Preserving Fort Worth’s heritage; Medicare fix; giving to charities

Preserving heritage

Historic Fort Worth Inc. would like to thank Sandra Baker for the March 20 story about the revitalization of the near south side.

It is rare for the results of economic incentives tied to historic designation to be featured on the front page of a newspaper. We commend the developers, the leaders of the Fort Worth South tax-increment finance district, and the Star-Telegram for their understanding of revitalization resulting from authenticity and architectural integrity.

Last summer, Historic Fort Worth highlighted the south side model to the City Council as its members considered Majestic Realty’s plan to redevelop the Stockyards.

Since then, a Majestic executive has stated a vision of a “Disneyland-type” destination.

While the Stockyards has earned designation as a National Historic District, that does not protect buildings from demolition, as demonstrated in 2011 with the former Armour & Co. plant. It is local designation that stops demolition, and fewer than 10 percent of Stockyards buildings are locally landmarked.

Let’s hope the recognition of Fort Worth’s south side inspires Stockyards property owners to locally designate their buildings, City Council members to foster and steward the designation process, and all stakeholders to focus on common revitalization goals of proper historic uses, authenticity and architectural integrity.

— John Roberts, chairman,

Historic Fort Worth Inc.

Medicare fix

The U.S. Senate is on the verge of approving two measures crucial to healthcare, impacting seniors and underprivileged children.

Three million baby boomers are entering the Medicare program each year.

Ending the Sustainable Growth Rate plan for Medicare physician payments is up for a vote in the Senate. Unless it’s repealed, physicians’ Medicare reimbursement will be cut by 21 percent, discouraging new physicians from accepting Medicare patients and forcing others to abandon current Medicare patients.

Also up for a vote is a proposed extension of the Children's Health Insurance Program, which has helped nearly 1 million young Texans living below the poverty level gain healthcare.

We strongly encourage our senators to support the passage of these important pieces of legislation.

— Joel Allison and Bob Pryor, CEO and president, Baylor Scott & White Health, Dallas

Giving to charities

Are you annoyed by the constant calls asking for donations to charities?

Ask the person on the line if he or she works for the charity or is just raising funds for it.

If they say they work for a fundraiser, ask what percentage of each of your dollars the charity actually receives. They are required to tell you.

You’ll be surprised. It’s usually only about 10 to 15 percent.

Give, but give your donations directly to the charity itself so that it receives 100 percent.

— Barry McHenry,

North Richland Hills

This story was originally published March 30, 2015 at 5:03 PM with the headline "Preserving Fort Worth’s heritage; Medicare fix; giving to charities."