Boerne Star & Hill Country Recorder (Boerne, Tex.), Vol. 98, No. 69, Ed. 1 Friday, October 8, 2004 Page: 4 of 40
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PAGE 4A
The BOERNE Star & Hill Country Recorder
Friday, October 8, 2004
Boerne Star Editorials
iewp oint
Diplomacy should prevail
in new administration
The most recent Commissioners Court regular meeting not only re-
minded Kendall County of the tension between the sheriff’s depart-
ment and the court, but also how long it takes, if ever, for wounds to
heal.
The history between the court and Sheriff Henry Hodge’s adminis-
tration has grown continually worse throughout the year. One could
argue it began to rear its ugly head during this year’s county elections,
which included a rather ugly race between the sheriff and not his fel-
low contestants, but some members of the court itself.
Ranging from accusations from commissioners court of using coun-
ty money to purchase campaign materials to Hodge publicly alleging
on his Web site that he felt he was receiving unfair treatment from
commissioners court, the battle which was intended to stay between
the sheriff and candidates, crossed over the line, smearing the bound-
aries and perhaps reputations of not only Hodge but members of the
court.
Hodge lost to Sheriff-elect Roger Duncan, however, it seems as if he
wasn’t the only loser in this political race. With just a few months left
in Hodge’s term, the county has endured both petty and not so petty
disagreements, accusations and just plain animosity between the court
and the sheriff’s department throughout 2004 - many of these spats
taking place on the county dime with your hard-earned taxpayer
money.
Although the blame can’t necessarily be pinned on one party or the
other, it is evident the problems continue between the departments.
We can only hope that this problem will either be eliminated or, when
a problem arises, diplomatically resolved when the county’s new
sheriff begins his term early next year.
Still in a lather over Rather
It has been a few weeks, but
media folks are still buzzing
about the reporting - or in this
case - the misreporting of CBS
anchor Dan Rather.
point?
A recent poll
found that
over 50 per-
cent of
As far as I can see, Rather’s people
mistake came down to one of veyed
the
sur-
said
YOU DIDN'T ASK BUT... timately,
their misdeed
hurts every-
two factors or maybe a combi- that Rather
nation of both. Either he wanted made an hon-
to get the scoop on the competi- est mistake in
tion and rushed the story and/or reporting that President Bush
he’s a liberal that was more than received preferential treatment
happy to run a story that would in order to get into the Texas Air
hurt the conservative president. National Guard.
Add to the mix that there was Maybe, but the problem with
contact between people at CBS airing the story was that two in-
and the Kerry campaign and that dependent experts both said
makes things even more inter- they could not verify that the
esting. document in question was au-
Whatever the reason, the dam- thentic. Also, family members
age has been done to the credi- of the person who reportedly
bility of CBS. First year journal- wrote the memo said they could
ism students learn that it takes a not vouch for its authenticity ei-
long time to gain your reader’s ther.
trust, but only an instant to lose So whether it was an honest
it. Once you have no credibility mistake or not, CBS showed bad
as a reporter, then what’s the judgment in airing the story. Ul-
AND THEN THE LAWYERS G0T INVOLVED..,1
Kerry Barboza body in the
media re-
ACTING- .
MANAGING gardless if
MANAGING the medium
EDITOR is print, tele-
vision or
radio. The
media has received enough
black eyes lately with folks like
Jayson Blair of the New York
Times getting fired for making
up stories and we didn’t need to
take another punch.
As a community paper, the
Boerne Star mostly covers the
lighter side of life in Kendall
County, but every once in a
while we report on hard-hitting,
unpleasant stories like a murder,
an assault or a suicide. And I
have no doubt that all the re-
porters here follow the neces-
sary steps in making sure we get
the facts correct.
Maybe Rather can survive this
controversy, only time will tell.
In the meantime, my advice to
him is get the story right ... oh,
and one last thing Dan -
Courage.
So long Clay
We here at the Boerne Star
wish former Managing Editor
Clay Morgan the best as he
leaves us to take on a new job as
a publisher at another paper
within our company. I know that
I can speak for everybody on
staff and say that it was a plea-
sure to work with Clay. He was
a hard worker and really im-
proved the quality of our paper,
however, I’m still sore at him
for not giving me the raise I
asked for. A search is on for
Clay’s replacement, but in the
meantime, continue sending
vital community information to:
news@boernestar.com
Good luck, Clay.
1
Write us a letter ...
The Boerne Star welcomes letters on any public issue.
Letters may be mailed, faxed, e-mailed or hand-deliv-
ered but must contain the writer's name, address and
phone number.
Addresses and telephone numbers are for verification
purposes only and will not be published.
Names and city of residence will be published.
We reserve the right to edit all letters for style and
content and refuse letters that would be objectionable to
readers. We also will not publish anonymous letters.
Priority will be given to letters concerning local top-
ics and written by people who’ve not published a letter
in the last 30 days.
Call 249-2441 with questions regarding the submis-
sion of letters to the editor for publication.
