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Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor:
This letter is about the everlasting faith of Mother Teresa.
In the Sept. 3, 2007 issue of TIME magazine, the lead article was about Mother Teresa's long expectation of another epiphany manifestation of Jesus the Christ. She apparently had experienced such before the beginning of her immortal ministry to the outcasts, the sick and the street people of Calcutta. As a result of this spiritual encounter, she then devoted the rest of her life to the care of the downtrodden souls she found in her path.
Now years after her death, TIME editors publish her “secret” confessions about her long “dry period” without further epiphany encounters and then seem to question her faith. The face of her 50-year ministry is in itself a manifestation of her faith. The fact she questioned her faith in Jesus is simply further proof of her faith. All Christians during the rough periods of their life tend to question their faith. That is why it is called faith. As pointed out in her article in TIME, even Jesus questioned his own faith while hanging on the cross.
St. Paul must have had many days when he wondered about the depth of his commitment because of the many trials and tribulations throughout his life after his encounter with Jesus on his trip to Damascus to persecute followers of Jesus. This, undoubtly, is true of many, if not all, of the saintly Christians throughout history. The fact they stayed the course as did Mother Teresa is a showing of faith in Jesus, not a questioning of His divinity.
I feel certain many an atheist will cite the agony of Mother Teresa as proof of a reason for their unbelief. Just the opposite is true. The fact she continued on in her ministry with her indomitable spirit and courage is the best showing of the truth of Christ. Jesus spoke to her at the beginning and she was thereafter doing the worldly work of Jesus as have all Christian saints. The fact she sought an even closer relationship with Jesus is simply further proof of her devotion not a denial of her faith.
Charles Porter
Dear Editor:
In a Letter to the Editor published Saturday, Sept. 8, Jesse Johnson, an international trade analyst with the U.S. Labor Department, attempted to offer the residents of Rockport an economics lesson. This would have been nice had it been a correct analysis.
I wrote a letter the week before complaining of the gasoline price gouging which took place during the time when hurricane Dean was approaching this area. I explained every time I go to Austin or San Antonio, the gas prices there are always 10 to 20 cents a gallon higher than Rockport. During Dean however, the gas prices in Austin were 10 cents a gallon lower than Rockport. Johnson stated the reason the gas prices were higher was due to supply and demand.
I took economics in college as well Johnson, and had the reason for the gas hike been supply and demand, the gas prices in Austin would have been higher as well. The fact the oil drilling platforms in the Gulf were closed means the prices should increase or decrease equally in all areas of the U.S. under the rules of economics.
Mr. Johnson, a gouge is a gouge. 15 cents or 50 cents. You are probably right legally we can not charge these people with price gouging (I don't know as I am not a lawyer), but I do believe the price hike was due to the anticipated evacuation of this area. Obviously, the demand would increase because people would have to get out of the area. What I am saying is the gas station owners were trying to take advantage of and unduly profit from the residents of this area in a time of a potential disaster.
The fact the gas stations would have been damaged during the hurricane is a reason for raising prices is ludicrous as well. All of the stations have insurance, but many of the residents of this area cannot afford insurance and would have lost a lot more than the gas station owners.
The reason we have elected officials prosecute our laws is for the protection awarded to us by the laws. Individual citizens do not have any power to stop this type of immoral activity. We have no choice but to do business with them. It is amazing how almost every gas station in this town has exactly the same price for gas. I know there is a law concerning price fixing, but it is hard to prove. The government is the only power we can turn to protect our interest. We need governmental officials who look for solutions to the problems, not people who look for excuses not to do anything about them.
Rick Kimmons
Dear Editor:
Again there is government interference in operating a business. Simply because the Rockport City Council and police department don't like the crime statistics, they are going to pass a law to tell you how you can run your business and then fine you and your employees if you do not comply. I am referring to gas drive-offs. I do not have the time or patience to stand in line twice, once to give the cashier money to hold, because I always fill my tank, and a second time to get my change. I guess I will have to start buying my gas outside the city limits.
