The Wylie News (Wylie, Tex.), Vol. 50, No. 46, Ed. 1 Wednesday, April 16, 1997 Page: 4 of 22
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Page 4 - Section A - THE WYLIE NEWS • Wednesday, April 16.1997
0pini(
afery.
islill
Dear Editor:
After reading tbe article in The
Wylie News about the sex offender
that is living here, it made me think.
I don’t know tbe victim or the crim-
inal but it could have been our child
or it may be our child in tbe future.
It seems like the Wylie Police
Department did their job but that is
where it ended. Why did the District
Attorney plea bargain a case that
was this tragic? The criminal gets
ten years probation while the 14-
year-old victim will have a lifetime
of problems. Remember this the
next time the D.A. comes up for re-
election. As for the visiting judge,
Billy Stephens, I wonder what he
was thinking when he approved this
plea bargain. Do you think he would
have approved this plea bargain if
this sex offender was going to move
in next door to him? Would the D.A.
have plea bargained if the victim
was their child? I don’t think so!
This criminal should be behind bars
in Huntsville where he could learn
more about forced sex!
I read that our school district is
teaching “Stranger Danger” in our
schools. I guess this is a necessity at
this time and will continue to be as
long as district attorneys and judges
operate in this manner.
Tommy Nicholson
Dear Editor:
Wake up Wylie! The big, bag
“wolf’ is at your door and you’re
supposed to invite him in. And as
long as you’re inviting 1 into your
neighborhood-home, why not 2 or 3
or 10 or 20? Why is there a convict-
ed child molester in your midst?
How could a judge give this person
probation, allow his record to be
wiped completely clean at the end of
this probation, and send him into
your neighborhood to live? Who is
responsible for allowing this con-
victed felon to have access to your
neighborhood and your children?
The new, stricter laws concerning
sex offenders and children were sup-
posed to alleviate this problem. Why
are judges not handing out the max-
imum sentence when it comes to
protecting your most precious
resource? You are your children’s
first and foremost protector. Do not
let them down. You must do every-
thing in your power to protect them
and preserve their rights to life, lib-
erty and the pursuit of happiness.
You must not let anyone take that
away from them, be it a child moles-
ter or a judge.
Childhood is an endangered
lifestyle. Most dangers of childhood
can been seen and action taken to
prevent injuries. Speeding cars,
fires, firearms, drugs: these are dan-
gers that children know will hurt
them. A neighbor, however, is not
alarming. Who can your children
trust? Who will protect them from a
child molester if they don't know
who that person is? Lost dreams,
innocence and trust cannot be fixed
with a band-aid or an aspirin.
Let your child have back his or
her childhood, and let the convicted
felon do their penitence in the peni-
tentiary. Elect officials who will let
the law be carried out for the better-
ment of your community, and the
protection of innocent, law abiding
citizens, including children. Don’t
allow the “wolf’ to have more rights
and less worries that you and your
children!
Turesa Thomas
Masons present
John Akin with
50-year award
On Saturday night, April 12,
members of East Fork Lodge No.
650 AF & AM presented John W.
Akin with a pin and certificate for
his 50 years of service in the lodge.
This award is presented on behalf of
the Grand Lodge of Texas. District
Deputy Grand Master Ira Allen of
Princeton represented the Grand
Master in this presentation.
Dr. A.L. Draper, pastor of First
Baptist Church, Wylie, gave a
response on behalf of John’s church
along with Frankie Newland,
Worthy Matron of Wylie Chapter
No. 977 Order of the Eastern Star
where John is also a member.
The meeting was well attended by
John’s family, friends, church mem-
bers, Eastern Star members and
Masons.
Refreshments were served imme-
diately after the meeting was closed.
-Y*
"I'm an only child.
What's your racket?"
Wylie Senior Center Activities
Wea, April 16 thru Fri., April 25 (in the City Municipal Complex)
Dav/Date
Time Activity
Menu
Wed. 4/16
9:00
Social time
Chicken noodle casserole, summer
11:30
Lunch
squash, broccoli, cornbread & butler,
12:00
Table games
cherry cobbler, milk.
Thurs. 4/17
9:00
Social lime
Creole meatloaf, pinto beans, steamed
11:30
Lunch
cabbage, cornbread & butter, apricot
12:00
Table games
halves, milk.
Fri. 4/18
9:00
Social time
Baked ham, blackeyed peas, mashed
11:30
Lunch
sweet potatoes, roll & butter, banana
12:00
Mexican dominos
cream pudding, milk.
Mon. 4/21
9:00
Social time
Oven fried pork chops, cream gravy,
11:30
Lunch
parslied rice, mustard greens, wheat
12:00
Table games
bread & butter, pear half, milk.