Letter to the Editor
PO Box 820
Boerne, TX 78006 s
news@boernestar.com
WE MUST VERIFY
THAT THE SIZE OF
YOUR HAIR DOESN'T
EXCEED THE
SPECIFIED
LIMITs
MAN I REMINP
You, SIR, THAT YAWNING
16 STRICTLY PROHIBITED,
IT 16, THEREFORE,
ADVISABLE THAT You
SIMPLY HOLD OUR
BREATH.
Voy JUST GLANCE
AT YOUR OFFICIALLY
- SANCTIONED INDEX
CARD. YoV HAVE ONE
GLANCE REMAINING.
You ARE,
HOWEVER,
ALLOWED TO
BLINK VP TO A
TOTAL OF TEN TIMES
PER ANSWER PERIOD.
A SQUINT COUNTS AS
TWO BL/NKS.
Worth Quoting ...
"We make a living by what
we get, we make a life by
what we give."
Winston Churchill
Bible Verse ...
"But if the wicked turn from
his wickedness, and do that
which is lawful and right, he
shall live thereby."
Ezekiel 33:19
Blending
is better
I am writing regarding the en-
trance of the new Wood Ridge
Estates subdivision on FM 1621
between IH-10 and Waring.
Every time I drive by this en-
trance, one word comes to mind:
EYESORE! Not only is it a
brightly painted tower located
right on the road, but there is
also a large bunch of purple
grapes hanging in the top of the
tower. When I say large, I mean
about 6 feet tall. I believe the de-
rangued by wild beasts other
than the normal human preda-
tors!
Maybe these folks aren't very
worldly yet.
place the proposition on the No-
vember ballot. This bond elec-
tion can seed the land acquisition
fund, which can then leverage
other funds from Texas Parks
Boerne
'HE Boerne Star
WWW.boernestar.com
EDITOR & PUBLISHER
Brian Cartwright
EDITORIAL
Acting Managing Editor Kerry Barboza
Sports Editor
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Paginator
Typesetter
Kerry Barboza
Theresa Lucio
Jessica Sanders
Kitt Brenner
Molly Meckel
Marketing Director
Sales
Sales
Sales
ADVERTISING
PRODUCTION
Graphic Design Rachel Wiseman
BOOKKEEPING
Subscriptions
CIRCULATION
Frank Shubert
Anita Anderson
Ellen Bankston
Kolleen Roe
Dana Smith
DISTRIBUTION
Circulation Manager Stephen Bartell
Reserve Driver Bob Clark
Office Manager Sandra Pfeiffer
Contributing Photographers
Amy Anderson, Brandon Cheek
Contributing Writers and Columnists
Mary Alice Yelverton, Dr. John Kelly, The Doctor, Natalie Morgan, Jan Wrede,
Anita Porterfield, Pamela Painter, Vera D’Spain, Paula White, JoAnn Power, Ken
Nietenhoefer, Dr. James Dobson, Bill King, Jim McCormick, Ellen Damstra,
Regina Alexander, Tom Harris, Tom Lanier, Jim Pendley, Kathy Senkbeil, Ron
Warden, Bill Ward, Peary Perry, and Oscar Garcia.
MEMBER OF Texas Press Association, National Newspaper Association, South Texas Press
Association, Texas Gulf Coast Press Association
TEA s
TEXAS PRESS
ASSOCIATION
282 N. MAIN • (UPS 059-740)
P.O. Box 820 • 830-249-2441 FAX 830-249-4607
THE BOERNE STAR is published twice weekly for $35 per year in Kendall
County, $42 elsewhere in Texas and $50 per year outside of Texas by The Boerne Star, 282 N. Main,
Boerne, Kendall County, TX. 78006. Periodical postage paid at Boerne, TX. POSTMASTER: Send
changes of address to THE BOERNE STAR, P.O. Box 820. Boerne, Texas 78006-0820.
The Boerne Star welcomes letters on any public issue. Letters may be mailed, faxed, e-
mailed or hand-delivered but must contain the writer’s name, address and phone number. Let-
ters should not exceed 300 words. Addresses and telephone numbers are for verification pur-
poses only and will not be published. Names and city of residence will be published. We reserve
the right to edit all letters for style and content.
Times
are
and Wildlife, private founda-
tions, non-profit organizations, harIG
and private donors. Public sur- cngy
veys show that Texans favor
parks where hiking, swimming, Times are really changing here
fishing, picnicking, biking, and in the Hill Country. Now it
wildlife watching are possible, seems that a service bought and
Kendall County is home to an paid for can be terminated for
abundance of natural treasures, whatever reason even after years
and the time for preserving some of service. Although I have been
of them appears to be now. a subscriber of GSInternet for
With Kendall County about many years, all of a sudden I was
. . 0 ™ 1,000 acres below minimum told I could no longer use the
veloper is trying to go for a high- County for our Magic Show, open space reauirements accord- service I had been paving for be-
Many donated their tickets so open Space requirement service 1 had been paying , ♦
1A ing to Texas Parks and Wildlife cause I used it too much, in fact
kids could come and see the 1
has Outhmraad, on to benefit standards, this will access our I was told by company officials
show our proceeds grutObenefit future generations to some the that ] was “taking advantage” of
arshins We thank everyone for natural wonders that many of us them as a home internet user,
making it possible for us to con moved here to enjoy. Our chil- This cut off occurred with no
tribute in this wav dren need places to hike and prior warning after years of good
Mike Holm swim and fish. And, we old relationship between myself and
Boerne Optimist Club timers need to make sure that all the company, which was recent-
the treasures of the County are ly under new management - def-
not just divided up and sold initely NOT the way we do
to the hig est bi er. things here in the Hill Country.
