Trailhead Plan Should Have Been Approved
Guest Editorial by Peggie Kimberlin

In November 2007, the Flower Mound Town Council unanimously approved over 25 miles of new equestrian trails in the Trails Master Plan. Many of these trails converge at Post Oak Park.

The original 3 concepts presented by the Town for the Post Oak Park all included the equestrian trailhead. The concepts illustrated that the equestrian trailhead was virtually “zero” impact as the same parking slots would serve for school buses and senior vans.

At the first public hearing, a small group of rude residents presumably called in markers from town representatives and slammed the door on this project. Before public meetings and debate even got underway, as equestrian organizer, I was personally told, on several occasions by a town representative, that the idea of a trailhead at Post Oak Park was “dead in the water”!

The designated equestrian easement on the west side of Post Oak Park and Skillern Rd. has conveniently disappeared even after Park Board Chairman Jon Hazel reprimanded the developers of River Oaks for trespassing and destroying that easement in a letter dated October 12, 1998. Ask today, and Town staff will tell you the easement is simply gone. Another example of Town official business that gets distorted or trashed.

The PALS Board held the second public hearing on the Post Oak Park concept to be recommended to the Town Council on Thursday, November 13. Over 60 equestrians were present and many addressed the Board. A total of five (5) emails and speakers were in opposition to the trailhead.

Among reasons used to cast a negative spin on a trailhead at Post Oak Park was of the 168 signed petitions submitted, that only 40 were signed by Flower Mound residents. Negating the 90 signatures of non-resident clients at two of Flower Mound’s Equestrian Stables and several of non-resident business owners in Flower Mound. Interesting considering there are no restrictions for non-resident uses at every ball field, soccer field, sports organization, hiking trail, biking trail or other sports venue.

When the 4B Tax Increase was being campaigned and ultimately passing, the explanation most used by Town Staff and Council was that more than half of the sales tax generated came from citizens outside of Flower Mound and they embraced that fact; loud and repeatedly. Of course, that very 4B fund goes specifically to the Parks & Recreation in Flower Mound.

One thing about it, what you smell in Flower Mound is not produced by horses!

Breast Cancer Awareness
Guest Editorial by Scott McDearmont, M.D.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and it is always a good time make sure you are taking care of your health screenings. One of the most important health screenings physicians can offer is a mammogram. In the scope of my work as a breast surgeon, I have heard almost every reason why women delay in getting a mammogram.

One of the most common reasons is a fear that a mammogram may be abnormal. Abnormal mammograms allow detection of breast cancer at a much earlier stage and early detection is the key to cure of breast cancer. Only a small percentage of patients with abnormal mammograms end up with the diagnosis of breast cancer. Some abnormalities are followed, some require further imaging, and some will require a biopsy. This biopsy is usually performed with image guided, non-invasive methods.

Another often mentioned reason is that there is no family history of breast cancer. Family history along with previous history of breast cancer, and previous history of abnormal breast biopsy are some risk factors for the development of breast cancer. But the strongest risk is advancing age, as one in nine women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Certainly a plan for screening can change based on your family history, but lack of a family history does not protect women from developing breast cancer.

The physical discomfort of a mammogram is the most common reason given by patients to avoid a mammogram. This is a real concern as many women are not only uncomfortable during the procedure but also for days afterwards. I can only say that this discomfort is minimal compared to the possibility of treatment for advanced breast cancer. New techniques with mammopads can help with this problem and a good mammographer will be able to minimize discomfort.

I encourage family and friends to always be supportive of the women in your life when it comes to personal health issues. Working together with your health care provider gives you and your family the best chance to detect breast cancer early and win the fight.

Be Aware and Stop Cancer in its Tracks
Guest Editorial by Michael Park, MD, and Zainab Ilahi, MD, Texas Oncology at Lake Vista Cancer Center

September is Ovarian and Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and we wanted to share some information about these serious diseases to raise awareness and promote early detection.

For some types of cancer, such as ovarian cancer, there are still no reliable screening tests available. This means that oftentimes women are diagnosed with this disease after it has progressed beyond the early stages, making it difficult to treat and cure.

Many researchers and physicians are working hard to find answers about ovarian cancer.
Their focus is on finding better screening to detect the disease early and more effective and
less debilitating treatments. In fact, currently there are more than 200 different clinical trials in progress which are testing new techniques, drugs or new combinations of existing drugs in women. This extensive research is the key to finding new discoveries that can save lives, and our practice - Texas Oncology at Lake Vista Cancer Center - is proud to bring many opportunities to participate in clinical trials to the people of our community.

