The Mills case

I have been furious since reading the Trib’s June 14 edition about former Downtown Waco Inc. executive director Margaret Mills, who pleaded guilty to felony theft just last November. I can’t believe she’s already up for parole.

Come on, people. Is this fair? When I was raised, we were taught you didn’t steal, and God help you if you did. You would suffer the wrath of your parents and the law. Mills apparently didn’t grow up with the same rules.

Had I even tried to steal some of the money she took from the nonprofit group she oversaw, I certainly wouldn’t have had friends or family to bail me out.

I believe this: You do the crime, you pay the time.

Would I, as a nobody in this town, have been treated the same as Mills? I don’t believe so. I know of two other cases, and I have known the people involved who have stolen from their employers. They’re going to jail.

What has happened to people’s morals and values?

Delores Hopper

Waco

The Rapoport matter

I’m appalled that the Waco City Council rejected Bernard Rapoport’s request of $222,500 to renovate a building on the old Paul Quinn College campus. I’m in full agreement with every word of the June 27 letter written by Frank Beavers.

Rapoport has given time and again to this community. I feel certain his contributions have amounted to millions of dollars, and for this city to refuse this paltry sum seems ridiculous. I’m sure he doesn’t need the $222,500, but it would seem Waco has a viable interest in this project as well.

City of Waco, I hope you realize Rapoport is not obligated to continue with his magnanimous gifts to the city. Mr. Rapoport, the people of Waco appreciate you.

Fae Althage

Waco

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Rapoport Academy, while named for philanthropists Bernard and Audre Rapoport, is funded by neither them nor their foundation beyond some grants, though development director Gaylene Reed says “we just love them.” Also, the Waco City Council has yet to weigh in on this issue. You’re angry with the local Tax Increment Financing District board which, under pressure by the Waco Independent School District, balked at recommending funds to renovate a building at the old Quinn Campus for the public charter school. The council has final say on the matter.

Car-surfing lawsuit

I, too, am appalled at the lawsuit filed against the Starplex Galaxy 16 theater and owners of the property by parents of the young boy killed while “surfing” on top of a moving vehicle driven by another young boy [“Family of killed boy, 13, suing theater,” June 10].

How can these parents blame someone else for their child doing something so stupid? How can it be the fault of the theater or the property owner? Were they holding a gun to his head, making him get on top of a moving car?

It seems they’re blaming everyone but themselves. They should have had a 13-year-old child home at midnight. Why was he out at midnight with an unlicensed driver in the first place?

Why did they let their young child go off in a vehicle driven by an underage, unsupervised driver?

Elizabeth Wilson

Waco