Letters To The Editor

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Dear Editor:

Recently, Jordan Berry sent a letter to the editor praising Betty Brown and attacking me. Mr. Berry is a lobbyist who has received several thousand dollars from Betty Brown's campaign, so I am not surprised by his opinions. I am a little surprised that Rep. Brown would condone her consultant's attack on a voter and my family. Perhaps I shouldn't be. The information I have gathered and posted at www.bettybrown.org is documented and true, but it is not flattering, and Rep. Brown does not have a record of reacting graciously to people who disagree with her.

There are several misstatements Mr. Berry made that I would like to correct if I may. Firstly, I am not employed as a "highpaid hired gun. Quite the contrary -- I have written a children's novel I am trying to get published. Until that happens, I don't make a dime.

Secondly, I have not worked for Tony Sanchez or any other Democrat. I have worked for one elected official: Carole Keeton Strayhorn, who traveled here to Betty Brown's request to support Rep. Brown several years ago. Mr. Berry may be confusing me with my husband, who has worked as a spokesman for the Republican Party of Texas, the Republican National Convention, George H.W. Bush, Senator Pete Sessions, Governor Bill Clements, and too many other candidates to list here.

Thirdly, I am not based in Austin. I live in Eustace. I did grow up in a rural area outside of Austin where, as conservatives in a heavily liberal county, my parents taught us early that we needed to stand up for what we believe. In fact, my first political experience occurred in elementary school when fellow students made fun of me because my parents were voting for Ronald Reagan, while their parents were voting for Walter Mondale.

Aside from inaccurate information about me and my husband, Mr. Berry included numerous misstatements about Wade Gent, who is running against Betty Brown in next year's Republican primary election. I am sure Mr. Gent is perfectly capable of defending himself against the politically inspired fabrications Betty Brown and her consultants will throw at him, so I will not take your readers' time with that endeavor. Rep. Brown has proven she does not hesitate to hurl mud to protect her political career, and unfortunately, this isn't going to be the last time she or her consultants do it to Mr. Gent. However, Mr. Berry's statements about Rep. Brown are equally inaccurate, and I set up www.bettybrown.org to reveal exactly those misconceptions.

One last item it is important to make clear: whatever Mr. Berry or Rep. Brown read and did not like on the website, Mr. Gent had nothing to do with it. I am in no way being paid, reimbursed, or compensated for it, and I have no contact with his campaign or any other organization regarding its content. Rep. Brown may find it hard to believe that a woman sitting at her kitchen table in Henderson County can research Betty's record and decide for herself that it leaves a lot to be desired. It is precisely because I am a Republican and a conservative that I want to ensure people like Rep. Brown do not taint the ideals I hold dear when she repeatedly says one thing and does another. Behavior like Betty's make the rest of us conservatives look bad.

Sincerely, Elicia Sanders 409 Walker Street Eustace, Texas 75124

To the Editor:

Women's Unity Fellowship would like to thank the many individuals, organizations and local businesses who participated in the annual Tour of Homes and Tour of Trees. Their generosity provided over 2000 canned goods for God's Open Hands as well as funding for the Brenda Epperson Memorial Scholarship for Future Teachers.

The Tour of Trees included trees decorated by Dorothy McHam (Gingerbread Tree), Sherri Wilson (All Star Sports Tree and Hunting Tree), Dana Parks and Tammy Kidd (Cowboy Tree and Fishermen of Men Tree), Citizens National Bank (Fireman Tree), Friends of the Chandler Public Library (Peppermint Storybook Tree), UMW (Birdhouse Tree), Brookshire Grocery (Angels Among Us), Chandler Intermediate (Homemade Nature Tree), Chandler Elementary (Patriotic Tree), Sonic (Sonic Tree), Natalie Smith (Gig `Em Tree), and Brownsboro FFA (Western Tree).

For over 20 years, local homeowners have graciously opened their homes at Christmas time for the home tour. This year the Copeland, McGill, Williams, and Staines families provided festive decorations that delighted the many visitors. Their support is greatly appreciated by our organization.

And, a special thanks to the community for their continued support of WUF projects.

From: Women's Unity Fellowship Members