LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Dear Editor,

On behalf of the Troup Academic Booster Club, I want to thank the Leader for your outstanding coverage of Trivia Night and the Art Auction, our two annual fundraisers. The funds raised by these events provide much needed college scholarship assistance to current and former students of Troup High School.

I would also like to extend my sincere thanks and appre- ciation to our superintendent, Marvin Beaty. Both of these events are the product of his energy, imagination and leadership. When we held the first Trivia Night and Art Auction a year ago, we were delighted to raise over $2,200. This year we were stunned when we more than doubled last year's amount. Not only do these events serve a fundraising purpose, they have rapidly become events that bring the members of the community together for fun and fellowship.

The secret of our success is our superintendent. Mr. Beaty served as master of ceremonies at both events, combining great wit and, in the case of the art auction, no small amount of cajoling, to encourage folks to be generous in giving for the benefit of our students. The results speak for themselves.

In my experience, I have found Mr. Beaty to be innovative and always open to new ideas. He has one overarching goal: excellence for Troup ISD in every area, be it academic, athletic, band, or other UIL competition. Our students and our community are indeed fortunate to have him. Thank you, Mr. Beaty.
Sincerely,
Wes Rivers
President
Troup Academic Booster Club
Dear Editor,

I'm not sure when a park became an unwanted amenity in a neighborhood or city. It certainly sounds like some citizens and neighbors to the proposed new park are most unhappy at the thought of having happy children in ear-shot of their homes.

In checking with some realtors and thinking back on all the meetings I attended held by the VISION 2020 commission, nowhere do I recall any of the experts saying that a park depreciates the value of homes. In fact, it seems that the opposite is the case.

Some of those in opposition of the proposed park say that it will lure a "bad crowd" to our neighborhood. In checking with our chief of police, that does not tend to be the norm, here in Whitehouse anyway.

The biggest issue I'm aware of at the current park next to City Hall is that sometimes there are not enough picnic tables available to hold all the children's birthday parties on beautiful summer days.

As a former mayor and city councilmember I had the privilege of serving the citizens of Whitehouse and listening to their needs and wishes. I will give you the fact that NO ONE wants to pay more taxes for anything. And I understand that as well as the next guy. I pay the same taxes you do. But I can also tell you that for many years the most requested addition to this city that came before the council was the addition of more parks, walking trails and acreage for sports fields. The only other item more requested would have to be for another thoroughfare to Tyler other than Hwy. 110.

For many years the Parks and Recreation Commission worked to locate suitable acreage for the size park Whitehouse should have as an addition to what we have. Mr. Powers and his faithful crew worked long and hard, handin hand with city employees to convert a little patch of land on Gardenview into a great little neighborhood park.

The VISION 2020 Comprehensive Plan states, "In an almost unanimous voice, citizens speaking during the various public workshops and design charettes touted the need to fund an expanded and improved park system." It goes on to say, "Participants also seemed dissatisfied with the current state of priority park land acquisition, construction, and maintenance received in terms of City budgets."

It was just such citizen input that put the city administration and the council to work to find land available for purchase.

If you are asking yourself, "Why didn't I know anything about meetings for a comprehensive plan?" I have to ask you if you read this newspaper. Do you go to City Hall and check the agenda once a month? Do you read information that comes in your water bill? The city spent nearly one thousand dollars in 2005-2006 in advertising to get the word out about this plan while it was under construction. The turn out for the series of meetings over several months was quite disappointing. But those in attendance spoke their minds.

You do that this Saturday. Speak your mind with your vote. Vote YES for a park behind my house on Karla Drive.

Suzanne Loudamy