Ernie,

I just wanted to let you all in on a little secret......Mrs. Secretary thinks that we are quite comical and that people laugh at us.  Well, maybe she needs to know that Everyone in law enforcement thinks she is a joke and laugh at her on a daily basis.  One time she called the Sheriffs department to report that someone had cussed her out in Avery City Hall.  She didn't tell the whole story of how she had been antagonizing this person.  Of course this person admitted to cussing her out in Avery City Hall,  because she is unlike some and wont take bullshit,  no matter where she is.  This person was there to pay a water bill.  Well, to make a long story short a deputy was sent only to shut Mrs. Secretary up, and he was told to give this person a ticket for Disorderly Conduct which is a Class C misdemeanor.   Larry Spangler told the Deputy and Everyone in his office that he would talk to the judge to have it dismissed because Mrs.  Secretary very much deserved it because of all the bullshit she keeps going in Avery.   And yes, Larry Spangler DID get the other side of the story that day,  It's called the TRUTH and that's why the TICKET WAS DROPPED and NO ONE was going to arrest this person!!!!

Sign me as,

"Setting the Record Straight"

Ernie,

I understand that Bridges actually was living in his car when he married Dollar Bill's daughter. He worked undercover for narcotics according to him. Larry is spending a lot of money on his campaign yet you never see Larry getting up in a crowd and introducing him, etc. No one has seen Phyllis at the forums either. Come to think of it, no one has seen Bridges' wife. All of this seems so strange for someone who is trying to get such an important office as county sheriff. very suspicious isn't it?

name withheld

2/27/2008

Mr. Henslee,

I read your site occasionally and for the most part agree with you. All of us enjoy a good joke or laugh from time to time, but let us remember this is SERIOUS business. It isn't funny when you say you are from Red River County and people ask you, "Why would you want to live there?" Yes, we need to clean up our whole county, literally! That begins and happens when each individual understands that they are responsible for their own actions. This does not mean that people who are placed in positions of authority are excluded from their actions. Positions of authority are to be given only to those who deserve and use that position for the good of those who placed them there. These elect should have earned their positions by being of sound moral character, good judgment, wisdom from years of living (for we all know that there is no better teacher than life itself) honesty and integrity. We must look at each candidate and choose as if our vote was the deciding factor as to who makes the decisions that affect our very lives. Trust me, YOUR vote CAN be the deciding factor in who makes those decisions and cleans up our county government. Do we want business as usual, another feather in ones hat, or the experiences and wisdom of one who has been there and knows how to get things done? Easy decision when you look at it, isn't it?

Signed, A VERY concerned citizen

2/26/2008

To the great readers of Red River County,

Have you all gotten your letter from the Sheriff of Red River County? I did yesterday, and I found it very comical. It starts out by saying that he is writing the letter because he knows that I am a law-abiding citizen who has worked hard for what I have and he believes we are tired of people who turn to crime as an easy way to make a living with little responsibility to society. The dumbass further states that almost everyday we see or hear of violence and criminal activities of CROOKS, THIEVES, RAPISTS, DRUG PUSHERS, AND MURDERERS!   What in the HELL does this sound like?   HUH??? HUH???   His BUDDIES?

It also says that by joining YOU WILL BE TAKING AN ACTIVE ROLL IN PREVENTING CRIME! So send the money to SHERIFF RETARDS ASSOCIATION to make this place a safer and more secure place for our families!

MY F-A-V-O-R-I-T-E part is if you do join you will receive discounts at LA Quinta Inns & Suites!!!!!I can smell all that LAW ENFORCEMENT TESTOSTERONE & ESTROGEN NOW!!!!! I bet Mr. Varley is a PROUD GOLD CARD MEMBER!!! But the Kick-ass part is where I can GIVE them my credit card information. Haven't WE been down this road before? Sheriff Retard, I guess I'm gonna have to pass up this GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY! I hope you will not be offended when I send it to your office filled with horse shit. Cause that's what I think of your solicitation.

Please sign me as......

Not get'n my credit card digits you dumbass and

NON-MEMBER OF SHERIFF RETARDS ASSOC.

Dear Mr., Henslee,

I have just finished reading updates on the web page and as always enjoy it very much as anyone would that enjoys hearing the truth.  We all know early voting is almost over and I pray everyone has voted for an honest honorable change.  Mr. Abbott is the only person that is honest enough to hold the office of the Sheriff of Red River Co.  The people need to not only wake up to the fact of the crooked people that are in office bleeding and eating the tax payers money but vote to put them off of the easy street they are enjoying and have for a very long time. 

The mail man brought me an offer to join the Sheriffs' Association of Texas from Sheriff Terry Reed what a joke . It explained that my $25.00 membership fee would help support crime prevention and public safety programs on variety of topics ,child identification, family violence, and sexual assaults against both women and children, and it would also encourage peace officers to participate and educate youths about the danger of drugs as well as promote the arrest and prosecute drug traffickers. Now I ask myself this ?Who in the City or County is fit to do any of this.  Our children have learned more about drugs and being crooks by observing our Elected officials in this county more than any Sheriffs' Association could ever teach them. 

We have Bridges that wants to be Sheriff, and no matter who his parents are nor who his father in law is,  it would only make him powerful to be more crooked. and for the love of God who would want that Sex addict {according to his web page} to be in any situation to be around children? There is ole Tim Shimpock supposed to be a bailiff , he can't get his nose out of Shelly Benton's office long enough to even do that.  All Shimpock knows how to do is keep his own self from being sued even if he does have to ask someone higher up than him in law.  There is ole Val Varley won't prosecute the ones he needs to seems he takes ole Perkins word.

You know Mr. Henslee I hope and pray people will take the time to really look at who is in office and vote the crooks out.  If not there are a lot of innocent people going to really suffer for voting favoritism. By putting Honest people in the positions to change the situation this County and City is in, and it  is the only way Clarksville is going to survive and no it's not going to be an easy job but by the grace of God someday our children and grandchildren may be able to return to the county they were born in and enjoy their retirement .

