Your Viewpoint Letters to the Editor

Corps needs support now

This area's camping ethusiasts have a monumental problem. Though it's not necessarily immediate, it's highly possible the Corps of Engineers might possibly be forced to close one or more of its five major parks on Lake Sam Rayburn in the near future.

Their budgets have been flat for the past three years with no promise of change for the up-coming year. The cost of operation and maintenance has continued to rise significantly.

Due to the lack of funds, two years ago the Corps was forced to close Etole, Jackson Hill, Monteray, South Powell boat ramp, giving Cassel Boykins to the county, and privatizing Powell Park.

They intended on closing Rayburn Park but due to public out-cry they relented. Most people who have seen Rayburn park consider it to be the most beautiful and family oriented park in this part of the state.

Public out-cry is what I am appealing for now. If the Corps continues to be denied adequate funding, not only will camper's priveleges be restricted but the area's economy will be drastically affected. Jasper's, Lufkin's, and southeast Texas' economy is highly dependent on Rayburn's camping activity.

Lake Rayburn's camping facilities provide sufficient funds to maintain its park but all of the recreational fees it receives are tunneled through a "black hole" general fund in Washington, D.C. where it is allocated to the Corps districts with the greater political pull. Rayburn's Corps is only asking for its recreational fees back.

Lake Strom Thurman, located on the South Carolina-Georgia border is one-half the size of Rayburn, yet it received five times the money and has 26 Rangers compared to Rayburn's four. I could give many more examples but that is not the issue.

The Corps is restricted by law from lobbying for funds for individual projects so it's left up to individuals such as myself to promote awareness of their problems. I have personally contacted our area Congressional representatives and two senators to solicit their help but thus far they have failed to respond.

They only respond to pressure and that is the purpose of the letter. I'm soliciting support from the area's campers and supporters to contact these "public servants" and encourage them to become concerned with Rayburn's Corps problems. I am enclosing their names and phone numbers and you might remind the representatives and Senator Cornyn they are up for re-election this year.

In the last session of our state's legislature, the Texas Parks and Wildlife was allocated $65 million plus of our state's sporting goods taxes to refurbish their parks which will alleviate their problems. The Corps is denied such availability.

As for the Corps park campers using state parks, many of us can't afford their fees and their regulations aren't to our liking.

I'm encouraging all campers, truck, camping trailers, boat dealerships and sporting goods stores as well as those that can influence to call these listed numbers below and voice our concern. I might emphasize that it is too late after the parks have been closed.

Congressman Kevin Brady: (409) 883-4197 Orange and (202) 225-4901 Washington

Congressman Ted Poe: (409) 212-1997 Beaumont and (877) 218-1997 Washington

Congressman Louie Gohmert: (903) 561- 6349 Tyler and (202) 225-3035 Washington

Senator Kay Bailey-Hutchison: (202) 224- 5922 Washington

Senator John Cornyn: (409) 224-2934 Washington

Just say 'no' to Jasper beer sales

There's another side to the "Petitions." I would like to speak out on behalf of the families that live here in Jasper that do not want to see the selling of liquor in our city. I would like to address last week's article in the Newsboy.

• Those who wanted the petitions to pass because they have too far to drive and gas is expensive.

• Those who said liquor sales would bring tax revenue into the city and more businesses.

• Those who said it would be a good thing for our city.

• Those who don't drink, but would rather see the sales kept local and it would be better than people driving 30 miles away and then drinking on the way home.

• Paulson who told prospective signers that the petition would benefit stores and businesses, bring more restaurants to Jasper.

• Those who think liquor sales will help Jasper stores and increase sales tax revenue for our city.

As you drive in to town, you will read a sign that says "Jasper, The Jewel of the Forest." I would like to keep it that way and I pray you do too.

A city where moms and dads can raise their kids with one less issue to deal with. Don't we have enough negative influences in and around Jasper without adding to it? We already have too many establishments selling alcohol here and in our immediate area.

I was shocked to see a petition signing table in front of Wal-Mart last week. My first thought was "if this passes, what's next?" I'm standing up for the families, for the children. How many homes have been affected by alcoholism? Watched the news lately? Some of you could be sitting by the bed side of a loved one as you read this because their health has been affected by alcohol.

Many of you are on the inside looking out. I want you to know I care and I'm writing this for you. I know what you are going through. I have had there experiences in my life too. In last week's paper, did you happen to flip over a couple of pages and read the article "arrests?" Out of 30 - 4 were drug related, 2 were alcohol related. Even though two is not many, that's two too many.

Were they your family member, a loved one? Time to stand up Jasper. We need to do our part and let our voices be heard too.

Thought: instead of using your money on wine and spending all that money on gas to get there, help some one in need instead. Find someone to minister to who might be going through a hard time due to the affect of alcohol in their life. They need to know someone is listening. Your rewards will be out of this world.

Bring tax revenue to our town, a good thing for our city, more businesses, is this what it's going to take to "help our city grow?" Something's wrong with this picture.

Alcohol will make our city grow? Grow to what? I choose not to take a step forward to becoming a Sodom or Gomorrah. I know what God can do. I choose 'no' to the selling of liquor in Jasper.