Emails to the Editor Page
 Updated   03/07/06 04:12:56 PM
ARCHIVED EMAILS 2005

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Letters to the editor are posted based on the time stamp at the LNO server with the most recent first.  
Click on year below to see archived emails
2004 emails 2005 emails 2006 emails
December 20, 2005 @ 8.37 pm
Residential Trash Pick Up 

My husband and I are so frustrated with the trash pickup we have been receiving since Colleyville changed over to this new company. The problems we are seeing is trash cans and lids scattered, the cans not always completely emptied, trash left around the area, etc. The company that Colleyville was using before did not create these problems and even some times placed the lids pack on the containers (which were empty). I like to know if anyone else in Colleyville has noticed the change in trash pickup. 

Elli. M. Duplantis
December 19, 2005 @ 2.03 pm
Colleyville Lions Club comes to aid of local family in need
Note;  Tom Westerman, President Colleyville Lions Club, informed LNO today that  the club has arranged for $600 in gift certificates for the family referenced in the email to the editor below:
My Husband is a police officer in Colleyville. He works as a School
Resource Officer at Heritage Middle School. He was notified about a
destitute family. The children attend the school where he works. This
concerns a single Mom with terminal kidney cancer who has two children, a
girl in the 8th grade and a boy who is in the 6th grade. The Mom has been
admitted to the hospital and the children are staying with friends. The
children have many needs but the mother requested a few items so that they
could have some gifts for Christmas: J. C. Penny gift cards so they can get
some shoes and clothes, some music CD's, video games for a PS-2, portable CD
player, and the Mom needs some pajamas. If there is anyway that you could
help these children please contact Linda Eaton-Stephens, School Counselor at
Heritage Middle School, 817-305-4790.

Brenda Wheeler
December 18, 2005 @ 11.12am
Vexed by fitted sheets!
Dear Editor,
I am vexed by a king-size bed we recently purchased! Would you mind if I asked you or your readers for some domestic advice-I have been unable to find an answer anywhere else to this earth-shattering problem.

The fitted sheets for the bed look square, but after a nights sleep, they sometimes start coming loose at the corners or wrinkle up in the middle. Maybe there is a standard for putting a fitted sheet on a bed that I missed in Home-Economics 101.
Does the little tag go in a specific corner, or what? 

By the way, I enjoy your news and features more than any other media source! It gives us the inside information on what really goes on in our communities. 
M. Lee
December 17, 2005 @ 10.06pm
Why is Karen already free?
Kathy Lucchesi called me the other day to tell me of your broadcast on Karen at 1:00pm today on 770 am. I listened, in the car, on the way to Ok & I cannot believe that something hasn't happened as of yet. With Ani, now gone, that almost says that he knew he lied. Why is this taking so long? 

I write Karen a lot hoping to keep her spirits up, but don't know just how much one person can take, especially when we all feel she's innocent. She's a friend of my daughter who lives near Houston so she can only see Karen when she happens to come up this way which isn't really too often.

We pray every day that Karen will be freed and we have tapes of past shows & listened to this last one today and everyone, that knows karen, is glad that someone is really trying to do something. Please keep trying and maybe one day we'll see Karen really free.
Lorraine Vocanti
December 1, 2005 @ 1.25 ;m

I always enjoy the work of LNO.

Here's a story for a "slow news" day. The City, probably Grapevine, finally changed the rules to allow a left turn from two lanes on northbound 121 service road
to a left turn at Hall-Johnson. This proves somebody listens.

Here are my questions. Why is Hall-Johnson 30 mph in Colleyville and 35 mph in Grapevine? Why does 360 change from 60 to 50 mph when headed south into Euless? There are probably other locations like this but these two I know about.
Many times you will see a car stopped near these change points.

Why can't these cities get together and post one speed limit when nothing changes but a city boundary?

Merry Christmas and thanks for your contributions to our community.
Danny C. Holifield

Local News Only took your question to Colleyville Police Chief Tommy Ingram, his response is below:

Ref the reader’s question: 

Speed limits within cities and towns are set by the City Councils via ordinances. Each city has discretion to set speed limits (within Federal standards/guidelines.) Each State gets Federal Highway Funds, which often come with stipulations that may include regulations on speed limits. (This is how all the States were “pressured” to adopt the .08% intoxication levels for DWI cases or risk loosing Federal Highway Funds.)

All major/minor arterial and residential streets in Colleyville have a 30mph speed limit as set by Council. Only Hwy 26 does not. Council has the option to change limits by public vote but probably would not without recommendations that may include a traffic survey study and/or many other factors. 

It is quite common when crossing city limit boundaries that the speed limit will also change to come degree. 

Hope this provides info to respond to your reader!
Tommy Ingram
Chief of Police
Colleyville, Texas
November 6, 2005 @6.43pm
Ref: Waiting at the Rainbow Bridge 
a column by Nelson Thibodeaux

Nelson,
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Bear. 

A Local News Only reader,

Rachel Rickman
November 6, 2005 @6.43pm
 Ref: Waiting at the Rainbow Bridge 
a column by Nelson Thibodeaux

My heart goes out to you and your family for the loss of your beloved Bear,I've expericced that kind of loss so I know what's it's like. With sincere sympathy Shirley Petty formerly of Colleyville
November 6, 2005 @6.40pm
 Ref: Waiting at the Rainbow Bridge 
a column by Nelson Thibodeaux

Obviously you don't know me ..
but, I am so sorry about your dog...
It just really upset me for some reason and then on the website rainbow bridge you can read about some poor animals and how they are tortured.. makes me so sick--
I know I am as attached to my dogs as you all were to yoursand mine getting so much older only makes me dread that day..
Maybe why this upset me so much.. :(Just a comment that's all).

Mike and Sarah Robinson
November 6, 2005 @5.45pm
 Ref: Waiting at the Rainbow Bridge 
a column by Nelson Thibodeaux

Rainbow Bridge

Dear Nelson and Jamie,

I just finished reading Rainbow Bridge and I wanted to let you know that I too believe our furry friends let us know that they are feeling better. I lost my Siamese cat Sian in August 03 she was 17 after my husband and I came home from the vet I sat down in the family room in shock. My Mother had passed away in 89 and I had not thought of her in awhile I suddenly had this feeling that my Mom was very happy when I shut my eyes I saw my Mom with Sian in her arms. Jamie hold on to the dream it will bring you comfort. My husband and I have 2 Maltese named Edgar and Elly and a Pom named Emmit. We get Rainbow Bridge. I met Bear several times at your home our daughters were good friends in middle school and I know how lucky Bear was to have such great human parents.

Cathy Peterson
November 3, 2005 @8.38pm
Hi Nelson and family;

A very nice well written and loving remembrance to the many, many moments 
of fun,joy and companionship that Bear Thibodeaux has given you. Bear's 
photo tells it all! What a super friend Bear must have been. Bear will 
remain now as one of those cherished memories never forgotten.

Sincerely,


Clark Smith and family (of Wyoming)
October 27, 2005 @5.19 pm
Sam Cammack

I discovered an article on the internet in your paper with the mention of an attorney Sam Cammack.

If Sam Cammack could be Abner Sam Cammack IV, I am trying to contact him regarding a letter he posted to genealogy.com looking for info on Mississippi Cammack branch of the family. I am from that branch of the family and trying to find and contact him. Thank you for any possible assistance. 

Ann Cammack Keefer
October 17, 2005 @ 1.24 pm
BISD school calendar

Currently in BISD, people have the opportunity to vote on next year's school calendar. Only one vote per child is allowed-let's hope you and your spouse agree! BISD doesn't provide the student with an input unless the parent choses to involve him/her. Those families with multiple students receive multiple votes. Each employee (even those who already get a vote per student) receives a vote. Community members can go to the schools to vote. Voting on-line at www.birdville.k12.tx.us is available or call the aministration office for details. Information about the voting is on each campuses marquee but you still need to investigate how to actually vote if your a community member. Information has been sent home through PTA newsletters, newspapers and so on. The effort by BISD to get the word out is awesome!