While I believe we will one day have a reliable method for screening for ovarian cancer, it is important for women and their families to be aware of the symptoms that can occur because of the disease. Pelvic pain and/or abdominal swelling, bloating and indigestion, pelvic pressure, persistent fatigue can all indicate the need for further tests, and should not be ignored. Please see your physician if you experience any of these. By detecting the cancer early, we will be able to treat it more effectively and reduce the number of lives lost to the disease.

While no one knows the exact cause of prostate cancer, we do know that one out of every six men will get this disease during his lifetime. The good news is that while it’s a tough opponent, prostate cancer has over a 99 percent survival rate if caught early, before the cancer leaves the prostate. That’s why awareness is so important. Being screened for prostate cancer can help find the disease in its early stages when treatment is most likely to be effective.

While 50 is often the age at which annual prostate early detection testing is recommended to begin, many men are at higher risk of developing the disease and should begin screening no later than age 45. All men over the age of 40 should discuss the benefits of being screened for prostate cancer with their physicians to determine what’s best for them.

This month should be a reminder to all men to play offense against prostate cancer by getting screened.

Bond Election Will Boost Transportation Projects
Guest Editorial by Andy Eads, Denton County Commissioner, Precinct 4

This fall on the November 4th ballot, Denton County will have two bond propositions for voter approval. One proposition is for $310 million for transportation road improvements, and the other is for $185 million for construction of County buildings and upgrades to technology infrastructure.

The Regional Transportation Council in Arlington has allocated Regional Toll Revenue (RTR) funds for the construction of numerous projects here within Denton County. These projects require matching participation from local governmental entities. By Denton County providing the match of $72 million dollars, we are leveraging $413 million from RTR and TxDOT for a total of $485 million for local projects.

In addition to the larger RTR projects there are numerous other projects that improve County roads and bridges plus projects located within municipalities. One line item I am especially eager to see approved is a “Gravel to Asphalt” initiative. This will convert our gravel roads to a paved surface. We currently have 237 miles of county roads in Pct 4 that we build and maintain. Twenty five percent of these roads are gravel. Gravel roads are more expensive to maintain than one might think. Routinely grading the road and applying new gravel from washouts, etc is labor intensive and costly. We have already begun converting these roads from our annual budget since I took office last year and this additional funding will expedite this process.

These bond funds will help with a variety of construction related expenses. Some funds will be used for advanced planning for projects, such as engineering and right of way acquisition, while other funds will be used to resurface roads, and still other funds will be used to totally reconstruct the roadway. Many funds will be used to actually construct additional lanes and widen the road. Some of the roads located in Pct 4 included in the fall bond election are:

US 377
FM 407 extension
Loop 288 NW
FM 156
FM 1171 extension
Vintage Blvd I and II
Chinn Chapel Road
IH 35W
Mayhill Road Widening
Bonnie Brae Widening
Orchid Hill Lane
Tim Donald Road
Gibbons Road
Porter/Red Rock Lane
Glenview Lane
Dale Earnhardt South
Trophy Club Loop Road
IH 35W and Denton Creek interchange
Denton Creek District Spine Bridge
George Owens
Robson Ranch Road
Walnut Street
Schooling Road
Old Justin Road
Country Club Road
Emergency Access Roads in Justin
FM1173 Deceleration Lanes
East Doyle
Eddie Street
Simmons Road
Waketon
SH 114 Right of Way

The majority of the $185 million Buildings component of the bond election will provide for phase II and III of Loop 288 county facility. Denton County has a variety of buildings in Denton that we will sale and consolidate into one campus-style complex. The complex will house the Health Department, Elections, Agriculture extension office, Child Protective services, Adult Probation, and other administrative functions of the county. There will also be expansions to existing county buildings and construction of satellite offices throughout the county as well as improvements to the county’s technology system will be included as well. Denton County boasts the lowest county employee to resident ratio of all the top 15 counties in Texas. This is due in large part to our importance placed on technology versus hiring new employees.

More details on both components of the bond election are available on the county website at www.dentoncounty.com. I will be making presentations to the cities councils within Pct 4 prior to the November election and will also be presenting to a variety of civic clubs. If you have questions or would like me to come and speak to your group, please contact us at 940-349-2801 or email me at andy.eads@dentoncounty.com.

