The Herald-Zeitung

Naturalization ceremony was humbling experience

As member of Captain James Jack Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), I recently joined other DAR members in the time-honored tradition of welcoming new citizens at a naturalization ceremony. Fellow “Daughters” passed out U.S. flags and “Know Your Constitution” pamphlets to 561 immigrants hailing from 57 countries at the naturalization ceremony held Thursday, Sept. 24, at Laurie Auditorium in San Antonio. Witnessing the many immigrants from across the world take the oath to become citizens of the United States of America was inspiring and humbling. All should witness the love of country that fills the courtroom at a naturalization ceremony. All should be humbled as you realize the hard work and sacrifices immigrants have made to get to that ceremony. Attending a naturalization ceremony will energize your patriotism.

This naturalization ceremony coincided with the end of Constitution Week, which made the day even more poignant. Earlier that same morning, a fellow DAR member and I were honored to accept the proclamation of “Constitution Week” made by the Comal County Commissioners’ Court. The patriotism and enthusiasm exhibited in both courtrooms that day was inspirational. So inspirational, that I was moved to write this letter to remind the citizens of New Braunfels to not take our privilege of citizenship for granted. Take steps to be better citizens. The first thing we can do to become better citizens is to take time to read the Constitution of the United States of America. Revisit the document that changed the world. Consider reading the history surrounding the document. Its writing and adoption was a long and thoughtful process. Become and remain an active, informed voting citizen and this nation’s future will remain bright. Pray for and thank our soldiers and elected officials who defend our constitution and freedom daily.

Janet Toles

New Braunfels

Are security issues a figment of political imaginations?

I was shocked to learn that the Herald-Zeitung has dropped the ball on reporting the woeful lack of security in our county's courtrooms.

Listening to the county judge and our commissioners, it is apparent they are unified in their concern for all the murders, assaults and threats that have been occurring in our courthouse and claiming this lack of security is the primary reason we need a new million dollar justice center.

I was completely taken by surprise by these concerns. The Herald-Zeitung apparently has failed to report these most serious incidents for over the five decades I have been a resident of Comal County.

We need a newspaper that reports the security dangers presented to our county leaders. Our local newspaper needs to start reporting these incidents. Or is the lack of security a figment of our local politicians' imagination?

If so ... my apologies to our local reporters, editors, publishers and owners of the Herald.

Paul Roberts

Canyon Lake

Same tax rate, same old song

The article in the Thursday Herald-Zeitung, “CISD will keep current tax rate”, came as no surprise to longtime residents of the district. Every year, we hear the Comal ISD Board of Trustees announce their struggles in setting the tax rate. Usually, we read statements from the CISD Board president, but this year perhaps Mr. Bill Swint forgot that the current board president is Ms. Carol Keller.

But it makes little difference, since the song we hear Mr. Swint singing has the same lyrics to which we have grown accustomed. No increase in the tax rate since our property values have increased. It is simple math and it is always expected, especially since CISD seats the majority of the members on the Comal Appraisal Board. Don’t forget that Superintendent Marc Walker promised that there would be no tax increase when he stumped for the 2008 CISD bond. With an increase in property values of only 2.4 percent, it makes one wonder how SAMCO Capital Markets Inc., as part of the 2008 bond campaign, could miss so badly on their projection for values in 2009 to increase by 17 percent.

Projections must be like opinions. Everyone has one.

Calvin Kempin

Spring Branch