From what I understand, there is a calendar committee each year to present these choices. This committee is made up of employees and community members such as "regular joe parent". If you're interested in having input in the calendar, you need to contact the administration NOW and repeatedly to ensure that you have an opportunity to actually serve on this committee. I believe that the school board reviews these calendars prior to the voting process as well.

This year, they provided a calendar for information purposes only that has a September 5 start date.

It is important to remember that this calendar-which is lacking so many breaks-is limited because of the school district's decision about graduation. The possibility of finishing the first week of June can't be an option in BISD.

I'm from the mid-west. School started the day after Labor Day and we finished the first week of June-unless there were a lot of snow days. Our job as students was to go to school. Our drop out rate was low. The number of graduates going onto a secondary education was high. 

Starting school closer to Labor Day gives teachers the opportunity to enrich their abilities by continuing their education AND having a break. It's vital that our teachers have both opportunities each summer.

I personally believe that so many breaks hinder our students' ability to learn. Learning how to begin a project and finish it in a timely manner without needing a break is vital to life after high school. Although breaks in the elementary school may be needed (I believe elementary school teachers outnumber middle/high school teachers), I hope that BISD can soon realize the benefit of a later start date. How about the savings of the electricity cost to cool all these schools for the whole month of August-teachers need to get their rooms ready/training occurs?

I suppose if the number of BISD students who are National Merit Scholars, Presidential Scholars and so on were high-I wouldn't mind the early start date. 

I hope to be able to vote YES to a day after Labor Day calendar before my son graduates. It might just better prepare him for college.

Jennifer LePla
October 7, 2005 @ 12.01 pm
This reader says she knows the young man that spoke to the Market Street VP that resulted in Alan Barron leaving Colleyville..it was her son!
 
The following was forwarded to LNO, apparently as a cc sent to United Supermarket

Dear Sirs,

This letter is being written in reference to the website Local News Only.com. I encourage each of you to check out this website. You will need to go to Front Page and search for Mark Yowell. These are articles concerning your Colleyville store and your RVP Mark Yowell.

I will quote " Yowell based on information from a 17 year old kid of one of the United Market executives, decided to talk to the Colleyville managerial staff concerning Barron's management style. Apparently the kid told Yowell that Barron was unhappy with Yowell's style of management and was thinking about leaving the company." 

I am the mother of "the kid" mentioned in this article. Some of you may remember me as Kim Short, now Kim Anderson. Yes, fortunately Bert Short's ex-wife. I am also Greg Anderson's sister. This "kid" mentioned in the article is Trent Short, my son. Now let me tell the real truth about Trent's conversation with Mark Yowell. Trent was in Wichita Falls in July for a golf tournament. Trent was staying with Mark in his home for the week. According to Trent, Mark begin the conversation asking about his Uncle Greg, how he was doing and so forth. The conversation led to Alan Barron ( because Greg and Alan are good friends ). Trent made a comment about the loss of Alan's parents. He then said, "Yeah Alan may not have to work so hard for United because he may be inheriting some money." Trent was simply making conversation with Mark. He made this assumption on his own, not knowing anything about Alan's situation. My assessment is that Mark was fishing for information from Trent and then twisted the information he got and added to it so he could find reason to pick on Alan and eventually ask Alan to step down. The style of management was never discussed between Mark and Trent. In fact Trent's comment was that "Mark Yowell is a liar."

Now in defense of Trent, let me tell you a little bit about him He is now 18 years old and a very responsible and good kid. I can say nothing but good about his behavior. Teachers, family and friends that know Trent, love him. I have raised him basically alone his whole life. When Bert and I were married..... Bert was always working and not home to parent his boys, and since our divorce in year 2000, for the last 5 years I have raised my two boys alone. I have instilled in both Trent and Jake to have good morals, integrity, dignity and most of all honesty. He is a much different person than his dad. I know you know of Bert's dishonesty and lack of integrity. My point being Trent is a great kid and would NEVER do or say anything to harm 
ANYONE! It is ashamed that Mark Yowell was so deceitful and used an 18 year old kid to get at Alan Barron. To say the least Trent as well as myself are very disappointed in Mark Yowell. Trent has also learned a valuable lesson.

Now I realize that Alan was not demoted and quit because of this conversation. Mark apparently has had it in for Alan Barron for some time and used this conversation to begin his journey to find reason to demote Alan. I know Alan had worked for United Supermarkets for about 20 years. I also know that he has been through allot this past year with the loss of his parents. Alan is a good man with a great heart. He has all of the qualities that a company should want in an employee. He has been nothing but loyal, dependable and an honest family man. I have highest regards and respect for Alan. However there are bigger and better plans for Alan. 

Another good employee that you most recently lost is Greg Anderson. He has been dedicated to United Supermarkets for 17 years. Greg has been another "good" and "honest" man with integrity. He has taken such good care of his stores as well as his family. Greg has made a huge difference in Abilene, Texas and will be missed. Greg has also been a great brother to me as well, through all I have been through in dealing with Bert Short. It took you all a little while to figure out Bert and Kent's scheme. They are both snakes. I know Greg has a great future ahead of him and will make another great employee for someone else. I truly think that with the direction your company is going you will not have many "Greg" and "Alan's" left. It would be of your best intrest to try and hang on to men with character like Greg and Alan and perhaps get rid of some of your Kent and Bert's! The best thing you ever did was firing Bert and Kent. It is my understanding that you have plenty of those character's. 

I as well as many customer's have lost much respect for United Supermarket's for many reasons. 

As far as Mark is concerned, I think he should find a way to apologize to Trent for involving him in such petty work.

I am a simple person in this God forsaken world trying to do the best I can do. I rarely feel a need to write such a letter. However I am sick and tired of Mark Yowell's, Bert Short's and Kent Moore's having their selfish ways!
I hope that you will listen!

Sincerely,

Kim Anderson
October 2, 2005 @ 12.21 pm
More Info on the Grapevine Father Son Robbery Combo  covered in LNO on September 23rd
The two men are from Fort Worth. The father attended several schools in the Metroplex and was expelled from every one of them in his younger years. His mother currently lives in the Rolling Hills addition of South Fort Worth. The son attended Dunbar High School before his father married Shiela Renee Charles from San Antonio in late 2003 and then moved to Wyoming due to a new job. The father served approximately 11 years in prison in Texas for armed robbery only to return into his son's life at the age of sixteen. Before his return the grandmother had custody of Sherman M Harris. 

Name withheld
October 1, 2005 @ 3.37 pm
Just returned from Beaumont
I just returned from the Beaumont and Orange area after helping with a disaster relief organization based in Hurst. You are right the hurricane did a lot of damage and in the rural area it may be weeks before they have water and electricity. There are a lot of people in need, but it is tremendously rewarding to be able to provide them some assistance.

Also, I think this is news worthy. My daughter, Tiffany Cornelius, will be on channel 8 news this Sunday 10-2-05 at 10:20 as Dale Hansen's "Student Athlete of the Week". We live at 3100 Edgewood Ln. in Colleyville and she attends Faith Christian School in Grapevine. McDonalds sponsors the award and they will pay $250 to her school as part of the award. 

