There are more than 35 million children from birth through age eight in this country. The early years are a crucial time for their growth and development, and a time when we help children prepare to succeed in school and in life.

April 22 Ð 28 is Week of the Young Child, a time to recognize the needs of young children, and thank the adults involved in their education and care. Parents, teachers, caregivers and other adults play important roles in the lives of young children, and Week of the Young Child celebrates their efforts.

Early education programs including child care, Head Start, preschools, and elementary schools provide crucial learning experiences for many young children. Supporting these programs is the right choice for kids.

Every adult in this community has opportunities to make a difference, from volunteering at a local program to supporting efforts that help more young children benefit from quality early education. Week of the Young Child is a good time for all of us to acknowledge the needs of children, and work together to build better futures for all children.

Georgette Duke

Tiger Learning Center

Texarkana, Texas

Address real problem

TO THE EDITOR:

Kill the messenger or solve the problems?

Last year when I was working on my store building, I went to a large local store to buy a five-gallon bucket of paint. As the clerk starting putting in the color, I asked him if maybe he was putting in too much, but he insisted he knew what he was doing. Well, after he mixed the paint and tested it, lo and behold, the paint was way too dark. He had mistakenly put 5 times the amount of color in. He then told me that the one five-gallon can of that paint was the only one in stock so he couldnt fill my paint order. I asked if he would sell five of the one-gallon size for the five-gallon price and he said no. So, I asked to speak to his manager and the manager told the clerk to sell the five one-gallon size to me at the reduced price. Afterwards, the clerk turned to me and said, ‘You almost cost me my job. I didnt almost cost him his job, his carelessness almost cost him his job.

Unfortunately, many people want to blame others for their mistakes and problems and I ended up telling him he needed a reality check. He and his actions were the problem and he needed to take responsibility for them.

I have brought to the Texas-side City Council a number of problems and issues. Guess what their overall response has been? It seems some have spread the word that I am the problem. Thats right, blame the messenger instead of focusing in on the problems and solving them. Do you see why many of us are so upset with our city government?

Several council members have indicated to me that they are dealing with a case of insubordination. They have had several closed-door meetings recently about the problem (one was about five hours long) and so far, nothing has been accomplished. We arent playing around here, folks. This is real life and peoples lives are affected and thankfully, more citizens are realizing how important our City Council is. OK, neighbors and friends, the time to make your voices heard is upon us. Especially those of you who live in Ward 5. Early voting starts April 30 and Election Day is May 12. The blame or buck stops with the City Council. They are supposed to be our elected officials to run the city. Whether it is not being able to pick a police chief, the unconstitutional lockbox ordinance, sewer back-ups or insubordination, we need to hold them accountable. The council has chosen to isolate themselves by increasingly meeting behind closed doors. That alone is enough for many of us to want to replace them. As free people, we are entitled to an open and transparent government. If we dont require accountability from them, who will?

Robert Worthen

Texarkana, Texas