New GOP leadership sought

Will Jones has the time, energy and passion to devote to the McLennan County Republican Party as our voice for positive change. New leadership is in the party’s best interest. The choice is clear: a future based on inclusiveness able to champion causes and candidates of all conservatives, or continued exclusivity.

Jones is the leader who will build on the party’s successes while steering a bold new course to expand membership. He will discharge all county party chair responsibilities, including the long-unaddressed need to fill every possible precinct chair position.

The importance of new leadership cannot be overstated. Our county is strategic to winning Congressional District 17, Texas Senate District 22 and the 10th Court of Appeals. Citizens in surrounding counties understand this. Without a prevailing McLennan County Republican vote, it’s near impossible to realize victory, regardless of how conservative the citizens of our district neighbors vote.

Jones is what the McLennan County Republican Party needs as chairman. 

Jeff Beene

Hewitt

Don’t make an enemy of Yancy

The Kip Averitt re-election effort is such a boondoggle for McLennan County. When Averitt withdrew from the Senate District 22 race, a lot of cheers were heard in counties outside McLennan County — nine to be specific. It is no secret that people outside McLennan County have been irritated at not having a say in the state Senate the past 25 years.

Darren Yancy claims to have enough county chair support to be the Republican nominee. If he is right, then that means all this does is get a Democrat to run in the fall against Yancy. The conservative Yancy will come in under a Republican tidal wave, and all McLennan County will have done is make an enemy of its new state senator. How smart is that?

Then the county will have no leverage in redistricting and probably have a bull’s-eye on its back from anyone with a bone to pick against the county down in Austin.

Kill the re-elect Averitt effort and get Yancy in for Senate 22. He may be the only one who can help keep some interests in McLennan County.

Tom L. Bratcher

Meridian

* * *

For the conservative voters of Senate District 22, there is only one real candidate in the race. Kip Averitt has withdrawn, but the convoluted power play manifested by his withdrawal keeps him from showing his face in public or explaining himself to his constituents.

Because of stealth timing in his withdrawal, Averitt’s name remains on the ballot. Do not fall into the trap of voting for a candidate who has already withdrawn, as this will only force a special election in which Democrats can enter. The conservative “bird in the hand” for this senatorial seat is a vote for Darren Yancy on Tuesday.

Janet Jackson

Clifton

Support Brad Cates

The important point in the County Court at Law race is experience. Brad Cates has the knowledge, experience and actual practice, and that is what makes him the most qualified candidate for this race.

Cates is extremely knowledgeable about legal procedures in all courts

A judge is like a doctor: You want the doctor who is performing surgery to have actual experience. Cates has acted as a judge, a prosecutor and a defense lawyer in criminal cases. He is ready for this job.

Galen B. Edwards

Waco

Matt Baker trial was fair

I cannot understand how someone with obviously the highest of education — as Dr. Theron C. Hawkins in his Feb. 25 letter — can be so shallow as to think Matt Baker should have been granted change of venue for his murder trial. Come on!

He lived here, worked here and, from the verdict in his murder trial, killed here. Who else should judge him other than the people with whom he lived in his own community? One certainly doesn’t have to possess a doctor’s degree to understand that.

Tami Ott

Hewitt 

Trophy story was a treasure

On behalf of Friends of Waco High Schools, I would like to thank the Tribune-Herald for the nice article by reporter Wendy Gragg and photographer Jerry Larson that ran Feb. 18 regarding the placing of school trophies in the newly renovated Waco High School building. 

Our group was given custody of many trophies from high schools and junior high schools that are no longer in existence in our community. We are pleased and proud to have been invited by the new owners to put many of these trophies in the original Waco High School building.

I had the opportunity to join about 15 other Friends members in polishing and dusting these trophies. Needless to say, a lot of laughing and reminiscing took place. During the past 20 years, our group has been collecting other items, as well, from alumni and families. We will continue to work toward the day when all of our memorabilia has a permanent home for viewing by the public. 

Helen Quiram

Friends of Waco High Schools

class of 1951

Waco