Ron Cornelius
September 17 2005 @ 12.57 pm

Starting yesterday I've started classes with the CERT . Civil Emergency Response Team here in North Richland Hills. Each city can have a CERT but only Bedford, Hurst Colleyville, and Keller have one in NE Tarrant County. 
There are now 130 volunteers with the last 30 being in my group #4. The class is six intensive weeks on how to deal with an local or area disaster such as a tornado, earthquake, or heaven forbid CBR attack. CBR is an old term was trained for in the service, it stands for Chemical Biological Radiological. 
I thought since I let my mouth flap a lot with criticism of the Katrina disaster that I'd put my time where my mouth was and roll up my sleeves and do something. It all started last Thursday when I questioned John Lewis, the NRH city councilman about what NRH and the NE Tarrant county was doing to prepare for such a disaster. He is taking this class too and invited me to join him and 28 others. It's an accredited class and when finished by Nov 1 will be qualified to do some serious disaster relief in my neighborhood or across the nation. Last year four of the volunteers worked for two weeks in the Florida Hurricane disaster. 
This NRH contingent work under the aspices of the NRH Fire Department and Sean Hughes is the paid CERT Chief. He not only is a qualified fireman but a certified policeman too. In Fort Worth, the CERT teams work under the police department. 
Last night they outlined the course of study, covered some basic stuff, and an EPA official debriefed a little on Katrina and the huge oil spill disaster. seems as though five of those huge crude oil bunker tanks collapsed that were full of oil and now they have a gigantic oil spill to deal with in addition to the NO problems. He said that it makes the Exxon Valdieze spill look like child's play. It will take years to clean up. Then there is NO proper and the pollution is gigantic. Seems as though many of those folks not wanting to evacuate are meth cookers and some of the explosions and burning homes are from destroyed meth labs burned on purpose to cover up the activity. 
We talked about cadaver recovery and processing. About the structure of the National,State, County, and City responsibility and chain of command. Same type of stuff we did in the first week in the Army basic training. 
I don't know yet but one other thing we did in the Army was to get a battery of shots. Yellow fever was the worst but Cholera ran a close second. Then there was a Small Pox booster, Polio, Tetanus, Typhoid. The worst I ever had was the Gamogloblin that hurt like hell from the time they pulled the huge needle out of my butt and for a whole week I could hardly sit down. And we had to get them every 6 months like Cholera. They didn't say, but if I were going onto the NO area to help out I'd sure like the protection. 
Almost all of these people are a bit younger than I and all have full time jobs, so being in good health I thought I should bring myself up to snuff. Obviously there is a huge manual to study. It's a 3" three ring binder just chuck full that I have to crack today. 
I've been issued an CERT kit including a hard hat, CERT shirts, vest, first aid kit, 5 -1 tool for turning off water and gas valves in the Neighborhood. Waterproof poncho, back pack with rollers like the kind you carry on an aircraft for fast deployment, and other stuff. Then we are to augment it for a three day deployment with out outside support. Food, dry underwear, socks, extra boots, (I'll see if my old steel toe flying boots will still fit. Need to get a good pair of water resistant hunters coveralls. This time of the year there are sales everywhere. Spent about an hour going through what to put into a 72 hour personal and family kit. 
Drinking water seems to be the biggest problem due to volume and weight. You need at least 1 gal person per day. 72 hours is three days or three gallons and at 8 lbs per gallon that's 24 lbs. to haul around not to mention the bulk.
One of the sections in the book is on setting up a neighborhood or site water purification station as in a disaster water is usually a real problem.

Rich Haas
North Richland Hills
Read Sept. 13 article.
September 14, 2005 @ 12.57 pm
Colleyville Courier

Nelson,

What ever happened to doing what it is right?

The web development company I worked for 2 years ago created the
Colleyville Courier web site for free. We struggled with the costs of
maintaining the site as well as adding functionality. Over $20K worth of
time was put into building an excellent web site. We hoped that one day
Aaron & The Colleyville Courier would be able to afford to pay us back. We
provided them with my timesheets so that they knew how much time I was
putting into developing the web site. Everything was database driven and was
built to allow writers to easily add and update content. In the end, when
the site was sold to the investment group we were ignored. My design WAS
STOLEN by the new web design & development company. I fault Aaron for not
standing up and doing what was right and I fault the investors for stealing
from the company I worked for. We thought they'd do the right thing.
Obviously, they could care less.

Chris A.
September 13, 2005 @9.00 am
Nelson:

FYI:

They sure closed this Bedford eatery in a hurry. We just ate there last 
week and when we drovbe by Sunday, the who place was cleaned out, only 
thing left were the walls. If they were losing money you couldn't tell 
it from the crowds there.

Tom Anderson


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Farewell Bedford, Texas and Thank you.
Date: Sun, 11 Sep 2005 07:00:24 -0400

Hoffbrau Steaks Great Steaks, no bull! http://www.hoffbrausteaks.com 

It is with sadness that we announce the closing of our Bedford Hoffbrau 
Steaks location effective immediately.

Tom With the downturn of the general economy around the airport in the 
last few years and with American Airlines downsizing and Delta moving 
their hub, we have seen our sales drop dramatically. We thank you for 
your many years of patronage and support.

Please visit our other locations with the offer below.
Haltom City: 4613 Denton Hwy (Hwy 377 south of 820)
Tel: 817-498-1212
West End: 311 N. Market St, Dallas Tel: 214-742-4663
Ft Worth: 1712 S. University, Tel: 817-870-1952
September 9, 2005 @ 10.51 am
At Least He Admits It

I read Mr. Siskel's column in LNO this week regarding the bond package being proposed by BISD and GCISD. While I can't speak to GCISD, I do have some information on the BISD package and the "issues" brought up in Mr. Siskel's column. As is the modus operandi of he and his friends, Mr. Siskel again asks questions, but offers no answers or solutions, save don't do anything.

As for the new facilities offered by the bond package, Mr. Siskel is correct is stating that they will bring in and help us retain quality teachers for our children. One point he failed to mention is that our teachers are some of the highest paid in the state. Once we offer a quality environment in which they can teach, they will have not only high pay, but the best facilities in the area.

As for Mr. Siskel's view on what is wrong with our current facilities, he is again way off the mark. Many of our schools are over 40 years old. Most of them have totally inadequate electrical service and air conditioning to support even minimal computer stations. When these schools were designed and built computers were the size of a classroom. Now to compete in the global economy our children face, every child needs to have experience with computers and the tools they can provide. The passage of the BISD bond proposal will allow our children to compete not only against our neighboring districts, but throughout the state, nation and world for the college placements scholarships and jobs they want.

This bond proposal has been over a 2 year process. It has been reviewed by not only our school board, but by a panel of community volunteers. It is the right thing to do for our children. Finally, thanks to the efforts of Mr. Siskel and his friends, no senior citizen will have to pay one thin dime for all of the improvements to our area's educational infrastructure, but they will enjoy all of the benefits of a better workforce, increased economic activity and higher property values.

David B. Nelson
NRH
September 7, 2005 @ 10.17 pm
FEMA Debit Cards
David,
Perhaps you can help me with this. I have been trying to find out anything on the FEMA debit cards that are supposed to be issued. No one at the Fort Worth area Red Cross knows any more than the rest of us, but that is because it is a FEMA program.

I understand that people have to be registered with FEMA, but doing that is a nightmare. We were given an 800 number that tells us the system is overloaded and to call back, then hangs up. The online registration is overloaded and won't take registrations. Now, someone has decided to tell all the evacuees in the Metroplex to be at Reunion Arena tomorrow to register. Most people think they will be getting their debit cards then. However, from what I understand, Chase Bank (Bank One) is doing the cards, and they weren't sure they were ready to be handed out yet here. 

Most of the families I have had time to work with are out of cash. They are now all registered with the Red Cross, registered for medical and food stamps. But the ones with cars can't buy any more gasoline. They can't buy anything that food stamps won't pay for. Unemployment checks haven't started arriving. 

Tomorrow I'm taking 3 ladies down to the complex to get them checked out by the doctors. We've been told it will take all day, and they need to go.

Will they miss their only chance at the FEMA card? No one knows.

If you can figure this out for me, call me and let me know.

Nancy Bielik
September 7, 2005 @ 9.31 pm
Insider comments about Alan Baron's departure
Dear Editor,
I am very disturbed about the stories about Alan Baron and Mark Yowell. Alan Baron is one of the most respectable men I have ever known. Mark Yowell talked to my son "the 17 year old" mentioned in your story and twisted and lied about the whole thing.

Alan is a great person and I regret the grief that United Supermarkets and Mark Yowell has put him through. Alan will do well where ever he goes and it is United Supermarkets loss!

I will be glad to give you my view and the real truth about Mark Yowell and this story if you are interested. I am in the process of writing a letter to United Supermarkets and I will be contacting Mark Yowell personally.

Thanks,
Kim Anderson
September 6, 2005 @ 10.36 pm
Bond Election
GCISD is not helping the upcoming 
Bond election by scheduling events at the same time as early voting, discussing the issues with parents and sending them to vote. This is Election Etiquette 101. I'd like to know how something like this was allowed to happen. 

Luann Edwards
September 6, 2005 @ 9.56 am
Amen!

