Dear Editor:
All of us are so fortunate to have at least 12 years of free education, and many of us go on to earn many degrees. We count on those with additional education and decades of experience for everything from trips to the moon to life-saving medical knowledge.
So for the life of me, literally, I cannot comprehend the JCISD School Board ignoring scientific advice and deleting the mask-wearing requirement in our schools.
Texas and local governments are set to receive $27.6 billion as part of American Rescue Plan. Blanco County is projected to receive $2.31 million, according to projections from the National Conference of State Legislatures. The cities of Johnson City and Blanco are projected to receive $450,000 each.
The purpose of the plan is to provide financial support to offset the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Johnson City really did step up and help one another during last week’s freeze!
Our local grocery store, Lowe’s Markets, tried to keep their shelves fully stocked to no avail, with many workers braving the cold to get to work. Ultimately, they had empty shelves, but when two delivery trucks arrived, and with only a few hours before opening, our LBJ Middle School & High School athletes, along with their parents, jumped in and lent a hand.
Bryan’s on 290 owner, Bryan, slaved away in t ...
I was certainly surprised to learn that Rick Perry, former Secretary of Energy, believes that Texans would prefer loss of electricity to a regulated oil and gas industry. Perry’s belief parallels the notion expresed by Lt. Gov., Dan Patrick who stated, “there are more important things than living” while urging Texans to “take risks” with their health by returning to work and leisure activities without pandemic safeguards.
These crises are man-made conditions. They are the direc ...
COVID vaccines were developed in record time. Then we heard that being no national distribution plan, states would be responsible for distribution and availability. Earlier this month, I looked at the State of Texas’s COVID website. The state plan appeared to be for us to call around to drug stores and lots-of-luck.
We talked to lots of folks about this subject. Many/most did call around, multiple times and to lots of places. No luck. Then, some places started allowing registering f ...
I have written and preached about the need for transparency and openness in our government.
However, it is important to realize that transparency and openness spring from individuals with good character. Character is an individual attribute and is displayed in a range from good too poor and everything between. Just some of the traits that make up good character are integrity, honesty, loyalty, respectfulness, responsibility, humility, compassion, fairness, forgiveness, authenticity, courage ...
Beginning around dinnertime on Monday, January 4th and continuing through lunchtime on Wednesday, January 6th, I received no less than twenty e-mail requests from Ted Cruz. He wanted me to make emergency donations to his campaign war chest, stating within each request: “Believe me, the Democrats are aiming the full force of their fire at me, and they’re not going to be letting up any time soon.”
But by the afternoon of January 6th, —the afternoon of the insurrection upon our nati ...
2020 has certainty been a year of years. I do not need to recount the events of this year; we all know them too well. It is just strange to think that it was less than a year ago since we impeached the president, yet it seems more like a decade.
This hard year is almost over. Now it’s time to look to our future and imagine what’s possible. Texas has six key challenges that we could overcome if our state leaders seek to tackle them.
— Only 30% of Texas fourth graders meet grade-level reading standards.
Wide education achievement gaps separate students from different backgrounds, and data suggests COVID-related school closures are hurting students’ progress.
Addressing this challenge starts with measuring existing gaps th ...
Whatever you think about Christmas, I think you would have to agree we need one this year.
Everyone I know seems determined to do as much Christmas as it is possible to do. My pastor announced at the beginning of Advent that we were going to have 26 consecutive Zoom Advent services.
“We’re having 15 minutes of Advent reflections EVERY night!” she announced.
“Surely she means every week,” most of the congregation thought.
“EVERY night!” she repeated for clarification.