Barbara Wooten
Dear Editor:
This for the responses to my letter, and the refusal to believe politicians good (are not any) or bad have nothing to do with the issue of changing the bus schedule, which I am sure was determined in some way, shape or form, by budgetary restraints due to wasted tax dollars and wasted officials. I leave you with the great words of Ben Franklin about the greed of government at all levels.
“...There will always be a party for giving more to the rulers, that the rulers may be able in return to give more to them. Hence as all history informs us, there has been in every state and kingdom a constant kind of warfare between the governing and governed: the one striving to obtain more for its support, and the other to pay less. And this has alone occasioned great convulsions, actual civil wars, ending either in dethroning of the princes, or enslaving of the people. Generally indeed the ruling power carries its point, the revenues of princes constantly increasing, and we see that they are never satisfied, but always in want of more.”
This was by Franklin, in a letter to the Federal Constitutional Convention, as recorded by James Madison on June 2, 1787.
And also, keep in mind, any parent who leaves their four-, five-, and six-year-olds on the dark streets at 6 a.m. might want to seek help.
Jeff McMurray
Dear Editor:
In reference to your Sept. 12, 2007 editorial, let me state I agree with your observation the vote by the ACND on downtown drainage was “stupid.” Your quote, “water drains to the bay period,” and “Rockport harbor water is not ready for drinking,” are two facts that did make the decision easier for two ACND commissioners, (Precinct 1 and at-large). We voted “for” the city's additional drainage plans. We have a responsibility to the downtown merchants and these two commissioners voted with that in mind.
The public should be aware all ACND meetings are open and I encourage all residents to attend the ACND bimonthly meetings. The next one is Sept. 17 at 9 a.m. Come and judge for yourselves the work and sometimes difficult decisions the ACND commissioners must make. The only way to know exactly what's going on, and who's voting for what is to attend and participate.
We have had a major difference of opinion within the ACND commissioners for the last two years about how to best serve the district and community. I hope the upcoming election on Nov. 5, 2007 will solve this problem.
Please do not include me in your ACND “stupidity” group.
Merlin Hartdegen, Precinct 1-1A commissioner
Dear Editor:
In reference to your editorial on Sept. 12, please note I take exception to your statement. It is unfortunate you did not contact the Aransas County Navigation District (ACND) for the facts concerning the drainage discharge by the City of Rockport into the Rockport harbor which caused your article to not be true and factual.
The ACND only learned in June of this year about the City's plans to install a new 48-inch drain into the harbor. We requested a City official make a presentation and explain what the City wanted to do and furnish us with the plans and engineering drawing of concern. After additional requests, we finally received a presentation from an official in August at which time we again requested the plans, engineering drawing and the City's master flood drainage plans. At the same time we tabled any action until we could have a joint meeting with officials and staff of the City and ACND. No drawings or any plans were given to us and no joint meeting was held.
This week we noticed the City's contractor unloading equipment and materials on ACND property and on another owner's property, at a location different from where the 48-inch drain was proposed to be installed. We learned the City was going to install a 3x5-foot box culvert at this new and second location, including breaking through the ACND's harbor bulkhead. Again City officials had not made any presentation to us, had not furnished us any plans or engineering drawings, and had not sought our approval of this additional project.
This caused us to call a special meeting Monday, Sept. 10, to discuss and determine the action with the City projects. Prior to that meeting we again requested from the City the plans and engineering drawings as well as the master flood plans for drainage, but did not receive them. At the special meeting City representatives said they gave our engineering firm the plans and engineering drawings and specifications of the City's projects. During our special meeting our engineering firm was contacted and a representative said the documents had not been received. When this was pointed out, the City representatives couldn't recall the name of the person they had contacted. We did finally get City officials to agree to a meeting.
