Dear Editor:

Once again San Saba County takes a huge blow from the 33rd District, loosing another key position. Pat Wadsworth, a long time employee of adult probation was advised that she was no longer needed and due to so called budget cuts, her job was cut from the budget. I, for one, do not think that anyone understands the huge negative effect that this will have on San Saba County law enforcement and judicial personnel who work in this county. Pat Wadsworth is not only a good Christian lady, but a lady who is tough, thorough, and dedicated to her job of protecting San Saba County. She helps Steve Burnett, the Adult Probation Officer, manage a case load that covers San Saba County and District Court. She is the very backbone of this courthouse and the key link in the success or failure of the team work between those of us that work the streets and jails and the judicial system.

I personally have worked with San Saba adult probation and Miss Pat and Steve are the first to work and the last to leave. I can call them anytime, night or day, weekday or weekend for assistance and I get an answer. Miss Pat makes sure that we all know who is on probation and for what. She alerts us to those who are working the program and those that are not. She also cares about those who are on probation and those that try, and she does her best to help those trying to succeed. She works for those of us on the streets as well. She is the one that will research information and make sure that it gets to you and she always has Steve ready for court. That office stays busy and is extremely effective due to her experience and dedication to her job protecting San Saba County. Yet, someone, who does not live here, does not work here and who does not understand exactly how busy the probation office here really is, decided that she is no longer needed and that San Saba can do without her.

I contacted District Judge Jones and asked him about the situation and was surprised by the answer that I got. He knows Miss Pat and knows what a good worker she is but apparently it's all about numbers or the lack of them and about the greater good for the district. Apparently we have the least amount of cases in the district and therefore we have to give up our help. Really? Of course we have the least amount of numbers we are the smallest county in the district. Yet to my thinking, the citizens of this County should not continually be punished due to population numbers or case load numbers. We are and always have been the step child of the 33rd Judicial District. When there are cuts, let's make them in San Saba County, less registered voters there to make mad. Yet, I also see the big picture and understand that cuts have to be made and that these are hard times for everyone all over. In Commissioners' Court, we see more and more of the state and federal funds being pulled out of our County and our taxpayers having to pick up more and more of the bill. Times are hard all over and things are getting tighter each and every day. Yet, that is my point, we should never have to get rid of staff that are effective and are productive individuals in this community. It is about people and the job that they do in a county our size and numbers don't always tell the whole story.

I asked the County Judge and the Commissioners to contact Judge Jones and voice their concerns about the situation. I also ask each of you to find Judge Jones' web page and send him an e-mail about this situation, or call him and leave a message about this matter.

I understand that Judge Jones and his staff are all overworked and that he has a lot on his plate, yet he needs to know how we feel about situations like this that can and will have a negative effect on this county. It falls on us to stand up and voice our thoughts and concerns to those in office.

I am sure that I will fade some heat for this letter in the paper, but that is what you elected me for. It's easy to wear a badge and just be seen, it's a whole different ball game when you decide not to avoid the difficult fights. One other thing, we all need to contact Miss Pat and thank her for her numerous years of dedicated service to our County. She started with this County on April 24th, 1994 and has served a total of 17 years, 4 months and 7 days. Please take a minute to send her a note or call her and thank her for her hard work. Miss Pat, I for one want you to know how grateful I am for all that you have taught me and for not killing me while I was learning. Thank you and God bless you and yours and good luck.

Sheriff L.A. Brown

San Saba, TX

Dear Editor:

As a lot of people may or may not know, on Sunday morning, August 28, the Department of Public Safety had two patrol cars running up and down the main street of San Saba for five plus hours stopping cars for various reasons. Traffic had to run the gauntlet of DPS stops to get to church or wherever they were going.

If this type of patrolling is what the Department is trained to do, then we the American people are in serious trouble. Evidently, the patrolmen were short of their monthly quota, so they had to make up the shortfall before the end of the month (even though the Department denies there is such a think as quota).

It's getting to the point where I have less and less respect for this new DPS.

Travis Shaw

San Saba TX