Cheers and Jeers/July 9

Cheers: To the Republican Leadership Conference. The welcome to Gov. Rick Perry was wonderful. I was afraid that non-Texas elements in our party would misuse the fact that Rick was once a Democrat and served as Al Gore's Texas campaign chairman. But this governor has truly changed his mind and heart.

-- Ed Fitzgerald, Fort Worth

Cheers: To Margie and Mike Meyers of Meyers Services for the compassionate care they provided my dear friend Cheryl during her last month of life. Cheryl suffered from Parkinson's and dementia. Margie and Mike took her into their personal-care home and made her part of their family. We were very lucky to find them.

-- Mary Lou Almendarez,

Arlington

Cheers: To the Star-Telegram for its June 18 coverage of mixed martial arts. MMA is becoming, if it isn't already, a mainstream sport and deserves regular sports coverage.

-- Tom Kolter, Trophy Club

Jeers: To people who trash my neighborhood, Ridglea Hills. During walks, I pick up after you -- diapers and fast-food trash in parking lots. Jeers, too, to anyone who litters our city streets. It reflects a lack of respect for our community and the environment. Look around; it's everywhere!

-- Kellye Garrett, Fort Worth

Cheers: To Keller ISD families who voted for the tax-ratification proposition. Our schools and students are the heart of our community. All it would take is $22 a month to help achieve their aspirations. Although our goal fell short, let's work toward a more favorable outcome next time.

-- Lynne Jacobs, Keller

Jeers: To the person who dropped off a pregnant cat in my neighborhood. The animal shelter will put her to sleep; it's full. Please be responsible. There are plenty of low-cost spay/neuter clinics. Every shelter is full of unwanted kittens. Jeers to owners of male cats who don't neuter.

-- Donna Conover, Mansfield

Cheers: To the Mansfield Police Department for keeping our neighborhood safe, but Jeers for issuing citations in the middle of the night for parking too far from the curb. Fine: $205. My college student daughter needs that money for books and tuition. Do police issue warnings anymore or knock on doors? Absurd.

-- Randy Garms, Mansfield

Cheers: To the owners and staff of Don Perry's Garage. Thank you for being a blessing to the community. Your establishment is well-respected. The service and quality are great. You get things done right the first time and for a reasonable price.

-- Chris Colley, Fort Worth

Cheers: To the Southwest High School band directors, especially Stacey Dunn, Gaspar Garcia and Jeff De Maagd. They motivate and inspire students to overcome challenges and achieve success. Despite our tragic loss, my daughter experienced her best academic year ever. I will be forever grateful. God bless!

-- Debbie Morse, Fort Worth

Jeers: To Hurst city administrators for still printing and mailing monthly water bills, which is a waste of paper and postage. The city should come to grips with a 21st-century green initiative and "push the envelope" to deliver the service electronically for statements and payments.

-- Louis D Marks Jr., Hurst

Cheers: To Ridglea Country Club South for providing water for three hot, sweaty runners on a recent sweltering Saturday morning. We had more than four miles to go before returning home, and our options were limited. It was greatly appreciated.

-- Karen Wright, Bedford

Cheers: To the Bedford Police Department (K-9 also) for the rapid response when I walked in my house and surprised a burglar. All my property was recovered, and they caught the three who had been ripping off our neighborhood a short time later.

-- Charles A. Neal, Bedford

Cheers: To Robin Shingleton, Rebecca Fleming and Patty Spinks in the operating room at Baylor All Saints Medical Center. They helped me tremendously during a complicated case and never once complained. I don't know how it would have turned out without them. I am so grateful!

-- Emily McLaughlin, Fort Worth

Cheers: To Marty Logan's House of Colour in Dallas for the repairs to my wife's Impala following an accident in downtown Fort Worth. The other person's insurance wanted to total the car, leaving us deeply in debt, but Marty's shop put everything right.

-- Donnie R. Ricks, Midlothian

Cheers: To Betsy Price, our new mayor. Congratulations, Betsy!

-- Raffy Aladro, Fort Worth

Cheers: To the American Airlines employee who took the time to calm a frantic mother when my child's plane was diverted in the middle of a terrible storm. It was 11 p.m., and she was leaving the terminal, but she stayed 45 minutes later to answer my concerns. Great customer service!

-- Malaina Hickey, Aledo

Cheers: To Jennifer Ratner and Fort Worth Physical Therapy. After my first visit, it was determined that my particular plan of insurance would not pay for physical therapy. But they went ahead and gave me several weeks of much-needed physical therapy at no charge.

-- Linda Sanderson, Fort Worth

Cheers: To the city of Fort Worth staff who helped us when half of our tree broke off during a storm, blocking the street. Within two hours of my request, the tree had been removed from the street, and the next day the branches were picked up by the city.

-- Nicole Brown,

Fort Worth

Cheers: To veterinarian Emily Murphey, Megan and staff at VCA Mercedes Place Animal Hospital in Benbrook for taking care of Penny in her final days. It's nice to know that there are still vets who are so caring to animals and their owners in times like this.

-- Paula Hutchinson, River Oaks

Jeers: To Johnson County commissioners for allowing the sale of fireworks while under a burn ban.