Tues. 4/22
9:00
Social time
Chili w/beans, coleslaw, crackers &
11:30
Lunch
butter, lemon cake, milk.
12:00
Table games
Wed. 4/23
9:00
Social time
Chicken & dumplings, green beans,
11:30
Lunch
whole kernel corn, wheat bread & but-
12:00
Table games
ter, fruited jello, milk.
Thurs. 4/24
9:00
Social time
Beef tips w/rice, green peas, zuchinni
11:30
Lunch
& tomatoes, wheat bread & butter,
12:00
Table games
pineapple tidbits, milk.
Fri. 4/25
9:00
Social time
Roast beef w/gravy, mashed potatoes,
11:30
Lunch
baby carrots, white bread & butter,
12:00
Mexican dominos
birthday cake, milk.
Meals must be ordered a day in advance if you plan to eat lunch.
For Information, please contact Frances Bryant at 442-B115.
Register now for
community ed
evening classes
Registration will continue
through Monday, April 21, for this
session of Wylie ISD’s communi-
ty education night classes.
To sign up, come by Wylie
ISD’s administration building,
Monday-Friday, from 8 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. For more information
call Betty Stephens or Tracy
Schiefer, 442-5444.
Preschool
Weekly Story Time
Pre-school storytime is held each
Wednesday from 11-11:30 a.m. for
preschoolers at the Smith Public
Library. Call 442-7566 for more
information.
MEETING
NOTICE
A Town Hall meeting to discuss
activities concerning Kansas City
Southern Railroad’s proposed ex-
pansion in Wylie is scheduled for
the third Thursday of each month
at 7 p.m. in council chambers with
the first meeting scheduled April
17.
The Wylie City Council invites
all citizens to attend, receive an
update on Hie KCS Railroad, and
ask questions. City staff will be on
hand to answer questions. For
more information, call 442-8120.
To help childproof your home,
use back burners when cooking
and be sure to keep pot handles
turned inward, so lilde hands can’t
grab.
Horse disease affects people
A recent report in Emerging Sci-
ence and Technology shed light on
a mysterious disease that affects
both horses and people. The dis-
ease is called human granulocytic
ehrlichiosis in people and equine
granulocytic ehrlichiosis in horses.
An ehrlichial
organism also
causes dis-
ease in dogs
and is often
seen in our
area; this dis-
ease has also
been reported
in people. All
of these dis-
eases are spread through contact
with infected ticks. The infection
cannot spread to pet owners direct-
ly from a horse or dog without
completing its lifecycle in ticks.
However, since animals common-
ly carry parasites such as fleas and
ticks, humans are at risk for these
conditions.
Human granulocytic ehrlichiosis
mimics Lyme Disease, another
tick borne disease. While many of
these diseases do not occur com-
monly in people, prevention is
important. Pels that are exposed to
Dr, Shawn
Messonnier
ticks should have a regular parasite
control program established to min-
imize their chance of illness as well
as minimize the chance of spread-
ing disease to owners Using a
“Tick-Only” collar such as the Pre-
ventic collar available from your
doctor is an important part of the
program. This collar, unlike regular
flea and tick collars, actually works
to not only dislodge feeding ticks
but actually prevent tick attach-
ment! Dogs that may be exposed to
ticks should be vaccinated annually
for Lyme’s disease; any dog that is
seen harboring ticks should be test-
ed for tick-borne disease within 30-
60 days after the tick was noticed.
Early treatment (before signs are
seen) of tick diseases can save your
pet’s life and prevent illness in
owners.
Please address comments in
writing to Dr. Shawn Messonnier,
Paws & Claws Animal Hospital,
2145 West Park, Plano, TX 75075,
or by phone at (214) 867-8800.
You can watch for more pet tips
during Dr. Messonnier’s “4 Your
Pets" segment every Saturday
morning on Channel 4 at 8:45
a.m
Multiple personality homesickness
"■"Xersonally, I'm suffering from
■-^multiple homesickness disor-
JL der, a disease which would
be terminal if not for my love of
wild flowers.
Homesickness is a common
enough affliction, even in this age
when families fragment and mobil-
ity is the international norm.
Mobility, however, wreaks havoc
with homesickness, as my life
attests. My homesickness is frac-
tured and confused, kind of a multi-
ple personality disorder homesick-
ness, held together by a thread of
springs brightened by the flash and
show of wild flowers. «
At times I envy folks who live in
one community all of their lives.
Their fantasies play out an uncom-
plicated plot on a single stage with
an easily discernable backdrop.
They know exactly the reason and
focus of their homesickness.
I, on the other hand, have moved
so much that, when I do feel home-
sick, I don’t know where to feel
homesick for. The actors on my
internal stage are a shadowy lot,
flitting from scene to scene, in a
devious plot held together only by
wild flowers. And always lire ques-
tion—are the wild flowers actors or
props?
