The Colony Courier (The Colony, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 16, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 26, 1998 Page: 4 of 10
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4A The Colony Courier
This Paper is Recyclable
Thursday, February 26,1998
EDITORIAL
Letters to the editor
Concerned about Hicks
We have the opportunity to re-
elect Judge Deborah Hollifield and,
in doing so, keep a fine person who
has exhibited a learned and fair de-
liberation of the law. It concerns me
that Deborah's opponent, Ira Hicks,
has only a GED certificate and did
not graduate from high school. Ren-
dering judgments of the law requires
our elected judge to be able to read
and understand complex law papers
and ordinances with proficiency ca-
pable of fully understanding these
concepts put forth within the law.
I am also concerned with some
of the campaign behavior, which
goes to a matter of integrity. It has
been reported that a white Mustang
with a "Constable Precinct 2" writ-
ten on the car has been seen driving
around to the campaign signs and that
uniformed officers have gotten out
of the Mustang and are adding the
"for" stickers to Hicks' signs, after
Hicks was told to do so because his
campaign signs were in violation of
the election laws.
It is my understanding that when
an officer is uniformed, he is on duty
and is receiving taxpayer dollars in
salary. Why is our tax money going
to fund the manpower of on-duty of-
ficers who are doing campaign work
for Ira Hicks? It is also reported that
Hicks has been escorted by uniformed
officer Larry Floyd, going in and out
of public business in The Colony to-
gether and have been heard campaign-
ing for election. Again, an officer in
uniform is on duty, and he is being
paid our tax dollars to uphold the law.
Is it within the paid job description of
uniformed officers to be spending
salaried time campaigning?
Also, local bank employees have
reported that they are annoyed that
uniformed officers have been in their
banks asking for financial contribu-
tions for Hicks.
Several school teachers have said
that they would like to put a cam-
paign sign in their yard supporting
the re-election of Judge Hollifield,
but they are afraid to do so, because
they have police officers' children in
their classes. Other individuals have
also expressed reluctance to offer
support publicity because of a per-
ception that retaliation is likely.
This is truly a deep concern to me.
Why are citizens of The Colony
afraid of retaliation if they support
Deborah Hollifield? Do I need to be
afraid to submit this letter to the edi-
tor? If Hicks is elected, will we have
inherited a judge overzealous to
make sure that law enforcement is
appeased?
I would like to see our elected
judge exhibit an impartial attitude,
capable of hearing a case brought
before her with the ability to render
a fair and impartial verdict, based
upon the case presented and without
showing bias toward any long-stand-
ing fraternal bonds established with
fellow police officers. Judge Deborah
Hollifield is highly qualified and en-
dorsed by the Texas Eagle Forum and
the Texas Home School Coalition.
We need to realize how lucky we are
to have her and keep her. If any one
of you is afraid to put a campaign
sign in your yard supporting Deborah
Hollifield because of fear of retalia-
tion, then PLEASE, get to the polls
and vote to re-elect Judge Deborah
Hollifield.
Roni Ellis
The Colony
Editors note: Please see story
concerning the allegations contained
in this letter on Page 1A.
Concerns about Hollifield
Enough is enough. I have listened
and read how great our current "just
if the peace" is...from those who
have never been in her court or tried
to work with her.
One said the JP is sovgreat and
wished she would move to Flower
Mound. I agree with her - move.
Another said his son got a "raw deal"
from a judge in Dallas. Why was the
son in the court system to start out
with? Hunstville is full of people who
will tell you they should not have
been in prison.
Have you noticed the majority of
the letters for her support come from
outside our precinct, from people
who have never had to work with her
in the court system?
I will tell you that first-hand ex-
perience has shown how she ties up
not only the law-enforcement sys-
tem, but also the court system. She
not only is unable to have a working
relationship with the current con-
stable but also the past constable. It
is easy to sit in your lounge chair and
hear stories about her attending lo-
cal functions or giving her support
to popular causes, but you don't hear
of the thousands of dollars she had
wasted of the taxpayer dollars on re-
arrest alone. You don't hear about the
high number of employees (highest
of any other JP) who have left be-
cause of working relationships.
