Opinion

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.

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.

PERHAPS I WAS NOT CLEAR enough on why I was shocked [Letter to the Editor (Williams) Feb. 11, 2021, and Letter to the Editor (Antillon) Feb. 18, 2021]. First, I do have a great deal of respect for our editor; to her credit, she is principled and sometimes brave enough to give voice to an opposite opinion, no matter how harsh, and opposite the opinion. She has always had that principle, and for that, I and others owe her our thanks.