Opinion

“A father’s goodness is higher than the mountain, and a mother’s goodness deeper than the sea.” — Japanese Proverb I did something dumb a few days ago. That’s not a news flash and certainly not uncommon enough to warrant a column.

To Sheriff Dodson Dear Sheriff Dodson, I have long been impressed with your work since becoming sheriff. Though I will not try to review all of the reasons why, a recent experience has presented a striking example.

“Everything is changing. People are taking their comedians seriously and the politicians as a joke.” — Will Rogers 1879– 1935, actor, syndicated newspaper columnist, and social commentator “Didn’t you run for public office one time back there somewhere,” longtime friend and fellow newspaper publisher Hudson Old asked me last week? Hudson and I grew up in Mount Pleasant.

With each new year, comes new beginnings and endless opportunities. The same is true in city government, where each year, we can look forward to many chances to provide public service to our community. Ways to serve the community include serving on a city board, volunteering to help with monthly city clean-ups, or volunteering for local nonprofi ts and advocacy groups. Among the many volunteer and public service options available, serving on the city council provides a significant opportunity for citizens to effect change and improve our city.

Sul Ross State University students who graduated from high school or were home-schooled in Brewster, Jeff Davis or Presidio counties are encouraged to apply for the Bechtel Scholarship. Eligible recipients will be awarded $750, which can be applied to college expenses of the student’s choosing. The scholarship is noncompetitive, meaning that all eligible applicants will be awarded the funding. Applicants must be full-time undergraduates, have earned at least 24 credit hours and have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Deadline to apply is Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at Noon. For more information or to receive an application, please email Matthew Walter at mwalter@sulross. edu or John Ferguson at jwferg451@ gmail.com. John Ferguson Presidio

“If you drive a car, I’ll tax the street, If you try to sit, I’ll tax your seat, If you get too cold, I’ll tax the heat, If you take a walk, I’ll tax your feet.” — “Taxman” song lyrics by The Beatles Every January, we charge into the new year filled with hope and optimism. We even get giddy, dreaming about how much better this year will be.

It’s about immigrants and immigrants are not about drugs. We should stop confl ating the two issues. Immigrants are basically of two types – those fleeing danger in their homeland and seeking asylum in the US and those coming here for jobs or to reunite with their families. Virtually none of the immigrants are involved in drug dealing, and they tend to be the victims of human trafficking, not the perpetrators. Seeking asylum is a legal process consistent with international and US laws. Those seeking asylum are not “illegal” and should not be treated as such.

“Water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink.” These words written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge came to my mind as I surveyed the water leak in Alpine on Christmas day. Water was flooding the parking lot of the U.S. Attorney’s Office next to the Federal Courthouse on Highway 118. It was everywhere, and it was certainly not fit for drinking. Unlike the abundance of water found in the ocean setting for Coleridge’s poem, we don’t have an overabundance of water in our area. Every drop wasted should be a concern for all of us.

“One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it’s worth watching.” ― Gerard Way, American singer, songwriter, and comic book writer.

“All I know is what I read in the papers.”— Will Rogers. “Newspapers aren’t what they used to be,” I was challenged last week.