Councilman Longo recently sent
in a letter supporting this JP; how-
ever, two years ago upon hearing Ira
Hicks would be seeking this JP of-
fice was strongly for him. Longo knew
only too well how she ran her court
and charged the City of The Colony
for her services. Mr. Hicks did not sup-
port Mr. Longo in his re-election bid,
and now that support has waffled to
her, for personal gains...not for the
way she is doing her job.
None of us likes to be fined,
Appeal decision will
require much thought
The first reaction when one loses a lawsuit is to appeal. If the fight was
worth fighting in the first place, there's no reason to let one little setback
stop things.
But there's more to the matter of the Goody-Goody lawsuit than just
keepin' on. The proponents of the resolution limiting the number of liquor
stores along the 121 corridor have what they feel are the best interests of the
city at heart. And they have a strong belief that the city must be free to
dictate what it wants to see on its front door.
The fact is, however, that the appeals process will take more time and
more money - and there's still two more liquor store suits to fight. Add that
to the Eastvale lawsuit scheduled in May, and you're talking about a city
that's going to spend a lot of time, money and resources in court the next
few months.
This is not to say that appeal is not the right way to go. But the City
Council must take a thoughtful approach. If there is a logical, reasonable
belief that the city can win on appeal, they should go for it. But if delibera-
tions determine that it would take almost a miracle to overturn Judge Lee
Gabriel's decision, the Council should think twice about committing that
kind of time and money on an appeal.
whether it be on a hot check, traffic
offense or any other charge. However,
I get complaints every day from citi-
zens asking that our state and county
laws be enforced. These laws do carry
a fine. So why have them if they are
not enforced? I am not saying every-
body should be fined, but let's have a
fair trial, not a lopsided one such as is
currently being carried on in our jus-
tice court. I have been told by more
than one that if only they had received
discipline in the lower court system,
they would not have tried something
else, which put them in jail.
Our current JP had a standing
"standard personal recognizance
bond" on file in the Sheriff s Depart-
ment, which let everyone arrested on
a Class C charge to be released by
signature only. This cost you, the tax-
payer, unnecessary expense of re-ar-
rest when they failed to show up on
their court date. Thank you Ira Hicks,
because by bringing this to the voter,
the standing order has now been
lifted. In her campaign literature, Ms.
Hollifield states she has instructed
every JP in Texas in juvenile law.
Recently while in San Antonio at a
school, I asked several JPs, and they
never heard of her.
I worked with Ira Hicks as a pa-
trol officer for the City of The Colony,
and upon my election in 1993, Mr.
Hicks came to work for me. I have
found him to be a fair and impartial
leader and employee. He is extremely
knowledgeable of not only criminal
law, but civil, with over 650 hours of
continuing education. He had been on
both sides of the fence, thus enabling
a fair judgment. I will tell you that Mr.
Hicks will be hard, but fair, not only
to the criminal but also the law-abid-
ing citizens. His office will be open
as a business and you will be treated
as the customer, not a number.
If you are tired of our current ju-
venile problems, revolving jail door
and out-of-control crime, and want
to help make a change, join me and
your law-abiding friends...vote for
Ira Hicks on March 10 as your jus-
tice of the peace.
Larry Floyd
Constable - Precinct 2
The Colony
Hollifield fair
For the last five years, I have been
the attendance clerk at Griffin Middle
School. In my capacity as attendance
clerk, I have had many occasions to
be in Judge Hollifield's court with
thwarting-compulsory-attendance
and failure-to-attend-school cases. I
have always felt that Judge Hollifield
has handled each and every case in-
dividually and fairly. She listens
carefully to the school's case and
then to the parents/students. Her de-
cision on course of action is then
made on the individual case. I have
never gotten the impression that any
case was "pre-judged".
