Easter highlights bigger picture
Today is Easter, and for those of the Christian faith, it is one of the most important days of the year. Churches throughout the area will hold special services.
Myers’ honor well-deserved
Through the years, the Denton Chamber of Commerce has selected many outstanding people as recipients of the Otis L. Fowler award.
Partnership gets boost
One of the problems with economic development is that much of the work goes on behind the scenes and may not be readily apparent to the public.
Mission statement empowers others
We like the Denton school district’s new mission statement, but we were even more impressed by the process used to develop it.
Food kitchen offers hope
We’d be willing to wager that few — if any — clients of Denton’s Our Daily Bread soup kitchen ever expect that they will need to go there. No one likes the sad reality that brings people to Our Daily Bread, but thankfully, a lot of people care enough that they are trying to change it.
Youth fair offers way to shine
The Denton County Livestock Association Youth Fair and Rodeo is now in its 38th year, and a lot has changed in the event’s long and colorful history. The youth fair and rodeo has grown from a two-day fair to a weeklong event at the North Texas State Fairgrounds, and as always, there will be plenty to see and do for all ages at this year’s fair, which runs through Saturday.
Be alert to stop scams
In the past, Americans could be fairly certain their money would be safe if it was kept in a bank. But in today’s digital world, identity theft has intruded into every financial realm. What was once a secure location for a life’s savings can now be emptied by a stranger thousands of miles away with a few key numbers and an Internet connection.
Springtime brings elections
Spring is here, which means that the local political season will soon be in full bloom as candidates gear up their campaigns for the May 11 election. It’s an exciting time for voters because it provides opportunities to question candidates about the issues and challenge them to defend their platforms.
Walker spreads message of unity
We have to admire Javier Janik’s faith and courage, not to mention his stamina. Janik, a 25-year-old financial analyst from Pennsylvania, passed through Denton this week on a trip across the United States.
Preserving past can improve future
Historical preservation can be a tough sell. It’s not always possible to convince people to spend money on restoration and renovation when new construction can often be cheaper, easier and faster.
Shedding light on issue helps all
As part of Sunshine Week, the Denton Record-Chronicle news team gathered a number of government records under Texas open records laws to determine the scope of payday and title lender presence in Denton.
Dance trio all about family
Two thoughts came to mind when we learned that 85-year-old Ruth Vogel had performed a high-kick alongside her great-granddaughter, 17-year-old Tori Olson, followed by the splits at a Denton High School Fillies Follies spring variety show.
Training pays big dividends
Violent acts like the shootings that took so many lives in Aurora, Colo., and Newtown, Conn., are beyond frightening, so much so that we may be tempted to turn away from news reports and focus our attention on other, happier subjects.
Keeping it open
There’s good news and threatening news out of the bill hopper in Austin for Sunshine Week, the national observance of the public’s right to know what goes on within government.
It’s time to move forward
We appreciate the courtesy of Congressman Michael Burgess, R-Lewisville, who took time out this week to visit with us about Wednesday’s closed-door session between members of the Texas congressional delegation and President Obama on the budget, immigration and gun control.
Ponder goes the extra step
As the saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child.” But in Ponder, they took it a step further — it took a community to raise a new building for its volunteer fire department.
Finance reports need place on Web
Denton County Precinct 1 Commissioner Hugh Coleman is taking a commendable step toward more transparency with his recent move to publish his campaign finance report online.
Justin needs sound solution
The conflict in Justin between residents and City Council members about the lack of a buffer between a residential neighborhood and a nearby bar reminds us just how much things have changed.
A little prevention worth a lot of cure
One of the problems with living in North Texas is that mosquito season can seem to run year-round, so we were glad to hear that plans are already under way to trap mosquitoes to test for West Nile virus.
It pays to stay on guard
No one likes to think it’s possible that tragedies like the one that took so many young lives at Sandy Hook Elementary School could ever happen here, but in a rapidly changing world that constantly shocks and saddens us with its brutality, we realize we must be on guard.
Get tough on failure to stop
A driver who fatally hits someone and leaves the scene is subject to criminal punishment. A drunken driver who fatally hits someone and leaves the scene is subject to more severe criminal punishment.
Nelson’s bill deserves support
We’ve always believed there is a need for Denton County Transportation Authority’s A-train and that time and service refinements will continue to boost ridership. There are many reasons why we feel that way — continued population growth, worsening traffic congestion, gasoline prices that remain stubbornly high and declining air quality.
Daylight saving time less useful
It’s that time of year again to spring forward and reset clocks, watches and the automobile clock an hour later. Established by U.S. law with the Act of March 19, 1918, the practice of standard time in time zones first was instituted by the railroads in 1883 in the U.S. and Canada.
Plan ahead for severe weather
Anyone who has lived in Texas for a few seasons has seen just how quickly weather conditions can change here. There really is a lot of truth to one of our favorite old sayings: “If you don’t like the weather, just wait 15 minutes and it will change.”
Festivals offer lots of talent
Denton has established a reputation across the country as being a city where creative people want to be, and this weekend will provide plenty of opportunities to check out some fantastic talent.
Denton residents show they care
Giving up free time to help with a good cause is always a sacrifice, but donating time and energy to pick up trash is especially commendable.
