Opinion

I am still haunted by the shrill ring of the telephone at 4 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, 1992. Most phone calls at that hour are not good. It wasn’t. The All-School Favorite of the Central Texas high school where I lived had been killed due to drunk driving. He had gotten drunk, and driving 90 mph, lost control of his Luv pickup. Hit a 4-inch diameter tree in the median of I-35. Killed instantly.

As the sheriff-elect, I have been asked several times where I stand on the beer sales in Graham. First, let me say, I do not have a vote in this matter, as I live in the county. Secondly, let me say, I do support responsible drinking. However, on the subject of beer and wine sales in our town, I do have reservations. My thoughts are with concern of our children and recovering adults in treatment. As in my agenda, I spoke of visiting our schools and discussing against minor drinking and abuse. I also have spoken strongly for treatment programs for drug and alcohol abuse.

We all read this week’s Leader, and city sales tax revenue is down again. And still we hear arguments that people make against the Beer-Wine Proposition, and how as a community, especially our children, won’t benefit. That’s wrong on two fronts. First, grocery stores lose $3 in general sales for every $1 lost in beer and wine sales – which can be as much as $25,000 to $100,000 per week in lost sales, and thousands lost in local sales tax revenue. Our law enforcement, roads, parks and library are funded by the city who either pays for these services with sales tax, or property tax revenues.

We were blessed with an attendance estimated at approximately 1,800 last night (Wednesday, Oct. 12) at Newton Field in Graham for the eighth annual Fields of Faith. Over 137 students make decisions for God from Olney, Jacksboro, Graham, Newcastle, Bryson, Breckenridge and Throckmorton, with 75 first-time salvation decisions for Christ.

It's official! Walmart is suing the state of Texas for the right to sell hard liquor in its stores. Their stated goal in 2012 was "that Walmart will be the #1 retailer of "spirits" (that's hard liquor) in the world," They did not talk about DUIs, underage drinking or alcohol-related fatalities because that is not their concern. They want sales! Did they give $25,000 in 2012, $38,000 in 2014, or $55,000 this year to push alcohol sales in/on Graham because they want a better life for the families and children of Graham? Of course not! They want profits! The corporate executives of Walmart, Inc.

Are you registered to vote? If not, you have until Oct. 11 to get registered. You can obtain a registration form by calling Young County Voter Registrar Lauren Sullivan at 940-549-5132 or by dropping by the office, located in the northeast corner of the basement of the county courthouse. You should also be able to get a copy at the library or the DMV office. You can also download the form from votetexas.gov/voting and either mail or deliver it to the Young County Voter Registrar’s office.

What do we want? Who controls our actions and lives? Will we allow outsiders, Washington, D.C., or Austin to set the rules and regulations that run (operate) our community? Sixty percent of the eligible voters in Young County did not vote in the primary elections. This is what causes others (outsiders) to control our lives and actions. Am I? Are we willing to give up our freedom of speech, religion, family control and the ability to do what I want to do? Read 2:Chronicles 19:6-7 and Ezra 7:25 Register to vote; study; go vote. Will Whittenburg Graham

The City of Graham sent out its second billing utilizing the new water meter system late last week. As with the first billing under the new system, City Hall has had many calls and visits from concerned citizens wanting an explanation of their latest bill. In an effort to put some perspective on this situation, I would like to submit the following to explain where we were, what got us to this point, and where we are trying to get to in regards to water in the City of Graham. Beginning in 2010, a drought ravaged not only our community of Graham, but all of the state of Texas.