Please withhold my name:

2/24/2007

This past week, we decided to vote early due to so much going on in our lives. We did not want to take a chance of waiting to the last day and not being able to vote for one reason or the other. We found ourselves very thankful for rrpolitics.org. We knew there was a lot of corruption in the county and lots of favoritism "depending on who your momma and daddy are". But, we learned this was far reaching. It extended into about every office in our county government. (Keep in mind there are a few who are not like that and we are sure they have a difficult time in keeping their jobs)

We learned our county officials could and would snub voters by thinking they had the race won and did not need to answer us on this website. Some were advised wrongly to snub us and we did not vote for them. We learned our county officials needed fortitude--strength and endurance in difficult situations--it was absent as it stands today. We learned some of our officials would lie on the court stand for their friends. We also learned nothing would happen to them if they did. We learned our law enforcement were guilty of "racial profiling, age discrimination, gender discrimination, rape in the jail, sexual playhouse at the sheriff dept, pornography in the DA office, attempting to be shown to other people. We learned the county is not frugal with our tax money...i.e. NETDATA. And, we learned our present sheriff dept had over spent their budget by nearly a quarter million dollars and there is no accountability for that. We learned of credit card abuse and fraud and nothing done about that either.

Of course, we realized we taxpayers were being raped by the county and we had better not ask one question or we would be retaliated against. We could go on and on, but the things we needed to see documented was documented. The rest is not of great importance unless someone is "under the influence" while serving on a court case. That would matter! It would also matter if they had a stroke.

Sign us,

Fed up with the corruption in this county.

Editorial Comment:

I would like to say thanks to this reader, for noting that what is here is "Documented Facts"!  I do give my opinion, which is not well received by some, but it is stated as opinion when it is given.  I have been accused of lying about the elected officials, and the candidates but if you are looking for the truth, look at the documentation.  Opinions are stated as such, but Documentation from the source "DOES NOT LIE", and this site has the documentation posted right along with everything else to show you the facts.  You cannot get that in a newspaper, on the radio, or on the television because they do not have the time, nor the space in which to permanently attach the documentation to "PROVE WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT"  So, if you want to see the "DOCUMENTED PROOF" of what is being stated as facts visit http://www.rrpolitics.org.  You won't find it anyplace else!

Been pushing for legislation to force lawyers to videotape all plea bargains or deferred adjudications which would prove or disprove that EVERYTHING has been explained to the person accused. Lawyers have big lobbying groups to stop that-- and this is why we need to stop the lobbyist--special interest groups from using money and power to get laws passed to protect them (LAWYERS, DA AND JUDGES) and not the innocent.

If you don't do what your lawyer says, the lawyer will drop you like a hot potato and refuse to represent you (and) they KEEP YOUR MONEY. The accused usually has no money to get another lawyer. When a person pays a lawyer to represent them, the lawyer should have to represent them--no matter what the person decides.

Coercion is being used in these plea bargains--threats are made against the person accused to get them to do what they want. A person needs to read everything they sign no matter what their lawyer tells them. They will find the "package deal" hidden in there. That is where they sign their civil rights and appeal rights away. Now who does that protect? It is certainly not in the interest of the accused. It STOPS the accused from coming back later and holding the lawyer, DA and judge accountable. Think about it!

Again......NOBODY IN AMERICA SHOULD EVER HAVE TO SIGN THEIR CIVIL RIGHTS AND APPEAL RIGHTS AWAY FOR ANY REASON WHATSOEVER. NOBODY!!! It is also against the law to falsely accuse anyone of a sex crime. It is now a State Jail term. A big fine and prison time...Thanks to Senator Jane Nelson who got that in the CPS Reform Bill of 2005. Too many people using it for child custody leverage in nasty divorces, etc. It was proven that was happening.

Our local papers printed absolutely nothing about this, but they were given the information. It was in the Dallas Morning News, but not here. Write your State senators and ask them to hold elected officials accountable for their actions or non-actions. I would be willing to bet, Monty was not aware.

Name withheld by request.

Ernie when a person is voted to hold office of any one kind they are responsible to do the job. At least, that's what I've always been taught, what's hard to understand if the person doesn't plan on doing the duties of that office then why take it. Do they just want recognition or what? Sometimes that's why the people really needs to stop, pray and think about the candidates running. There will always be good and bad and that's why you must know the candidates and WHY they are running for a position. I remember before moving back to this area (to take care of sick mother) there was a commissioner that was sent to prison for stealing from the county. If the DA knows these commissioners (Barnett/the one before him) fixed there own roads to their homes why can't he do something or is it he won't do nothing? If it was good for that commissioners than why isn't it good enough for Rufus or the deputies? It's time something to be done about this and if the citizens can't do it God will. We all will stand countable for our wrongs and someday they will too. I'm sure the Chief Deputy has had to answer for a lot already. His son should be held for his part of the wrong. It's sad when people have to post pics just to get things done. More reason people of RR Cnty.  should get out and VOTE, time to take a stand against the ones doing wrong. If someone needs transportation to the polls they need to ask someone for a ride drop that pride and say I need a ride to the polls. Get out and VOTE especially for: ABBOTT, HAMILTON, and HARVEY!!!!! May the good Lord watch over this election and keep it clean has been enough wrongs done!

Name Withheld Please

Since the anonymous poster wanted to try to discredit what I posted about my mother's hole in the road, then he has partly opened up a can of worms. The citizens will notice the fence line in the back ground. That is Larry Townes Circle C Ranch fence line. Please notice the ditches from my mother's corner there on up that road and the road has been fixed pretty well from that point on, in recent years by the previous commissioners. Now if the poster wants to dispute the fence line, maybe he can take it up with Mr. Townes. Mr. Townes keeps his fence line pretty clean. But the county has always sprayed and kept the other stuff from growing up there from the fence line to the road line. Because it was their responsibility. Last year, Mr. Townes built a home for an employee and used that road as the entrance to that home. All the concrete trucks and building supplies came up that road. Hay trucks which were very heavy and HUGE also used that road. When the Spanglers fussed about the trucks going so fast, they blamed it on me. I had nothing to do with it. But we were also told by the Chief Deputy that Townes had ordered the delivery trucks etc. to use that road because he did not want his "good roads into his ranch "torn up. The picture of the hole shows it was within the right of way that the county should have fixed. If it wasn't then why did Barnett promise to fix it all the time we were complaining and waiting? He (Barnett) never said it was not the County responsibility, but one of his workers did. When they placed the rock, it was spread past the hole, just look at the picture. Look at both of them. Mr. Barnett, my mother went out to thank your workers for fixing that hole. She was not even supposed to be out due to breaking a bone, but she HAD to show her appreciation. She has always been a very sweet and thankful person. It did bother her because you promised and then it was forgotten. She wondered why? As many elderly feel they are forgotten when they get older, it seemed to prove a point. I got tired of hearing about it and went to this site because of no other reason that it was bothering my mother. She and I personally thank you for fixing that hole. But to deny responsibililty after you fixed it means what???? I even ask you one time if she needed to pay for it and you told me "No, you would fix it" And we waited and waited. Now keep fussing about something that was due and we can bring up more questions of priorities! Other areas where the county equipment was and you (and others) prioritized when not that many residents, if any, lived up those roads. We have other witnesses and they are getting some information together too. I also wanted to tell you that we ran into one of mother's neighbors last week end who saw the pictures and also wanted something done. It is not just us. The late Chief Deputy lived on that road also and they have complained also, in the past. When one of my relatives got their Cadillac stuck in a hole, everyone on that road started screaming. That part of the road has been fixed pretty well. But from the west end of that road which is also the border of Townes Circle C Ranch, I have never understood why they will not fix it properly. Circle C Ranch fence line would be a straight shot all the way down that road, except my mother who owns a very small portion of land there. All other roads that I know of close to any of his property is in good shape. Except that one. Why?