Voters must take active role
The stage is set for the upcoming city and school elections, except for one of the most important players of all — you, the voter. The deadline for candidates to file for a place on area city and school ballots was Friday, and we were pleased to see that many races are contested.
Bills would help protect patients
Two Texas senators seek to ramp up patient protection at the state’s psychiatric hospitals with unfortunately necessary legislation. In separate bills, Sens. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, and Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, take aim at closing gaps in the system that exposed patients to abuse and neglect. Both are veteran senators, and Nelson leads the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.
Where’s the disconnect?
It is good news that the extension of FM2499 from State Highway 121 North to Denton Creek is being funded through a partnership of the Texas Department of Transportation, the Regional Transportation Council and Denton County.
Playoffs display commitment
There’s nothing quite like following basketball playoff games, especially if you have the opportunity to sit on the sidelines and watch the action.
Trim better than meltdown
Quite a bit of hoopla surrounds today’s deadline for automatic budget cuts, which will have an impact nationally and even locally. That fact is not in question with the projected $85 billion in proposed federal spending cuts through Sept. 30.
McCain made difference at UNT
We’ve heard from a lot of people offering tributes and praise for Fred McCain — a key figure in University of North Texas athletics for many years — since the announcement of his death Tuesday morning at age 90, but perhaps the most telling came from former UNT men’s basketball coach Jimmy Gales.
Parent involvement helps kids succeed
It may be difficult for some of us to remember, but there was a time in our lives when we didn’t know everything. Thanks to teachers, mentors, friends, co-workers and many other generous and helpful individuals, each of us has learned what we needed to know to tackle the challenges that life has placed before us.
Students learn through contest
We read and listen to a lot of comments about the U.S. Constitution — the document is a favorite topic for letters to the editor and other newspaper opinion pieces, radio commentary and viewpoints carried by television news programs.
Cut spending responsibly
It’s important for the nation to put its fiscal house in order. Sequestration is a potentially disastrous way to do it, however.
Smith worthy of chamber’s honor
The story of longtime Denton businesswoman Judy Smith would make an ideal addition to any business textbook. Smith, owner of Rose Costumes, has not only been active in the Denton business community for more than 35 years, but she’s also set a great example for small-business owners in her ability to adapt to changing market conditions and find success in a down economy.
Marker honors county’s roots
It may be difficult for some young people to comprehend, but there was a time — and it wasn’t all that long ago — when farming was a primary occupation for Denton County residents.
Officer’s efforts worthy of honor
Some of us may owe our lives to Denton police Traffic Patrol Officer Bryan Cose. Thanks to him, local roadways are probably a lot safer.
History programs offer insight
Two upcoming programs offer excellent opportunities to learn more about the history and accomplishments of African-Americans in Denton County.
Students pass; state fails
Denton school district officials announced last week that students in elementary and middle school exceeded state passing rates in each STAAR category last spring, and we’d like to congratulate students and teachers for an outstanding performance under difficult circumstances.
Reduce mistakes in credit ratings
The next time you apply for a credit card, a car loan or a mortgage, a three-digit number will determine whether your would-be lender will give you a sweet interest rate — or point you to the door. That number, of course, is your credit score, and three big national credit ratings agencies keep the files on you that factor into it. Lots of them.
Prison money needs cutting
There was a time not all that long ago when Texas prisons were jam-packed. Now, because of falling crime rates and a move away from trying to incarcerate as many convicts as possible, about 10,000 bunks might be going unused in Texas’ 111-prison system. There are hundreds of additional empty bunks in the state’s six prisons for juvenile inmates.
Proud day for Travis relative
Texas history buffs should circle Friday, Feb. 22 on their calendars — that’s the day the “Victory or Death” letter penned by William Barrett Travis at the Alamo will be displayed for the first time in 177 years.
Cancer research shows promise
The prevailing wisdom about fighting breast cancer has long centered on early diagnosis, developing effective treatments and finding a cure.
UNT shoulders important task
The University of North Texas Health Science Center is about to embark on a project that could eventually help identify thousands of people long missing in Libya and, perhaps, help some of their family members find closure.
Nelson works to help children
Texas legislators champion many causes while in office, and we can’t say that we agree with all of them. Some issues get so clouded by politics that it’s difficult to understand who, if anyone would benefit from reams of legislation filed during any given legislative session.
Underage drinking should concern all
Last Wednesday, University of North Texas officials announced a ban on alcohol consumption at Panhellenic events after an 11-day investigation raised concerns about the alleged availability of alcohol to minors.
Hair donors show generosity
Anyone who has ever known a young girl can understand just how great a sacrifice it was for Harpool Middle School students to donate some of their hair last week to help others.
School security is a top priority
The mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Conn., was a watershed event that may forever change the way we feel about school security. The tragic deaths of 20 schoolchildren and six school employees galvanized the nation, and people everywhere began to consider a critical question — what if it happened here?
Reform about more than money
Why were we not surprised? The ruling Monday by state District Judge John Dietz that Texas’ method of funding public schools is unconstitutional is the second time in less than a decade that the judicial system has found fault with our state’s system of funding public schools.
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