Bonfire wrong memorial

Texas A&M University is unique for many reasons. Its distinctive culture permeates every aspect of its existence. At the core of its culture is the courage to always do what is right regardless of opinion or consequences. While traditions are revered at A&M, those traditions can never supersede the dignity we accord every member of our community.

The effort to reinstate the bonfire tradition would disparage the memory of those students who lost their lives, including those who suffered enduring injuries, and it would tarnish the culture of Texas A&M University.

What is the appropriate memorial for the loss of 12 young, brilliant lives? Perhaps in this case, it is declaring that no amount of time erases that loss. Redemption is a powerful force, but must have a powerful purpose. Simply reinstating a symbol of sports rivalry does not carry that power; in fact it trivializes those 12 tragic deaths and deprives them of their basic dignity and the meaning of what they would have accomplished had they lived.

The reinstatement of the traditional Thanksgiving football game between the University of Texas and A&M is rousing, but the game can be played without demeaning our values and disrespecting those we’ve lost.

Don Powell ‘21 (graduate school), Amarillo

Former chairman of the board, Texas A&M University System

Officials must support preservation

Re: “Preservation gets fresh look — City Council to vote on proposal this week,” April 7 Metro story.

Kudos to Kate Singleton, who assumed directorship of the city’s preservation program and managed to turn it around. Nevertheless, it is with trepidation that I applaud this “fresh look.”

Under the previous director, the four historic preservation planners at that time (myself included) fought for additional staff, resources for community support, funds for translating materials into Spanish, money for educational outreach and resources for developing historic districts in underserved communities.

None of this was deemed important, and no one with authority supported us — not the former director, current mayor, departing city manager, nor most of the Landmark commissioners or City Council members. All stood by as our office imploded.

Upon realizing the futility in trying to advance the city’s preservation program, all four planners eventually left, determined to make a difference elsewhere and maintain their professional integrity. When an entire staff of dedicated, professional employees leaves, it is a huge red flag, but apart from one assistant city manager, no one raised an eyebrow.

My point is that no “fresh look” will succeed without the support of higher officials, Landmark commissioners, and City Council. Hopefully, a lesson has been learned. Dallas’ history and culture are too important to ignore.

Marsha Prior, McKinney

Pay officials for sacrifice

Re: “Money Can’t Buy a Better City Council — Dallas officials must recognize work as public service, not a career,” April 7 editorial.

In an era of significant challenges and demands to and on government, particularly local government, public “service” is more important and valuable than ever. In general, the ongoing exodus of experienced representation from such roles is hampering cities’ abilities to meet the needs of the day and effectively prepare for tomorrow.

It is high time to consider paying and/or increasing compensation to such individuals. Public service often requires great sacrifice on multiple fronts — every day, including weekends.

The public at large often misunderstands the complexity of public sector roles and the amount of commitment, effort, grit, tenacity and time to perform such jobs, let alone to perform them well.

An increase in pay would likely result in council members being better able to perform their roles as the full time jobs they actually are. This would benefit the communities they serve. Some City Council members must maintain full-time jobs while serving the public. This is almost impossible.

Dallas needs the most competent, available leaders possible in every seat — at all times. What happens in Dallas impacts North Texas, and sometimes you get what you pay for.

Mike Grace, southwest Dallas

GOP already capitulated

Re: “Don’t capitulate, GOP,” by William Pritchard, Wednesday Letters.

Pritchard exhorts Republicans not to capitulate to the Democrats’ immigration policies. He encourages them to back “a compromise that effectively controls immigration and grants amnesty to DACA individuals,” and then in the next sentence states that “Democrats seem dedicated to no compromise at all.”

He has evidently not been reading or watching the news recently, where we have all seen the collapse of a bipartisan immigration reform bill produced after months of work by a group of Democratic and Republican senators. After the House speaker declared that he would never allow that bill to reach the House floor for a vote, Republican senators “capitulated” and refused to support the bill, all of which happened at the behest of the presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, who wants no immigration reform unless he can take credit for it.

Democrats are willing to compromise; Trump and his Republican sycophants are not.

Karen Rosenthal, Irving

No more cutting taxes

There seems to be so much need in our country, in many areas. I am just a retired teacher, not an economist, but I have a novel idea. For years, the emphasis has been on cutting taxes. What about the very unpopular idea of increasing taxes and eliminating loopholes as well as cutting the fat in government?

We must try to help save democracy here and around the world. Poverty and homelessness are heartbreakingly prevalent. Teachers can’t live on their income. The border needs funds as well as ways to eliminate the causes of mass exodus from other countries.

It is going to take sacrifice from all of us to climb out of our herculean debt while caring for those who desperately need help.

Carol McNatt, Athens

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