Failing to comprehend

I’m amused at how many readers failed to comprehend the words of my letter of April 10:

“Every time the subject of taxes comes up causes me to wonder if Council-person Mul­roy and Sen. Ted Kennedy vacation together. … Maybe if Mulroy were as tight in controlling spending as he’s as anxious in increasing taxes, the city could give elderly homeowners and perhaps all homeowners a break. … Better yet, Mulroy’s done well in Den­ton; be nice if he made proportional donations to the city to help take up the slack. …”

The issue was very clear regarding Mulroy: It was not of his philanthropy, although ad­mirable, yet rather his talents and attitude toward his fiduciary responsibility of tax dollars that are not his.

Moreover, Mulroy’s expressed position that “individual homeowners are not paying enough city taxes,” is firmly on record.

Can it be that liberal donation of dollars here and there can insulate an elected official and entice others to promote only notoriety and turn a blind eye to accountability?

Such is it that a seat on the City Council can be leveraged?

Is Denton so prosperous that abject waste of tax dollars is excusable?

For clarity, I simply suggested that Mulroy extend his philanthropy by generously giving his dollars to the city’s treasury in addition to the taxes he pays, in hopes of lessening the tax burdens on those with fixed incomes.

Bill Keith,

Denton

McNeill’s contribution

When Perry McNeil was elected to the City Council, signs sprouted in Denton proclaiming, “Denton now Open for Business.”

How well I remember, “before P.M.”

My wife and I would drive to Lewisville and Dallas for a nice dinner out. Because of Perry McNeill, we have several wonderful restaurants in Denton from which to select.

We would drive outside Denton for planting and hardware needs.

Because of Mayor McNeill and the council, we have several large stores with excellent selections from which to choose our plants each spring as well as meeting the needs of maintaining our home.

The downtown Square area was not being utilized to its level of expectation.

Because of Perry McNeill, the Square has been renovated with new sidewalks, crossing areas and beautiful flowers — and there are wonderful shops and restaurants.

Because of Perry McNeill, Denton has be­come a growing city that welcomes entrepreneurs.

At home, I look out my window and see a greenbelt that thrives with wildlife. A balance between business and the environment is not easy to achieve. Mayor McNeill has led the charge to reach and maintain this healthy balance.

There is an old Texas saying: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” I believe in change, but not change just for change’s sake. 

We all need to thank Mayor McNeill for what he has accomplished for us, and for his dedication to, and love for, the city of Denton. Let’s re-elect him as mayor of Denton.

Mike Kozak,

Denton

A vote for ‘Jerry Mo’

I hate to talk politics. Can you ever win? There are always two sides to everything.

In this year’s Denton City Council at-large Place 6 race, you have two good candidates running, and in the world of dirty politics, I admire them both for keeping it clean.

The focus is on beliefs and goals. But, there comes a time when you have to choose, and I hope you will seriously consider Jerry Mohelnitzky (“Jerry Mo”) for your new council member.

Jerry has a proven record of involvement in this community.

Outside of his work with Denton’s economic development, the Denton Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Denton Arts Council, to name a few, I most admire that he has taken a personal interest in the growth of many individuals.

Those individuals make up your community. His focus is on you.

Please support Jerry’s bid for Denton City Council at-large Place 6.

Lisa Miller,

Denton

Elect Burroughs mayor

The city of Denton needs the leadership, experience and dedication that Mark Bur­roughs has to offer.

As a longtime Dentonite, I care deeply about issues relating to growth, education and the arts.

After having served on several boards with Mark Burroughs, I know him to be the intelligent and skillful leader that Denton de­serves.

Mark has worked tirelessly for Denton as a councilman from 1998  to 2004, and presently serves as the chairman of the Denton Bond Oversight Committee and as vice chairman of the Denton County Transportation Authority Board.

He has generously supported the Denton Public School Foundation, Greater Denton Arts Council, and numerous other community organizations with his time and talents.

This is a man who is well-respected, hardworking and an asset to our community.

Please join me in voting for Mark Burroughs as mayor. Early voting begins today.

Janet W. Shelton,

Denton

Vote for Burroughs

I am writing this letter in support of Mark Burroughs for mayor of Denton. 

Mark and his wife, Annie, are long-time residents of Denton. During that time, Mark has taken a leadership role in many community organizations — Denton Chamber of Com­merce and the Greater Denton Arts Council to name two.

I had the pleasure to work for the city of Denton during a portion of Mark’s previous term on council.

He is a leader in every sense of the word — a visionary who also does, a pro-active person who deals with issues before they become problems.

On a local level, he will ensure that codes and ordinances are enforced consistently and fairly.

On a regional level, he will restore Denton to a leadership position on issues that are important to our community. I urge you to vote Mark Burroughs for mayor on May 10, 2008.

Janay Tieken,

Denton