The Gatesville Messenger and Star-Forum from Gatesville, Texas • Page 4

PAGE 4-A THE GATESVILLE MESSENGER, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1W3 December 9, 1993 The GatesviHe Messenger and Star-Forum News from the State Capitol Political Comments Letters to the Editor E)DYIHlDAEL i EL Ethics Commission opinion gets mixed reactions State Capital equipment for personal and political purposes while serving as stite treasurer between 1990 and 1993 and for allegedly destroying stite records in an attempted cover-up. But Steve McCleery, first assistant district attorney, said the allegations "go wsy beyond the kind of conduct permitted" under the opinion and that the opinion would not damage the grand jury investigation or affect the prosecution's case against the senator. And John Steiner, executive director of the Ethics Commission, slid Aa opinion regarding the conduct of sine officeholders rendered by the Texas Ethics Commission list week was hailed by U.S. Sen. Kay Baiky Hutchison's stiff but downplayed by the Travis County District Attorney's-office.

Reacting publicly first, attorney Michael Tigir interpreted the Ethics Commission opinion as favorable to Hutchison, bis client, who is under investigation by a Travis County grand jury for the alleged misuse of stile employees and Hutchison's attorney's had misread the opinion. Hutchison spokesman David Beckwith rejected McClerry's remarks and maintained that the opinion undermines the prosecution's case. The opinion concludes that in some cases, an elected official may have employees keep track of political and personal appointments as part of a daily schedule, according to a breaking story in the Dallas Morning News. Also, the opinion said that in some cases. (fit incumbent Dan Morales, who announced his re-election bid last week.

He is yet unopposed in the Democratic primary. Mattox for Welfare Reform Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Jim Mattox said last week national welfare reform is needed and should include tougher child support ertforcernenr, a campaign against ken pregnancies and tougher measures to reduce the number of babies born into the welfare system. "Some of those actions may be controversiaL but we cannot continue down our present path of ever-increasing welfare rolls and generations of children born out of wedlock and into welfare," Mattox said. Mattox predicted he will win the Democratic nomination by defeating US.

Rep. Mike Andrews of Houston and Dallas financier Richard Fisher. HIGHLIGHTS If Lyadtl WUttaim al Slsfuai TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION LETTERS Time to step down, take advantage of retirement benefits Wittig, 52, is challenging fellow state District Judges Pat Lykos, also of Houston, and John Marshall of Dallas, in the March 8 GOP primary. The winner is expected to face employees may work on stite time and use state equipment to handle financial contributions to a politician's officeholder account. Commenting on the opinion, TSgar wis quoted as saving, "It means if stite elected official happens to use a state computer to keep their schedule so that they can more effectively perform the Job they were elected to do, that's not a crime.

And careful record keeping, as between campaign and officeholder funds, insulates you from being charged with even an ethical vioTitionJet alone a crime." The opinion wis issued at the request of an unidentified state legislator. At the request of the defense attorneys, prosecutors allowed grand jurors to study the opinion. Perry to Seek Second Term Rick Perry, the state's first Republican agriculture commissioner, announced plans last week to seek a second term. Saying he fulfilled his 1990 campaign promises. Perry said he wants to concentrate in the next four years on processing more Texas commodities in the state.

Perry, who in 1 990 defeated two-term incumbent Democrat Jim Hightower, Mid he is one of the few stite officials to trim his agency's staff and budget. A native of Haskell. Perry. 43, holds an animal science degree from Texas University. The former Democrat served three terms in the Tex is House.

Perry said he has cleaned up the agency, trimmed its staff from nearly 620 employees to about 550, and reduced its budget. He said the agency returned $250,000 to the treasury this year. GOP Judge Seeks AG Post State District Judge Don Wittig of Houston announced that he will seek the Republican nomination for Texas attorney general. The Gatesville Messenger Since 1881, Coryell County's Favorite Home News paper I I thank the people of Precinct 2 for allowing me to serve as Justice of the Peace for the past 17 years. I thank the people of the City of Copperas Cove for allowing me to serve as Municipal Court Judge for 1 12 years and 1 tlso hank the people of Coryell County for allowing me to serve as County Judge of this County for 12 years.

My friends and supporters have been very kind to me and my family be electing and returning me to these offices time after time. Dear editor. December 31.1 994. 1 will have completed more than 40 years of public service including military service, civil service, state and city government and 30 yean with Coryell County. It is time for me to take ad vintage of the retirement benef its I believe I have earned.