    Delores Mitchell

I want to to say this to the Residents of Red River County.  Where I live has a lot of problems.  Balch Springs Tx was incorporated as a City in 1953.  Dallas tried to annex us, I believe twice.  Mesquite residents voted no to us several years back.  Our roads will tear the front end out of your car.  REALLY! No sidewalks Drainage of Lots of WATER is a problem too.  We have had fist fights in front of city hall from some of our former Council members in the past.  We have had to put our city on HOLD in recent years due to no quorum at council meetings.  We have to borrow from the local bank to pay our debts.  Because somehow our city budget cannot cover all of the bills due.  We have GOOD firefighters and Police Officers that leave all the time because of better pay somewhere else.  Almost two years ago we passed beer&wine here to help with revenue.  This is a good community to live in.  The people are hard working.  Like I told your webmaster I lived in Red River County and went to your High School 30 years ago.  Have family alive and some buried there north of town.  I take the C,ville Times.  I know some of ya'll do not like Mr. Ernest Henslee because everyone has their own opinion.  But, I think he does a great job to find out facts and proof of his information on his own TIME and MONEY.  This site is to INFORM the public.  We need this in Balch Springs Tx.

KEEP IT UP ERNEST,

John P. Ralston Balch Springs Texas

EC:  Thanks again John for your words of support.  If I lived there, or could get the documentation of your problems and people's opinions, I might consider doing a site for your fine city, but not with my money HAHA, but I might help in getting a site set up for you, if you know someone who wants to learn how to do it!

I thought the candidate forum tonight was very interesting and very well conducted. My personal opinions as far as some of the candidates who spoke are as follow: Judges.....I thought David Hamilton did an outstanding job. I had never met either of the candidates. I thought Nickerson was really a loser and that Turner was terrible. sheriff....I thought Abbott was so professional and could not hear or understand his opponent. Abbot just looks and talks like a sheriff. His opponent looks just the opposite. Treasurer....rated it a toss up Commissioner Pct l.....thought Ward did great until the end of his speech but will overlook that slap at Ernie....Ward still by far the most qualified.

Does anyone know why Dollar Bill uses the photo of himself in his dope hunter shirt with his beautiful daughter and has an advertisement for some photography company on all the pictures as well as the slick post cards everyone got in the mail yet there is not nor has there ever been a family photo showing his wife. If Daddy War Bucks is spending all this money to try and get the best sheriff money can buy, then doesn't it seem strange his daughter, the supposed wife of Dollar Bill is never in the pictures. I realize his wife is not running for sheriff but neither is Dollar Bill's daughter. Just wondering

name withheld please

Editorial Comment:

I dearly wish that this person could have let me post the name, because it would have carried a lot of weight, but I know why they did not and agree totally with them.  Thanks for posting.  I always appreciate hearing from my readers.  Especially those that have "NEVER" posted before, whom I know support the site and read it everyday.

Let me tell you how long that road has been a mess! The late Marvin Gibbs, who owned Fry and Gibbs funeral home, told it that he brought a man out who died up there. They had to bring him out on a horse and wagon deal because the roads were so bad. That man was my grandfather. I lived up that road and people within that community knows how bad it was because they had to help people out from being stuck etc. It was about as bad as the River areas.

And we used to wade up that road to catch the school bus. Water would have went over any boots. Then we had to go to a neighbor to warm and dry out our clothes before the bus came. That precious soul always had the best "tea cakes" and they were always warm for us. And NO, we weren't the only ones! Those Afro-American people on the River had it worse than us. But it still did not feel good. Bet you could not handle what we did.

We did not say that was the only road in the County like that. But if there are, they need to be reported and fixed. There are many people who live up that road and they are all taxpayers. 2133 got an area paved where there were no residences.  County needs to get their priorities straight. But I am sure they think of themselves first. The other commissioner did the same thing.

No one lives up Longstreet either, but if you come down from Longstreet cemetery on the Bagwell road, you will see it is pretty plush. We are glad he did it, but finish the job. He got to the bridge and stopped. He used the excuse of the "mudders" tearing it up. I am sure that is true, but did you ever think to get the SO out there to stop that for you? All you have to do is when it rains good, park out there and you will catch them. Simple as that.

This person making the comment is either not knowledgeable  or one of the maggots spewing off their excuses. You know it is really funny when the people on that road have been told they have to purchase culverts most have agreed to do so. You know why, there are no ditches, because Commissioner Barnett has not cut any.  Commissioner Barnett has said that it is the peoples property that allows the water to just flow out on the road. I have  heard much worse excuses about that. Well, the people do not own the right of way. It is your problem Barnett.  Oh before I forget. We are not stupid. We have learned the many excuses the county uses. We had one inch of rain that morning. I am told that evening when the heavy rains hit, it was horrible. 

Commissioner Barnett told us he was going to try to get a grant to fix that bridge on Longstreet. Maybe that is why they have not finished it??  Well, they could fix the rest of the road on Longstreet until the grant comes in to fix the bridge. But how do we know a grant has been sought? 

Will Mr. Carson, the commissioner's helper, who told the people on the river they had to cut the trees off the right of way before they would come help them---tell the people on 2224 the same story? Since that stump shows up in the picture. Think everything has has been cleaned up by none other than the residents themselves. Just that remains in the right of way.

To the commenter, go find the roads and prove it with pictures since you are the one calling us stupid. Be sure and label those roads so we can find them too. You sound just like the one on here yesterday wanting to try to discredit everything we are saying. Do you know what stupid is? It is someone who ignores the taxpayers and calls them names like "nuts" and can pass out an excuse like that former "Sheriff who smiled like a possum passing persimmon pitts." Thought he was smoooooth too.