First, no government agency has the legal right to invade anyone's property for the installation of new infrastructure without seeking permission of the property owner or legal remedies. Since these guidelines were not followed, the activity of the City was and is illegal. A representative of the City said they had the verbal approval of our previous harbormaster, who has since passed away. We seriously doubt this as the harbormaster does not have the authority to approve such a project which must come before the ACND board.
You stated there are only two drains into the Rockport Harbor. It appears you were misled as were we because there are actually seven drains into the harbor at this time, not counting these new proposals. These drains do major ecological damage to the marine life in the harbor. The Parks and Wildlife Department management and biologists have recommended we do not permit any additional drains into the harbor and try to reduce the numbers currently in place. They also advise we are creating a cesspool in the harbor and eventually the marine life will be destroyed.
It appears the flooding of downtown Austin Street is caused by the City's drainage plan and is exacerbated by the increase in the elevation of the street over the years. This is not the responsibility of the ACND. Among several areas of responsibilities one of our concerns is with the quality of the water in Rockport harbor. Our same concerns are for Cove Harbor in which we are having an engineering study being made about the control of water runoff. We know of no plans or studies the City has in regard to controlling the storm water runoff.
We at the ACND and the City both know there are other ways to drain the flood waters from downtown which would include other streets and areas and not just Austin Street. There is no question with alternative plans the drainage problem could be significantly reduced and the discharge of harmful outflows of storm water into the harbor could be reduced and controlled. However, without adequate studies of the effects or the alternatives, the City has plans to add even more and larger drains into the harbor over the next two years, which will only increase the problems we are faced with today.
Finally, we did have a meeting with representatives of the ACND and the City Tuesday, Sept. 11 at which time we were able to discuss the master drainage plan and the plans for the City's proposals for the two new drains. The meeting was productive and we were working on a solution before your adverse column was published. As I said before, if you had at least called the ACND office, you would have received the true and factual information necessary and there would be no need for the inappropriate use of derogatory terms in describing the ACND commissioners.
Sincerely, Charles LeBlanc, ACND chairman
This letter is about the everlasting faith of Mother Teresa.
In the Sept. 3, 2007 issue of TIME magazine, the lead article was about Mother Teresa's long expectation of another epiphany manifestation of Jesus the Christ. She apparently had experienced such before the beginning of her immortal ministry to the outcasts, the sick and the street people of Calcutta. As a result of this spiritual encounter, she then devoted the rest of her life to the care of the downtrodden souls she found in her path.
Now years after her death, TIME editors publish her “secret” confessions about her long “dry period” without further epiphany encounters and then seem to question her faith. The face of her 50-year ministry is in itself a manifestation of her faith. The fact she questioned her faith in Jesus is simply further proof of her faith. All Christians during the rough periods of their life tend to question their faith. That is why it is called faith. As pointed out in her article in TIME, even Jesus questioned his own faith while hanging on the cross.
St. Paul must have had many days when he wondered about the depth of his commitment because of the many trials and tribulations throughout his life after his encounter with Jesus on his trip to Damascus to persecute followers of Jesus. This, undoubtly, is true of many, if not all, of the saintly Christians throughout history. The fact they stayed the course as did Mother Teresa is a showing of faith in Jesus, not a questioning of His divinity.
I feel certain many an atheist will cite the agony of Mother Teresa as proof of a reason for their unbelief. Just the opposite is true. The fact she continued on in her ministry with her indomitable spirit and courage is the best showing of the truth of Christ. Jesus spoke to her at the beginning and she was thereafter doing the worldly work of Jesus as have all Christian saints. The fact she sought an even closer relationship with Jesus is simply further proof of her devotion not a denial of her faith.
Charles Porter
Dear Editor:
In a Letter to the Editor published Saturday, Sept. 8, Jesse Johnson, an international trade analyst with the U.S. Labor Department, attempted to offer the residents of Rockport an economics lesson. This would have been nice had it been a correct analysis.