Should I pine for tire Kansas
plains of my birth, the Southern
Oregon forests of my childhood,
the Southwestern deserts of my
four-year Air Force hitch, the
Southern California suburbs of my
young adult years, the Colorado
mountains of my mid-life, the
Texas Hill Country of my first four
years in Texas, or the East Texas
pincy woods of the next four years?
Nostalgia for Kansas isn’t a
problem, since I was less than 2-
ycars-old when my fiunily aban-
doned her wind-swept plains during
the height of die dust bowl and
depression.
We moved to Oregon, where
drought was not a problem at the
time, and grew up as Webfeet
instead of Jayhawks.
The Oregon on my stage flow-
ered half a century ago, but is no
more. In the Oregon I remember,
friendly fir trees shook hands across
narrow, winding roadways and
formed endless green processions
binding verdant valley bottoms to
craggy mountain tops. Wild flow-
ers, nurtured by the hand of God,
marched through the year in an end-
less parade of phantasmal colors
and shapes.
Sometimes Arizona cactus blos-
soms shoulder aside the Oregon
forests, suddenly illuminating my
stage with an explosion of
enthusiastic hues unmatched by
any other blossoms. Cactus radiate
color, a noisy, exuberant, joyful
color released, perhaps, by the
arrival of long awaited spring rains.
Just as with Oregon, the Arizona
on my stage no longer exists. Miles
of homes and shopping malls, each
looking exactly like its neighbor,
desecrate the dessert floor where I
once raced in breathless anticipa-
tion from one victorious blossom to
the next.
Although 1 lived there for many
years, Southern California seldom
invades my personal stage.
Soudiern California living meant a
comfortable home, secure job, no
worries about creature comforts,
and no outside, natural stimulation.
Spectacular wild flowers still dis-
played themselves in remote moun-
tain valleys, if one had the time and
inclination to join the ever-present
train of bumper-to-bumper traffic
bound for die same destination.
Inhabiting those cars, I’m sure,
were a long line of people homesick
to see the wild flowers they remem-
bered from a lime before they
moved to Southern California.
Colorado’s mountain fastness
was a natural reaction to Southern
California’s sterile urban landscape.
Once again, rank after rank of ever-
green trees disappeared across
mountain tops in every direction.
Once again, cool, clear streams cas-
caded past my little tent pitched in
remote mountain valleys far from
home, but near rare lady slippers,
columbine, or other mountain flow-
ers. Colorado flowers, for the most
part, do not stand shoulder to
shoulder forming a tumultuous
mass of color. Instead, they blend
with the wildlife and the country
side, even peeking shyly from
among other growth as if hiding.
Colorado trips onto my stage
with a side-by-side timelessness in
which past and present are indistin-
guishable. Civilization is fast
encroaching on the natural environ-
ment, even in Colorado, but the
places of my dreams still exist. I
can visit them tomorrow if I
choose.
The same is true for the Texas
Hill Country, where I lived after
leaving Colorado. For an undiluted
carnival of vibrant color, the end-
less fields of bluebonnets in
Central Texas are unmatched.
Weather, more than encroaching
subdivisions and shopping centers,
controls the extent and brilliance of
those springtime extravaganzas.
The Hill Country doesn’t act on my
private stage, it still exists in my
life in living color. When the urge
arises, I just drive down there and
feast my eyes.
East Texas, with its dogwood
trees and azaleas and violets, has its
own special beauty, untopped by
any other part of the country.
In fact. I’d be h;ird pressed to say
dial one section of die country is
superior to another.
Homesickness seems as much a
function of time as it is of plaec.
It’s true, as die poet said, that the
moving hand of time, having writ,
moves on. Time has a way of lock-
ing up places and events, making
them forever unchangeable and
unapproachable except in our
minds.
We never again can visit those
times, except on our internal
stages. Locked in my mind is a
huge repertoire of homesick mem-
ories. If I’m suffering from multi-
ple homesickness disorder, it’s not
all bad.
Copyright © 1997 by John M. Motter
WISD School Lunch Menu
Wednesday, April 16 - Friday, April 25
Elementary & Intermediate (Intermediate includes everything plus ital. items):
Wed. (4/16): Pizza, ravioli w/hot roll, whole kernel com, tossed salad, celery w/PNB,
mixed fruit, fruit crisp, soup & sandwich.
Thurs. (4/18): Fried chicken, steak fingers, macaroni & cheese, black-eye peas, apple
wedges, chilled pears, golden biscuit, B&W pudding, taco bar.
Fri. (4/19):IIamburger/checseburger, fish nuggets, french fries, hamburger salad, rosy
applesauce, banana, assorted desserts, pot luck.
