Your Viewpoint
Letters to the Editor  

Time to stop dumping dogs

By RALPH BEARD Jasper

I am writing to protest the widespread practice of "dog dumping" in Jasper and Newton counties. There are several alternatives for disposing of unwanted dogs.

Some newspapers publish "free dog" ads at no charge to the owner for as long as it takes to get rid of the animal. There are also animal shelters in Jasper, Beaumont, Vidor and other cities nearby which will accept any dog.

Some nursing homes also will accept a dog as pet therapy for their patients. There are many ads in the newspapers for "dog wanted" by persons who cannot afford to buy a pet.

Although there are laws against "animal endangerment," these are very difficult to enforce because the dog dumping occurs at all hours and happens so quickly that it is almost undetectable. The dog dumper eases his conscience by telling himself, "at least, I'm not killing the animal."

In fact, he is killing the animal, he has merely shifted the responsibility to someone else. Dogs dumped in the wilderness seldom survive; it usually starves to death, which is less humane than shooting or euthanizing it.

Dogs dumped onto private property have to be dumped by the owner of the property, who already has all the pets that he can take care of. Dog dumping spawns more dumping, in other words.

Almost as serious is the common practice of trash dumping. In addition to the destruction of the landscape, it also poses a health hazard.

Children and/or alcoholics will often drink from beer and liquor containers on the roadside, most of which have some liquid in them when dumped.

If we can stop these two common practices, Newton and Jasper counties will be better places to live for those of us who have chosen to reside here.

Election vital in helping elderly

By ANGEL MCCROSKEY Jasper

I am writing you to make the public aware of the upcoming Constitutional Amendment election that will be held May 12. When I first learned about this election, I called the Jasper County Clerk's office and asked if they could explain it to me.

I was told the memo they received was in ballot language and they did not know what it meant. I then called State Representative Berman's office and spoke with Patrick Dudley, Berman's assistant.

In simple terms this election is being held in every county in Texas to decide the fate of taxes for elderly and disabled. Last session, Congress voted to reduce the taxes for property owners but the taxes for elderly and disabled stayed the same.

The reason for this is that their taxes are frozen at a certain rate.

This election is being held to give or not to give the legislature permission to give a property tax break to the elderly and dis- abled. If this proposal is passed, the legislature will reassess the taxes for the elderly and disabled and lower them.

Taxes for the elderly will not be raised if this proposal is passed.

If the proposal is not passed, property taxes for the elderly and disabled will remain the same and they will not get the same tax break that every other property owner in Texas received.

As a local nurse I have seen elderly and disabled people struggle just to make ends meet and this tax break could really help them.

I believe that if we are ever given the chance to improve the lives of the elderly whether it is with our vote, our time or a kind word of encouragement, we should seize the opportunity.

They are the most mistreated people in America. No other race, religion or creed has suffered more than the elderly and disabled.

They need us to stand up for them and help them any way we can because one day if we live to be elderly, we will want others to stand up for us.

If you have any questions about this election, call your state representative. As the old saying goes, "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem."

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Mail letters to: The Jasper Newsboy P.O. Box 1419 Jasper, Texas 75951-1419 or e-mail to:

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The Your Viewpoint columns are primarily for Newsboy readers and subscribers in the four-county Jasper Retail Trade Area of Jasper, Newton, Sabine and Tyler counties.

First consideration will be given to letters from those residents.