LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Editor,

In recent times we hear a lot about the misdeeds and the poor character amongst our young people. It has been my pleasure to have an experience to see a different side of teenage students. I recently found out that I have a serious medical condition that requires me to avoid heavy work of any kind. Through that experience I came to meet some young folks who are compassionate and caring. I had bought a magnolia bush and a cypress tree before learning of the restrictions I would face with this condition.

My wife Pamela called the Ag dept. at Troup High School and before we knew it, I had eight volunteers to dig up my crepe myrtle and plant my shrub and my tree. Ms. Fortner actually touched some cow manure - EWWWWW! I want to say what a privilege it was to meet these young folks, and to have them show their goodness and concern. Some people have the view that young people nowadays are short on character. Not so my valiant helpers.

I want to publicly commend the students and teacher who came to my aid. Don't be fooled by the picture of Ms. Fortner with the shovel, she was just holding it for the picture. Hahaha! She is a charming young lady who I mistook for a student when they came and she is a good director of operations.. She quickly told me, "I am the teacher." Well done you young folks, you have the blood of true East Texans: Coery Reno, Brandon Miller, Chris LePelley, Josh Yanez, Jacob Moody, Logan Stubblefield, Cidni Stewart and Ms. Fortner.

David Jenkinson Troup +++

Dear Citizen,

As you know, the City of Whitehouse is planning on developing a new city park pending voter approval in May. A plan of the new park has been enclosed so that you can reference the proposed developments.

The new park will provide three soccer fields, a 1.5 acre pond with a pier and a bridge, 2.5 acres of manicured open area, 8.5 acres of open space, an equipped playground, a pavilion, parking, a basketball court, a picnic area, restrooms, a sprayground, and a 1 mile running trail. An access road will be provided along with the park to manage traffic the length of the park.

Funding for the new park is dependent upon a proposition to be voted on May 12th, 2007 at Whitehouse United Methodist Church. Voters will have the opportunity to choose whether the city will develop this park, along with an access road.

The bond for the park will allow for funding of up to 3 million dollars. Half of the money will be dedicated to a new street, which is already in the City's long term plan, and half for a new park. For a home valued at $80,000 the initial tax impact will approximately be $4 per month, or $2 for the new street and $2 for the new park, and will decrease each year. For a home valued at $120,000 the tax impact will initially approximately be $7 per month, or $3.50 for the park and $3.50 for the street, and will decrease each year.

Once the bonds have been paid, the tax assessment for those bonds will expire. With current growth, the city expects to pay off the bonds in 20 years. At that time, the park and street are paid for and no taxes will be assessed. Along the way, the tax will decrease as the bond is paid down. In the final year, the property tax required to retire the bonds would have reduced to approximately 2 cents per $100 of valuation from the original rate of approximately 7 cents.

We want you to have all the information you need to make your decision on Election Day. Please contact the city offices with any questions that you may have concerning this proposition.

Whitehouse Park and Recreation Commission:
Rhonda Skinner - Chair
Don Branam - Vice Chair
Teresa Harris
Jerry McFadden
Scott Dillingham
Karen Nail