Fort Worth crime tax, Arlington school bonds, Haltom City streets

FW crime district tax

In May, our home was burglarized. Our rear door was kicked in and our entire house turned upside down. Officer Charles Gonzales, our Westcliff West neighborhood patrol officer, estimated it took three minutes for the perpetrators to go through our house and out the front door. This has been very unsettling. I still have to reassure my kids that the bad guys are not coming back. Our neighbors were as upset as we were because it happened during the day when most of them were home.

I had wished to remain quiet in an effort to put it behind me. However, earlier this week, our neighbors two doors up were burglarized the same way. This situation is out of hand, and we are mad as hell. This incident is part of a pattern indicating an increase in home burglaries this year. The times are creating desperate people, and those of us living quiet, productive lives are beginning to think about fighting back. This situation will lead to someone getting hurt.

Westcliff West is a cross-section of professionals and small-business owners who contribute to the life of our economy and pay a heavy share of local taxes. I urge our elected officials to alleviate this wave of crime coming through our neighborhood. I want to urge the citizens of Fort Worth to vote yes for the continuation of the Crime Control and Prevention District.

— Lee Hill, Fort Worth

For Arlington bond

I worked in the Arlington school district for 38 years as a teacher, counselor and administrator. For my last 15 years, I served as the principal at Arlington High School. I know firsthand of the problems facing educators in Arlington today. There are so many things that compete for the time and attention of school-age children. Teachers have had to become not only educators but also entertainers, advisers, parent substitutes, friends and often financial supporters for kids.

This is a daunting task, and it must be supported with a sound philosophy as well as excellent facilities. Arlington has had a long history of providing such support. However, time and growth have taken a toll on the facilities, and we have a great need to provide improvements and replacements for existing buildings and technology.

As a retired educator and citizen of this city, I urge everyone to show your support for our kids by voting for the 2009 bond package on Tuesday.

— James E. Adams, Arlington

Great things are happening here in Arlington, including the new Cowboys Stadium. In a down economy, we are seeing development all across our city. Arlington is rebuilding from the core, property values are beginning to rise and we are gaining pride in our city.

The same should be said for Arlington schools. Without updating the buildings used for instruction or the technology used by our kids, Arlington residents will not be able to build on the momentum that we have created. This school bond election is about basic necessities, voting to relieve overcrowded schools, to replace 8-year-old computers, to repair roofs that leak and carpets with holes and raveled seams. These kids are the future leaders of Arlington. We must provide the instructional tools and positive learning environment necessary for them to achieve academic success.

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