Dear Editor:
San Saba County is two weeks away from another Blood Drive using the Baylor Scott & White Mobile unit. The date will be on Tuesday, October 20th, from 12 noon until 6:00 p.m., located up at the First Baptist Church San Saba at 208 W. Wallace.
Last week, I mentioned that there will be COVID antibody testing with results sent upon request, but this morning I received this new information in an email: "I am reaching out regarding your October blood drive. I apologize for this last minute change, but I do need to inform you that we are no longer offering COVID antibody testing on our blood donations, effective tomorrow, 10/6. This does impact your blood drive, and I regret that I was not able to make you aware of this sooner. It is a decision our donor center leadership just reached today, based on new information from our regulatory agencies that was sent to us late on Friday evening.
"The process of testing and reporting results to our donors has been a diffcult one for our operations, but we began offering the testing to donors for a limited time to help identify possible convalescent plasma donors, and as we have tested the majority of our regular donor pool more than once now, it has run the course for which it was intended."
Also, I need to remind everyone that you must make an appointment either by online scheduling at BSWBlood.com [I was able to schedule mine, so it is open!] or calling 254-724-4376 and have them set up your appointment!!
Thanks so much, Marsha B. Hardy
Dear Editor:
Richland Springs ISD wants more money.
There is little known about this issue. In fact, a great number of people have no knowledge of this. Yet it will be on the ballot come election day.
The Richland Springs School wants money for a new gym. Why? Yes, the gym we have is old, but there's nothing wrong with it.
None of us are as young as we used to be. But, as long as we take care of ourselves we'll last a while longer. The gym is the same; as long as it's maintained and cared for, it will last for years to come.
We're still paying for the lunchroom/multipurpose building and the classroom building. In fact, we'll be paying on them for years to come, as will our grandchildren.
Student numbers are down, there is no certainty how much longer there will be a school here.
These are times of uncertainty, not only with the school but with the current virus scare. Many have lost their jobs or had their hours cut drastically. Yet, we're still faced with the same expenses. Why would we want to burden ourselves and others with something that is completely unnecessary?
Just as with the two buildings we're still paying for, a new gym will not make the students learn better or be better athletes, nor will it make the teachers teach/coaches coach better.
Sometimes reality is cold and hard, but it will always be there for us to face. In this, the reality is we do not need to spend money on unnecessary things.
Have consideration and compassion for those already having a diffcult time, and for the future generations that would still be paying for something more than likely sitting vacant and unused.
Times are hard; nothing is for sure. It would be in the best interest of all to say "no" to this request for more money.
Dell Becker-Sagebiel Richland Springs, TX
This politically-related letter was paid for by Dell Becker-Sagebiel.