Dear Editor:

I first want to thank Larry Sanderson, Nelson Page and Reagan Burnham for their letters in response to my letter of the previous week. I know Larry and Reagan, and consider both upstanding citizens in our community, and I plan to remain friendly even though we may disagree concerning this important issue. I do not know Mr. Page, but I do respect his right to disagree with my position. The availability, use and consumption of alcoholic beverages are very divisive issues, of which most people have an opinion. The purpose of my first letter was to lay this issue before the public and make it a topic of conversation. It worked.

This will be my final letter in regards to this important election. I do not intend to resort to name calling and intimidation tactics in this letter. When I speak of the liquor crowd, I just mean those who support the sale of alcohol. When I speak of the non-liquor crowd, I mean those who are against the sale of alcohol. I am not offended to be associated with the non-liquor crowd, but I will not be an enemy of those who disagree with my stand.

Now, to respond to the letter of Mr. Page, may I say that he has never heard me preach, and therefore has no grounds to accuse me of preaching any half-truths. By the way, I have been called many things through the years, but this is the first time I have been called a half-liar. However, I will not now, nor in the future attempt to defend my honesty and character, but I will clarify some comments. Mr. Page accused me of saying that the bible condemns the use of alcohol, and then he used the scriptures in an attempt to prove God's support and encouragement to drink. If you will read my letter, you will see that I never quoted a verse in regards to alcohol. I used a verse that concerned the desire for profit without considering the consequences. I also used statistics and drew my conclusion from those statistics and my own personal observation. Everybody knows the Bible condemns drunkenness, or, the excessive use of alcohol, but almost every drinker I talk with will tell me "I can handle my liquor." When asking children what they want to be when they grow up, not one has told me, "I want to be a drunkard." That is not something you plan, but can only follow the first drink. After many years in Law Enforcement and thirty years in the ministry, I have personally dealt with individuals who never intended to abuse alcohol. I have see the hurt and heartache that is has caused. Perhaps there are those who drink responsibly, but most cannot, or will not. I am also aware that drinking and drunkenness will not go away, but will increase in these final days, and I can, and will live with that fact without it disrupting my life in any way.

Mr. Page's vote will not cancel mine. Sorry, it will still count. Moreover, since Mr. Page wanted to use scripture to promote the benefits of alcohol, I will leave you with one verse found in Proverbs 20:1 "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise."

The passage of this proposal will not enhance, nor help our community, but will open the door for the entrance of many vices. Nonetheless, regardless of the results of this election, i plan to do my best, with the help of God, to promote unity, harmony and righteousness in this city. Jesus said, "A house divided against itself cannot stand." Therefore, when it's over, we are to gorget those things which are behind and press forward.

Sincerely

Welton Watson

San Saba, Tx

Dear Editor,

In regard to the alcohol election I respect the views of others but know from my own life that availability adds to problems. All drinkers are not abusers, just as all eaters are not obese. We are not to expect an economic boom from the passing of this election. Our great state and our schools have not profited from the lottery as was promised. It is the people who will speak with their votes as to whether this passes and not the wishes of just myself. I can't see where law enforcement would be in favor of passage either, many problems come from alcohol-vote NO. We already need a new jail and I don't think alcohol consumption will pay for it!

Jerry Deaver

San Saba, Texas

Dear Editor:

Impact 2000 Plus Club would like to say thanks to all who took part in the Fourth of July celebration. Special thanks to the Volunteer Fire Department, the EMS, and the local law enforcement for their support.

Thanks to the city of San Saba for arranging the "entertainment" with the band and thanks to Troupe 55 for presenting the colors before the fireworks display.

Thanks to Sandy Smith for the tortillas and Sandra Key and the Davis sisters and Jackie Doner for the cookies and baked goods that were sold.

Thanks to Betty and John Roberts for getting the dinner together and being cashiers.

Thanks to Jackie Doner, Sandra Key and Marian Deans for helping serve.

Thanks to Doris Cates and Linda Mixon for loaning ice coolers and to Rick's for supplying the ice.

Thanks to Ronnie Vaughn for loaning the BBQ pit used to grill the sausages for the wraps that were sold.

Thanks to Sam Tisdale and Santos Arrendondo for grilling the sausage wraps.

Thanks to Bryon Riggs, Bladen Riggs, and Nathan Taft for their help in preparing the fireworks for the display and thanks to the crew who shot the display, Dale Riggs, Kenneth Riggs, Justin Mayo and John John Cummings.

The firework display is just one of the events that Impact 2000 Plus Club presents during the year. Others include, Christmas with Santa and the Easter Egg Hunt. The club meets the fourth Thursday of each month at the Civic Center at 6:30 p.m. If you think you might want to be part of these community events and part of Impact 2000 Plus Club, your presence is welcome.

Tawana Riggs/Treasurer

Impact 2000 Plus Club

San Saba Tx

Dear Editor:

On Friday, August 27th, we had a "come eat fish fry" in Richland Springs. This event was to celebrate the first wedding anniversary of Jerrell and Dell Sagebiel.

We would like to thank those who came, ate and fellowshipped with us. Some came just to come, others to visit and remember days gone by.

The help we had in planning, cooking and the endless supply of this 'n' that is hard to picture. As always Jeffery Bates cooked the fish, fries and hush puppies. Mike and Tina Poe along with Douglas Gibson were there for fish and onion cutting, thanks a bunch. Our supplies were taken care of by G&R Grocery as always. Our desserts were all homemade. Thank you ladies, I had to at least taste them all.

All else was taken care of by Stormy Castro, Shirley Benton and Emily Mask. To these women I can't say "thank you" enough.

Knowing the way my husband likes fish, we'll probably have another one...off in the future. We'll make sure it's well known.

From my heart, I say "thank you" to all who helped my day be so special.

To my husband I say, "Thank you for loving me."

Ms. Dell Becker-Sagebiel

Richland Springs, TX