The Baytown Sun (Baytown, Tex.), Vol. 83, No. 278, Ed. 1 Sunday, September 5, 2004 Page: 4 of 20
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Opinion
Sunday,1
Arguing
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TODAY IN HISTOR
TODAY IN SUN HISTORY
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over pay
raises
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Today’s editorial was written by Wanda Garner
Cash, editor and publisher of The Baytown Sun, on
behalf of the newspaper's editorial board.
conference in San Francisco in the first
live, coast-to-coast television broadcast.
In 1957. Arkansas Gov. Orval Faubus
called out the National Guard to prevent
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held in Cairo, Egypt, vice President Al
Gore told NBC the United States was
. seeking a blueprint oh world population
growth that rejected abortion ds a family
planning tool and an international right.
In 2002, stockholders of Goose Creek Country
Club were about to vote on whether to dissolve the
charter of the 46-year-old club after two years of
decreased membership and a $250,000 shortfall in
revenue.
In 2003, after a week of early voting, Anahuac
school district officials said they were disappointed
in voter turnout in an election to approve $4.7 mil-
In 1944, a series of faculty meetings formally
opened the 1944-45 school session. Students were
expected to start school over the next few days.
In 1950, construction began on an office building
for the John M. Kilgore Materials Company at 2100
Market Street. The estimated cost was $10,000.
In 1975, hurricane-force winds of 85 mph blew
through Baytown. F 1
In 2000, the Baytown Evening Pilot Club raised
Ivy L Crawford
Baytown
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Wanda Gamer Cash,
Editor and Publisher
U.S.
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Boulevard, right in front of the
Baytown mosque! My point
here is that clearly, it is only the
feelings of Christians that need
The First Amendment
Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of
speech, or of the press; or the right of the people
peaceably to assemble, and to petition the
Government for a redress of grievances.
granite ode to Christianity right become Christian. This is a bla-
here in Baytown. For example,
we could have a lovely statue
that depicts the Crusades, and in (wholesale slaughter of
Muslims, lips and ears brought
back to Europe), the Inquisition
(burning of Jews and other
heretics), and, of course, the
murder of a whole mass of
Native Americans at the hands
of Columbus and later the con-
'one was
some. Just as many Christians forced at all. You either became
cious responses. Poised, lady-
like and tastefully dressed,
Laura Bush is the consum-
mate First Lady. 1 trust she
will continue to do her duty
in exemplary fashion and 1
" k......c~ r'~~-
Bush in November to help
make sure that she does.
Leslie Miller
Baytown
Reading a recent article ip
The Sun regarding police and
city workers asking Council for
raises, I was dismayed to read
the quote by Mayor Mundinger,
“It does pain me to see the fire-
fighters at market value and you
guys are not, and that’s because
of collective bargaining,” he
said. Statements like these do
nothing to enhance the mayor’s
reputation for integrity and dam-
ages firefighter efforts in the
bargaining process.
Let’s look at this a little closer.
First, firefighter pay is not at
market. When comparing cities,
it is important to note that our
firefighters work more hours
per week than those in other
cities. If we compare salaries on
an hourly basis, other cities’
firefighters earn more. I would
welcome more time off to bring
us in line.
Second, voters gave firefight-
ers the right to bargain. Since ...
then firefighter pay raises have
been the same or less than that
of other city of Baytown
employees each year. I have fre-
quently seen comments in the
paper where we can ask and
receive pay raises whenever we
want. This is understandable
I coming from the public or other
Let us hear from you
The Baytown Sun welcomes letters of up to 300 words and
- guest columns of up to 500 words on any item of public inter-
est. Guest columns should include a photograph of the writer.
We publish only original material addressed to The Baytown Sun
bearing the writer’s'signature. An address and phone number
. not for publication should be included. We ask that submis-
sions be limited to one per month. All letters and guest
columns are subject to editing. The Sun reserves the right to
refuse to publish any submission.
“ Please send signed letters to: Wanda Garner Cash or David
Bloom, The Baytown Sun, P.O. Box 90, Baytown, 77522. Or, fax
them to: 281-427-1880. Or send us an e-mail at sunnews@bay-
L townsun.com.
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HGntolnn feun
Founded 1922
| Davtd Bloom,
| Managing Editor
Fred Hartman, Publisher Emeritus
1950-1974
three are gathered in my name,
so there am I.” What exactly is
it of which you are all afraid?
Of course, io reclify this
problem of a distinct lack of
God (apparently) in our com-
munity, we could erect our own
Our editorial board
The Baytown Sun's editorial board meets weekly at 2 p.m.