Ms. Beilik, that is the compassion and passion that I admire in you. I am so happy you are taking such a proactive role and that you are doing what you can to help those in need. My only goal was to get us focused on the issues: food, shelter, and other assistance versus finger pointing and blame. 

I will make one point: We haven't opened shelters in our area because neither the State, Tarrant County Emergency Management or the Red Cross have asked us to do so. I am so happy that many churches have opened their doors to the evacuees. It shows that faith based groups are much better at handling these needs than the government. However, there is a system in place to allow us to get the most help to the most people. Our city is following that system. We are not sitting on our hands. We are training people at the request of the Red Cross to help run shelters. Our firefighters are collecting non-persishable food times for evacuees. Our city staff is working with the Red Cross to evaluate locations within our city for new shelters. Our school district is setting up procedures to get evacuated children enrolled in schools and educated. Lastly, and maybe most importantly, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of people like you and me Nancy who are doing what they can to help.

Thanks for all the work you are doing.

David B. Nelson
September 5, 2005 @ 12.26 am
Katrina 
I would like to applaud NRH Mayor Trevino for working on a plan to help Katrina evacuees. It is a daunting effort and I am sure that the Mayor, City Coucil Members, and Citizens of NRH will do everything humanly possible to do our part. 

It has been 6 long days since Katrina hit the Gulf Shores. And it has taken far to long to help evacuees get necessary help. While others plan, there have been groups of people who have actually already worked and offered many services to people who have arrived in the area. Maplewood Baptist Church is one organization that through word of mouth have sent delegates to motels looking for evacuees that need help and then provided the help. The people working there didn't develop a plan, they just knew there was a need and they began the help. They found out where to register people, they found where they could get donations of food immediately, they found the evacuees.

I am not a member of the church, but I have total admiration for the work they have done. And applaud their resolve to jump right in and make things happen. 

Sue Havens-Drake,
 NRH, Texas
September 4, 2005 @ 7.42 pm
Stop talking, start helping
David,
How dare you pull politics into the struggle of the homeless evacuees from Louisiana? I believe there is such a thing as "Southern Hospitality"; I believe we should share it. 

Perhaps you have not read my email to the Council members. I did indeed ask that the City Council consider the use of the Recreation Center. I continue to want to know why that isn't being done. The building has showers, and can easily house 150 people. Fort Worth and many other cities are using their recreation centers to house evacuees as they have showers and room for cots. 

I said I would be willing to work out any necessary logistics to see if it was possible to turn some of our empty box stores into shelters. Other cities are doing the same thing. Why not NRH? Don't we consider our City to be a leader in the Mid Cities area?

We are one of the few cities that has an established Neighborhood Services Group. This is the perfect opportunity to put their talents and contacts to use. I can't think of a better group of people to work with some of the folks I have met in the last few days. We need to share their talents with the rest of the world. 

Maybe you've visited some of our local shelters, perhaps you didn't. I have volunteered in both Fort Worth and at Maplewood Baptist Church here in North Richland Hills. Over the weekend, I have visited hotels and motels that are housing evacuees, found rooms for people to use and delivered food. 

These folks, if you have talked to them, are in shock. The disaster has left them with nothing. No homes, no clothes, no food, no personal belongings. Nothing. Those of us who are more fortunate should be rallying to their aid. We should not be sitting around wondering who is gaining political points.

Nor should we be standing in the way of those who are trying to help the unfortunate victims. As I said in my email, we should consider relaxing the Fire Department's codes regulating the number of people per motel room. Although I have not been able to confirm it, one hotel employee stated that Haltom City has already relaxed their occupancy restrictions. We have not.

You don't need to go to New Orleans to volunteer your services. There is plenty to do here. Families are arriving constantly and need our help now. 

We are all fortunate that our surrounding cities jumped to the rescue of those that need it. NRH should now join them, and do our part.

Maplewood Baptist Church needs food, volunteers to sort clothes and transport people. They also need Wal Mart Gift cards, new underclothes, baby diapers, baby Tylenol, and many other items. They need items such as new pillows, blankets, sheets, dishes, pots and pans, towels and washcloths. Whatever you have in your homes: these folks need. The Church especially needs volunteers for night time work; that is when the buses arrive.

We do not need political rhetoric. If you truly want to help, go to the Church and volunteer your services. It is on Maplewood Drive, near Davis, behind the Batteries Plus Store.

David, if you don't want to be part of the solution, stay out of the way.

Nancy Bielik
NRH City Council
September 3, 2005 @ 9.23 pm
NRH Politics and Katrina Disaster?
Councilwoman Beilik has recently sent a letter to other members of the council decrying North Richland Hill's lack of a response to the tragedy created by Hurricane Katrina. Suzette Christopher, former candidate for mayor in our city and another vocal critic of our city and its servants, also posted a note on her website complaining we are not doing enough. They want us to open every empty building in our city to warehouse people. If Ms. Christopher or Beilik bothered to check with either our own Emergency Management Coordinator or those of the county, they would find that there ideas are not only untenable, but unwanted. Our city is working with all of the municipalities to provide a coordinated, well thought out and truly impactful response to the needs of the evacuees from Louisiana. 

I have been trained as a CERT member and have the skills to help. Yes, I am frustrated. Yes, I want to run down to New Orleans or Mississippi right away, but that is not what is needed. Wisdom and cooperation is needed. Not the political grandstanding of Councilwoman Belilik and Ms. Christopher. It appears more to me that these women want to gain political points than truly help those people in need. I commend their compassion, but let's leave politics out of it. Let's work with the professionals of our public safety departments and the Red Cross and others. Let's continue to pray.

David B. Nelson
North Richland Hills
September 2, 2005 @ 7.09 pm
Imax Theater

Are you going to have movies and, Festivals as the one in the Angelica Theater in Dallas, or just one more Movie-theater place? It is a pity we have to drive all the way there to see a "different movie". Thanks, M.O.Pablo

Maria Ofelia Pablo
Editor's Note:  In previous discussions with the Town Center developer, he indicated that he anticipated there would be film festivals and other activities.  The IMAX will be part of a motion picture complex that will included restaurant and mixed drinks service at this location.  The Colleyville City Council has an amendment to the current movie theater ordinance for consideration on Tuesday, September 6.
September 2, 2005 @ 9.51 am
Hurricane Kids

 Hi
This isn't a typical letter to the editor. I just wanted you all to know that I've been blessed with two new students from the New Orleans area, and if you want to do a story on them or on the amazing way my/our students have welcomed them into our school, please let me know. Thanks.

Shelley Small
Editor's Note: LNO will follow up on this story and other, please feel free to send your personal stories for posting.
September 2, 2005 @ 8.52 am
Help Them Compete

Every 8th grade student in BISD and surrounding school districts hears a presentation in the first part of the Spring semester called "Texas Scholars". Many of your readers have probably made presentations in this program. It encourages students to take a more challenging cirriculum in high school so that they are better prepared for their educational and employment opportunites in the future. One point in the presentation is that our students are competing in a global economy. One in which they are vying against students around the world for not only jobs, but placement, scholarships and grants in college. The bond proposal currently being voted on in BISD will give our students better tools, facilities and technologies to allow them to compete in this global economy. Please vote FOR each of the bond proposals on September 10th!!! Help our kids compete.

David B. Nelson
NRH
Sept. 1, 2005 @9.42 pm
Hi,

I wanted to let you know how much I enjoy Local News Only and thank you
for keeping up on the latest Colleyville news.   I would also like to
request that you do a story on the 9-11 memorial that has been built on
the west side of Pleasant Run north of John McCain.  Thank you and keep
up the good work.

Liane Ashdown
August 23, 2005  2,43 on
Editor of LocalNewsOnly.com,

There was more to contend with in your recent editorial -- "Will our veterans of the Iraq conflict end up being treated like Viet Nam Vets? Only if we allow slanted media to go unchallenged!" -- than I can succinctly respond to, so I will deal only with a few of the matters that trouble me.