Editorial Comment:

I understand the frustration on this road business.  There are a lot of county roads out there that probably need attention, and this one most definitely does from the looks of all the flooding.  I don't know what the solution is, but it is the Counties problem, and "Commissioner" Barnett's problem as the commissioner of that precinct..  If it takes putting it on the internet for them to do something about it, then that is what needs to be done.  There are no guarantees that anything will be done, but it does not hurt to try. 

The pictures below are of the commissioners road that leads to a piece of leased property.  We realize that it is on a hill, and will drain better, but if a road has no ditches, and floods there is no point to put rock on it because it will wash away.  The point also is that if you are a commissioner that you can get what needs to be done, accomplished for yourself.  Now all you need to do is take care of the voters and taxpayers who pay for all the rock and time you spent doing yourself a favor, Commissioner Barnett.

You can see the pictures of the flooded road on the hotseat section of this site,  . The pictures below are of Commissioner Barnett's road.  You can definitely see that there is plenty of rock, and drainage on this road even though it is on an incline.  Commissioner, if you feel that it is necessary for there to be ditches and rock on a road that will not get under water because it is on an incline, you should realize that drainage on a solid dirt road with no ditches and no incline will flood.  You would think that something would be done about that road with people living on it rather than taking care of roads to your properties.  People count on you Commissioner.  They voted you in because they needed your assistance, and now you neglect the very people who need you the most.  We all know that something can be done about this situation.  Now it is up to you Commissioner to do something!

This note is in response to Ms. Mitchell's posting. The problems of identity theft she spoke of isn't just in Red River County. I wish it was, because a good sheriff, (Royce Abbott,) could handle it. It is "NATION WIDE," and is going to get worse. It doesn't matter which party or government is in power. The greed of our fellow Americans to cut corners by hiring illegal aliens at slave wages and no benefits, is causing this to happen. Many of our politicians are making money by looking the other way as this goes on. America needs to look out for America! All the citizens of the United States deserve a full place at the table for themselves and their families, before anyone else, from anywhere else, sits down to eat. Things change all the time. A body has to adapt and over come to survive, but Our NATION that we believed in, probably won't be around much longer. I don't think, on this matter, it makes a difference if your Democrat, Republican, Communist, or any other political belief, the fabric of the State and National is shredding. Unless Jesus comes, I don't see anything to stop our nation being over run.

Old Dave

ID THEFT-- In the past year, we were notified by a Federal Judge that someone was using one of our Social Security numbers and turning in income on it. If I remember right the name was Jose Cuervo and he had worked for several companies in the San Diego, Ca. area. Of course we panicked and did not know what to do. When we called Social Security, it was not showing in the Paris office. But the federal judge had sent us a copy and we did not know how the judge knew it and they did not. Anyway, the SS told us to report it to our Sheriff. When we did, they acted as though this was nothing and it happened all the time. They had hundreds happening every day right here in RR County. When we went back to get a report, the investigator had only did a residence search using one of the companies he worked for. (as his home address.) But he did inform us this was likely a fake name since it was "Jose Cuervo". How three different companies accepted that tells me a lot about our immigration laws. In just a few months, we were notified by a company out of Florida our ID had been compromised through one of their employees. (2nd ID theft) We again called the Sheriff and was told the same thing. "Hundreds every day this is nothing". I am sure they were told to say this. This time our bank account number had been used. They claimed nothing else had been compromised, but how did this company know to write us at our correct address? We had never had any dealings with a company named "Certegy". I wanted to know who and what "Certegy" did to have any information on us and no one has ever got back to tell me. Certegy claims the person lost their job and litigation was going on, but we have never been notified by anyone else of anything. We had our mail stolen for over a year. And that was our concern. Who was selling our information and who had it. Postal inspectors did nothing but cover their employees rears. I have often wondered. I was called one time on jury duty and it was about a computer search. That is all I want to say. When they seize computers, do they ever give them back? Most people have info on the computers in case something is stolen. Another thing, I used to work for the State of Texas and could get into any person's bank statements, credit cards, who their neighbors were, etc. (And that was with a minimal information.) That was to see if they were paying out more than they claimed they were receiving in income. We caught a lot of food stamp fraud that way. I was told that the IRS, DHS, Social Security and law enforcement could get into it and no one else. We had to have a secret code to get into this. When I ask Sheriff Reed about this, he said they did not have it here and he wished they did. But from what I learned at the STATE, I did not believe him. Could our ID's be compromised by our own Sheriff dept. I believe it can. If we have hundreds of ID thefts happening in RR county, then who is doing this? And you have to give personal information to the Sheriff dept every time. So anything can be put into your records and it may not even be you. Just like the letter added to my SS number at the driver's license office by whoever? And they call us "nuts" if we expose or complain.

Delores Mitchell

To Ernest&Donna Henslee

Happy 36th Anniversary.

I hope to meet both of you personally someday soon. I have READ your website all the way threw off and on for over a year now. I will say this to both of ya'll. This site is the True "VOICE and CORRECT INFORMATION" about the city and county officials of (Clarksville) Red River County and its CORRUPTION that has been going on for YEARS and still is TODAY!!! It takes time to gather the information and you have to Screen this info to see if it is TRUTH or not.  My hat is off to you my friend.  YOU do good foot work.  The website is bookmarked on my computer.  I wish you and Donna more lovely years together. Happy Valentines Day&Anniversary 

Your friend and advocate John P. Ralston Balch Springs, Texas

P.S. The Clarksville Times comes to my mailbox now.  I have a elderly Aunt that likes to read it. It is interesting to read what they tell their reporters.

Editorial Comment:

Thank you John.

Readers,

I want everyone to remember that for one of the first times in recent history, Texas is actually going to play a factor in the primary process and the selection of our Democratic candidate. Please think before you vote. Who represents your best interests? Who is for the unions to rise up again? Who is for the working men and women and not just the special interest groups? Who is going to bring real jobs? Who is going to shut down NAFTA? People need to wake up realize that illegal immigrants are not our only fear. Our jobs are hemorrhaging to countries during the day because of policies of this current administration and yes...even the policies enacted by Bill Clinton himself. NAFTA is sucking the lifeblood out of our country. Shutting it down needs to be the first order of Presidential business and we need a President who is willing to do that. You want to save American jobs? Then you need to be for the candidate that will allow tax breaks ONLY be given to corporations that house ALL of their interests in THIS country. THAT is the ONLY way to bring back good, union, manufacturing jobs and decent wages. Don't buy into the hype of Obama and Clinton. They represent status quo. If you REALLY want change... vote for John Edwards. It is time the people got to vote, too, and not only the corporations.