I wrote a letter the week before complaining of the gasoline price gouging which took place during the time when hurricane Dean was approaching this area. I explained every time I go to Austin or San Antonio, the gas prices there are always 10 to 20 cents a gallon higher than Rockport. During Dean however, the gas prices in Austin were 10 cents a gallon lower than Rockport. Johnson stated the reason the gas prices were higher was due to supply and demand.
I took economics in college as well Johnson, and had the reason for the gas hike been supply and demand, the gas prices in Austin would have been higher as well. The fact the oil drilling platforms in the Gulf were closed means the prices should increase or decrease equally in all areas of the U.S. under the rules of economics.
Mr. Johnson, a gouge is a gouge. 15 cents or 50 cents. You are probably right legally we can not charge these people with price gouging (I don't know as I am not a lawyer), but I do believe the price hike was due to the anticipated evacuation of this area. Obviously, the demand would increase because people would have to get out of the area. What I am saying is the gas station owners were trying to take advantage of and unduly profit from the residents of this area in a time of a potential disaster.
The fact the gas stations would have been damaged during the hurricane is a reason for raising prices is ludicrous as well. All of the stations have insurance, but many of the residents of this area cannot afford insurance and would have lost a lot more than the gas station owners.
The reason we have elected officials prosecute our laws is for the protection awarded to us by the laws. Individual citizens do not have any power to stop this type of immoral activity. We have no choice but to do business with them. It is amazing how almost every gas station in this town has exactly the same price for gas. I know there is a law concerning price fixing, but it is hard to prove. The government is the only power we can turn to protect our interest. We need governmental officials who look for solutions to the problems, not people who look for excuses not to do anything about them.
Rick Kimmons
Dear Editor:
Again there is government interference in operating a business. Simply because the Rockport City Council and police department don't like the crime statistics, they are going to pass a law to tell you how you can run your business and then fine you and your employees if you do not comply. I am referring to gas drive-offs. I do not have the time or patience to stand in line twice, once to give the cashier money to hold, because I always fill my tank, and a second time to get my change. I guess I will have to start buying my gas outside the city limits.
Barbara Wooten
Dear Editor:
This for the responses to my letter, and the refusal to believe politicians good (are not any) or bad have nothing to do with the issue of changing the bus schedule, which I am sure was determined in some way, shape or form, by budgetary restraints due to wasted tax dollars and wasted officials. I leave you with the great words of Ben Franklin about the greed of government at all levels.
“...There will always be a party for giving more to the rulers, that the rulers may be able in return to give more to them. Hence as all history informs us, there has been in every state and kingdom a constant kind of warfare between the governing and governed: the one striving to obtain more for its support, and the other to pay less. And this has alone occasioned great convulsions, actual civil wars, ending either in dethroning of the princes, or enslaving of the people. Generally indeed the ruling power carries its point, the revenues of princes constantly increasing, and we see that they are never satisfied, but always in want of more.”
This was by Franklin, in a letter to the Federal Constitutional Convention, as recorded by James Madison on June 2, 1787.
And also, keep in mind, any parent who leaves their four-, five-, and six-year-olds on the dark streets at 6 a.m. might want to seek help.
Jeff McMurray
Dear Editor:
In reference to your Sept. 12, 2007 editorial, let me state I agree with your observation the vote by the ACND on downtown drainage was “stupid.” Your quote, “water drains to the bay period,” and “Rockport harbor water is not ready for drinking,” are two facts that did make the decision easier for two ACND commissioners, (Precinct 1 and at-large). We voted “for” the city's additional drainage plans. We have a responsibility to the downtown merchants and these two commissioners voted with that in mind.
The public should be aware all ACND meetings are open and I encourage all residents to attend the ACND bimonthly meetings. The next one is Sept. 17 at 9 a.m. Come and judge for yourselves the work and sometimes difficult decisions the ACND commissioners must make. The only way to know exactly what's going on, and who's voting for what is to attend and participate.