First of all, I must commend you on your consistent use of sweeping statements in the piece. The world would indeed be a confusing place if we couldn't use generalizations to help make complex issues easy to understand. I am referring to your comment that "few would disagree that the hateful conduct by the public was spurred on by a media critical of the country's involvement in Viet Nam." Well I disagree. So, too, should anyone who remembers and understands the unnecessary devastation and death caused by our role there. Without the slant of the media (would that be the "truth slant"?), America might have realized its mistake even later, resulting in the deaths of 58,000 more of our young citizens. Holding the media responsible for the evil behavior of a few sociopaths (people who spat on returning soldiers) is like blaming Jesus for the Inquisition.

You also generalized the thoughts and feelings of everyone in attendance at the ceremony when you described the "large crowd of local citizens that...support[ed] our President and the military." As one of those attending both the parade and the ceremony, I feel that my presence there was grossly misinterpreted. I was showing love and support to the soldiers and their families. I feel for their loss, but I do not support the president or his handling of the war. And I know there were more in attendance who felt the same way I did.

Secondly, I think your evaluation of the events of July 2 is slanted. As a member of the Lion's club, and as organizer and emcee of the day's proceedings, you must have been very proud of how things turned out. Contrived as "patriotic" and constructed as a "precious memory", it must have hurt your feelings when The Colleyville Courier neglected to mention it. As a friend of Steven Tucker's family, I thought that your recognition of Steven, Christian Schulz, and the wounded soldiers in attendance was a thoughtful gesture. You could have let the event stand by itself as a touching tribute to the brave soldiers who sacrificed so much. Instead, you turned it into a litmus test to see who's patriotic and who's not. A more telling fact is that within days of receiving news of Steven's death, The Courier had a front-page story about Steven. The only mention of him I ever found on LNO was in articles about the parade. Now I do not doubt that you appreciate his sacrifice for our country, but if one uses LNO headlines as an indicator, it might seem that the parade was more important than news of his death.

So before calling all good citizens to come to your aid in punishing a competitor, please make sure you're not omitting inconvenient facts. Such practices only lead to misinformation that, in your line of work, is a practice that should generally be avoided (like the passive voice).

Alex Bennett, 
Grapevine
August 22, 2005 @9.54 pm
Veterans and the Slanted Media

Mr. Thibodeaux's comments of August 20 are off the mark. As citizens, we are responsible to be sure that a war that sends our children to kill or be killed is truly a last resort and not a war built on lies. The evidence is overwhelming that this is an unnecessary war that calls on our soldiers to do their duty regardless.

Now that we're there, we must ensure that we secure peace and stability for the people of Iraq and the region. However, as in Vietnam, we're not fighting to win. We have a small force. Even when the Iraqi Army is rebuilt, it is not big enough to win. Remember the winning ratio of troops to population or insurgents?

Armor - we didn't learn about unarmored Humvees and soldiers in Somalia. WMD - we secured the Oil Ministry and not the Defense Ministry. Security - we secured the oil fields and not the ammunition dumps or people. 

Saddam's Torture - we provided George's version of Abu Ghraib. Iraqi Borders - we don't protect ours and can't protect Iraq's. It's all about us - we don't really ask for UN military or reconstruction help. 

What is the message in George's actions on our behalf? 

Those who protest the war are not sending the wrong message. The actions of George and Company speak louder than what they say. Who understands this?

Robert J. Torres
Editor's Note: I have some close friends that feel as you do; I don't.  However, the issue was not the stand on the war, the issue was failure to report on a Hometown Heroes Day, while showering the protestor with front page news and a color photograph.  That is slanted regardless of where you stand.  However, since we found out Tuesday, August 23, 2005 from the Star-Telegram that they have purchased the Colleyville Courier, which will be no longer of this world, I guess slanted reporting will be replaced with no reporting of anything by this group.
August 22, 2005 @ 11.13 am
Market St.

Come on people of Colleyville, unite against the big company box
United Supermarkets Stores also known unoffically known as the USSR,lol.
So what, a guy with 20 years in a "grocery store" gets canned, no pun
intended. Do you not go to What-ta-burger when the manager gets canned
there?

All you white-collared workers from Colleyville should be well aware of
the corporate laws and practices. No doubt you've been "wronged" in the
past?

This is a no-brainer!
We don't like him, so he goes.

Drive to other stores, see if it makes a dent, remembering you are one
person, they deal on volume (3-4% margins for the accountants reading).
As the childhood song goes.."your a hair on the wart on the flea on hair
on the wart on the fly on the hair"... you get the picture. The masses will
continue to shop at USSR as always, Alan, will be forgotten, life will
return to normal in Colleyville, and the biggest problem of the day will be
weather to drive the Jag or Mercedes to What-ta-burger.

Alan could have gotten a job at one of the other "Boxes" that the
residence of Colleyville continue to veto being built in Texas' riches ghost
town.

I've got an idea. Why don't you all build a wall around the entire store
so as to keep them kritters in and you safe on the outside. That'll get'r
done.
Buffalo Jeff Moore
Buffalo, New York
August 19, 2005 @ 9.23 
Colleyville Tax Presentation

Last Saturday, August 13, the City of Colleyville under the direction of Bill Lindley and the various departments gave a budget presentation at the community center to show where our tax dollars go. This was an excellent presentation in the form of displays, assistance from members of each department and an excellent oral/visual presentation by Bill Lindley. The humility and disgrace was in the fact that approximately nine (9) citizens showed up! The City Manager and the various departments worked hard to try and make you the tax payers of Colleyville aware of where your tax dollars are spent and you are not interested. Thanks Bill and city employees for a presentation that to my knowledge has never been offered in any previous budget year. I apologize for the tax payers of Colleyville that have no interest in City Government except to gripe when they do not like or agree with some issue.

Frank Whitmire
Colleyville
August 19, 2005 @ 8.59 am
Market Street etc...

I get your LNO updates and appreciate that there is an outlet to hear about goings on in Colleyville. Since I don't write many letters, the format of this will probably be odd, but regarding Market Street and the ongoing saga that I've seen here on your site. 

1. I go to Market Street several times a week and weekends.

2. Had I not been subscribed to LNO, I'd never have known that Alan Barron was the manager or that he was terminated.

I work for the company with the largest capital marketshare in the world and even though I am biased toward my company when selecting products, I go where the quality is #1 and the customer service makes you feel like they genuinely care about you. For people who drive to Fort Worth to go to Central Market, that's just pure crazy. I don't know what happened with Alan and don't really want to know, but what I do know is that great companies always fill voids with comparable quality, if not better. 

I've been to Market Street in Wichita Falls many times as well and had the same treatment that I receive in my very own Colleyville store, so although Alan was important in leading the store, just because he's gone will probably have little to no impact to 99%+ of its patrons. If I knew him personally, I'd probably be a little angry for him, but it's rare these days that companies can hold onto employees for even 10 yrs. But United is a great company focused on Customer Service. I wonder how many employees it takes to run that store.

I was glad that you were able to inject some objectivity into your Aug 16th article, b/c just like all media outlets, you are very biased as well (which adds to the entertainment value I might add). 

For those that are driving to Fort Worth, I guess when you live in a city with more disposable income than Southlake, you can afford to spend the extra money in gas to drive out there. I'd rather spend mine in Colleyville.

Glad you found your Grapefruit and Popcorn...

Bob Braun
Colleyville
August 18, 2005 @ 3.58 pm
Texas Legislators
Glad to read the most recent LNO article that one of our elected officials, Vicki Truitt, is using her "bulldog determination" on a car burglary bill. Sounds like a good bill that we need to enact. However..........I sincerely wish that Ms. Truitt and other elected officials who were sent by the voters to Austin to address the state's major issues and solve major problems would use the same "bulldog determination" on the school finance issue. This critical and well-known issue with its inequitable method of school finance has been hanging around the necks of taxpayers in this area (specifically) for many years without any resolution. At least two sessions and numerous special sessions have yielded "nada"......except of course for the greatly enhanced pension benefits for the elected part-timers. 

Didn't mean to get on a rant here, but where is the "bulldog determination" to try and SOLVE the school funding issue?? This is a difficult and complex issue. However, another special session is about to end and, alas, the elected officials from the Governor down to the most junior Legislator (Leaders???) still can't seem to work it out. Perhaps we need a completely new set of "Leaders" who are willing to take a crack at the most pressing issues of the day! I would hate to be an incumbent running for reelection this November.