Withheld by Request                                   

Editorial Comment: 

Every thing posted inside this comment is Public Information, and can easily be obtained through information sites on the internet if you know how to find them, and what to look for.  Anybody out there tells you otherwise is a lying "Maggot"

Hi Ernest:

I learned something that might be of interest to you.

Today about nine A.M. I received word that someone was in town collecting information about me. It seems they were interested in my county tax information since they obtained a copy of same.

This aroused my curiosity so I decided to do a little checking on my own.

Turns out the person so interested in my taxes or my property is a retired D.P.S. NARCOTICS SGT. by the name of RICHARD EARL EASTERWOOD who shows an address of 210 Co.Rd. 45430 Paris, Tx.75462. He drives a 2006 Gold colored Chevy truck license #12PPK4 DL#007041727.

If Mr. Easterwood has a legitimate reason for collecting information about the identification of my property or the amount of my taxes I will be glad to discuss it with him but I don't think he does. You know I have been through this sort of business before and something about this smells mighty foul.

For your information I will be emailing this information to the people in Austin.

Thanks

Royce

Editorial Comment: 

Every thing posted inside this comment is Public Information, and can easily be obtained through information sites on the internet if you know how to find them, and what to look for.  Anybody out there tells you otherwise is a lying "Maggot"

Mr. Henslee,

 My childhood memories of Red River County was always a concern for the River Areas. I had heard a lot about them during floods, heard they had tornadoes etc, but never heard of anyone reaching out to help them. I distinctly remember a picture someone showed me at school of a man in a boat trying to rescue another man from his roof top. I always wondered what happened after the “talk” of the many stories that were told.

In 1984, we moved back to Detroit. I was ask by a candidate for school board to go to the River Areas and clear up some propaganda which had been told for political reasons. The propaganda was not true. So I took news clippings, and proof in a notebook to show the people. I also registered people to vote. Some could not read or write. So I got them registered and told them how to go vote without embarrassment. I was not able to go back there for many years.

When the Ice Storm of 200-2001 happened, my concern was for these people whom I had met and knew my concern was valid. Their roads were terrible. First, I went to Judge Cathy Cheyne (hope I spelled that correctly) and ask permission to work out there. She told me to go for it after hearing about the area. She was concerned also. So I went home and called the Red Cross and the Salvation Army. Both told me they went to heavily populated areas such as Paris, Detroit, Clarksville, etc. I ask them “even though you know these people cannot get out?” Anyway, their word was final. The Commissioner in that area told them there were no people out there.

I called Mr. Leon Williams at Maxey Funeral Home, I ask him if he knew how to get in touch with the National Red Cross? After telling him what I needed, he ask me to hold the line a few minutes. He got us all on a conference call. Since he had done a lot of funerals in the area, he could vouch for what I was saying. Before the day was over, the Red Cross was in the Kanawha, Kiomatia and Davenport area. I worked along their side for 21 days. I have never ask anyone to help without helping myself. They brought in counselors for the people who were stressing which were awesome. Whatever the need, the Red Cross had it covered. We carried food in by horseback, 4-wheelers, one ranch (Harold Ives Ranch) helped us tractor a lot in. The roads were unreal. They had not been fixed in over 100 years. I met a Commissioner helper out there and ask him what we had to do to get the roads fixed. He told me the citizens (Afro-American in that one community) had to clean out the trees from the ditches and they would fix them. He also told me the usual phrase which had been passed around the County for 40 years that these people in this community did not want their roads fixed, they did not want the Sheriff out there because they had something to hide.

I relayed his message to the people and they said “that is not our job!” (And they were right. They were not stupid!) That same day, I made a petition for them informing Red River County that what they were telling (and we quoted them) was not true. It demanded for the roads to be fixed and for the Sheriff to come when they called for them. It said they had nothing to hide and it was signed by 100 per cent of the people including white people living around their community. One lady called and ask me what to do with the petition and I told her to send it to the County Judge (who was now Powell Peek) as Certified Mail. She said “But I don’t want to do that--I want to go down there and shove it in his face” And to my understanding she did take it down there.

During the time we were feeding, the Sheriff Dept. never showed up one time. Even though I had obtained donations from Campbell Soup for the Sheriff Dept when they were doing a manhunt etc. One local church showed up in Kanawha with their van and wanted their picture made with the Red Cross. We had already been out there several days working, but the pastor proceeded to tell the Red Cross I did not have enough “clout”. He wanted them to work with him and not me. They told me everything he said because they knew who was out there doing the work and who ask them to come in the first place. AND, He never walked up any muddy roads or anything like that. That van just went down paved roads, if you get my point.

The Red Cross and I were ran off FM 410 several times by a boy who had a Confederate flag in his yard, and a boy from Bagwell. I reported this to Spangler and he told me they would not hurt noboby. (His famous words). One night we found a couple of boys from Bagwell meeting us in the road. I ask the driver where he was going and he told me he was hunting for “coons”. I told him he better hit the road and get out of there because the Red Cross was swarming the place. He did. But he came during the day and harassed us. None of these people received any of the vouchers because they were not aware of them being given. Mr. Leon Williams donated a battery operated radio for each house so that would not happen again. One man was given 75 vouchers to distribute that the Salvation Army had given to the DHS. and no one knows where they went. They sure did not give anyone out there a one.

The next three years, I worked in that area and spent my own money to get gravel for their church parking lot and cemeteries. A lady made new signs for their church and cemetery. We dressed the place up. I still talk to some of the Red Cross Volunteers who came out there. A couple of them died from working 9/11. They came down with cancer about the same time--each one of them did. And they are gone. They worked as Volunteers after the 9/11. But they were apparently exposed to something.

One local man was sent out there to see what was going on by his boss. And his boss never did anything to help those people. And that is why Red River County officials do not like me. They have given me trouble ever since. At least, I can meet my Lord knowing I did the right thing. I have been called names of all kinds because I wanted the Afro-American people out there to have better. And they want to tell me there are no racial problems in Red River County. I know better and many do now.

Delores Mitchell February 3, 2008

P.S. I would like to ask Commissioner Barnett if this is why he has not fixed the hole in my mother’s road on CR 2224? Talked to you about it in January of 2007. A year later and still no repairs. I have called the Judge’s office and made my request several times. And even called your home one time.

