Rita brought everyone as one
By JOE MILLER JR.. Newton

Recalling recovery efforts in the early days after Hurricane Rita, there were a number of organizations like the Red Cross office from Orange, the Mennonite Disaster Service, the Texas Baptist Men, the Texas State Guard, the Salvation Army, the county judge's office, Newton city employees, our county commissioners, the City of San Antonio utility workers, local churches, and countless number of organizations and volunteers who pitched in, and together we overcame adversity to begin the recovery from Rita's devastation.

In a way, Rita was a blessing because she brought us together to help each other.

However, as faith-based and volunteer help faded, promised resources from government entities have not been utilized to continue assistance. As a consequence, many still live in severely damaged homes and suffer from lack of promised social services.

Our government of the and people and for the people has failed the people. All levels of government from the federal down through the smallest local entities have not