Michael T. Muhm
Colleyville
August 17, 2005 @ 12.48 pm
Market Street Colleyville

I read your article and was annoyed yet relieved on the comments you stated about one Mr. Alan Barron. 

I felt that the so-called big rigs..were trying to attempt to rid themselves of Barron for awhile now. And I was used as a tool to maneuver this.

I am an ex-employee for good old 'Market Street United. And I felt I worked for the best boss I have ever had the fortune to work for. And still feel strongly about this. Barron was fair, loyal and a excellent communicator. But United corporate is another thing. They felt Barron treated me to well, and I was his little pet. 

Well, I was. He could count on me, and depend on me to do the job he set down. Others were jealous and bothered by that and felt the desire to start trouble. Corporate was very glad to help with the slander. Slander towards me and Barron as well. After the insult to injury, I was flabbergasted and didn't dare imagine me showing my face there any longer. 
My husband agreed. But I am not as nice as Alan Barron. I feel they will do the same to Eric and have not been a fan of a success that MS Colleyville since day one. I too would hate working at a place with a boss that was hands-on, fair, loyal, communicated well, easy to talk too, friendly, supportive, door-open policy, excited, dependable, blahblahblah...Shall I continue?

One more thing...I work at Central Market now...Soon at the Southlake CM... Something new and better near Colleyville?

Lori Longoria - ex-employee of Market Street and loyal friend of Alan Barron
August 15, 2005 @3.11 pm
Wright Amendment

The Euless City Council's support of the Wright amendment is based on the loud and clear FACT that DFW International Airport has proven itself to be an economic engine for the Dallas/Fort Worth community. It's been a job creator from day one that has helped make North Texas one of the most desirable places in the nation to live and work. Bravo to Euless city officials for standing up for the right thing and protecting this region's investments. 

I urge te NRH City Council to pass a similar resolution and show their support of the Wright Amendment.

I appreciate Eddie Bernice Johnson's stand against the repeal of the Wright amendment. It's time for more local leaders to consider the impact on the entire North Texas community and not just the desires of one greedy airline. Further, I support closing Love Field to all commercial airlines. I believe it to be a safety issue. While our Air Traffic Centers have done a wonderful job keeping the skyes safe over N. Texas, having to handle the conflicting flight patterns of Love and DFW have caused some serious close calls over the years.

Jerry Sorenson
NRH
 August 13, 2005 @ 10.12 am  Voice of Reason
 Market Street

This is a time where we need to all put this aside and realize that if We don't support Colleyville then this is just going to be one more place that will be sitting empty is that what you really want! Another building empty in Colleyville? Come on. Please stop this. Remember two wrongs don't make it right..... I think Market Street has been hurt enough. Not that Alan hasn't but this has got to stop. Plus don't you think this is childish to Honk!!!! when you drive by..... Lets grow up and forgive and put this past us. We need to all stick together or there will be no Colleyville. 

Alan if you are reading this I am sorry for what happened to you and your family and I think that is great you wrote LNO to tell people to please continue to shop at Market Street. That just shows one more thing about how wonderful of a man you are and how you can move on and look at some good in this. Best of luck to you and also to Market Street. I in fact will continue to Shop here and support Colleyville and to give Eric Cook a chance. Everyone deserves this don't you think?

Chandi Rudel
Colleyville
August 12 Response 9.04 pm
Point and Counter Point about Market Street and passionate support

Subject: FW: United Supermarkets
Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2005 11:54:52 -0500

Mr. Thibodeaux, I am responding to your article about "United Markets". First of all if you want to take cheap shots at a company, get the name  right.  It is "United Supermarkets."   

Michelle,
Thanks for writing, a former employee wrote in and corrected the name as posted on the front page since yesterday;
We have corrected the name as stated.  If we took cheap shots we would not be willing to put our name on stories and columns with full confidence to back our opinions or facts.   

August 11, 2005, Colleyville
Market Street owner corporation name corrected
Editor:

The parent company name is United Supermarkets Corporation which owns and operates all Market Street Uniteds' , not United Markets... I worked at Market Street and helped open the Colleyville store. I was a manager and left as of August 5. Alan was a FINE man to work for.
J. Rosenberg 

   Second, why a person is or is not  with a company is none of your business.   A company does have a legal and moral responsibility to keep H.R issues private. 
You are absolutely correct.  The inquiry to United Supermarkets was delivered 2 weeks before we wrote the first column.  As a response to many of our readers, and my own concern, employees of the Market Street store were asked about Alan's whereabouts.  I had personally worked with Allan on a number of community projects.  Alan was a personal friend, as well as a community icon.  After loosing his parents in a tragic wreck only months before, there was a natural concern about his well-being.  Make no mistake about it, we simply asked if Alan was still with the company.  After being ignored, I made calls to the United Supermarket's Communications Director, Eddie Owens.  Mr. Owens told me he had no idea the whereabouts or status of Alan Barron.  We both acknowledged HR issues were sensitive but as a media outlet, we simply wanted to confirm Alan's well-being for our readers.

 I called the Regional VP Mark Yowell, and left a message.  Apparently Mr. Owens called Mr. Yowell and I received a phone call from him.
Then started what I can best describe as a bizarre phone call from Mr. Yowell.  He was rude, and lied.  He told me Alan was still with the company. He told me he was not authorized to tell me where Alan was working however.    Now here is where the problem starts.  A simple true statement.  "Mr. Barron is no longer with United Supermarkets, he has decided to pursue interests outside the company and we wish him the best of luck."  OR, "Mr. Barron is still with our firm, he is in the process of making a change due to personal interests and we will pass your message along and ask him to call."  Either way we would have been ok with passing that information to the public.  However, Mr. Yowell apparently had a personal problem with Mr. Barron and, now I know he did, and Yowell unfairly and unnecessarily cast aspersions on Barron's character, in my opinion.
Just because you are a "reporter" does not give you GOD like status and the "right" to know where an employee of a business is,  why they are no longer with the company and  so forth.  As a reporter, we would be remiss in our responsibility if we did not follow up on an icon of the community.  The store is a critical element in Colleyville and even the City Manager of Colleyville was unaware of Mr. Barron's status.   If you were such a "good friend" of Mr. Barron you would think you would have his home telephone number to ask him yourself.

Mr. Barron and my relationship was always professional. I would contact him at work.  Any friendship grew from working with the man and knowing how concerned he was for the community.  And to your comment I did get his home phone and call him, that is why I am confident on the facts presented. If you get a chance to actually read all the information reported, we think you will note I did talk to Alan.
I have a family member who is a former employee of United Supermarkets.  I can tell you that they do care about their employees and if you come
to Lubbock you will see how much of great company they are, not only for their commitment to our community, but also as a the #1 supermarket
store of choice.
Been there done that, my son went to Texas Tech for his first two years of college.  Further, this is certainly the impression I had of United Markets and our I believe so did the local community at large, that is until the shoddy treatment of Alan Barron.


By the way, I have a very good friend who shops at the Colleyville store probably more than you do and can't agree with the way you say the store now appears.  
Your friend would have to be in the store 7 days per week, because our offices are right down the street and we were in the store at least 5 to 6 days per week.  Plus our personal shopping.  Spent at least $1,200 to $1,500 per month at the Colleyville Market Street from my family and lunch office workers alone. 
Heck, in supermarket spending terms, if Market Street were a Casino, these guys would have been "comping" me a nice suite with free meals!

Unfortunately your friend's opinion seems to be in the minority from the amount of emails and comments we have received at LNO.  Many can be found on the emails to the editor section on LNO.

My friends was a long time resident in Vernon and Wichita  Falls and has said that the Colleyville store upholds United's values just  like any other store.  So I found your so called column an outright lie  and fabrication.  You should be ashamed of yourself!   There is adequate additional consumer comment on the site that would disapprove  my column is an outright lie or fabrication.  I personally spoke the the infamous Mr. Yowell and I spoke to Alan Barron personally.  So you can take a hike on this comment.

 And it is not "so called", it is a column and identified as my opinion.  I sure as hell am not ashamed of myself for defending a good man that got treated unfairly. I don't care HOW they treated your family former employer member, that does not appear the case here.

