Why has the Fort Worth Botanic Garden fallen off the radar?

Botanic Garden just not a priority

I remember when I took my first grandchild to the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. She said, “I wish we could stay here forever.”

But in recent years, city leaders — those whose responsibility it was to provide funds to keep the conservatory and other buildings in top condition — have neglected the gardens. Corporate moneymakers such as sports arenas and real estate deals like the Panther Island project took away from the Botanic Garden.

The shortage of maintenance funds can be rectified when we have the good taste and sense to save our heritage. That is the desire of many who wish to keep the gardens in good condition and free for everyone, especially our children, to enjoy.

The names and contact information of the park director and others who have a say in the plans of the Botanic Garden should be made available so Fort Worth residents can work with them.

It looks like all smoke and no fire

Regarding special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation: If the Democrats had some info on President Donald Trump, why didn’t they come forward with the evidence? If they had nothing, they should have just shut up. You can’t convict on speculation.

Were they throwing out a red herring to distract from their own shenanigans? Was this an obstructionist ploy to keep Trump from leading this nation?

Many of us have totally lost respect for the Democrats. Think of the time and money the Democrats wasted on nothing.

Editor’s note: The Mueller investigation was initiated by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, a Trump appointee, under a Republican-controlled House of Representatives and Senate.

Some real reasons for optimism

I am surprised by but grateful for Marc A. Thiessen’s columns in the Opinion section of the Star-Telegram. I have always believed this country would be better off if Democrats and Republicans were on the same page, working together and thinking together.

Thiessen’s columns give some hope that this might happen.

Not students and taxpayers first?

I just read the effusive “Updates to local high school stadium ‘gives that prestige look and wow factor,’” about the Grapevine-Colleyville school district’s renovated Mustang-Panther stadium, which makes me wonder about the school district’s priorities. (March 26, 3B)

The story indicates this was done using mostly windfall Tax Increment Financing funds and doesn’t mention voter approval. Considering the entire student and teacher population, was that really the best use of those funds? Considering the taxpayers, was that the best use of those funds?

I believe any of us can think of ways to apply the funds with much broader value, and this doesn’t even consider the potential property tax impact. But as the Grapevine principal said, “The press box will blow you away.”

How many students, teachers and taxpayers will benefit from that? Clearly, the district puts image and administrators first, taxpayers last, and students and teachers fall somewhere in the middle.

Teachers deserve our support

Kudos to Republicans for finally doing something right for Texas public school teachers: a $5,000 pay raise. (March 24, 17A, “Suddenly, cost-cutting states turn friendly to teachers”) This was an excellent first step.

Retired teachers have not received a cost-of-living raise in more than 15 years, and their health insurance plan is extremely expensive. Retired Texas teachers are not eligible for Social Security, and the average teacher pension payment is less than $30,000 a year.

Let’s do right by our retired teachers as well as current teachers.

This story was originally published March 28, 2019 at 8:18 PM.