We have had a major difference of opinion within the ACND commissioners for the last two years about how to best serve the district and community. I hope the upcoming election on Nov. 5, 2007 will solve this problem.
Please do not include me in your ACND “stupidity” group.
Merlin Hartdegen, Precinct 1-1A commissioner
Dear Editor:
In reference to your editorial on Sept. 12, please note I take exception to your statement. It is unfortunate you did not contact the Aransas County Navigation District (ACND) for the facts concerning the drainage discharge by the City of Rockport into the Rockport harbor which caused your article to not be true and factual.
The ACND only learned in June of this year about the City's plans to install a new 48-inch drain into the harbor. We requested a City official make a presentation and explain what the City wanted to do and furnish us with the plans and engineering drawing of concern. After additional requests, we finally received a presentation from an official in August at which time we again requested the plans, engineering drawing and the City's master flood drainage plans. At the same time we tabled any action until we could have a joint meeting with officials and staff of the City and ACND. No drawings or any plans were given to us and no joint meeting was held.
This week we noticed the City's contractor unloading equipment and materials on ACND property and on another owner's property, at a location different from where the 48-inch drain was proposed to be installed. We learned the City was going to install a 3x5-foot box culvert at this new and second location, including breaking through the ACND's harbor bulkhead. Again City officials had not made any presentation to us, had not furnished us any plans or engineering drawings, and had not sought our approval of this additional project.
This caused us to call a special meeting Monday, Sept. 10, to discuss and determine the action with the City projects. Prior to that meeting we again requested from the City the plans and engineering drawings as well as the master flood plans for drainage, but did not receive them. At the special meeting City representatives said they gave our engineering firm the plans and engineering drawings and specifications of the City's projects. During our special meeting our engineering firm was contacted and a representative said the documents had not been received. When this was pointed out, the City representatives couldn't recall the name of the person they had contacted. We did finally get City officials to agree to a meeting.
First, no government agency has the legal right to invade anyone's property for the installation of new infrastructure without seeking permission of the property owner or legal remedies. Since these guidelines were not followed, the activity of the City was and is illegal. A representative of the City said they had the verbal approval of our previous harbormaster, who has since passed away. We seriously doubt this as the harbormaster does not have the authority to approve such a project which must come before the ACND board.
You stated there are only two drains into the Rockport Harbor. It appears you were misled as were we because there are actually seven drains into the harbor at this time, not counting these new proposals. These drains do major ecological damage to the marine life in the harbor. The Parks and Wildlife Department management and biologists have recommended we do not permit any additional drains into the harbor and try to reduce the numbers currently in place. They also advise we are creating a cesspool in the harbor and eventually the marine life will be destroyed.
It appears the flooding of downtown Austin Street is caused by the City's drainage plan and is exacerbated by the increase in the elevation of the street over the years. This is not the responsibility of the ACND. Among several areas of responsibilities one of our concerns is with the quality of the water in Rockport harbor. Our same concerns are for Cove Harbor in which we are having an engineering study being made about the control of water runoff. We know of no plans or studies the City has in regard to controlling the storm water runoff.
We at the ACND and the City both know there are other ways to drain the flood waters from downtown which would include other streets and areas and not just Austin Street. There is no question with alternative plans the drainage problem could be significantly reduced and the discharge of harmful outflows of storm water into the harbor could be reduced and controlled. However, without adequate studies of the effects or the alternatives, the City has plans to add even more and larger drains into the harbor over the next two years, which will only increase the problems we are faced with today.
Finally, we did have a meeting with representatives of the ACND and the City Tuesday, Sept. 11 at which time we were able to discuss the master drainage plan and the plans for the City's proposals for the two new drains. The meeting was productive and we were working on a solution before your adverse column was published. As I said before, if you had at least called the ACND office, you would have received the true and factual information necessary and there would be no need for the inappropriate use of derogatory terms in describing the ACND commissioners.
Sincerely, Charles LeBlanc, ACND chairman
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