Mr. Henslee,

I will first start out by saying I no longer live in Red River County and very proud of that! I do still have family there and keep up with what goes on in Clarksville and Red River County. I read your sight often for entertainment purposes and read the anonymous comments every few days to see what people have to say. And I will go ahead and clear the air and say I DID vote in the last two sheriff elections FOR Mr. Abbott. I was very much against Jerry Conway and Terry Reed, and not a supporter of Tim Shimpock or Larry Spangler either, and very much against this city and county government of corruption. So you cannot call me a “Maggot”. But as I got on your sight yesterday to read the anonymous comments I saw a new blue tab at the top of your page titled “Robert Bridges”. So of course, I clicked on it. Being very familiar with myspace and having a personal account myself, I know a lot about it. And Mr. Bridges myspace is not his personal account. It is his business-- Paris Promotions. He is promoting his fighting and his ring cages that he sales. If it would have been a personal account, I am sure he would have had it set to "private" so no one could view it except his "friends" that were on his list. Why would you make a business account "private" where no one could see it? You need exposure to sale a product. With that being said, if it would have been a personal account, I don’t think he would have had all those people on there he did not know. To promote a business/product you need as many people as you can to see it. If you were to look at a musical bands myspace account they would have hundreds and even thousands of "friends". Why? Because they want to expose their music and sell CDs. Therefore, you ARE NOT picky about who you add as a "friend". You want anyone and everyone to see what you have for sale. Just like how you (Mr. Henslee) advertise your computer business on the front page of Red River Politics. I am sure there would be people that come to this sight and look at it that wouldn’t have the best reputation, etc…Am I correct? After looking at all of his “friends” many of the women are ring girls and have to do with fighting, boxing, etc…That does not mean he knows them personally nor has anything to do with them. Most of the people on this page are affiliated with the fighting scene. There again, he is in the fighting industry and promoting that. Spam mail. We have all heard of it and received it through our mail and email. Well that also happens on myspace. If someone hacks into your myspace account, they can add all sorts of spam comments to every friend of yours. That is what has happened to Mr. Bridges account with several of the comments (the girl videos, etc). The comment with the police officer and the man smoking marijuana, do people not see what is going on? A police officer is hitting the man over the head for smoking that stuff. That isn’t promoting drug use. And what another individual posts on this page should have no reflection of him. He might not even know that person personally. And if he did, just because someone else might be racist, does NOT mean he is also. Don’t you think that if he didn’t want his page viewed by “certain people” he would have made it private? Especially, during an election time. Therefore, he must not have anything to hide. I am not supporting him at all. Just thought this information should be made clear. There are many others that are running for offices in Red River County that didn’t answer the political questions, but I don’t see you posting things about them? Or is this just a personal thing against Mr. Bridges? Thanks for your time. P.S. I am sure you will come back with many attacks. That’s fine. I am a big girl! I can handle it. I promise, I won't lose any sleep over it. It is just my opinion just like you have the last say in others opinions that are posted here. (That is if this even gets posted.) 

Name Withheld by Request

Editorial Comment:

You must think that I rode in on a head of spoiled cabbage yesterday!

Evidently, you have no clue either.............

Ernest,

I have been asked by some as to what took place the day that I resigned.  I thought that the readers need to know what happened that day and days prior to. 

On May 08,2007 I was called into the chiefs office and asked why I hadn't gotten a warrant on a man that lived up on 195, close to the Red River Bridge.  There was a dispute with two property owners over a gate.  Both were claiming to have owned the gate but neither could produce evidence as to who it belonged to. The land was also part of this dispute.  This had been going on for days and my advice to our chief was to get the land surveyed before we could even determine the land issue, much less the Gate. 

The chief had asked our commissioner Joseph Hausler to do the county a favor an survey the land.  Mr. Hausler stated that he would not go out there to survey the land until the man was arrested and in jail and then it would be safe for him to do so.  He stated that he was not going to be staring down the barrel of gun. I told our chief deputy that I was not going to get a warrant on this man because he might own the land and the gate.

I then went to type my resignation and when it was completed- a copy was left for the chief and the Sheriff on their door. I then left and used my county cell phone to call Joseph Hausler.  I explained to him that I wanted to talk to him about a lot of things that were going on.  He told me where he was at in Bogata, surveying land and I met him there. (He was in his personal vehicle).  I had several people tell me that if I was going to tell him EVERYTHING then I should record the conversation as proof that these acts were reported to him.  This was the smartest thing I have ever done.  I just really liked the beginning of the conversation, when I was getting my makeup out of the seat so he could get into the car. I was hurriedly putting things away when he told me "I've had to put my DRAWERS on quick like but never makeup, So I really don't know."

After that perverted comment I started the conversation and told him in detail what had been going on.  His reaction was he wasn't surprised. I was expecting him to tell me the process that I needed to go through to speak openly in the next commissioners meeting or that he would speak with the other commissioners.  When I told him the chief was mad because I wouldn't get a warrant on the man for theft, he stated and I quote, "But I can tell you it ain't his gate.  I mean I know without going out there, I just know the son-of-a-bitch, but you got to do what? I stated "I've got a gut feeling too that it ain't his gate but when you can't prove something that's a lawsuit itself." Hausler stated "that's right but I TOLD Larry to lock his ass up and then Id go out there, well were gonna go out there if he starts anything, and I said no, if he's hiding in that damn house for--it'll be too late--I'll be the son-of-a- bitch that will get shot...hahaha that's just my luck."

He also told me that I could use him for a reference for a job. After this conversation I went back up to the Sheriffs Department and the Sheriff called me in his office and asked me twice where all had I been. I didn't tell him speaking with Hausler because he already knew from the phone call he received from him.  The Sheriff asked me to go ahead and resign as of that day and I told him my resignation paper said it would be effective 10 days from that day.  He asked me why I needed to stay 10 more days and I told him I had no other job lined up and I had three kids to feed.  He then stated that I had no choice either resign that day or be terminated.  I told him to do what he felt necessary and I was going by the resignation letter that he had in his hands.  I was then terminated. 

I would also like to add I had never been written up, and I had one commendation in my file from him and one was missing from an elderly man from Sherman that wrote a commendation to me. There were other cases that I was asked to falsify weeks prior to this and I would not.  I will discuss these two cases with you in the very near future Unfortunately,  I cant now.

I know I did what was right.  I was raised at a young age to treat people with dignity and the respect they deserve. I never tolerated one picking on a Friend or loved one of mine. It would make me more angry than if that person was doing it to me. I don't have one regret as to giving up my job.  I would rather be without my home, and income than to go along and to bear my name shoving a person into our "Just-Us System." When you are a part of this system, people try to take advantage of it and it is easily granted just as with Mr. Hausler.  Why wasn't another surveyor hired?  This was a conflict of interest to. Needless to say he has his own workers that he should be supervising and I don't recall him ever going to any police academy have you? I've also never heard any deputies going to his precinct telling his crew how to do their jobs.

