JEERS: To our city governments that allow Toughman contests to be held in our city. How many more young men must end up maimed or dead because of these contests? The lure of the prize money blinds the judgment of these young contestants. I say ban these contests everywhere. Many states already have.—B.W., Texarkana, Texas



CHEERS: J.C.’s opinion, as expressed in the letters to the editor 2-16-08, is exactly right when he says the number one problem for Texarkana, Ark., side residents is the constant loud freight train whistles. We have to sleep with ear plugs at night and a noisy box fan near our bed to drown out the noise. I also live in a heavily populated area of town about a quarter mile from these railroad tracks.—B.L., Texarkana, Ark.



CHEERS: To the golden sound of silence. Thanks, I assume, to the work being done on the railroad tracks along Highway 67 North. I was able to sleep uninterrupted last night (Sunday 2-17-08) without being awakened several times during the night by the loud freight train whistles. I hope the work crews take their time about completing the work—who knows, I may even get another good night or two of sleep.—M.C., Texarkana, Ark.



JEERS: I own a business within a half-mile of the railroad tracks that run along Highway 67 North on the Arkansas side of town. A lot of my business dealings are with customers outside of my office. When freight trains are passing by, which on some days is almost constant, my clients and I cannot even hear each other, let alone conduct any business. It’s very embarrassing. I know that they have modified some of the railroad crossings on the Texas side of town and the trains are not required to sound their horns at these type of crossings. I urge our city officials to do the same for the Arkansas side of town.—S.S., Texarkana, Ark.



JEERS: To those who live outside the city limits of Texarkana and have dogs that you let run all over the place. Having pets means being responsible and not letting them run freely in other people’s yards. Put a fence up!—S.D., Texarkana, Texas

 

JEERS: To the naming of the new baseball team, the Gunslingers. I hope that the local school districts will not support this team in any way because our children will not be able to support the team at all, especially on game days. Why risk them to get expelled? The Texarkana Tornadoes would have been a better choice.—H.P.M., Ashdown, Ark.



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