Homeowners’ tax burden

Homeowners’ tax burden

Jane Nelson, Kelly Hancock and Konni Burton obviously think we’re all stupid.

State government has been ducking its fiscal responsibilities to schools and local governments and shifting more of the financial burden to homeowners for years. But this trio and a few other state senators think that all they have to do is shrug their shoulders and say “it’s not our fault” and we’ll all buy it.

Whenever the Legislature decides it can burnish its anti-spending reputations by dumping on the school districts and local government, we all pay the tab on our real estate tax bills.

Some of these people are going to have opponents in November. We have a chance to show them that we’re not as stupid as they think. Vote!

Questions about magistrate

It is about time an organization has addressed the conduct of Magistrate Gary Ritchie in the White Settlement area. He does not follow the law as it is written, and that is not the way a magistrate should conduct his court. He is very harsh, and I have firsthand knowledge of how he talks to those who cannot afford to pay their fines that day in court.

As a magistrate, he is required to uphold the law of the state. He is not to enter his personal opinions into his decisions or when handing down sentences. He is to go through all the proper steps just as they do in Fort Worth or another of the municipalities in the area.

It makes one wonder: Does he do this so the city will make more money from reissuing warrants and increasing the fines?

Why’s a vendor using Arlington logo?

Again this year, our household has received a letter in the mail bearing the official City of Arlington logo, which turned out to be nothing more than a solicitation from an out-of-state vendor wanting to sell us an insurance policy covering our home’s water line.

I question why the city is allowing an out-of-state vendor the use of Arlington’s official logo to promote services, and when other cities such as Dallas, Carrollton and Plano have canceled agreements with this company?

The bottom line is Arlington’s official logo should be used only in conjunction with official city business and not for promoting any other solicitation.

Meeting schedule confusing

Two agendas for Forest Hill civic meetings were posted without regard to the 72-hour advance notice required. In seven months, Mayor Lyndia Thomas has canceled five meetings and held six special ones.

Citizens are not getting fair or open government.

Tough time for girls’ hoops team

The girls’ basketball team from All Saints Catholic School could use a few words of encouragement.

The team is made up of six fifth-graders and two sixth-graders. They play their hearts out but have been losing every game, one 46-0. Most of the players from the opposing team tower over our girls.

All Saints is the oldest school in the Diocese of Fort Worth. The school doesn't have a gym, so every Tuesday and Thursday the team marches over to the Boys and Girls Club to practice.

This story was originally published February 19, 2018 at 2:54 PM with the headline "Homeowners’ tax burden."