Once again, you are journalist.  You do not have the right to know what goes on with H.R issues at any company, including your own place of employment.  Why don't you tell me how much money you make?  If you should have the right to know H.R issues about anyone you see fit then me, and the rest of your readers, should get to know all about your personal H.R  issues.

Once again as a journalist, I have every right to ask questions and the company should be better prepared to deal with the media, not cover up, not lie, not ignore and not fabricate a cover up.  A simple straight forward answer would have been a better approach to the media and those who care about Alan as a person, not just as the Store Director.

Besides, if I told you how much money I make, you wouldn't believe I could afford to shop at Market Street.


I doubt very seriously you wish to reply, but it would be nice to see that you do!
 Michelle Smith
Mortgage Loan Originator

Lubbock
National Bank
Committed to Your Success
Of course, I will respond, because we are very comfortable in our coverage and I am comfortable in my column.  I appreciate your passion for the company and I can tell you no one was more disappointed  and surprised in the attitude of this Yowell character than me.  Alan said the corporate culture was changing.  What a shame, what a let down and I hope they regain their composure in our community.  One way would be to respond appropriately. 

However, now there is a 26 year old kid, getting his first management job, taking a position of a valued member of this community, and from all indications Alan got a raw deal.  That should even make you apprehensive, because I can tell you that Alan certainly doesn't believe he should have been treated in this manner.  

   But Yowell sneaks down here on Alan's vacation and, rather than discussing his concerns with Alan, torpedoes him with his employees.  In my opinion, Yowell is the one that needs to go.  And whomever first established this fine company's policy needs to reaffirm our faith in United Supermarkets.
Nelson Thibodeaux
   Editor Local News Only.com

August 12, 2005 @ 2.33 pm
Alan & Market street

Hi Nelson; One of the joys of coming to Texas from Wyoming to visit our daughters our son and his family is to look forward the trip over to the Market Street. Mr Barron must be a fine person to receive so many kind words from so many customers. I'm hoping it will be a long time before we see a lowering of quality of any kind at the Market Street and I'm sure it will be a long time for the simple reason Alan has done such a super job providing the on the spot leadership that made it such a super facility in the first place. In fact we will be there again early September as it sure has a long way to go down to keep us away. Meantime, Alan's foot prints will remain and he apparently has the stuff to make more where ever he goes. I wish all concerned the best. Wow! A great place!

Sincerely
Clark Smith,
Cheyenne, Wyoming 
Posted August 11, 2005 @ 6.18 pm
BISD Bond Election
August 11, 2005 @4.14 pm

Vote For BISD Bond Package

I have been pondering the benefits of the currently proposed bond package from BISD. Even taking out of the equation, the obvious benefits to the students of BISD through better technology; improved facilities for those students in many of our schools, especially the younger ones; and the improvements that will allow our student athletes and those in other outdoor extracurricular activities to practice even during our ever increasing red ozone days, I think this package deserves passage. 

Let's look at it from an economic perspective. The new infrastructure, in the form of the new campuses and those that are being improved, will have an immediate positive impact of the property values of the surrounding areas. Additionally, as anyone knows, when younger families are looking for a home, they look first at the schools in the area. It should be apparent to all that these new and improved facilities will bring in an influx of new home buyers. Home buyers who I believe will be willing to pay a higher price for properties near these schools. Of course, there is the obvious positive impact of the monies generated by those people employed to build and refurbish the schools. This will add dollars to our economy too and in many areas of business. There is also evidence that when there are improvements in an area, especially public ones, that surrounding properties begin to clean up and make their assets look nicer. The passage of the BISD bond package on September 10, 2005 is an economic boon for everyone in the QuadCities area.

One final point that I must emphasize. Seniors in our area and all four cities directly affected will not have to pay for any of this bond debt. You will enjoy all of the economic benefits, help your grandchildren, friends and families and not have to spend one dime for it. This should be an easy YES vote for you.

PLEASE VOTE "YES" FOR THE BISD BOND PACKAGE!!

David B. Nelson
North Richland Hills
August 8, 2005 @921.pm
BISD voters are asked to make a sacrifice on September 10 when they decide on a $215 million bond package. The sacrifice is to increase property taxes. 

Is it worth it?

Yes, it’s worth it to senior citizens. 

They have the opportunity to give their grandchildren modern campuses that contain the technology facilities needed to train future workers, who must compete in an ever increasing global economy. 

Yes, it’s worth it to parents whose high school children will graduate from BISD in the next three years. 

By voting yes, they help create communities that are attractive to businesses looking to establish themselves in the Quad Cities. One of the major reasons companies give for locating in a community is good schools. The small investment homeowners make now will increase their property values when they look to sell in the future. 

Yes, it’s worth it to parents with children currently in the district. 

Besides the reasons listed above, this group has the opportunity to lower the annual maintenance and operating costs by an estimated $800,000. 

Like generations before them, BISD voters are being asked to make a small short-term sacrifice for a long-term benefit. I strongly encourage voters to vote FOR all three proposals on September 10. 

Tom Lombard 
North Richland Hills
Aug.10, 2005 @ 10.23 am

Dear Nelson,
As a former resident of Ross Downs in Colleyville from August 2000 until December 2003, I was always moved by your "telling it - like you saw it" style of reporting through LNO. Finally, I am writing to express my appreciation for your courage, dogged determination and intestinal fortitude to speak and write your mind. 
From your numerous articles on local Colleyville politics to your compassionate coverage on Karen Luchessi; I have been impressed. Mind you, I've not always agreed with you on all your views. But then again, our different individual view points is what makes this such a dynamic country to live in! Right? 

Your latest journalistic stirrings have brought to light the interesting state of affairs within the corporate world of United Markets. How disappointed I was to read about Alan Barron, the now former store manager at Market Street. Your link to his personal email allowed me to send Alan a note of my own musings and appreciation late last night.

Anyway, I just wanted to say, "MAHALO-THANK YOU" for doing what your conscience leads you to do through Local News Only. While I don't miss the summer heat or exorbitant taxes in the Lone Star state; I sure do miss the many wonderful people of Texas. Thanks to the internet, I'm still able to keep up with the Colleyville area news through your LNO publication and yes, even the Courier too! Both of your publications allow me to keep up with all the happenings of my former home town...good and not so good!

Thanks to you Nelson, I am able to believe that there will always be a few of us in this world that will speak our mind...no matter how much hot water it might get US into! Keep at the construction work and may the future bring you continued success with reporting the truth!!! Perhaps some day I will have the privilege to meet you and shake your hand. Until then, please know you have a comrade and admirer in Washington state.

All my Aloha,
Nohealani Stewart
Snohomish, Washington 
Aug.10, 2005 @ 8.24 am
Nelson, Thank you and Jamie for the support you have given me. I have attached a letter that I request you consider putting in the paper. It is to the many individuals that have also shown support for me during this time. Many folks have shown concern, and anger. Believe me they have voiced their opinions Colleyville style. The fact is many have communicated their plans to stop shopping at the store. Though I appreciate their concern, I do not wish to have United suffer this kind of reaction. 

We owe it to our community to try and stop this if possible. We need to keep one of the best things Colleyville has going, going. We need to keep these dollars in Colleyville. Yes, I am disappointed in what happen, and how it went down, but I would like to see the store I helped open succeed. 

Please consider this request,

Alan 
Editor's Note:
Alan Barron's letter is below.  This is just one more example of the class of this individual.  Colleyville consumers should make every effort to support businesses in their hometown. However, in my opinion, Market Street should recognize they are not the only option. The Market Street store is in Town Center. Town Center has now attracted a number of other quality tenants with more to come.  Town Center is growing as a major critical commercial success and will continue to do so.  

However some customers may determine a new preference with another Colleyville supermarket is a reasonable selection.  Market Street has severely altered the perception it is a company with a distinctly different customer service and one that supported its employee family.  Town Center will continue to grow because it is in an excellent retail location and should attract top tenants. 

Colleyville offers new quality retailers the potential for a loyal customer base with substantial expendable income.

Apparently Market Street will simply let Colleyville customers make up their own mind on what and where the principles of their organization now stand.

