Editorials

Everyone already knows that I'm a computer nerd. Though I haven't been in the computer business for almost ten years, I still get calls from people who are having trouble with their email, with their network, with their printer. I try to politely refer them to one of the folks who are actively providing such services. But, even though I'm not providing computer services, it doesn't keep me from staying up to date with the latest technological innovations.

On Sunday, it was just an area of disturbed weather. By 1:00 p.m., it was a named Tropical Depression, and by 5:00 p.m., it was Edouard. This morning (Tuesday), it came ashore near the Texas/Louisiana border. And normally, for those of us in the Hill Country, that would be the end of the story. Except for the high pressure that sitting over the middle of the country.

During Monday's Commissioners' Court meeting, one of the topics discussed by the group was the ongoing problem of sign theft. There are many signs in the county. There are stop signs, yield signs, speed limit signs, and street signs. It seems that all of them hold an attraction for thieves, and the level at which they are disappearing seems to be escalating. County Road Supervisor Squeaky Farmer told the Court that his crews had replaced five signs last Friday; but, by Monday morning, at least three of those signs had already been stolen.

During the last month, I've heard the various governmental bodies of Mason County (county, city, school) discussing budget plans. Inevitably during those discussions, when discussing salaries, someone will always drag out a line that is starting to wear very thin: "Salaries here don't have to be as high since our cost of living is lower than in the city." When I hear someone use this line, I know that they probably haven't been shopping lately.

For one more week, Terri Reardon can continue to call herself Canadian. But, after next Wednesday, July 23rd, she will raise her hand to swear her allegiance to her adopted country. It's been a long journey. Terri met Sean when he was at Texas Tech, and she was on a work visa as a nurse.

Dear Gerry, I would like to say how wonderful the rodeo was this year. In 20 years that I've lived here, I feel this was one of the best! Everthing went so well and all the businesses appeared busy. Mason Rodeo Association did an exceptional job this year. Thank you for all your hardwork.

Dear Editor, It pains me to write this letter. This week Mason showed off with some of its best for our 150th birthday at Round-up. Our community gathered at the town square in all its diversity and uniqueness of individuals to say, “This is who we are”, people living and working together, celebrating this day the opportunity of fellowship in fun and games, enjoying this moment and this particular spot in the world, remembering our history, yet looking forward to the uncertainties of future, secure in the thought that, if those who came before us triumphed over hardship and privations, we can, and we will, do as much, or more, to maintain and build on the ethics that have served so well. However, this year’s event, as in the last several years, was sullied by some individuals who chose to boo as the parade passed by.

For months, I knew that it was coming, and we kept preparing all the little things that we knew we wanted to include. There were the current feature articles. There were the old photos. There were the historical articles taken directly from the 1958 Centennial edition. Then, for the last two months, we started getting family and business tribute advertisements from folks.

It's got to be tough being one of my friends or family members. I'm not talking about some of the obvious reasons it would be difficult - I'm more focused on how difficult it is never knowing if your latest conversation is going to be fodder for the next week's column. I've included snippets of conversations I've had over the dinner table.

To the Editor: I just sent the following to the City of Mason Mayor and City Adminstrator: Dear Mr. Hinckley and Mr. Boudreaux: When you live outside the Mason city limits, in order to get rid of your garbage you can contract with the company who services the area or go to the dump yourself.