The Herald-Zeitung

Americans are truly blessed

I so agree with a recent Letter to the Editor about American attitudes. I recently was blessed to go to Ethiopia, Africa on a medical mission trip. It was so hard for me to get back into our American society ways.

We are most fortunate to have the bare necessities. The people in Ethiopia do not have simple things like fresh water, toothbrushes, soap or clean clothes to wear.

We all should take a look around us and be thankful. We are truly blessed.

Teresa Burlington

New Braunfels

Congress should give up its Rolls Royce health plan and join rest of society

Jim Hightower’s column regarding health care hypocrites was interesting, but shallow. Interesting in that the hypocrisy of our elitist members of Congress seems centered, in Jim’s mind, in its Republican and Blue Dog Democrat members. Jim’s argument falls short in that his hypocrisy claims should be leveled equally at all members of Congress (Republican, Democrat or Independent) who fail to support eliminating Congress’ Rolls Royce health plan and adoption of a health plan similar to those that cover us lesser members of society.

Jim Hightower is incorrect in his statement that “not a single member of the hypocongress has been willing to give it (Congress’ current health care plan) up.” I am aware of at least two members of Congress, one of whom is Sen. Cornyn (R – TX), who sought to add amendments to health care reform resolutions seeking to make members of Congress subject to any “reform bill”. These amendments were voted down by the respective committees.

No matter what our respective positions on health care reform may be, I believe Democrats, Republicans and Independents should unite in demanding our respective Congressional representatives and senators end Congress’ current health care plan.

Further, we should demand that members of Congress be subject to the same provisions of any health care reform bill as is the general public. If Congress passes a health care reform bill that its members believe is good enough for the people they are supposed to serve, then such bill is good enough for the members of Congress.

Jon Hutnyak

New Braunfels

Justice center town hall meetings didn’t allow enough for public comment

Thank you to the Comal County Commissioners for the Oct. 29 meeting at the Bulverde/Spring Branch Library on the proposed Justice Center.

I was disappointed with the very low turnout of citizens. I'm sure commissioners were also.

Given the meeting protocol introduced at the beginning of the session, this was much less a workshop and much more a presentation and “selling” event followed by citizens’ comments and questions, limited to three minutes each — not much time for a $36 million project the citizens are not able to vote on. Perhaps more time for Q&A during the presentation would make it more a workshop in future sessions.

Others and myself felt the very large presence of elected county officials, Sheriff's deputies and other county employees was overdone and unnecessary.

I also didn't think it was appropriate to dispense with what Guadalupe and Bandera counties are doing for Justice Centers on the basis of a quote or two from a name on a Vu-Graph. Those counties are showing lower cost solutions that are being successfully implemented and Bandera County’s Justice Center was approved by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards in September 2009.

On the basis of an Open Records request, Comal County officials did not even consider any locations other than downtown. That narrow scope ceased the investigation of other available and practical options at much lower cost.

I will be writing to the commissioners about the cost and use of the land adjacent to the Jail.

I look forward to future meetings at the Garden Ridge Civic Center, Nov. 5 at 6:30 p.m.; CRRC Activity Center, Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m.; and New Braunfels Convention Center, Nov 12 at 6:30 p.m.

Ken Valentine

New Braunfels