An Open Letter from Alan Barron
Thank you all for you’re over whelming support during this difficult time. We never wish to face times of adversity at any point in our lives. This is the second time in as little as a year that our great community has embraced me. What a great community we live in. 

As for United Supermarkets/Market Street, it will continue to be a part of our community. I devoted 20 years of my life to the company. Despite the indifferences I might have had with the company recently, the fact still remains that United Supermarkets is a good company. 

United Supermarkets has supported me in many endeavors over the years. The most recent was the opportunity to work with and serve the many wonderful individuals at the Colleyville location. We have all worked very hard to give Colleyville the best grocery store possible. 

Though I have departed, there are still many fine individuals that work at Market Street. These folks take their job seriously, and have a tremendous amount of pride in what they do. These individuals depend on you to continue to make Market Street your choice for your grocery needs. 

Market Street and Colleyville go well together, and need each other. My departure will not change this fact. Our community depends on strong relationships to continue to grow. 

It is my request that you continue to shop at Market Street for the above reasons. United is a fine company, there are many great employees there, and Market Street is the best grocery store in the city of Colleyville. Please give Eric Cook and his team a chance to take Market Street to the next level. 

Sincerely,

Alan Barron 

Aug.10, 2005 @ 12.30 am
Market Street - Can you hear the cars going by?
Mr. Yowell,

Do you hear it? 

The sound of cars passing by Market Street to go across Ft. Worth to Central Market. My car is one of them. The really sad thing is, I liked Market Street better. 

Actually living where I live I don't pass by Market Street to get to Central Market, but every time I'm going to Central Market instead of Market Street I plan to go out of my way to drive in front of MS and honk. Maybe others will too. (Hey, now there is a new way for you to do market research. Ask the new manager to include in his reports how many horns he's heard during that reporting period. That way, when your boss wants to know why the Colleyville store's profits are going down you can tell him exactly how many customers who would have shopped there didn't.You can even add that to the PowerPoint graphs. As the profit graph goes down you'll need something going up and if all ex-Market Streeters drive by and honk you'll have one line going up that you can lay across the profit line going down..)

I think it is mind boggling to consider all you have accomplished. Let's see, you've: 

1. Emotionally kicked a loyal employee at an especially bad time in his life. 
2. Caused a good family the pain of insecurity and to learn that twenty years of hard work, sacrifice and life disruptions, to move for the "Company," mean nothing.
3. You have cost, who knows how much, future income for your company. 
4. You got rid of a person who made you look good. 
5. You are even helping the Petroleum industry (don't forget, a lot of us are going to drive up to three times as far to go to Central Market, now that we aren't going to Market Street any more. More miles = more gas = more profits for petroleum industry). 
6. You've also set up a kid, that is probably a rising star in the Company, for a big fall.

Man, you are a "can do," fella. 

If you aren't yet, you might want to be thinking how to put all this on your resume. All the above looks pretty negative if you are needing a new job. How can this be made to sound better? One thing for sure, you have shown an ability to make independent decisions. Forget the bottom line, community feelings and customer loyalty, go ahead and demote him so he will quit. (Were you told to do this, are was it your idea?) And, my oh my, you have demonstrated the courage to use power. Did it feel good? And to put another good spin on it, the six things listed above, you accomplished by yourself, demonstrating you are a "multi-task" kind of guy.

Some people would be ashamed if they had done what you have done to Alan Barron and his family. I wonder if you are sensitive enough to be ashamed and also embarrassed by the stupid move you made for yourself and the company? 

Candidly. Just between us. That egg on your face would have been so better in an omelet, wouldn't it. 

Really now, and trust me on this, based on personal experience these old clichés are true, "What goes around, comes around," or, as the Bible puts it, "you reap what you sow." I hope you like weeds. 

The earthquake you caused for the Barrons, we customer's and United Market may quickly pass, but there is a tsunami coming, so you better head for higher ground, and you've got a long way to climb.

Richard Hall
Aug. 10, 2005 Market Street's Party Line response to emails being received as a result of the LNO story concerning Alan Barron; reads as follows to all;

Thank you so much for your message -- my sincerest apologies for not responding earlier. We value all comments from our customers, and we are especially appreciative for your interest in our Market Street store in Colleyville. 

While it is true that Alan Barron has elected to pursue other business interests in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, we are excited to announce the promotion of Eric Cook, who has been an assistant store director at three of our stores, most recently at our Market Street location in McKinney. Like Alan, Eric is a product of our training program that stresses the importance of community involvement and support. We are certain you will find Eric extremely capable and we trust you will take the opportunity to meet him during your next visit to the store. 

Thank you again for your message, and if you ever have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to let us know. We are committed to making our Colleyville store a great place to shop. 

Warmest regards, 

Eddie Owens, APR
Director of Communications
United Supermarkets, Ltd.
806-791-0780, ext. 224
806-928-0462 (cell)
Aug. 9, 2005 @ 5.14 pm
Market Street reaction
Nelson,

Bet United Supermarkets wishes they would have been a little nicer to LNO! I'm sure they are getting lots of emails, because customer service has definitely taken a nose dive there...

Mary Coffee
August 9 2005 @3.07 pm
Market Street vs. Wal-Mart
Editor
I want to congratulate LNO on its investigative reporting and its sheer doggedness in uncovering the truth about the departure of Alan Barron from Market Street. I only knew Mr. Barron slightly, but I always found him to be genuinely interested in his customers, his business and his community. Market Street was a welcome addition to Colleyville and Mr. Barron made sure the service, atmosphere, quantity, variety and quality of products lived up to or exceeded everyone's expectations. Under his leadership Market Street was also an active and extremely welcome participant in the civic, charitable and social activities of the community.

Although the factual materials presented in your series of articles would seem to indicate that Market Street corporate's decision to offer Mr. Barron a 50% pay cut while exiling him to McKinney is sheer folly, the most disturbing item was the assertion that Market Street management, and particularly the primary actor in this event, Mr. Yowell, wanted to imitate the Wal-Mart management style by forcing the resignation of a 20 year employee. Although it is hard to criticize an organization as profitable as Wal-Mart, not every business can adopt the Wal-Mart model and be successful. There is only one Wal-Mart-and some say thank heaven; but whether you are a Wal-Mart fan or not, one must appreciate the differences between a Wal-Mart and a Market Street.

Mr. Yowell, if he is successful in transforming Market Street into a Wal-Mart, may well find himself and his company perceived entirely differently in the communities where they have, or wish to have, locations. The mention of a new Wal-Mart in almost any community, not just to the snobs in Colleyville, creates consternation and often rabid opposition. Why? Its reputation is the answer. Whether one is talking about the treatment of its employees, its product quality, its service, its community activities or its method of operation, the name Wal-Mart congers up a definite picture in most people's minds. Whether Mr. Yowell wants Market Street to evoke the same picture, I have no way of knowing; but if he does, he seems to be on the road to success.

One piece of advice for Mr. Yowell. As the legendary coach of the Texas Longhorns was fond of saying, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." The Market Street of Alan Barron earned you, Mr. Yowell, your success in Colleyville; but remember, there is always Albertsons, Tom Thumb and soon Central Market.
Frank Carroll
Colleyville
August 8, 2005 Alan Barron and Market Street responses
How about you give everyone the yahoo's email address and and the president of the company also. I would love to email them as I am sure many others would like to do so also. I have really missed not seeing him around and the answer I received while checking out was "I don't know".

Lee Koch
Write the Communications Dir.
I think it would REALLY be great, if customers emailed Mark Yowell, Regional VP. at (940) 691-6216
I share your wife's feelings on this issue. If i found that alan was 
forced due to his family situation I would never shop at Market Street 
again. Keep up the good work.
 Trey Westphal
I found this unprofessional jerk's name on the company's web site. 
If you would like to share some comments, you can reach this "yahoo" ....

Funny way to express yourself. Commenting on someone's apparent unprofessionally using the words jerk and yahoo..... 
What is that saying about the pot and the kettle?
Jay Wegner
Editor's Note:
We were attempting give a verbal description of the VP's unwarranted attitude, looks like we got the message across.

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