Opinion

TEXAS IS SUFFERING a health crisis. And no, we’re not just talking about the pandemic. Texans are more likely to be uninsured than residents in any other state. It’s a problem that affects Texans of all backgrounds and every corner of the state—the vast majority of uninsured Texans are U.S. citizens.

I WOULD LIKE to remind you and your readers that May 15 is Peace Officers Memorial Day. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. This year, National Police Week is May 9-15.

THERE’S A HUGE OAK TREE in the middle of a quiet rural intersection just a mile or so outside of downtown Columbus, Texas. Its branches reach over the roads on all sides. At its base, a state historical marker notes the centennial founding of Colorado County.

MANY OF YOU FOUND this jumbo postcard (shown above) in your mailbox last week. Some of you probably glanced at it, a few of you may have read it, but I’d bet a pretty good percentage of you were completely fooled into thinking that Rep. Ken King was somehow involved in sending it, and may even have endorsed its message to “Stop Taxpayer Funded Lobbying!”

The abandoned gray and maybe orange behemoth, situated photogenically across from Canadian’s lovely Sunset Park, has now been the squirm-worthy talking point at a series of meetings of the county commissioners, city council, school board, hospital board, and water board. And still, no one knows quite what to do with it, or how to do it.

EFFORTS TO BAR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS from hiring outside lobbyists or joining associations that lobby the state government are gaining steam, after falling short two years ago. If Texas lawmakers go ahead with current proposals, they’ll be hurting small towns more than big cities, and rural counties more than urban ones.

ODDLY ENOUGH, I enjoy taking out the trash. I’ve got it down to a science: Grab a big bag, circle the house dumping trash cans, toss the filled bag into the truck, and head to the Transfer Station.

THE ASSASSINATION OF Dr. Martin Luther King last Thursday afternoon in Memphis was truly an American tragedy… a personal tragedy to his family, a terrible tragedy to his people… his associates and followers… and a national tragedy for all Americans, white and Negro alike, the extent of which cannot be quickly measured.

I appreciated your excellent editorial of April 1 on enforcing Hemphill County law. I commend Lisa Johnson, Wendy Wright, and any others who argued against the resolution that would have designated Hemphill County as a Second Amendment Safe Haven County. I further commend the three commissioners who refused to second the motion to adopt the resolution.

IN THE NAME AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, I, Brent Clapp, do solemnly swear (or affirm), that I will faithfully execute the duties of the office of Hemphill County Sheriff of the State of Texas, and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States and of this State, so help me God.