CHEERS: To those City Council members who had the nerve to stand up to the politics of the mayor and city manager trying to force the confirmation of Mr. Bunting, they are a diverse group and have good reason for their actions, and Jeers to the city manager and mayor for not listening to the council and placing Mr. Bunting in a situation that was avoidable. R.R., Wake Village, Texas

CHEERS: To Ethel Channon for the column written in Texarkana Gazette on Sunday, April 1, 2007. It is beyond me why people who claim to be ‘Christian think they have the authority to pass judgement on some one else. It is simply not scriptural. R.E.B., Texarkana, Ark.

CHEERS: To the Texarkana Gazette for giving us some soccer coverage with David Beckham coming to the LA Galaxy. I would hope the Gazette would give us more extensive coverage of soccer games played in the U.S. MLS soccer is the up and coming sport played in the United States and is gaining in popularity all the time. H.B.G., Ashdown, Ark.

JEERS: To the Miller County Sheriffs office. On March 14, my husband and I went to the office to attempt to speak with someone about the traffic and speeding on our rural road. After shouting through the glass and being treated with indifference, we were finally able to speak with an officer in the foyer about the problem. I cannot remember the officers name. We were told that he would address the concern by ‘writing it on the board. When we questioned if a post-it note on the break room wall was effective, we were told this was one of the most effective means of communication and the on-coming shifts looked at the board. We have as of yet to see one patrol care on our road. With the exception of responding to a wreck.

Cheers to the Texarkana, Ark., Police Department. We went that same day to the TAPD because the rural road starts inside the city limits for a short distance. We were invited to sit at a table with officer Gooch. He then told us in measurable goals what he would attempt to do to resolve the traffic problem. He also gave us a phone number to his office. He was very sympathetic to our concerns and an asset to the department in my opinion. We have seen on a couple of occasions TAPD cruisers on our road radar checking speed and doing the job they are paid to do. Cheers that the TAPD can do what Miller County cant or wont do. A.P. and R.P., Texarkana, Ark.

JEERS: To the man who is evicting my 80-year-old mother-in-law from the house she has known for 47 years. He wants her out so the metal company he sold or rented to can have her home for an office. She is heartbroken, so many memories and she wanted to die living there. Now the month of April is leaving her homeless, for she cant find anyplace she can afford. Mister, I hope you can live with what you have done. You most likely shortened her life. R.K.W., Texarkana, Ark.

JEERS: To the Texas-side council members who voted against hiring Joe Bunting as the police chief. If you council members would have gone and met the other four candidates when they came here, you would have known why your mayor chose Joe Bunting to represent you as your chief. I live on the Arkansas side of town but I have known Joe Bunting the whole time hes been here. Hes a wonderful, religious, giving person who would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. These police officers put their lives on the line for everybody. I worry about each one of them even though I dont know very many. I do the same with the Arkansas side. I agree with Chief Harrison, you made the worst mistake you will ever make. Joe Bunting deserves better. Texarkana deserves better. Dont give up. M.K.C.G., Texarkana, Ark.

JEERS: To the five Texarkana, Texas, City Council members who voted against a well-qualified candidate for police chief. I believe these council members owe the citizens of Texarkana, Texas, a full explanation as to why they voted not to confirm Capt. Bunting. I believe each one needs to have one on one interviews with a local news reporter (newspaper or TV), and explain the reasons for their actions. I believe we the citizens deserve answers from the council members who are supposed to be representing our best interests. W.H., Texarkana, Texas

JEERS: To the lady and her husband that frequently walk their white Pomeranian dog on East 29th street on the Arkansas side. You allow your dog to defecate on the front lawns of neighbors homes and just leave it there. Please carry a plastic bag with you so that you can scoop it up and take it back for proper disposal. To do otherwise is considered rude and inconsiderate. P.H., Texarkana, Ark.

JEERS: To the Texarkana, Texas, City Council for their handling of the police chief and the city manager situation. I always thought that the City Council was to represent the people in their district and vote accordingly. Since I have yet to talk to anyone that agrees with their vote, I must have been mistaken in my thinking. It appears that they have a vendetta against George Shackelford and have completely ignored Mr. Buntings qualifications for the job of police chief. Mr. Shackelford has done a super job as the city manager for 17 years now, and we should thank our lucky stars that we have him in our city. If the council removes Mr. Shackelford from office, it will be for their own benefit and not the benefit of the city. Surely, they havent lost all sense of reason. E.F., Texarkana, Texas

CHEERS: To Wake Village Elementary Volunteers in public schools. Year after year, they have gone the extra mile to provide programs and services for our students and staff. From fund-raising activities, to feeding the staff delicious meals throughout the year, to coordinating the Fall Festival, and popping popcorn for our perfect attendance campaign, they have continuously shown that their heart is in Wake Village School. We appreciate Wake Village VIPS; theyre the BEST!! Wake Village Elementary Staff

JEERS: Why does Texarkana not have an emergency animal clinic open 24 hours a day? I lost a pet 2 years ago because my vet was out of town and I could not get emergency treatment after hours. I changed to a larger veterinarian clinic with several doctors. On the Saturday before Easter my dog became ill and when I called the clinic I was told by an answering service that they were closed and were not available!

Things must really be lucrative in the veterinarian profession when they can close on a non holiday and no one be on call. Dont they realize that animals get sick on any day?

This town needs a 24-hour emergency veterinary clinic! Why cant they all get together and take turns having someone on call when an emergency arises. Thank God the hospitals dont close for weekends and holidays! J.T.M., Texarkana, Ark.

Cheers and Jeers are published each Saturday on the Opinion Page of the Texarkana Gazette.

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