-- Joe Bash, Burleson

Cheers: To I-20 Animal Clinic staff and owners for the recent dog (puppy) training class. We had a great time. Abbie wasn't the best student, but she is getting better.

-- Marilyn Pomeroy,

North Richland Hills

Cheers: To the Army for replacing the black wool berets and allowing soldiers to go back to the old-style brimmed patrol caps for their everyday duties. Just please, don't wear them backwards!

-- James Canup, Fort Worth

Cheers: To Andy White with Accurate-Tune Piano Tuning and Repair. After seeing Goodwill Fort Worth employee and self-taught pianist Daniel Spire on the local news, he tuned Goodwill's piano for free. Generosity like Andy's helps us provide jobs and training to individuals with mental and physical disabilities.

-- David Cox,

Goodwill Industries,

Fort Worth

Cheers: To the incredible workers -- firemen, utility crew, tree trimmers -- who helped our heavily wooded neighborhood recover from recent straight-line winds. Cheers also to the crews of Willbros T&D services from Austin and Lubbock who restored our power. Special Cheers to our friends Marsha, Lance and their granddaughter for helping as well.

-- Vicki Carter and Mark Bober,

Fort Worth

Jeers: To the residents of Richland Hills who were responsible for discontinuing the Fourth of July parade in the northeast section of our city. The children and adults alike enjoyed this festive and patriotic event for many years.

-- Ernestine Burton,

Richland Hills

Cheers: To the young serviceman (name on his jacket: Hilyard) who helped me on and off my June 22 flight and at the baggage carousel. I was travelling with two young children and was struggling with many bags. He patiently went out of his way to help me with a smile.

-- Sharon Gabriele, Keller

Cheers: To Sam Hulse and the organizers of the "Pick a Cause. Because" charity concert at Casa Mañana. Sam made it possible for me to see my favorite band, the Gin Blossoms, just two weeks after I underwent open-heart surgery. Thanks for bringing a dream to me that night!

-- Jason Martinez, Fort Worth

Jeers: To the petty thief who reached over the railing at Razzoo's patio downtown and stole my sunglasses. You must need them more than I do.

-- Joan Higgins,

North Richland Hills

Cheers: To Greg and Laura Cox for setting up at the Arlington Fourth of July Parade on behalf of the Metroplex Atheists. As a group, we appreciate all the work you both put into Metroplex Atheists, and it's appreciated by all of us.

-- Julio Rosario, Bedford

Cheers: To gospel singer Cindy Gallant for singing at my birthday party at Marine Creek Park. It was greatly appreciated. Everybody enjoyed your beautiful God-given voice. Thanks for being a good Christian friend who puts into practice what you sing.

-- Bill Hart, Fort Worth

Jeers: To an Arlington restaurant that refused to play patriotic songs on June 24. They would not allow our family to sing to celebrate the birth of our nation early. Shame on you for not supporting our beautiful country but reaping the benefits of what others do for us.

-- Brandy and J.D. King,

Arlington

Cheers: To officer Cobb of the North Richland Hills Police Department for his professionalism with my distraught daughter when she thought her car was stolen. Cheers also to the two NRH police officers who later called us to get the car. I sincerely appreciate the effort displayed by all.

-- Carol McKone,

North Richland Hills

Cheers: To Jeff from Mr. E's Music Store in Southlake for answering a panicked call just before closing time and personally bringing a power cord to the Imagine Yesterday's keyboard player. Thanks to his kindness, we were able to play Beatles songs for the listeners on the patio June 24 at Central Market!

-- Marni Getchell, Fort Worth

Jeers: To a cashier at a sandwich shop who asked customers for tips. I had planned on leaving a tip, but when you asked for one, I did not. Does your boss know you are doing this?

-- Frances Stewart,

Fort Worth

Jeers: To a mother at Wee Care Dentistry in Arlington on June 24. Instead of allowing your children to stare and laugh at a man with the missing finger, why didn't you ask him what happened? God gave him the strength to keep quiet and walk away. Shame on you.

-- Pamela Lythgoe, Arlington

Cheers: To the families who have been positively affected by CPS and have the courage to speak up for the good work that specific caseworkers do. There are not many ways caseworkers are shown appreciation. An e-mail sent to the caseworker's supervisor means a lot.

-- Jessica Rotter, Fort Worth

Cheers: To the staff at Cook Children's Urgent Care in Southlake. Everyone we encountered was excellent and very caring, especially Patti, Amy and AJ. Thanks for taking excellent care of my daughter.

-- Ashleigh Anderson,

Keller

Cheers: To Lisa at the Einstein Bros. Bagels on South University Drive. Since it opened, the shop has gone through many changes, but one thing has remained constant: Lisa. Her friendly and professional demeanor makes a visit to Einstein's a pleasant experience. She needs to know she's appreciated!

-- Richard Allen, Fort Worth

Cheers: To Denise Bennett and the students and adult volunteers who plan, organize and host the White's Chapel United Methodist Church Vacation Bible School every year. This year's four-day event was exceptional. My second- and sixth-graders looked forward to going each year and are still talking about the lessons they came away with.

-- Christine Neal,

Southlake

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