TCU student-Westcliff dispute shows importance of local news reporting | Opinion

In the know

Matthew Adams’ recent story about TCU students living in Westcliff is an example of how local reporting can foster change and improve our community. (Jan. 4, 1A, “Can neighbors, TCU students come to peace over parties?”) I’m a longtime resident, but I was not aware of the Stacks Property Services website and incident report form. Many of us with complaints are glad to have this resource, especially in light of the Neighbor to Neighbor Program’s past lack of effectiveness .

We are fortunate there are enough concerned folks in the surrounding neighborhoods who will take action and tenaciously interact with TCU to help us all live together, and we look forward to news updating all on the progress.

- Sandra Soria, Fort Worth

Church, state?

I am rather confused at the campaign strategy of Democrats and leftist groups to appeal to religious voters. (Dec. 28, 1C, “Crockett, James Talarico taking Texas Democrats to church”) When Pat Robertson ran for president and came to the church I attended, the media immediately shouted about separation of church and state.

But Democrats such as Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico are showing up in Texas churches. Where is the ACLU now? Why isn’t the news media raising questions?

- Doug O’Neal, Dallas

Safer cycling

North Texas lost two community members in a tragic crash in December in Pilot Point. (Dec. 24, 2A, “Deaths of 2 cyclists in North Texas met with ‘profoundly moving’ outpouring”) Triathletes Scott Mages and Andre Kocher were not statistics — they were family members, friends and active members of our community. Their deaths should serve as a wake-up call.

Cycling safety is not an issue just for cyclists. It’s a public-safety issue for everyone. Cyclists share our roads legally, yet too often they face cars with distracted or speeding drivers and infrastructure that leaves little margin for error. Texas law requires drivers to share the road, but laws matter only when they are respected and enforced.

Safer roads benefit everyone — drivers, pedestrians, runners and cyclists alike. Thoughtful road design, public education and accountability can save lives.

We owe it to those we’ve lost to treat cycling safety with urgency, compassion and action.

- Jeff Beckley, Frisco

Leaders needed

I am a Houston educator who was very concerned about the state takeover of the Houston ISD. My research tells me that there is a long history of bad outcomes from takeovers.

The appointed superintendent, Mike Miles, is not a listener or a learner. He claims to be an education authority, but he is not currently a Texas-certified educator. And Miles was appointed by Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath, who also lacks certification, though he was on the Dallas school board.

Families are moving out of the district, and about one-third of the staff has turned over and been replaced by people who will do as they are told. If you don’t have good leadership at the top, it’s unlikely any meaningful change will take place.

- Deborah Hall, Houston

Trump’s success

The first year of President Donald Trump’s second term has had a lot of rhetoric, but in terms of results: He has stopped millions from illegally immigrating, costing America billions. He significantly set back Iran’s nuclear capacity. He reduced government bureaucracy. And the stock market recently hit all-time highs.

In short, despite left-wing Democrats’ rhetoric, we are doing very well.

- Mike Holt, Fort Worth