Judge Hollifield has ordered
things like drug testing, counseling,
truancy prevention programs and
other things that are designed to get
to the heart of the problem. Some-
times I feel that fining the parents is
a necessary step, but Judge Hollifield
5201 South Colony Blvd., Suite 480 * The Colony, TX 75056
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generally orders these preventive
measures first. In almost every case,
this has done the job. The school's
goal is for the student to attend
school, not to be fined and cause
hardship on the parents. Some par-
ents only need to be made aware of
the law.
The other candidate for justice of
the peace has stated to me that he
wants to get in the parent's pocket-
book, where it hurts. I feel that this
is a harsh statement and a "pre-judg-
ing" one. How can he say that until
he hears the case?
I, for one, want ajustice of the peace
who is experienced, knowledgeable of
the law and will continue to be fair.
You Can be sure that Deborah
Hollifield will be that kind of judge.
Siizi Alberson
The Colony
Hicks has common sense
Ira Hicks is a candidate for jus-
tice of the peace injustice court Pre-
cinct 2 of Denton County. He will
bring to" this office common sense
and a genuine concern for ensuring
equal justice for all.
His many years of experience and
education in the field of law enforce-
ment and criminal justice provide
him with the abilities and tools to get
the job done for the constituents he
represents.
Ira is a good person who believes
in family values and hard work.
Dedicated community involvement
and a "can do" attitude make Ira
Hicks the Precinct 2 justice of the
peace candidate we are voting for in
the March 1998 primary.
Kathy Smith
The Colony
What better traits?
In last week's letters to the edi-
tor, Judge Deborah Hollifield was
described as competent, compassion-
ate, and consistent. What better char-
acter traits for someone, who by
Webster's definition, is a person
empowered to make decisions that
determine points at issue?
Judge Hollifield is known and
respected throughout the community
and amongst her peers. She has the
practical experience combined with
her continued education to interpret
the laws that govern us all.
I urge the voters to continue to
support a judge who can interpret the.
law swiftly and fairly for all those
who appear before her. Vote Deborah
Hollifield, justice of the peace.
Bill Longo
The Colony
For Babbette Floyd
Thank you, Babbette Floyd, for fil-
ing for precinct chair of Precinct 202.
I believe it is time we had a rep-
resentative who is not a member of
the local women's club, not who has
any ties with the city to represent the
working, everyday person.
I have known you for quite some
time and have found if you feel
you're right, you will stand your
ground to the end and will let no one
sway your decision. I have seen you
strongly disagree with even your
husband, who is our elected con-
stable, when it comes to politics.
Recently, I found that our local
Legacy Republican Women's Club
gave our current JP a donation of $500
toward her race against Ira Hicks. I
find this very distasteful and unethi-
cal that a Republican club would back
one Republican over another during
the primary election. This shows
where this group stands, which is not
for the Republican Party, but rather
for a personal friend. If we women are
ever to be taken serious, we must show
fair and impartial support of both men
and women, not just back a person
because one is male or female. When
you get elected, I do feel an investi-
gation should be conducted into the
by-laws of this group and a complaint
filed with the state office.
I ask that the normal, everyday
person who lives in Precinct 202 cast
your vote with me for a lady who is
not tied to any church, city council
or political club, but who will listen
to the people and cast a clear and
well-researched vote - not a vote for
just a group. Vote Floyd March 10.
Minerva Cisneros
The Colony
Pro-active stand
I am writing in strong support of
the re-election of Justice of the Peace
Deborah Hollifield.
As a licensed addictions counselor
with 17 years of experience, I am pain-
fully aware of the dangers our com-
munities (and particularly our children)
face regarding substance abuse.
I am also aware of the efforts made
by Judge Hollifield on behalf of our
children, and of her dedication to tak-
ing a pro-active position on substance
abuse, (while others keep their heads
buried in the sands of denial).
The residents of Precinct 2 would
serve themselves well by re-electing
Judge Hollifield.
Sandy Day, L. C. D. C.