I look forward to "everything" coming out in the open, after all you the readers are the taxpayers and you need to know how your tax dollars are being spent, and how business is conducted at the Sheriffs Office.  I feel sorry for the employees there and the ones that quit.  My advice to them--l am looking forward to a real change in our County and City government, it will be a better county for us all sooner than you think.

God Bless you all,

Alena Clark

Editorial Comment:

I posted this here and in the Citizen Comment Section.  Alena has done a lot to help the cause of "Right vs. Wrong" and I wish that we could do more for her.  Thanks Alena, for giving up everything to be "Honest"!  You may not be rewarded much here, but your reward will come!

Mr. Henslee:

I'm a young man that grew up in this area.  Most of this time, was spent in Red River County.  I remember when the schools were okay, crime was low, and city officials seemed to have little if any influence on businesses.  I didn't start noticing things turning strange until half way through my time at Cheatham Middle School.  That's when the legal system bit me on the ass.  A few friends of mine, and myself, went into Jolly's Funeral home.  It was a scary abandoned building.  In a town where random parking lots were social gathering places, it seemed like a fun thing to do.  The building was falling apart and moldy.  To think that this building could be used for anything else, was laughable.  Anyway, eventually my friends and I were charged with Burglary of a building and criminal mischief.  I spent time in Bowie County Juvenile Detention Center, a year on juvenile probation, did community service, and paid restitution for damages that were already present when I went into the building.

At the time, I saw it as a slap on the wrist because of the propaganda that Mrs. Darlena Shimpock spouted to us throughout school.  After I got into this mess, it seemed to repeat itself over and over again, even for my friends.  Red River County is a legal black hole.  Once you get caught in its vicious cycle, you're doomed.  The only way I got out of this continuous loop, was moving out of the county completely.  I managed to stay in good moral standings after this.  What does that tell you, Mr. Henslee?

Onto other things...

When I was still living in Clarksville, a family member was working in the Sheriff's Department.  On more than one occasion, they'd show up at my house with Deputy Larry Ponder.  Mr. Ponder was usually HIGHLY intoxicated during these occurrences.  I lived in a lower-income part of Clarksville.  He saw our location, and began telling me how to 'hold my own' against the people that lived around me.  He used racial slurs, violent references, and pretty much encouraged me to use violence for reasons of hate.  I never had a problem with ANY of my neighbors.  Why are people like this still wearing badges there?  I'm only 20 years old.  My opinion won't matter too much to these 'Good Ole Boys,' as you've named them. I  hope you see this as I have.  This is all I have to say for now.  Post as needed.  A response would be great, as well.  I don't care if you use my name.  I, for one, will not let their corruption scare me into anonymity.

Tony Ward.

Editorial Comment:

Yes, we know very well what you are talking about.  I have heard the same story numerous times, as they seem to get you into the system, and then keep you there rather than trying to help.  They have the just-us system turned around to benefit the county coffers rather than trying to make productive citizens out of those who make mistakes.  I don't know the place "Jolly's Funeral Home", but if it is the one that has been 1/2 way demolished and is an eyesore now, it is a funny thing that they made you pay restitution.  From what I am hearing, restitution is paid, and then the "so called" victims neither recover property or get any of the money paid.  All I can say to you Tony is, "Be glad you left here and if you are smart, you will stay away from here."  This place is a cesspool of corruption and it is hurting everyone. 

I am glad that you are doing good, and have stayed out of any further contacts with law enforcement in your new location.  That tells me that you probably should have never been charged in the first place, although not knowing for sure the situation of the occurrence,  make that statement lightly.  My advice to you is to stay out of Red River County.  There are no real jobs here for anyone that wants to advance, and they (law enforcement) look for those who have been in trouble before to maintain their "status quo",  and won't hesitate to commit civil rights violations for the sake of money.  

Keep in contact.  I am interested in what you are doing now, and your present situation.  I always appreciate hearing from someone that the system has victimized.  It's funny how they seem to pick their "marks" when they are young and keep right on singling them out throughout the years.  

Ernest Henslee

I do not understand something? I know it has been hard to make good money in Red River County.  But making PANTIES for women.  This is a new one on me!! I believe Clarksville had Kingfisherman Boats and ScotchCraft Windows.  Mark Perkins has cornered the market on this for the ladies in this small community.  That's wonderful!!  One question I Have in my mind does he sell Plus Size for the big momma's?

John P. Raulston

Editorial Comment:

I believe he does John.       

1/28/2008

I just read the letter about the man in Ada , Ok who was wrongfully convicted, spent 12 years on death row and then ostracized by  his own church, after DNA proved him innocent. It really made me wonder...."How many people from  Red River County are in prison because of shoddy investigation?" We already know the preliminary investigation is the most important, your responding officer's first order of business is to secure and preserve the crime scene and then gather evidence. (How many times has a crime scene been destroyed because officers let firemen, ambulance personnel, other law enforcement agencies , or family members enter the scene?)  And then there are instances where responding officers are ignored when they request an investigator to the scene of a possible crime, i.e. Karen Heim. The responding officers, after assessing the scene called the chief deputy and requested an investigator. The chief would not send a investigator and ordered the officers to have the car towed, despite the fact that Ms Heim's purse was on top of the car, the car was blocking the roadway, and it appeared that she was in the process of transferring a storage container filled with clean clothes from her vehicle to ????. This is the perfect example of shoddy investigation. Because an investigator was not sent to the scene, valuable evidence was lost. To this day, Ms Heim has not been found and the car remains on the impound lot at Red River County Sheriff's Department.

Investigators play an imperative part in solving crimes or dismissing false allegations. They do not; however, if they are not utilized or if they are not properly trained. It is a problem in Red River County for investigators to have tunnel vision. Rather than stepping back and seeing the entire picture, and investigating the crime from all possible angles, they seem to focus on one suspect and spend a few minutes building a case...for example a woman suspected of murder who was told that her gun was the murder weapon when in fact, the gun had not even been sent for forensic testing. Weeks later, other information proved she was not guilty. This was a grave injustice to the woman and a prime example of tunnel vision and stupidity.

