CHEERS: I read Froma Harrop’s column on the editorial page of today’s Gazette. She makes the point that we, the taxpayers, should not have to bail out irresponsible people who buy houses they can’t afford and now face bankruptcy. I agree totally. However, the problem is much larger than just the present mortgage mess. It all stems from the fact that people are not held accountable or responsible for their actions. If they commit a crime, it was because they had an unhappy childhood; if they buy something they can’t afford, it was because the lender enticed them there; if they can’t pay their credit cards, it was because the card companies sent them one in the mail! People need to stand on their own two feet and stop expecting someone else to take care of them. All the money the government spends is our money, the taxpayers!—E.G., Texarkana, Ark.



JEERS: I had to chuckle at the article in the C&J Section of today’s Gazette (3-8) written by “P.C.” In summary, it stated that it was no big deal about all the noise from the freight train whistles and the fact that people can’t sleep at night because of them; and besides the article stated, the trains were here first! If we all thought like that, we would still be breathing the cigarette and cigar smoke in the workplace and restaurants, and DDT and asbestos would still be legal, because of course, they were here first; and besides they have always used those hazardous products!—R.H., Texarkana, Ark.



JEERS: I am writing to commend the Arkansas side for cleaning up the area from the Farmers Market to the midway point of Sterling Crest Apartments and RV Park. So why did they not finish cleaning out the vines and small underbrush the rest of the way on Sterling Crest side of the creek? I would think that the cleaning of the brush and the vines would be good work for the prisoners who have three meals a day and a dry place to sleep. The residents of the apartments and the RV Park would like to know that it has been cleared to help prevent the snakes, varmints, raccoons, etc., off property or at least be able to see them coming. These residents are all age 50 or older, mostly older, and would appreciate the cleaning and clearing of the creek area.—J.G., Texarkana, Ark.



CHEERS: To B.P. of Wake Village, Texas, in Saturday 3/15/2008. I am very pleased to know that others than myself have noticed the things going on at the City Hall office in Wake Village, Texas. I feel the taxpayers are either so busy with their own lives, or they just don’t care what is going on. I hope and pray that they wake up and start noticing things that are going on around us all, and decide that they also have a voice in how the city is run and indeed act in a responsible way. In answer to your question of how and by whom is the city being run, I don’t think that they do. I am under the impression that the city, all cities need to be run for the better of all that reside there. I don’t feel that it should be run like a kingdom. Nepotism is running rampant here in the Village.—W.S., Wake Village, Texas



CHEERS: To the Texarkana Hockey Association and coaches. Chris Ross, Mike Johnson, Ryan Olson, Jake Hanson and Scott Swenson dedicated numerous hours to help a wonderful group of hockey loving kids have an opportunity to improve their skills and play the sport they love. Not one of these coaches has a child that is old enough to play hockey, however they are dedicating their time and talents in the hope that when their children are old enough to play, Texarkana will have a program and a facility for the youth to play hockey. Cheers to the players who persevered and worked through being bounced from one practice facility to another. The 10 and under group was even able to take second place in the East Texas Inline Hockey Tournament, beating out kids who actually had a real rink to practice on. It’s wonderful to see parents, coaches and players working together to build a program to support their love of this awesome game.—T.W., Texarkana, Texas



JEERS: To those who are in a position to annex Spanish Trail, Highland Villa and Chapparal Street into Texarkana and haven’t. Property all around us is in Texarkana. With all the financial expenditures for these pipes that we see along Richmond Road leading out our way, hope there are plans to include this closed off area. We have dogs running loose, high insurance premiums, and also have the expense of personal wells on each property. If Texarkana doesn’t care for this area, perhaps we could become part of Nash.—B.B. Texarkana, Texas



JEERS: To the citizens of Hooks who think that it is OK to drive across other people’s yards just because you don’t want to wait your turn at the stop sign. We have lived at the corner of Precinct and Highway 82 for 10 years and almost been run over in our own yard several times by speed demons who are in a hurry to go nowhere. Just because we have two driveways does not give you the right to use them. We pay for this property and we upkeep it . We should not have to put up a  fence to be safe in our own yard. Shame on you. I promise you wouldn’t put up with it either.—D.D.M., Hooks, Texas



CHEERS: As a member of the community of Simms, Texas, and in light of the recent tragedies we have had, I would like to send out a message to the members of the Simms Volunteer Fire Department. We are blessed to have such devoted individuals who serve as firefighters in our community and they do not always receive the recognition that they deserve. They are VFD members outside their normal jobs and do not get paid a cent for what they do, yet they do so much for us. They are there for the community in times of need but most important they go to the schools and teach our children the importance of fire safety and fire prevention. After hearing them speak at the candlelight vigil Monday night, my heart was so touched by their passion to educate our children and hopefully prevent another tragedy. I hope they are able to fulfill their goals of taking those prevention classes up to the junior and high school level at Simms ISD.—K.L., Simms, Texas



CHEERS: Regarding the commentary of Thomas Sowell on rescueing the rust belt, I would like to add my comment. I would vote for this man for president. He should say something about the last NASCAR race with Kyle Bush driving foreign junk and Americans cheering it on. They probably even used Chinese tools. Wake up, America. Americans have fast cars. Next Japan will own NASCAR. The Japanese are the sponsors of NASCAR now.—R.C.G., Texarkana, Ark.



JEERS: To the organizers and sponsors of the fiasco they called the Gator Egg Hunt. What a joke. Was that supposed to be for the kids or for the greedy parents? My concern is for the little boy on the walker in the 3 years and younger group. Did he really stand a chance against all those adults? I thought the kids were supposed to be the ones gathering the eggs. This was my first and last time that I would subject my grandson to this fiasco.—S.S., Wake Village, Texas