Lewisville
Hollifield for youth
It is with great pleasure to write
to you concerning Justice of the
Peace Deborah Hollifield. I have
found Judge Hollifield to be utmost
in Christian values, dedication to her
service to the community and the
youth of the community, as well as
being supportive of the law enforce-
ment agencies she works with.
Judge Hollifield is a lady that is
concerned about the youth. Her tre-
mendous credit for beginning the
Teen Court, Boys and Girls Club, as
well as the local teen center is in it-
self a testimony to her concern for
youth. She has worked tirelessly for
early intervention for criminals re-
gardless of their ages and in support
of the local law enforcement. I feel
we should do everything in our
power to keep Judge Deborah
Hollifield as our Justice of the Peace.
Mark A. Jones
Fo under/President
Lifeline Academy
Lewisville
Hollifield professional
We have lived in the Little Elm
area since July of 1984. My husband,
Dr. Dean Hansen and myself own
and operate Breezeway Veterinary
Service, Inc. I am Republican Pre-
cinct Chairman for #117, past trea-
surer and current secretary for the
Little Elm PTA, treasurer for the
Little Elm Sports Association and a
certified lifeguard and swimming
instructor for The Colony Aquatic
Park for the past eight years.
This correspondence is to recog-
nize and show support for Judge
Deborah Hollifield. Our first associa-
tion with Judge Hollifield was in the
courtroom, for business purposes in
1991. We have been in her courtroom
for similar business-related purposes
throughout the last seven years. Nev-
ertheless, from the first experience and
all subsequent experiences, the han-
dling of our cases have always been
conducted with the highest degree of
professionalism and to the utmost let-
ter of the law. Although our first in-
troduction to Judge Deborah
Hollifield was purely a professional
one, we have had the pleasure of
knowing her in social situations as
well. Our children, ages 12 and 7 are
in the LEISD. Considering my in-
volvement with the district and attend-
ing school-related activities and fund-
raising events, Judge Hollifield's pres-
ence was always there giving her en-
couragement and support.
She spearheaded the formation of
The Colony Teen Court, (which I
have personally seen the turn arourd
in one youth's life), as well as The
Teen Center. I truly believe that the
children are our future," as she does.
A vote for Judge Deborah Hollifield
is a vote for our future.
Edee Hansen
Little Elm
Serious about job
Known as "the people's court," the
justice of the peace court is usually
one's first experience in the court sys-
tem. The court is the "trier of facts,"
not a game. Because of the seriousness
of this court, you need a presiding judge
that takes this position seriously.
Judge Deborah Baker Hollifield
is serious about her position on the
bench. She has the experience, integ-
rity and dedication to make the jus-
tice court what it needs to be.
Judge Hollifield is very caring and
has long been involved in the com-
munity and schools. She cares about
the people of Precinct 2. The judge
has been honored many times for her
dedication to our youth and for mak-
ing a difference in the community.
When you are deciding on your
candidate, please compare qualifica-
tions. Judge Hollifield has continued
her education in the criminal-justice
process and knows what the law does
and does not allow a justice of the
peace court to do. She is very capable
of administering the law and is very
fair and impartial. Many profession-
als have been surprised that she
would draw an opponent.
Early voting lasts until March 6;
primary day is March 10. Please vote.
You can make a difference. Vote for
a judge that makes a difference; vote
for Judge Deborah Baker Hollifield.
Avie Raburn
Lewisville
Citizens Police Academy has many benefits
Colony
"The Citizens Police Academy is
a 25-hour block of instruction de-
signed to give the public a working
knowledge of The Colony Police
Department. It consists of a series
of 10 classes, held once a week for
2-1/2 hours. The instruction is com-
prehensive, and each week covers a
different area of the police depart-
ment. Police officers assigned to
work in a particular area will pro-
vide instruction."
— Police Chief Joseph T. Clark
For those of you who have fol-
lowed my missives in this space for
the last couple of months, you might
recall a previous column regarding my
participation in the Citizens Police
Academy. For those of you who don't
recall that particular column, I might
point out that I am a totally enthusias-
tic proponent of this program.