Warrants are obtained  primarily by the justice of the peace. In order for a warrant to be issued there must be probable cause. It is the duty of the Justice of the Peace to make sure all criteria is met. It is the duty of the Justice of the Peace to go even further to insure that justice is met when  dealing with those known for manufacturing false probable cause. It was once said "If you are not sure--Do nothing". It would be wise for our Justice of the Peace to keep that in mind. If an innocent person goes to prison it is everybody's fault.

Before a case goes to trial, it must go to the county investigator. It is  his job to insure that the evidence is factual and in fact--there is a case. Your county investigator is another "check-point" to insure that justice is done. If you have a county investigator who does not do his job.. then the case goes to the grand jury.

In grand jury, it is the county attorney who presents the evidence that "he" wants you to see. If this evidence is "slanted" then the grand jury will be swayed to indict. This process is not the fault of the grand jury - they are only basing their decision on what is presented. 

Now the case is ready for trial. If the county attorney is doubtful of his ability to successfully prosecute, he will offer a plea bargain. If the plea bargain is not accepted.. the case goes to trial. 

Look at the total picture here. Is it so inconceivable that an innocent man can go to prison? We have a sheriff's dept, and a county attorney's office that continues to  be riddled with one scandal after another. Are they honest? You tell me. You've seen the evidence presented on this web site in black and white. 

Now how do we solve this problem?

And it must be rectified because if one innocent man goes to prison...that is one man too many.

Ernest, Keep up the good work, if it wasn't for your web site no one would know what goes on around here.

Just sign me,

---A Voter who is thoroughly disgusted--

Today, I heard about a book by the name of "The Innocent Man" by John Grisham. Someone told me about it after being referred to this site. This is a true story of a wrongful murder conviction of a man in Ada, Oklahoma. He spent 12 years on death row. He was exonerated by DNA. He looked forward to coming home on his release and going to his church. But the church would not accept him. (Even after it was proven he did nothing wrong) The man died at the age of 51 and could not even have his funeral in the church to my understanding. The book talks about incorrect convictions, shoddy police work and poor prosecution. One review said it certainly made a case for some sort of "judicial reform". That is why we must write our Senators and Representatives requesting they hold people whom are elected or appointed into office to some type of accountability. No matter what crime you can name, it is unrealistic to believe everyone is guilty. Judicial reform is needed and holding our officials to some type of accountability should be one of our priorities. There also needs to be reformation in some of the churches. Everyone was born into sin. Some have never been caught, but they have done some mighty bad things. Yes, and some are church-goers! (We are supposed to love the sinner, yet hate the sin). We are not supposed to condemn anyone. That is God's business. To say or think God cannot change anyone is blasphemy against God. Blasphemy is denying the power of God. The Bible says God can do anything. The first part of this letter, we can and should do something about. When it comes to God's business, think we should stay out of it. He is big enough to handle it. And He will.

Name withheld by request

Hi Ernie,

I ran across this on the Internet and thought it would be interesting to your readers. It is the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics. This is the guideline that each and every law enforcement officer is suppose to live by... let's be honest, how many people in Red River County, who wear a badge, fit the bill or even come close? Maybe what we need is to find people who live by this code. Maybe then, we can be proud to say "I live in Red River County"!

Law Enforcement Code of Ethics

As a Law Enforcement Officer, my fundamental duty is to serve mankind; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the Constitutional rights of all persons to liberty, equality and justice.

I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all; maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn or ridicule; develop self-restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others. Honest in thought and deed in both my personal and official life, I will be exemplary in obeying the laws of the land and the regulations of my department. Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature or that is confided to me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret unless revelation is necessary in the performance of my duty.

I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, animosities or friendships to influence my decisions. With no compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminal, I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear or favor, malice or ill will, never employing unnecessary force or violence and never accepting gratuities.

I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a public trust to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of the police service. I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before God to my chosen profession...law enforcement.

Sign me,

Disgusted with the Crooks wearing badges  in Red River County 

Editorial Comment:

Thanks very much, I am sure the readers will find this most interesting.

Ernest

Ernest,

My praises to you for your website of information on Red River County life, Politics and your Boldness to bring TRUTH out about the corruption in the county offices!!! As you can see I am a (Raulston) My late father Norman Clark Ralston D.V.M. took the "U" out in college in the 1940's.My grandparents lived and raised their family out in the community of "Vesey". In later years in town of Clarksville. I came to Red River County in Sept,1978 to live with my Uncle Erich & Aunt Maycle Hausler. I went to Clarksville High School and really liked and enjoyed country live there until I moved back to Dallas in 1981. I have lots of cousins and some friends that still live there. I use to eat at the Dairy Queen or at Coleman's BBQ going to school. I knew Alton Peek personally. He was everyone's friend, so kind and fun to be with. I heard he did a great job for Red River County with the roads. It seems so SAD to me the Sheriffs Dept does not even care about solving his Murder at all. Also I went to school with Val Varley. My Uncle Erich Hausler SAYS Val is not a good county lawyer at all. I believe you get more truth about Red River County from your website than the Clarksville Times.

THANKS,

John P. Ralston Balch Springs, Texas

Editorial Comment:

Thank you very Much, John.  I really appreciate the praise of the website, especially considering the fact that is Hurting the County and it's people.  Most of the credit really goes to the people like you who support the site and appreciate it and the truth I try to bring out to help the people, and their county, and my sincerest appreciation goes to The Anonymous Artist for all the "Horrible Cartoons". zuzuzuzuzu

Ernest 

Ernest,

After reading your editorial, I had many memories of my days in Red River County.  I though about what progressive thinking meant to me.  While I lived in Red River County, so many people have stated to me that the people didn't want Red River County to change.  However, what they were talking about was the lifestyle that they choose in living in the country. 

Walmart left Clarksville because it was a business decision based on the store making enough money from local residents.  With a store in New Boston and a super store in Paris,  the Clarksville store did not make enough money to remain open.  Walmart is in business to make money.  The plans to close Walmart were in the making several years ago.  Once the by-pass was in place, semi-trucks were routed around town, the only reason to go through Clarksville is to go through Clarksville.  Those that were involved in  the planning of the by-pass knew this years ago.   

Since, this is an election season, I also remember all the promises that where made when ex-County Judge Peek was running.  So many believed that he would bring "new" business to the county.  Seems there were promises made that were not kept.  There was some hope of "new" business offering the residents new job opportunities and a better quality of life with their country living.  I too had high hopes for the county, at that time.  Until, I started the paper and found out how new businesses were run out of town or never invited in.  Time passed quickly, and hope started to fade from being overshadowed with the efforts of those who wanted to stop any possibility of growth.  Ernest and I faced our share of a