Letters to the Editor – Santos Rodriguez, masks in schools, cost-of-living raise for teachers

Thanks to the police chief

Re: “‘We did not heal’ – García apologizes to the mother of the 12-year-old boy who was killed by a police officer,” on the news Sunday.

It took nearly half a century, but the city of Dallas is finally fulfilling its responsibility for one of the dirtiest law enforcement episodes in town through Police Chief Eddie García. Those of us who remember the tragic murder of a 12-year-old boy by a Dallas police officer while the boy was handcuffed in a police car will never forget.

Subsequent attempts by city officials to continue and downplay the murder made it even more tragic. It was only 10 years since President John F. Kennedy was also assassinated on the streets of downtown Dallas and the city fathers were inordinately consumed by the city’s image. The cold-blooded shootout at Santos Rodriguez didn’t help.

But finally, 48 years later, Santos’ mother, Bessie Rodriguez, received the sincere apology she deserves. Thank you, Chief García, for your noble apology. May the healing go on.

Tony Torres, garland

Let the schools decide

Subject: “Schools in Texas Prepare for a Maskless Opening – As the Load Spreads, Abbott’s order will tie the counties’ hands and raise safety concerns,” according to the Sunday news.

Our dear governor says he will not allow schools to require students to wear masks even though COVID vaccines are not available for children under 12, meaning most students are from sixth grade onwards. He says students’ masks are up to their parents to wear, which is a bit like we don’t have to require underage drivers to wear seat belts because it’s up to parents.

I think parents who, in the midst of a pandemic, are suspicious of entrusting their child’s health to the parents of other children can enroll their children in virtual education (that’s “virtual education” like no education at all), provided their school even offers virtual classes .

Why does the governor stick his nose into school affairs? If he lacks the strength or common sense to require children to wear masks in schools, what is wrong with allowing school districts or even individual campuses?

Bill Lewis, Round Rock

We are far from herd immunity

The Delta variant leads to a steep increase in US deaths, according to National Public Radio. The lambda variant is spreading rapidly in South America, as reported by National Geographic. If you don’t vaccinate … the virus will move on, says the National Academy of Sciences.

What can you do? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that unvaccinated students, including anyone under the age of 12, wear a mask in school.

But last Wednesday, Governor Greg Abbott said, “There is no mask mandate, and the reason is clear. There are so many people who have immunities. ”However, despite Abbott’s claim, only 43% of our Texas population is fully vaccinated, which is one of the lowest rates for any state in the United States and is far from herd immunity. And today, COVID-19 cases are increasing in Texas.

Jeffrey Sheldon, Rowlett

Teachers stay hungry

As a child, I came home from school and said, “Dad, I have a mean teacher!”

My father replied with a smile, “Honey, these teachers are not mean. They are hungry!”

I never got what he meant until I started teaching school and got my first paycheck home. Teachers have always been hungry, but they always felt full when they saw their students progress. Today’s retired teachers expected a bite of food to be thrown in their path. But no – hunger predominates. Why? Some Texan lawmakers took short vacations in our nation’s capital.

Rose-Mary Rumbley, Dallas / M Streets

A question for Dan Patrick

The Austin Republicans want to blame the Democrats for failing to pass the 13th Check for Retired Educators. In 2019, retired teachers worked endlessly to successfully sway the legislature to increase the retirement funding of the Texas Teacher Retirement System to accommodate this cost of living adjustment. In 2021, the pension plan was found to be actuarial for the first time in many years and a COLA was granted. And if it were, it would still be fine.

Well, let’s put the blame right on the shoulders of those responsible. During the regular meeting, HB 3412 went through all of the committee readings with 95 co-authors, but the calendar committee did not want to take a vote. If it passed, it would give TRS retirees a COLA.

So, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, what exactly did you do to justify saying, “I’m proud the Texas Senate stood up for retired teachers?” Have you spoken to any of your colleagues in the house? We know that all kinds of “backroom deals” are made every day. I have my suspicions as to who was behind the bill’s murder during the regular session. If he thinks we are forgetting his deception, he is ill-informed.

Pat Hill, Allen

Try to make ends meet

Regarding the statement “in recent years” there has been no increase in the cost of living for teachers, try since 2005 – the year I retired after teaching Texan children for 30 years. Have everyone try to live on the same monthly check for the past 16 years. Does the legislature believe that the cost of living has been constant for 16 years?

Oh sure, they give us a 13th check every four to six years. How long do you think this will be in the two years until the next legislative term in which you can again deny teachers an increase in the cost of living? Since I left my teaching post in 2005, I’ve always had a part-time or seasonal job to make ends meet.

The last few years give me a break They do not care.

Mickey Gerloff, Mansfield

Click here to send a letter to the editor. Make sure you include sources.

[ad_1]