Where is our coronavirus leadership in Fort Worth?
Spend it to make it count
The stimulus bill will soon send most Americans nice checks. The purpose of this money is to restart the economy, so begin thinking how you will spend it.
Some people may want to save it, but that won’t help the economy. For those who have lost their jobs, this won’t be a challenge. But for many, this represents “found money.”
Buy yourself something you really want. Order a nice meal from a restaurant, or buy something for a friend who really needs the help. Be a good American by spending that money.
- Jack Bullard, Colleyville
Fellow cyclists, be considerate
After experiencing an ugly encounter on the Trinity Trails the other day, I’d like to remind my fellow bicyclists that the trails are not our personal racetrack.
I understand that it’s frustrating to break your pace to slow for pedestrians, but the trails are a shared space, and sometimes there is less space than at other times.
If you really want to get your head down and ride hard, the trails aren’t the appropriate place.
Conversely, I’d like to remind pedestrians on the trail to be aware of other traffic and to share.
- Thomas L. Shields, Fort Worth
Better way to treat convicts
The Star-Telegram Editorial Board complains that Gov. Greg Abbott’s order on bond releases from jail “creates a stratification of justice based entirely on ability to pay.” (April 3, 11A, “Governor’s coronavirus jail bond order is unfair”)
What the order does is protect the public from serious offenders who have been convicted of physical violence against others, are a threat against others and who, if they violate the terms of their bail bonds, will forfeit them and be incarcerated until their cases are heard.
Contrary to the board’s view, the governor should not rescind this order. But it could be amended to specify that people convicted 10 or more years ago and who have had no similar convictions since should be considered rehabilitated and released without bail.
- Cargill Hall, Arlington
A lifetime of inspiration
I read Sunday’s detailed obituary for Roy Joe Grogan, a Weatherford resident who lived a very full 93 years. (13A) Whoever wrote this man’s life story created a model for what all men should strive to be. His best friend and bride of 69 years must feel a tremendous loss, along with many folks who knew him in Weatherford.
His civic duty was so enormous it is hard to comprehend how one person could do so much for so many. His life story encourages me to be the best that I can be: a man in full.
- Bill Hodges, Colleyville
Superheroes among us
I want to send a huge thank you to those who are on the front lines of this pandemic: health-care workers, grocery workers, delivery drivers and postal workers. These are superheroes who each day go above and beyond to keep life moving for all of us. They deserve additional compensation and help in protecting themselves.
The least we can do to help is to abide by the stay-at-home orders.
- Beverly Tye, Arlington
A local leadership vacuum
Where is the leader in Fort Worth? While the governor of New York and Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins give daily briefings with data on the coronavirus outbreak, who speaks for Fort Worth?
There are two drive-thru test sites in Dallas County and none in Tarrant County. Is this because Dallas had in place specific plans while Fort Worth’s were vague or non-existent?
While trying to be apolitical, it is hard not to notice that New York and Dallas are Democratic and Fort Worth leaders are Republicans.
- Jo Ann Smith Haedge, Fort Worth