The Texas Nature Conservancy We Internet subscribers need to
has ranked Kendall County in We internet subscribers need 1
the highest risk category for loss send a message that this sort of
of ranchlands, fragmentation of treatment is not acceptable. If it
properties, and land value infla- happened to me with this com-
tion. With the population of pany then what will stop them
Kendall County predicted to fr°m doing that to you. I advise
double in the next 10 to 20 years, you to make sure by switching
there is growing public concern before you can be terminated!
about development, quality of JimPriour
life, and the loss of natural areas. Boerne
In a 663 square mile county with AFELI
25,000 residents, the only natur- WW III JOV L
al areas accessible to the public
are the 100-acre Cibolo Nature care2
Center and 50 acres of addition- CE P ■
1 - ... P Th The first wounded war veteran
exploding development seems Lever knew was any uncle
recreation for our citizens. unavoidable, growing with grace 4.04814 pude, )
For one year, 23 citizens from is possible. Planning for access Hoagland was never in t e ser-
ail precincts worked to develop to natural areas is vital to quality vice .w
the Parks Master Plan, along of life for us all. r.whon We entered world ar
with representatives from the Ci- Public sentiment is clearly in Russellite and the Russellites
bolo Conservancy, the Cibolo favor of protecting some of the opposed war -any war. In 1934
Have none of these complain- Nature Center, the National Park remaining natural habitat in the APP osd - bpromp
1. , •.A & . the Russellites would become
ers ever lived in a metropolis? Service, the Texas Nature Con- County. A recent opinion poll of the Jehovah’s Witnesses So
There are zoos in almost every servancy, the Texas Parks and 400 likely Kendall County vot- when the draft started Bill
large city in the world. Wildlife Department-Local ers showed that a $5 million Hoagland registered as a con-
They can’t complain about Grants Division, and Trust for bond package to help fund parks scientious objector and volun-
their water wells being captured Public Land. The Texas Parks and natural areas in the County teered to drive an ambulance in
by the county, however, when and Wildlife Department has re- is favored by a margin of over 2 France. While in France, when
their property values (greed) get viewed and approved the plan as to 1. While many measures are returning from the front lines
touched ... WOW! meeting all requirements. being considered by the citizens with a load of wounded sol-
As a child I lived close to the Commissioners Court has offi- of our County, none is more ur- diers, his ambulance was hit by
San Diego Zoo and the Los An- cially adopted the Kendall Coun- gent or far reaching than saving an artillery shell full of mustard
geles Zoo - two of the biggest in ty Master Plan for Parks and our natural heritage. Please vote gas. The vehicle turned over
the world. None of my friends Open Space, established a land FOR Proposition One. and Hoagland rolled out on the
were attacked, eaten or ha- acquisition fund, and agreed to Brent Evans ------——-===-------
1 ‘See LETTERS, page 5A
Ed Nicholls
Kendalia
Support
was
magic
The Boerne Optimist Club is
very grateful for generous sup-
port by the citizens of Kendall
class winery theme, but it comes
off looking gaudy and complete-
ly ridiculous. Sitting a few yards
behind all of this is a beautiful,
old windmill that has been there
for years. Why wasn’t this in-
corporated into the entrance of
the subdivision? Instead, we
have to look at the grape tower
that sticks out like a sore thumb.
Note to developers: If you are
going to infiltrate the hill coun-
try with new subdivisions, then
at least make them blend in with
the natural landscape. The
Wood Ridge Estates entrance
looks completely out of place on
this beautiful country road, and I
bet anyone who drives by it will
agree.
Sara Potter
Waring, TX
Water,
animals
strike
different
chords
Vote ‘For'
Prop 1
In the November general elec-
tion, one proposition has come
to the ballot directly from the cit-
izens of Kendall County. Propo-
sition One has been developed
through a local citizen initiative,
out of a clear desire to save some
of our natural treasures before
they are lost, and ensure that fu-
ture generations will have access
to outdoor recreation. The plan
protects water quality in critical
watershed areas, promotes
tourism, and provides outdoor
,
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Cartwright, Brian & Morgan, Clay. Boerne Star & Hill Country Recorder (Boerne, Tex.), Vol. 98, No. 69, Ed. 1 Friday, October 8, 2004, newspaper, October 8, 2004; Boerne, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1650651/m1/4/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Patrick Heath Public Library.