Mon. (4/21): BBQ beef sandwich, grilled cheese sandwich, whole kernel com,
brocc/carrots w/dip, apple wedges, chilled pears, Ranger cookie, soup & sandwich.
Tues. (4/22): Chicken fried steak, com dog, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, rosy
applesauce, chilled pineapple, hot roll, chocolate pudding, potato bar.
Wed. (4/23): Beef/cheese nachos, crispeto, fluffy rice, pinto beans, orange smiles,
cornbrcad, sopapilla, soup & sandwich.
Thurs. (4/24): No School - Teacher Inservice.
Fri. (4/25): Hamburger/cheesebuiger, turkey pot pie, hamburger salad, tator tots,
California veggies, apple wedges, assorted desserts, pot luck.
Ir. High School:
Wed. (4/16): Ham & cheese sandwich, steak fingers, burrito/pizza, soup & sandwich.
Thurs. (4/17): Baked chicken, BBQ sandwich, chicken nuggets/hamburger, taco bar.
Fri. (4/18): Pizza, grilled chicken sandwich, BBQ beef/pizza, pot luck.
Mon. (4/21): Ravioli w/garlic toast, beef cheese nachos, chicken sandwich/pizza, soup
& sandwich.
Tues. (4/22): Chicken fried steak, chicken casserole, fish nuggets/hamburger, potato
bar.
Wed. (4/23): Tacos, beef enchiladas, ham & cheese/pizza, soup & sandwich.
Thurs. (4/24): No School -- Teacher Inservice.
Fri. (4/24): Pizza, stuffed potatoes, steak sandwich/pizza, pot luck
High School:
Wed. (4/16): Chicken fried steak, pork
chop, meat loaf.*
Thurs. (4/17): Beef enchiladas, Frito
chili pie, baked chicken.*
Fri. (4/18): Hot ham & cheese, steak
fingers, chicken sandwich.*
Mon. (4/21): Chicken nuggets, BBQ
beef sandwich, grilled cheese sandwich.*
Tues. (4/22): Lasagna, Salisbury steak,
com dog.*
Wed. (4/23): Chicken fried steak,
stuffed peppers, baked chicken.*
Thurs. (4/24): No School ~ Teacher
Inservice.
Fri. (4/25): Steak fingers, BBQ sand-
wich, turkey sandwich.*
♦Items offered daily: Pizza/hamburg-
ers, taco/potato/salad bar.
Breakfast served daily at all schools,
7:30 a.m. at each school campus cafeteria,
50f.
Early voting
to end soon
Early voting for two positions on
the Wylie School Board started yes-
terday and will end April 29.
Ballots may be cast in person at
the Wylie Municipal Complex from
8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Early ballots may
also be cast at the county courthouse
in McKinney and the courthouse
annex in Plano.
Extended voting hours are being
offered on April 24 from 8 a.m. until
7 p.m. and on April 26, a Saturday,
from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Listed on the ballot for school
trustee positions are incumbent Bill
Collins for Place 3, incumbent Mike
Whitcomb for Place 4, and Place 4
challenger Toni Young.
The regular election day is May 3
at the Wylie Municipal Complex.
Amplification
& Correction
A photo in the April 9 issue of
The Wylie News incorrectly iden-
tifies Kazuo Ohinata as Woody
Kimura.
We apologize for the error
and any inconvenience this
may have caused.
THE WYLIE NEWS
THE WYLIE NEWS (626-520) is published each Wednesday by C & S Media, Inc. at
113 West Oak St.. Wylie, Texas 75098. Second Gass Postage paid at Wylie, Texas
75098. Subscription rates are: $15.00 Collin and Dallas counties; $17.00 out of county;
$10.00 for local senior citizens. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE WYLIE
NEWS, P.0. Box 369, Wylie, Texas 75098.
Devoted To The Best Interest Of Wylie Since 1947
“Our Job Is To Serve Responsibly, Constructively and Imaginatively"
MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 369, Wylit, Texas 75098
OFFICE: 113 West Oak Street; Phone 442-5515
Margaret Cook Chad B. Engbrock
Editor Publisher
Any erroneous reflections upon the standing, character or reputation of any person, firm
or corporation which appears in the columns of THE WYLIE NEWS will be gladly
corrected if brought to the attention of the editor.
© Copyright 1997 All rights reserved No reproduction without permission.
MEMBER 1997
TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION
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Cook, Margaret. The Wylie News (Wylie, Tex.), Vol. 50, No. 46, Ed. 1 Wednesday, April 16, 1997, newspaper, April 16, 1997; Wylie, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth750300/m1/4/?q=Amanda+Montgomery: accessed June 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Smith Public Library.