Friday, May. 02, 2008

May 2

Dear Editor:

My six-month-pregnant wife on her way to church on Sunday morning was stopped by Colleyville police at the four-way stop on Brown Trail near Colleyville Boulevard. She rolled through the intersection and was ticketed. The issue is not whether she was at fault — she was — but the way she was treated, without so much as a cordial hello or a good morning.

In another example, on a Saturday, my wife was following me to get her oil changed. I had forgotten to put my seatbelt on, and as I arrived at the station, I noticed police lights on behind us. I didn’t realize he was preparing to give me a ticket; I thought something had happened to my wife. I stopped my vehicle and got out to see what was wrong. The policeman reached for his holster yelled at me, "Get back in your car! Get back in your car!" Was it this man’s intention to shoot me at the filling station in front of my wife for not wearing a seatbelt? I have to wonder which put my life in more danger, my forgetting the belt or the police officer’s actions?

My wife and I are longtime property owning, taxpaying citizens of Colleyville, a town we love, but this "gotcha" approach to local law enforcement needs some rethinking by city officials. I’m not taking issue with the tickets, but with the treatment of citizens and the volume of tickets in some areas, specifically Cheek Sparger, Glade and Texas 26.

— Roger Bocox,

Colleyville

Dear Editor:

We encourage citizens of Grapevine and Colleyville to cast their vote on May 10 for Leon Leal for the GCISD School Board Place 6.

Leon has been a resident of Grapevine for many years and spent countless hours volunteering in the area. The list of those who have benefited from his work include Baylor Medical Center, Grapevine Parks and Recreation, Grapevine Youth Wrestling and Baseball and Colleyville Youth Baseball.

The dedication and devotion he has for the public school system is unrivalled. He worked on the 2005 GCISD Bond election and is a supporter of the Grapevine-Colleyville Education Foundation. With three children in the school system, he is passionate about constantly improving our schools and striving to help every child.

In addition, Leon is an honest, hard-working businessman who we can trust to represent the citizens of this area. We have no doubt that he has the determination to make decisions that will benefit all of us. Some of the duties of the GCISD trustees include fiscal responsibility, monitoring the changing demographics of the district, safety and security, and helping develop policies that increase academic excellence. Leon’s traits make him the ultimate candidate to achieve these goals.

And, don’t be disillusioned and think your one vote doesn’t count. As we have seen in recent local elections, a vote or two here or there can definitely make a difference.

Please join us in supporting Leon Leal for Place 6.

— Laurie and

John Egeland, Grapevine