This letter is to inform you, the citizens, that I plan to retire at the end of this term and not seek reelection to another term of office as Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2. I will always cherish my association with the many friends and acquaintances of this county as well is the elected officials and employees that I have had the privilege of serving with over the years. If in the future I cm be of service to any one, please do not hesitate to call me. Norman C. Storm Justice of the Peace Coryell County.

Pet 2 Copperas Cove Politicians' decision on handgun wait period draws fire Danny Hukel, Publisher The Gatesville Messenger and Siar-Forum (1SSN-08944954) published every Thursday at 1 16 Sotth Mi Sum, Gatesville, TX 76528. by MeacnatrlNiUuNnQMntny Tele: 865 5211 Second-class postage paid at Gatesville, TX 7652S. POSTMASTER: Send addnaa change to: The Gatesville Messenger and Star Forum. PO Box 799. Gatesville, TX 76S2S.

Subscription price (per year): $15 44 i Coryell County. $25. 1 2 ia Teaai; $32.20 out of Hale. Any emu reflection upon character. Handing or reputation of any person, firm or corporation will be corrected when such occurs ia the column! of this newspaper and ia brought to the attention of the management.

The Catetville Mcaeenger and Star-Forum ii not responsible for copy omission, typographical error or any unintentional error that may occur other than lo make proper corrections after ha ng brought to the attention of the management Advertising is accepted on this basis only. Deadlines: 1 2 noon Monday (or news hots, dauified and display advertising Phone: S17-86S-5212 or 2352; Fa 817-865-2361. officials. Certainly not new or surprising, but we should ignore it Patrick Henry warned. "Guard with jealous attention the public liberty.

Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined." At the conclusion of the Convention, Benjamin Franklin was asked, "What have you wrought?" He answered, Republic if you can keep it" I wonder! Jim Broyles Moody Dear editor. With the expressed purpose of "fighting crime," a majority of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate have now voted to require law-abiding Americans to wait and obtain permission from the government to legally purchase a handgun to.

among other valid uses, protect themsel ves, their homes and their families from violent crime predators, who in all probability, nave been arrested and subsequently released again and again to prey pn innocent victims by the aforementioned government. This action was taken in spite of the overwhelming evidence of the failure of waiting periods and other impediments to lawful firearms ownership to deter crime or criminals, in spite of supreme court decisions that have made it clear that law enforcement agencies can not be held accountable for the safety of individuals (ie. police are not bodyguards). In all fairness, the Brady Bill does "ask" local law enforcement to make background checks on prospective buyers to wed out those are by present law, not eligible to own firearms. This provision, however, is a hoax, since our Congress is unwilling to pay federal agencies to conduct checks and of course, it would be unconstitutional (10th Amendment State's Rights) to "require" the states to do them.

It is easier to blame an inanimate object than it is to face a real "human" criminal. Ignoring the rights "nd endangering the lives of honest Americans, the Brady Bill laughs at crime and pleasures self-serving, grandstanding public Not going out of town for doctor Qo if Sheriffs actions much appreciated SEASONS GREETINGS It's time once again to wish your customers, family and friends the best of the Holiday SeasonI These special messages will be published in the December 23rd issue of The Gatesville Messenger helped me get my suitcases back. It's nice to see that Texas still has the friendly hospitality I have always heard about. Thanks again. Ray McDonald PA.

Dear editor. I came here from Pennsylvania to see my son I haven't seen in 1 2 years and lost my luggage on the bus. I went to the Care Center for help and they in tum sent me to the Sheriff's Office, and the Sheriff Dear editor. On October 31 I took my first ambulance ride to Coryell Memorial Hospital. My wife had called 9 1 1 and two policemen arrived first to comfort me; the ambulance came and got me ready to go.

They were all real kind. Thanks to Oma Lee Coward and Philley for coming to care for my wife while I wis in the hospital. We got to the hospital which has a very fine staff of doctors and nurses, they told me quick I had pneumonia and put me in a room. Thanks to Dr. Tipton and all the staff at Coryell Memorial.

In the past, I have gone out of town to see the doctor but never again. I hope all little towns around Gatesville come to this hospital for care. They are great. Cullen Rip Davis LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: "Letters to the editor" are accepted for publication based upon reader interest and timeliness. The Messenger reserves the right to edit all submitted articles.

Letters will be published as avtilable space permits. Only signed letters with complete address and phone number will be considered for publication. Send aQ materials lo: "Letters lo the co The Gatesville Messenger and Star-Forum. P.O. Box 799.

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