Problems with Reyna

I enjoyed Tommy Witherspoon’s Feb. 15 Trib article “Reyna and Scoggins squaring off for 10th Court of Appeals bench,” but I have a few comments: 

The article asks why there is so much attention to Justice Felipe Reyna’s post. However, the story does not speculate on an answer. 

So why are so many elected Republican officials, former Supreme Court Justices and people who supported Reyna in 2004 now opposing him? Endorsing an opponent over a GOP incumbent is not a natural act for most Republicans. The answer, I believe, is the sheer volume of Reyna’s opinions that have been reversed by the Texas Supreme Court and The Court of Criminal Appeals.

Because of Reyna, the Waco Court of Appeals is the most frequently reversed of the 14 Court of Appeals in Texas. That suggests he’s not following established law and precedent but is trying to rewrite law himself.

As treasurer of the Texas Bipartisan Justice Committee, I am mentioned in the article as having supported opponent Judge Al Scoggins. The article fails to note that I supported Reyna in 2004 and that the Waco Tribune-Herald published an op-ed piece that I wrote urging Republicans to vote for him.

The article also speculated on 10th Court Chief Justice Tom Gray’s involvement in this race without citing any evidence that he has done anything untoward in this race, only that Reyna suspects it. The story also rehashed all the old stuff between Reyna and former Justice Bill Vance and Gray that added no new news.

The voters will answer all these questions on March 2.

Dr. John R. Coppedge

Waco

Doc is honest

Many residents and the news media have been skewering state Rep. Charles “Doc” Anderson because of his income tax problems. They say he should not run for re-election because he owes the IRS money with the implication that he was trying to evade paying taxes.

I called his office and Mrs. Anderson told me he was not trying to evade taxes. He reported all that he owed, but he didn’t have the money to pay the taxes, she said.

An honest person reports all of his income regardless of the consequences, such as Doc did. I would much rather be represented by an honest person than one who tries to cover their faults.

Frank Beavers

Waco

Medians save lives

On Jan. 19, the Trib ran a 1A story announcing a plan to install medians on Valley Mills Drive. On Feb. 3 a guest column by businessman Tommy Brashier protested the medians, saying it would cut into profits and traffic for a food business on Valley Mills Drive.

On Feb. 4, a front page story announced “Officials kick median plans to curb.” That was followed by a Feb. 5 editorial backing the decision.

On Feb. 12, Clay Brown wrote a letter saying that medians are necessary.

There’s been so much back and forth, but is there any question whether medians are needed? Haven’t enough people been hurt or killed on this road to warrant it?

On Jan. 17, my son was struck by a car and killed while crossing Valley Mills Drive. I can’t help but think his life was more important than a hamburger and a side of fries.

Louise Levison

Waco