Wednesday. Individuals are encouraged to visit the editorial
board to discuss issues affecting the community. To make an
appointment, contact Managing Editor David Bloom by calling
281-422-8302.
Members of the editorial board include. Wanda Garner Cash,
editor and publisher; David Bloom, managing editor; Joseph
Lohan, city editor; Dee Anne Navarre, business manager; Jim
Finley, retired Sun managing editor; and Jane Howard Lee,
retired Sun reporter.
1 have been reading the raging
debate regarding church, state,
the separation thereof, who is
going to Hell, who needs to
read the Bible, ad nauseum. It
has come to a point just short of
“how many heretics does it take
to remove a granite Ten
Commandments from the court-
house?” I have to say, it appears
that there are those in this com-
munity who are not very secure
in their faith.
Speaking as a lifelong
Christian, 1 have to say that 1
have not been adversely affected
by not having a specific time to
pray at school or by the ending
of public prayer at the football
games. Particularly at the
games, 1 always felt that it was
more of a ritual. The Lord’s
Prayer, said as fast as humanly
possible, followed by the bel-
lowing cries of football fans
never seemed terribly sacred to
me. It is possible that I am over-
sensitive, but “Amen” followed
by “Now, beat them into the
dirt!” just was not something
that seemed overly reverent. At
school, I prayed (silently) when
as a lady then, will she
behave better as the wife of
the leader of the free world?
No! She’s the very antithe-
sis of a first lady. Watching
the parade of inter-
views last night at the ;
Republican National /
Convention, I was
charmed by First
Lady Laura Bush’s ,
intelligent and gra- i L
Mr. 1 lerschel Williams stated need to rethink how we go
about practicing our faith. God
lives in everyone’s heart; He
does not need a stone monu-
ment to be God. The sooner we
figure that out, the better off
we’ll be.
a
Today is Saturday, Sept. 4, the 248th
day of 2004. There are 118 days left in the High School in Little Rock.
In 1957, Ford Motor Co. began selling
its ill-fated Edsel.
In 1967, Michigan Gov. George
Romney told a TV interview he’d under-
gone a “brainwashing” by U.S. officials
dyjinga 1965 visit to Vietnam acom-
ment that apparently damaged Romney’s
bid for the Republican presidential nomi- money for the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy
nation. ' telethon. 1
In 1971, an Alaska Airlines jet crashed
neat' Juneau, killing 111 people. r
In 1984, Canada’s. Progressive 1
Conservatives, led by Brian Mulroney,
won a landslide victory in general.elec-
________. 1„L7—-- ..„ne
In 1944, during World War II, British 1 Ministpij John NJ Turner,
troops entered Antwerp. Belgium.
In 1951, President Truman addressed
the nation from the Japanese pepce treaty
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Media policy
Not talking to reporters allows
trustees to shirk accountability
FTT here’s little doubt the Goose Creek school
■ board has a monumental responsibility. An
JL essential part of that is the responsibility to
guarantee access and accountability to the people
who pay the bills. |
But the school board’s intention to divide taxpay-
ers into separate categories of media or public sub-
verts that accountability. Answering questions is part
of a trustee’s job, regardless of who poses the ques-
tion, housewife, captain of industry or reporter.
Effective governance requires transparency.
Anything less reinforces the unfortunate perception
that government is always trying to put something
over on us. And while elected officials may squirm
when it comes to discussing policy matters of the
taxpaying body they govern, refusing to comment
only delays the inevitable and creates a suspicious
public.
At issue here is the Goose Creek school district
proposal to set guidelines for how board members
should respond to media inquiries.
Basically, the policy recommends trustees refer all
questions to paid staff. It warns trustees to avoid
reporters before and after board action, to march in
lock-step with fellow board members and refrain
from expressing individual opinions that may differ
from the majority.
The proposal seems to impose a de facto gag
order, effectively muzzling elected representatives
from explaining their position to the voters who
elected them. Board members were quick to say,
however, that they welcome questions and feedback
from the public and arc always caget to hear from
constituents. What the trustees don’t seem to under-
stand is that although those constituents may have
deep concerns about what’s happening in the school
district, they also have jobs and families and obliga-
tions that limit their participation.
That’s why those pesky but essential newspaper
reporters should not be segregated from “the pub-
lic.” They are the eyes and ears for the absent pub-
lic, seeking answers and explanations that help
inform the electorate.
Last week, a trustee said the school board was
> “supposed to be the advocate for the district, not the
sounding board for it.” We respectfully disagree on
both counts. A school board is supposed to be the
advocate and sounding board for its constituents:
students, parents, teachers, taxpayers.