My feelings regarding local law
enforcement have been cultivated
throughout many years of rumina-
tions regarding the definition and
strategies of what constitutes effec-
tive, professional, common-sense
local law enforcement. And the com-
mon theme seems to revolve around
local law enforcement and citizens
better understanding each other.
Which leads to more robust and ef-
fective communication. Which leads
to lower crime rates.
In fact, citizens are the eyes and
ears of the police department. It
should not come as a surprise that the
police officers simply can't be every-
where all at once. The reality of po-
lice officers is that they usually ar-
Mike
Catt
rive on the scene AFTER the event
has happened. Then they are charged
with the responsibility of protecting
the scene and sorting through all of
the rubble to determine what hap-
pened. Who was involved. And how
it should be handled under the restric-
tions of local laws and local police
department protocol.
There are always restrictions and
regulations to carefully follow. And
you really don't understand what pa-
perwork is all about until you spend
some time watching the police officer
fill out the paperwork necessary to
legally document the event. At first
blush, completing the mountain of
paperwork seems absolutely absurd.
When you understand WHY the
mountain of paperwork has to be
completed, perhaps a different atti-
tude will result.
That The Colony Police Depart-
ment has embraced the formation of
the Citizens Police Academy says a
great deal about the personalities and
strategies that are a major part of our
local law enforcement agency.
Clearly, the message is that the po-
lice department wants citizens to un-
derstand the police department. And
just as clearly, the message is that the
police department wants to under-
stand mere mortal human being citi-
zens. Both sides of the equation are
absolutely essential to efficient and
professional local law enforcement.
Being a proud graduate of the last
Citizens Police Academy, I have seen
first-hand the benefits to both the
police department and my neighbors
right here in The Colony. In that ses-
sion, there was a wide variety of folks
from our community. In fact, there
was a couple who had recently
moved to our community from out
of state and they decided that attend-
ing the academy would be a perfect
way of finding out about the whys
and wherefores of The Colony,
Texas. They were right.
The academy is indeed interac-
tive, loads of fun and highly educa-
tional. And the academy is open for
persons over the age of 18 who live
or work in our community. Of
course, you have to fill out a short
one-page application which will be
used to run a background check to
make sure you're not a bad guy or
gal trying to get the inside skinny on
how to avoid the police while on your
criminal rounds.
You get to spend some quality
time with the humans behind the
badge. You get to see those same
humans switch gears into the law-
enforcement professional mode. And
you receive a much clearer picture
of the good, the bad and the ugly of
local law enforcement. Not at all the
kind of entertainment-oriented pabu-
lum from cop shows on teevee. You
get to see the real deal.
And you'll have an opportunity
to ride along with a police officer
during the academy. That's a real
eye-opener. And you'll have an op-
portunity to spend some time in com-
munications where the ringing of the
phones is the beginning of yet an-
other event where citizens in our
community need the assistance and
intervention of local law enforce-
ment.
The Citizens Police Academy will
be held at City Hall in the council
chambers on Wednesday nights from
7 until 9:30, March 25 through May
27. If you are interested in attending,
you can pick up an application at The
Colony Police Department (at City
Hall) or at the Police Department
Storefront located at the Teen Cen-
ter (Southwest corner of Paige and
South Colony Boulevard) 5204 S.
Colony Boulevard, Suite 200. If you
have any questions, give Officer
Mark Phillips a call at 972-624-2215.
If you are a citizen who is inter-
ested in better local law enforcement
and/or if you are a business owner
here in our community, I strongly
encourage you to take advantage of
this opportunity. Your investment of
time to attend this academy will im-
mediately pay back big-time divi-
dends for not only yourself, but our
entire community. What a deal!
Mike Catt is a resident of The Colony,
president of The Colony Digital
Magic Factory, and director of eco-
nomic development/president elect of
The Colony Chamber of Commerce.
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Sorter, Dave. The Colony Courier (The Colony, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 16, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 26, 1998, newspaper, February 26, 1998; The Colony, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth403437/m1/4/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Colony Public Library.