Opinion

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK everyone for the outpouring of love and support shown to us after the wildfire. We are beyond grateful to live in a community that is so generous and wonderful.

WE WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS our appreciation to all who came to our rescue both during and after the fires we recently experienced. First and foremost, we want to thank all the firemen who spent many hours watering to extinguish and blading to prevent further advancement. To Gem City, Canadian, Allison, Briscoe, Crawford, Reydon, and Wheeler Fire Departments, and to all others who sent mutual aid, we give our heartfelt thanks! You saved our homes and most of our buildings and animals. To Steve Rader for helping protect our barn and just being here and supporting and encouraging us.

THE HCHD STAFF would like to say thank you to our amazing community for supporting our recent Car Wash Fundraiser benefiting the Canadian Volunteer Fire Department! Because of your generosity and participation in the event, we raised a total of $2,500. All proceeds benefited our local fire department.

WE LEARNED FROM a caller to The Canadian Record on Tuesday morning that Canadian ISD Board of Trustees candidate Brandon Reeves has a past record of Class B misdemeanor arrests and convictions, the last one of which occurred in 2006. As a term of probation, he was sent to a substance abuse program, which he completed. Since then, Reeves’ record has been clean.

I WAS A MEMBER of the CHS Wildcat Band when we won the first-ever Sweepstakes. I think it was in my Sophomore year (1961-62), and I was pleased to see the 42nd is still recognized as a major accomplishment for a high school band!

JOHN KENNEDY SET OUT to put humans on the moon. Lyndon Johnson wanted a Great Society.

WHEN THE STATEWIDE rejection rate of ballots by mail is 12.4 percent, up from 1 percent in the 2020 election, there is something seriously wrong with our democracy. Just under 25,000 or one in eight vote-by-mail ballots were not counted in the primary election. This is the direct result of the anti-voter bill SB 1 pushed through the Texas Legislature and signed by the governor. It is appalling that our legislators choose to avoid their responsibility to the voters of Texas by not examining this high vote-by-mail rejection rate in the interim charges.

IN A FIELD NOTES column published on April 7, featuring a group interview with Canadian’s volunteer firefighters following the March wildfires, I incorrectly attributed two comments to Juan Guillen that were actually made by Chris Ford. When asked how many hours they had each been working, Ford said, “Tuesday morning, at 5:30, I went to work. I got back around noon, and got in a truck. We messed up some brakes and got back here about 10 pm. I looked for another truck and jumped on the front of it.” Ford concluded that he had worked 41 sleepless hours. I was contacted immediately following publication of that column by Juan Guillen, who wanted us to know that those were Ford’s words. When we contacted Ford to apologize, and to promise we would publish a correction, he assured us it was not necessary. When we ran into Guillen Monday evening at the baseball field, he assured us it was. Sorry, Chris. We’re going with the big guy. Thank you both for your grace and understanding. — LEB

Early voting underway for May 7 election Early voting began Monday for local elections and two proposed constitutional amendments relating to property tax reductions. Early voting continues through Tuesday, May 3, with Election Day on Saturday, May 7.

WE HAD A FANTASTIC evening this past Monday as the CCC honored Larry Dunnam and officially opened our 2022 baseball season! One hundred and fifteen players assembled at Larry Dunnam Field for the opening ceremonies. It was a wonderful sight and encapsulates what we strive for every day at the CCC. It is an honor and a privilege to continue in Larry’s footsteps as we provide the next generation the opportunity to love the game.