Dear Editor:

This letter is intended to provide support for and to enlighten concerned citizens on the character of the operator of the North San Saba Water System ( and my sister), Jerilyn McKinney.

Jerilyn is a near-lifetime resident of San Saba, graduate of San Saba High School and the University of Texas at Tyler; wife, and mother of two school-aged children. She has been the operator of NSSWS for over 13 years. Over the course of that thirteen period, Jerilyn has fixed too many leaks to count, driven miles of water line ( sometimes all night and many weekend days ) to find leaks, installed numerous water meters, monitored water levels in the towers, repaired pumps at the towers, checked and tested chemicals, attended continuing education classes to maintain her water operator license, processed payments, prepared reports and attended monthly meetings, and received phone calls and hand-delivered payments at her home. She has been diligent and courteous in the face of sometimes rude and non-understanding customers and those who would rather ring her doorbell than spend less than 50 cents on a stamp to mail their payments. Jerilyn constantly maintains the system even when trying to enjoy some well-deserved time out of town and cuts this short when a situation warrants it ( leaks, etc.).

Currently, a committee has been formed to make sure her duties are being performed according to her contract. These folks are worried about a less than $20 a month hike in their water rates. Tell me, have these people done the same thing with their gas bills, electric bills, grocery bills and any other goods they may be currently purchasing? If so, please approach me with those petitions and I will gladly jump on that bandwagon!!

I am simply asking you to stop the intimidation and harassing phone calls to her residence. REMEMBER... she has a family including two children. Would you like your mother, wife, or daughter to be treated the same way? I seem to remember some reference to that called "The Golden Rule." Shame on you.

If only those of you involved in this would use the countless hours you have devoted to this for some much more worthy causes:

1. Volunteer at church

2. Volunteer at school

3. Volunteer for EMS!!!

4. Deliver Meals on Wheels

Those are just some local suggestions. I will leave you with this quote which I saw in a committee room at a school where I work :

Never doubt that small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead

Go ahead, change the world, but do it in a more constructive way where you actually build people up.... How much satisfaction do you really get from tearing someone down?

Sincerely,

Cheray Haverland

San Saba, Tx.

Dear Editor:

On November 1st all those who are thinking of having a garage sale or going to one this date is the perfect opportunity for all of us. We have a chance to participate at Trade Days on the Square. A lot of cities around us have citywide sales so why shouldn't we. Impact 2000+ has been having this sale every year for the last few years on the square. We are raising funds for our Breakfast with Santa for the children. We want to encourage everybody to participate. Please call the City Hall and sign up. This is Hunters Weekend and there are a lot of people going to be downtown. We hope you will come down town and join us. If you want any further info feel free to call me and I will be happy to inform you. My number is at Doner Pecan 372-5623. Hope to hear from you and see you on the square also.

Jackie Doner

San Saba, Texas