Clear cutting clearly harmful

I would like all residents of Longview to drive on Pegues Place and observe the destruction that can happen because our city has no policy regarding tree removal. This should be a wake-up call if we are to preserve what beauty Longview has left.

The argument that a tree plan will ruin development does not make sense. If that were true, how could "The Woodlands" be one of the most beautiful and desirable places in Texas to reside? It is so disheartening that one person could have the power and permission to destroy three beautiful lots full of big trees, not to mention the harm done to nature and the environment. It is time for all citizens of Longview to unite and force the city to implement a tree plan.

Clear-cutting, in the city, is destructive both aesthetically and environmentally. Eroded sand and clay pits will not attract new residents, senior citizens or businesses.

— Jeannie Pemberton, Longview

Blurring obscenity a wise choice

Thank you for blurring the profanity on the handcuffed suspect's T-shirt in a photo you published last week. And thank you, too, for the lesson — perhaps unintended; nonetheless quite clear — that in-your-face perverse language often goes hand-in-hand with rebellion against authority with serious consequences, as is aptly shown here.

The wisest man who ever lived, Solomon, wrote on this very topic around the year 1000 B.C. His words were so timeless that he could have written the caption under the picture. In Proverbs, Chapter 2,, he wrote: "Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, who leave the straight paths to walk in dark ways, who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil, whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways . . . The wicked will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful will be torn from it."

So, according to Solomon, wisdom will save you from wickedness, perverseness, and wrong actions. But where do you get this thing called wisdom? Solomon again, from Proverbs 9:10: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom."

— Carol H. Blair, Longview

A good investment for LISD

Is it really an investment in the future?

Many people are asking that as we get closer to Saturday when the community votes on the LISD Bond proposal.

There is no doubt in my mind this is an investment with the prospect of a solid return. I am probably one of the unusual citizens supporting this bond because I was not born and raised in Longview, nor did I attend LISD schools. I see supporting the proposal as critical to enhancing the education process, fostering the development of the students and building on the future growth of Longview.

Obviously, these are desired outcomes in the minds of many people, and if you see it this way too, you will see this as an investment in our future as well. We are now staring at an opportunity to significantly affect LISD and the community in a positive manner. Building new and renovated school facilities will provide our teachers and administrators with needed resources to capitalize on their skills.

Who benefits from this? The students of course. When this begins to happen, prospective businesses looking to relocate will take notice. With the arrival of new businesses, our community will grow through the advent of additional goods and services coupled with tax revenues. Do not be fooled thinking that all new businesses try to skirt their way around school taxes. What they negotiate are other taxes that do not affect school districts.

It is time to recognize this bond proposal as the opportunity to do what is right for our schools. The future of LISD begins Saturday. Be a part of it. Invest in it. Grow with it. Vote for it.

— David Wortman, Longview