Sheriff’s race; Allen for judge; Kerr for justice; tort reform; Medicaid
Sheriff’s race
Let’s vote for a sheriff, not a celebrity wannabe!
Dee Anderson was elected 16 years ago to clean up a mess created by two previous incumbents who wanted to be celebrity crimefighters.
Not only did Anderson fix the problems and bring respect to the office, he worked with the county commissioners and the Texas Jail Commission to build a state-of-the-art maximum-security jail that has passed all inspections.
No scandals, no escapes.
The challenger’s resumé includes running a tiny police department for 30 years that, some say, specializes in traffic tickets.
Tarrant County’s daily jail population is about 1,000 people more than the population he protected. No qualifying experience!
Common sense says go with the Star-Telegram’s recommendation and that of many local officials.
Vote for a winner, Dee Anderson.
Tim Kenehan, Mansfield
In the runoff election for Tarrant County sheriff, voters can choose a man who used the Ethan Couch case to get publicity at every opportunity, and now has moved Couch to a more comfortable jail setting,
Or they can choose Bill Waybourn, a proven, 30-year law enforcement leader.
Waybourn is recognized across the state and endorsed by law enforcement organizations throughout Tarrant County, city and state elected officials and former Gov. Rick Perry.
Waybourn doesn’t need a jail inmate to demonstrate how to be a law enforcement leader.
His extensive record and support by professional law enforcement officers speak for him.
For strong, proven leadership, vote for Bill Waybourn for sheriff of Tarrant County in the runoff election.
Donald Feare, Fort Worth
Allen for judge
In my 40-plus years practicing law in Tarrant County, this is one election in which both candidates are equally capable of being very good jurists.
I give the edge to Brooke Allen for her greater variety of case experience and my knowledge of her conservative values and active history in the Tarrant County Republican Party.
Brooke Allen will make a fine choice for judge of the 348th District Court.
John White, Arlington
Kerr for justice
Tarrant County deserves a great appellate justice to join the 2nd Court of Appeals.
Elizabeth Kerr won the March 1 primary by a large margin in a field of five, but is now in a runoff.
She has the education, experience and character, plus the correct temperament, to serve on the court. Her recognized writing talent makes her that perfect justice.
Please join with me and vote for Elizabeth Kerr.
Sharon Dale, Benbrook
Tort reform
I received a campaign mailer for Mike Wallach, Republican candidate for judge in the 348th District Court. In the flier, Wallach touts his support of “tort reform” and claims it has helped Texans.
While tort reform may have had some benefits, I know first-hand the serious negative effects it has had on victims of physician negligence, who, as a result of the “reform” championed by Wallach, have no recourse in our court system.
In 2014, my daughter was the victim of malpractice by an orthopedic surgeon in Fort Worth. Her knee replacement operation was badly botched and, as a direct result, she lost her ability to work and remains in constant pain.
My daughter has been told by every lawyer she’s spoken to that, as a direct result of “tort reform,” there’s no chance for her to succeed in filing a suit to hold the doctor who committed this malpractice accountable.
This is the other side of the tort reform coin that Wallach doesn’t want voters to know about.
Beatrice Barr, Fort Worth
Medicaid
It’s time for Texas to stop treating its poor like we’re still on the plantation.
Texas should expand Medicaid similar to the way the program is run in California and New York.
We shouldn’t have to depend on waivers to receive the services that we’re entitled to.
Pedro Baez,
North Richland Hills
This story was originally published May 20, 2016 at 7:16 PM with the headline "Sheriff’s race; Allen for judge; Kerr for justice; tort reform; Medicaid."