Family extends thanks



Dear Editor,

The family of Ruby Walker and Bertha Burns would like to express our gratitude to Baum-Carlock-Bumgardner Funeral Home for the sensitive care they gave at the time of Ruby’s death. The floral arrangement in her memory that was sent on the anniversary was unexpected and so thoughtful.



Bertha Burns and family



Trying to use pre-paid card at casino a gamble



Dear Editor,

I went to Kiowa casino with my sister to celebrate her birthday. While there I tried to use my Reward card and also my Visa pre-paid card that I got from First National Bank in Wichita Falls.

The (casino’s) ATM was having difficulties and the reward cards weren’t giving the promotional giveaways on the machines either. I went to the front desk and was told that they were having technical difficulties and to try again. If I got the same message I needed to go to the cashier’s booth. The fourth time I tried to withdraw money it printed a receipt that told me that I was approved for $40 plus $4.99 surcharge and to take the ticket to the casino cage to obtain the cash. When I went there I was told they would be unable to give me my money because my card was a pre-paid credit card and didn’t have a name on it.

I explained that the bank had all that on file and that I was told I could use it just like a regular credit/debit card. I was refused. Now I have a receipt saying that I withdrew $44.99, which has also been taken off my balance yet I have no money to show for it.

I have copied my statement showing where I was being charged for that amount and sent it to them in an e-mail along with this letter. I have yet to hear from them. I expect something to be done to resolve this. I suffered humiliation while at their casino because I’m standing there looking like a fool trying to get this resolved and the only thing I’m told is that it was not their ATM or system and that there have been problems before with other people coming in to use their H&R; Block prepaid cards and they were denied as well.

You would think that if this is an ongoing situation something would have been done to fix it by now or at the least maybe they should put signs up on ATMs saying that these machines don’t dispense cash using prepaid cards.

I would encourage anybody who does visit the casinos to make sure they get information from the business about their operational management before they decide to spend their hard-earned money or waste their precious gas.

Thank you,



Dee Wright

Wichita Falls, Texas



Athletic Director Harvey has plenty to do



Dear Editor,

First off let me start by saying that I am not a businessman, a politician or a golfing buddy who is associated with Sean Harvey. Nor do I attend the same auxiliary club. I am a former student who won, lost, played and learned under Sean “Coach” Harvey.

I read in the letter last week (Letters to the Editor, Feb. 17) that Coach Harvey doesn’t have enough to do. I nearly fell out of my chair I was sitting in. If you have never been a coach or an athletic director then why would anyone make that comment?

Let’s take a synopsis of his responsibilities:

• Ensure that each varsity coach maintains an accurate inventory of equipment and materials, and files such an inventory with the principal at the conclusion of each season.

• Responsible for the development of a schedule of varsity and junior varsity and freshmen events and, in the absence of the coach, prepares a schedule.

• Responsible for securing officials for all home events and assists in the coordination of transportation for all away events.

• Responsible for the orientation of all coaches regarding site and district policies, procedures and expectations; and ensures that all coaches comply with UIL rules and procedures.

• Works closely with the coaches and the school nurse to schedule athletic physicals and processes necessary forms.

• Serves as a liaison between the athletic booster groups, coaches and site administration.

• Works closely with the staff and site administration to develop and enforce an athletic/academic code of conduct that is consistent with the goals of the staff, administration and the district.

• Other activities determined by the department which are necessary to fulfill the duties of the position.

• Responsible for development and oversight of athletic department budget.

• An athletic director serves on the days schools are in session plus required non-teaching service days, and is placed on the teachers’ salary schedule according to his/her training and experience.

Wow! Sounds like plenty to do. Not to mention all the sports he has to do this in – football, basketball, baseball, track, powerlifting, tennis, golf, cross country, soccer, volleyball and finally softball. Whew!

All the extra things Coach Harvey does are always after school hours. He loves going the extra mile for kids and his colleagues.

Then Mr. Lee said coach Kelly West and Shannon Lisenbee had winning traditions here at Mineral Wells. I really wish that they would have. Respectfully, Coach West was 16-25 here. Lisenbee, also respectively, 42-48. Does this prove that they were not good coaches? Absolutely not. The records here in the last 15 years partly do, and do not, reflect how good of a coach they are at the high school level. I honestly think that the reasons for not winning are because of the lack of interest in athletics and also band. It shows with numbers, period.

Winning isn’t everything. But making the effort to win is. I would not question my coaches or the current athletic director. As a football player at Mineral Wells High School, the teams I participated on in varsity went a combined 6-24. I would have loved to have won more, but having that record does not make me less of person than a football player from Stephenville or Aledo who had a winning record. Coach Harvey told me that.

How much does winning mean to me? A lot. But I think kids having positive role models and good coaches mean more to me. Coach Harvey has done this.



Sincerely,

Jason Anguiano

Mineral Wells



BBQ for the Blues a success



Dear Editor,

With the dismal weather aloft and flu going around, the Second Annual BBQ for the Blues was still considered a success. We appreciate all those who purchased tickets, came to our event and bid on the silent auction items. We hope you had a great time.

But we just want everyone to remember that if it weren’t for concerned businesses and individuals there would not be a BBQ for the Blues. We would like to graciously thank the following:

DeAnna and Bryan Krier, owners of Baker Ribs, for their kind donation of the food. As always, they will provide the food each year for this event.

For the second time, Ken Williamson president of First Financial Bank, donated the $500 door prize.

Fred McDonald, lead singer, and members of The Western Union Band who provided the entertainment for our event, without charge.

Mike Eubank, Ken Tarlton and Jane Baldwin, owner of the Double J Hacienda and Ranch, donated money to pay for the hall rental.

Door prizes and auction items were donated by:

A.D. Garrett’s Jewelry and Loan, Booksactchell, House of Fabrics, Hickey’s Dairy Queen, Charlotte’s Christian Book Store, Brazos Veterinary Hospital, Crazy Water Festival, Donna with IntegraCare, Gilbert’s Saw Shop, Freeze Carpet, Tonya Gary with Mary Kay Cosmetics, Sherry Friend, J&D; Home Outlet, Cole’s House of Flowers and Harvest Moon.

Very special thanks goes to the following:

Mineral Wells Index for all the great publicity.

Tim Weaver, owner of Weaver’s Print Shop, for printing our tickets each year at no charge.

Downtown Video, House of Fabrics, First Financial Bank, Mineral Wells Area Chamber of Commerce and Hanchey Leather for serving as ticket outlets.

Mike Eubank, Diane and Larry Farthing, Pythian Sisters Temple No. 14 Most Excellent Chief Laurie Imboden and all of the rest of the fine folks who pitched in and helped set up and especially clean up after the event. What a wonderful crowd!

Be sure to thank these businesses and individuals for their help with the Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni’s BBQ for the Blues. Without them this would not have been possible.

The Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni was formed with the mission of assisting our local and county law enforcement officers with items that the city or county might not be able to provide, and they need your support. There is no membership fee and the meetings are held once a month. If you are interested in becoming a member or just want more information, please call Zelda at (940) 325-3713 or Mike at (940) 452-4683.

Thanks again to everyone.



Bob Thompson, president

Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni