Letters to the Editor
Groveton News - February 9, 2007 - February 16, 2007

Dear Editor,
   I just wanted to write a personal note about the article I read in the paper regarding James Ray Due.
   I do not know James Ray, but I have a son of my own that I love very much and I can’t imagine what I would do in this situation. I understand from the article that he was injured in a fight at a bar, but it really doesn’t make any difference where the incident happened.  This could have been the result of road rage or any number of different situations and it could happen to any of us.
   On one of my visits to see my Uncle at the Groveton Nursing Home, I saw James Ray with my own eyes. I cannot tell you how angry it made me to see this young man.  It seems to me that the person responsible for this should be in jail.  Even if the other man felt like his life was being threatened, he should have stopped as soon as he had the situation under control OR as soon as James Ray BECAME UNABLE TO DEFEND HIM-SELF. Obviously the other man did not stop.  I guess that is why I don’t understand how he could walk away with no punishment whatsoever.
     Also, I think the family should have been notified about the Grand Jury hearing and whose responsibility was it to notify them?  Since James Ray can’t communicate, at least someone should have been there to speak for him.  I feel like this is a terrible injustice to this family.
            Thank you,
            Sandra Cole

Dear Editor,
   More voting places needed.
   Thank you for running the article about the need for additional voting places in Trinity County for the upcoming election for the Trinity County Hospital Board. You noted in the article that the board will reconsider the need of additional voting places; however I am not overly optimistic that the board will rule that way.
   I believe that concerned voters in Precinct #1 (and in remote parts of Precinct #3) need easy access to voting for this election on Saturday, May 12th. It seems to me that if taxes are collected from these areas for the Hospital District, then the board should make it easy for the tax payers in these areas to express their constitutional right of voting.
    The concerned taxpaying citizens should call members of the board (in the very near future) to express their wish of opening polling places in their part of the county. Members of the Board to call are:
   ▪Mr. Dave Ward, President, 936-581-0329
   ▪Mr. Larry King, Vice President, 936-594-7536
   ▪Mr. Travis Starr, Secretary, 936-594-3559
    One of the arguments that you may hear for not opening polling places is the cost. In my opinion, the cost (estimated to be $500 per polling place) is insignificant to the lost voting and disenfranchisement of the remote taxpayers.
   The taxpayers need to remember, they are entitled to representation but you only get this by running for office, voting or both. Don’t let your rights slip away.
                        Gerald Coma
                        Carlisle, Texas