Dear editor,

We live just near Golden and often travel FM 779 and Highway 69. We recently read in the Wood County Monitor that TxDOT intends to build an overpass and the associated ramps to allow Highway 69 to pass over FM 779. We’re certain this is being done due to the large number accidents at this intersection. Many years ago the same problem was occurring at the intersection of Highway 80 and FM 19. The simple (and cost-effective solution was to make the intersection a four-way stop! To our knowledge there has not been a fatal accident there since the light installation some 24 years ago or so.

Apparently TxDOT has a pile of money sitting around that the engineers feel they need to dispose of! If this is so, we recommend that TxDOT use some of these funds to properly repave our state roads. The current practice of using “chip seal” to repave our roads is not cost effective! Additionally, “chip seal” reduces tire mileage and damages windshields on a regular basis! Our 2003 Saturn Vue is currently on windshield number four!

We recommend installing lights to make this intersection a four-way stop rather than tearing up the roads and wasting a bunch of our tax dollars on this overpass boondoggle!

Sincerely,

William Carter

To the editor,

I wish to respond to Mr. Brian Smale’s Letter to the Editor in your March 22, 2017 edition. Mr. Smale’s statement is false. My request to Chief Koonce for more information is not a violation of the Texas Transportation Code Section 720.002. There is no city policy, and never has been, requiring any police officer to write a minimum number of citations (quota), or any other activity. The only information reported to the Council is gross activity numbers, i.e., 43 citations written, 2 vehicle accidents worked, one funeral worked, etc. No names or any identification information is reported. I have verified the legality of collecting and reporting the gross citation information to the city council with a Texas Municipal League lawyer in Austin, and the Alba City Attorney was present during this meeting and there was never a mention of “quotas” of any type. Your reporter was there and he didn’t mention anything about “quotas” in last week’s paper as it never came up. The public is welcome to come into the Alba City Hall, and time permitting, listen to the audio recording of the subject meeting and hear exactly what was and wasn’t said. As long as there are no “quotas” the collecting and reporting of the police activity numbers to the city council is not a violation of the Texas Transportation Code or any other Texas or Federal Statute. Furthermore, some data is required by Federal Law to be collected and reported to the FBI under the Uniform Crime Reporting Program and the National Incident Reporting System. The only illegal quota system is in Mr. Smale’s mind. Mr. Smale’s letter portrays me, and the City, in a very negative light due to his false and misguided accusation.

Sincerely,

Ted Levitt

Mayor of Alba