Dear Editor,

To all citizens of San Saba County: As a county resident and an active member of the San Saba County EMS I would like to urge all of you to become aware that our emergency medical system is in big trouble! We are so short of personnel that we cannot always meet state mandates, that require that we have 6 people on call 24 hours, 365 days of the year. That is a lot of volunteer hours. There is currently a petitiongoing around to create a taxing district to pay for full time personnel, but even if that passes, which I think it should, we are still going to have to have volunteers to help out. Each and every one of you should seriously consider what it would do to our community if we were to lose our emergency medical service. So, that being said please consider becoming a volunteer or signing the petition. I realize tht this is going to mean more tax dollars, but so be it, 10 cents on the hundred dollar evaluation will still not cover all of the expense and we will have to pay for each trip we make in the ambulance. Thanks for reading this and please try to help us out in any way you can.

Pat Faught

EMS Driver and Resident of Richland Springs

Dear Editor:

I had a great time at our boys' tournament this weekend but was saddened by a comment I overheard. The fan was for our opponent and he said, "We have more folks here than they do." It was sad to hear but completely true! I just wanted to send this letter in hopes of encouraging others in our community to come out full force in support of our basketball teams, especially our boys as that is where we seem to fall short. I definitely noticed a difference in attendance at the game this weekend between us and our opponents but also between the girls' games and boys' games last year. I truly hope that won't be the case this season.

All our coaches do a great job but I want to speak to you about Coach Ron Welch. He does a great job coaching and leading our boys varsity basketball team. I am fortunate to know him as a coach, a friend, and father to two great boys, and as the husband to a dear friend of mine, Robin. It breaks my heart to think that Coach Welch and our basketball boys may think we don't appreciate or support them fully. He and all those boys give 100% every time they hit the floor. I know that the greatest way our community can show we do, is through our loyal attendance at their basketball games. It would be most appreciated and completely deserved!

Basketball is very much a sport of momentum. Nothing can change momentum in a game like a large crowd of fans cheering and showing they believe in you. I think our football season was proof that community support and fans can make a difference in a team's success. I am just asking that our community spirit carry over to basketball season for both our boys' and girls' teams.

All our student athletes deserve our support and enthusiasm as they put their heart and soul into playing basketball and doing a fine job representing our town. I look forward to seeing everyone at the basketball games this season!

Sincerely,

Marian Deans San Saba