PG Controversy: Were arguments against income-based housing valid?

The idea of income-based housing in Pleasant Grove got a lot of attention.

And most wasn't good.

Residents had a variety of reasons for opposing housing that catered to low-income working people. Many spoke of lower property values and the lack of proper infrastructure. Some worried about increased crime or drug abuse.

But for some, those arguments did not hold water. They saw the reason for the widespread opposition as stereotyping low-income people. There were suggestions of racism as well.

In the end, lacking support from the Texarkana, Texas, City Council, plans for such housing were shelved.

We want to know what you think. Should the City Council have supported housing for low-income workers in Pleasant Grove? Or were the arguments against such housing valid??

Send your response (50 words maximum) to [email protected] by Wednesday, Dec. 19. You can also mail your response to the Texarkana Gazette Friday Poll, at P.O. Box 621, Texarkana, TX 75504 or drop it off at our office, 101 E. Broad St., Texarkana, Ark. Be sure to include your name, address and phone number. We will print as many responses as we can in next Friday's paper.

Last Week: Santa or No?

Last week's question was about Santa Claus. Do you allow your children to believe in Santa Claus or not?

 

I explained Santa coming down the chimney with toys. He looked puzzled. Do you expect me to believe that story? he asked. A fat man carrying a bag of toys down that chimney? he declared. That's not possible. Then started belly laughing all the way to his room.-T.M.-H., DeKalb, Texas

FIRST, I still believe in Santa Clause, the Christmas tradition. I grew up believing in Santa. My kids believed in Santa. However, eventually my Mom told us the real story, about Santa only being a make believe story, and it was part of Christmas and I did the same with my two kids. Like I said, I still believe in the Santa tradition and its still fun to believe in Santa, a fun tradition. Why not?-B.J., Texarkana, Texas

From www.facebook.com/texarkanagazette

  •  It is ok to teach them about it and the traditions you grew up with but sadly most kids nowadays just want things. I for one would love to see an end to the holiday itself. At least an end to the way people treat retail stores and the people working there.
  •  It's should be up to the parent what they want to teach their kids. I don't know of one child that has been hurt by believing in Santa. Not one. NO ONE has the right to tell another person's child what to believe or not believe. Raise your kids your way and keep your nose out of other people's business was to how they raise theirs.
  •  Yes. Never ruin the magic of childhood. Santa, tooth fairy, Easter Bunny, etc. They might not be your thing, but they might be all that child has to cling too or the last piece of innocence left before adulthood. That is between a child and his parents. Keep your lips closed when dealing with Santa if he is not your cup of tea. We believe and he always seems to show up.. hope we can all still hear the bell.
  •  We don't do Santa. We teach our kids that he is nothing more than like a Disney character. That being said, they will also be taught that some kids to believe and not to "ruin it" for them, without lying.I believe people can idolize Santa, which is kind of scary. We just choose to celebrate the true meaning-which is Jesus. Also, I don't like how "Santa" brings some kids an x box but some kids get socks. How do you explain to children that Santa loves some more than others? We just choose to opt out.
  •  We don't teach our kid that Santa is real. He is like any other character you see on TV. I buy the presents; I want the credit. I'm not gonna lie to my kid about it. If you choose to lie to yours okay. That's your kid. But mine ain't gonna be required to keep your lie.
  •  We taught our children that Christmas is about the birth of. Jesus it's his birthday not theirs. and old Santa is just a by product. Personally if I had to go back, I'd tell them it's a myth which it is.
  •  Yes I do.

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