knowledge several parents think it is in the best interest of the team for Burleson to be replaced. I say this is one of the biggest mistakes ACISD Superintendent Wayne Johnson could make.
My brother is a sophomore at RFHS and is a hard-working athlete and scholar. Burleson has encouraged him both athletically and academically, challenging him to be the best at what he chooses to do and supporting his efforts.
I think it is important for the people of Rockport, the parents, students, and supporters of RFHS to remember “Rome was not built in one day.” Burleson has not even been given two full years to build a football team and program which will help talented players to become their best and to be noticed. You cannot expect to bring in a brand new coach and have a perfect season immediately. It takes time and effort, both of which Burleson is committed to giving. It also takes dedication from the team. With so much dissension and slander toward Burleson from parents, the students are losing respect for a great coach and not putting forth the effort it takes to become a great team.
I have heard first-hand of parents threatening to move their kids to another school. I say, good for you and good luck. You can look at past examples of parents who have done the same and see where their kids have ended up. Yank your kid in and out of schools and change coaches like you're changing your clothes, and you will see no good of it. In the past parents moved their kids to Calallen because of its great athletic program and winning tradition. Here's some news for you, Danaher has been at Calallen for 20-plus years. Winning teams take time and dedication.
In order for Rockport to be a winning team, it is going to take work on the part of Burleson and his staff, the athletes, students and the parents. We are blessed to have a coach who cares as much as he does about each individual athlete and I believe if given a chance, Burleson will build the foundation for a great football program here in Rockport, and in turn a football team and athletes we can be proud of.
Every parent at RFHS wants to see his or her son succeed and the only way this is going to happen is if this community works together for the good of the school and the football team as a whole, instead of saying “my son this, my son that.” The team is made up of young men who are dedicated to the sport they love. It is won by the group as a whole, not just one man. A touchdown pass is caught by the receiver, thrown by the quarterback who is protected by the linemen. Coach Burleson knows this, and if he is allowed to build a team and not just a few individuals who are talented, then the entire football team will shine.
Katie Lynch
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of rockportpilot.com.
Submit a Comment
We encourage your feedback and dialog, all comments will be reviewed by our Web staff before appearing on the Web site.