That’s the job they signed up for and we’re grate-
ful to every one of those public-spirited citizens for
the long hours and hard work they put in on our
behalf. We offer sincere encouragement and support
for their efforts, along with a gentle reminder of
their pledge to represent the public interest, media
included.
HtfEKlYOFTHE
So-
| L^city workers who are not knowl-
edgeable in the matter. It is not
understandable when coming
from the mayor. Third, one of
the main reasons firefighters
fought for collective bargaining
was that the city decided to
break pay parity between police
and firefighters. They did this
by comparing the pay received
with a list of market cities. The
problem arose because they
used a different list of cities for
the firefighters than they used
for the police. This is like the
old phrase, comparing apples to
oranges. Why different cities?
The ahswer is simple: firefight-
er pay in our market cities was
much lower. When this was first
instituted, police received much
larger raises than the firefight-
ers. It is also interesting to note
that the city uses a third list
when comparing salaries for city
management. Do I really need
to explain why they have their
own special list of market cities?
I too am pained that the police
pay is not at market value. They
earn and deserve everything
they get and more. Their job, to
be sure, is a very dangerous one,
and becomes more dangerous
and complicated each day. I
honor their service and dedica-
tion. I only wish that the mayor
and Council would feel the
same about firefighters. Quit
blaming problems on collective
bargaining and four-man
staffing. It really is getting old.
Michael Ryan
Highlands
Laura a lady-like First Lady
One of the many reasons
why 1 will not be voting for
Sen. John Kerry is his tem-
pestuous wife, Teresa Heinz
Kerry. Her defenders claim
she is bold-spirited. 1 protest
this choice of words. Eleanor will be voting for George W.
Roosevelt was bold-spirited,
Mrs. Kerry is vulgar and
I vituperative.
Has anyone noticed her
disappearance from the
media following the shame-
ful “shove it” debacle? I
imagine Kerry’s spin-doc-
tors found this tempest dif-
ficult to contain so have
her lying low. If she was
unable to conduct herself ,
‘God doesn’t need monument’
year.
Today’s Highlight in History:
On Sept. 4. 1781, Los Angeles was
founded by Spanish settlers. "I
On this date:
In 1888, Geoige Eastman received a
patent for his roll-film camera, ajid regis-
tered his trademark. Kodak.
In 1893, English author Beatrix Potter -
first told the story of Peter Rabbit in the
form of a “picture letter" to Noel Moore,
the son of Potter’s former governess
In 1917, the American expeditionary
force in France suffered its first fatalities
in World War I. I tions over the Liberal Party of Prim
10.1/1 /liirinn \Ur»rl,l \U..r II DwlLA I K Ikl,.. KI 1T. '
Ten years ago: On the eve of a U.N.- _____s „_______
sponsored conference on population bbing lion in bonds. The district kvas asking voters to
held in Cairo, Egypt. Vice President Al approve security improvements at Anahuac High
School and Anahuac Elementary School, a new
library at Anahuac Middle School, other renovations
and upgrades and renovations to the district^ athlet-
ic facilities. | > ’ ' ■ ■
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1
I felt the need to do so, and was
never bothered by anyone, stu-
dent or administrator.
In this same vein, 1 hardly
think that the downfall of civi- ivvi
lization or Christianity is goipg we could set it up on Hutto
to be caused by not having the
Ten Commandments, the Bible,
or a life sized depiction of the
Place of the Skull in front of a
courthouse. Do you all not have to be considered, according to quistaddrs? No, no ,
more taith in God than that?
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God is going to do whatever He would feel uncomfortable, and a Christian, Or you died,
wants, whenever He wants, and some even threatened, by a sym- Apparently, some of our for-
no monument is going to bol of another religion being bears missed the part about
change that. I his is the same thrust in their face? people of “Thou shaft not murder.” I_ .
Fhis is not to say that
some even t
bol of another religion being
thrust in their face? people of
God that said, “Wherever two or other religions likely do not
enjoy having to see the symbol Christianity in itself is wrong,
of the local dominant religion but I do think that we, as people
thrust in theirs. (fallen people, remember that),
|V-*7 i i _____i. .1 urii:
in his letter that' the Christians
went forth to teach all nations
and did not force anyone to
tant falsehood. May 1 remind
Mr. Williams of the Crusades
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Cash, Wanda Garner. The Baytown Sun (Baytown, Tex.), Vol. 83, No. 278, Ed. 1 Sunday, September 5, 2004, newspaper, September 5, 2004; Baytown, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1185502/m1/4/?rotate=270: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Sterling Municipal Library.