Traffic Signal Needed near Guyer H.S.
Once again school is about to start and we still don't have a traffic light on Old Alton Road where it intersects Teasley Lane. As you are aware this is just east of Guyer high School and is essentially the main artery for folks going east to the school. As you know, it has been the scene of numerous accidents which are clearly disproportional to the traffic flow volumes. The problem is exacerbated by many, many inexperienced first year drivers trying going to school. It is a major hazard. People turn right only to try and make a u-turn to get back to the school. Drivers try to go around on shoulders, or speed out in front of on-coming traffic. I guess as is customary for city and county government, we must wait for someone to be killed before we do anything. That someone of course would have to be related to someone in government for quick action to be taken. I read where we are so proud of the bridge on Old Hickory being completed. That is a road that doesn't matter much, and presented little if any danger to anyone. Why then can't a light be put on Teasley? If that is not possible then how about, (God Forbid) having a Denton County Sheriff direct traffic in the morning. They sure have no trouble working for the gas drilling companies directing their trucks in and out of the drill sites. Sometimes there are as many as 2-3 deputies and a couple of constables at the same location. (mostly sitting around talking to each other) Please let this letter serve as additional notice of the hazard that exists at the Teasley, Old Alton intersection. When there is a fatal accident, and that is just a matter of time, then you personally, as well as the County, will be held legally accountable for your failure to act in the public interest. Come on Andy, do the right thing, no more excuses, how about getting this done quickly, at least get a cop there until the light can be put in.

Charles Sabatino

Bartonville Shares, Lantana Doesn’t
I find it interesting that Lantana residents are backed up by the Bartonville police department that Bartonville residents pay taxes for. But Lantana is not interested in any reciprocity. Lantana has strict policies that ONLY Lantana residents can participate in their holiday activities, tennis programs, swim team, etc. Children from Lantana and surrounding areas, like Bartonville, go to the same schools. But, those children who do not reside in Lantana cannot participate in these organized activities with their friends. Bartonville faces a real challenge. As a small town, we DO have the police department that our neighbors want, but we do NOT have the activity center, natatorium, or golf course. This issue is very sad and quite frustrating. Denton allows participation with a "non-resident" fee. Why not Lantana? Bartonville, at least, is trying to be neighborly. We provide the Lantana "non-residents" of Bartonville with police protection. Maybe we should reconsider.

Lori Traylor

Bridlewood HOA Election Results Disappointing
I have mixed feelings about the results of our Bridlewood HOA election. Much time and expense could have been saved if the Directors/CMA/Lawyers would have been forthright about the meeting outline and their slanted interpretation of the HOA Bylaws and CCR’s. Before and during the meeting, the Bylaws were interpreted to favor the Directors; and Robert’s Rules of Order were not recognized. The special meeting was a farce and our Directors should have been forthright with their intentions to interpret Bylaw 7.5 to read the Majority of the Total Membership Vote (1307 homes), instead of how it is written, which is the Majority of the Total of Membership Vote (and proxies) AT the Special Meeting. There were 484 votes cast at the meeting, but only 397 were allowed because they claim that 87 proxies were invalid. Needless to say, 4 of the 5 board members would have been removed without the 87 proxies and all would have been removed with the total vote count. Most of us in Bridlewood are aware that a vote has never been counted in this manner or such a restriction on the use of proxies. It is astonishing that the current Directors remain on the board when by a majority of ALL votes cast, they were clearly defeated. From what I understand, the 484 votes were the most votes cast in any election in Bridlewood history. But, it alarms me that 823 homeowners did not cast a vote. Some say by not casting their vote that it was a vote in favor of the board. I disagree. In closing, I am left with this thought: “If you drop a frog in boiling water he will leap right out. If you slowly heat the water he will be content until it's too late to get out. That is exactly how history works. It moves slowly and we never really see any danger until it's too late.”

Kim Brinkman

The Next Subprime Disaster?
Guest Editorial by Larry Canepa

Another financial disaster is looming and it’s coming to America soon. Investment traders in Japan and Europe bought and sold approximately $60 billion in emissions allowances last year also referred to as “Carbon Credits”. Investment companies such as Credit Suisse are creating risk-tiered products based on these Carbon Credits to offer their customers, similar to the Collateralized Debt Obligations that these same investment banks used to package and sell subprime mortgages. It’s a frightening concept to think that we’re relying on the same groups of fund analysts and managers who brought us the current mortgage mess to get it right this time.

I doubt anybody would question that the intention behind Carbon Credits is noble; less carbon emissions into our environment and a reduction of fossil-fuel dependency. The rub here is that some of the world’s largest polluters, such as China and India, have the ability to get rich from the Carbon Credit program. As an example, PetroChina, the world’s largest oil company, stands to make an estimated $150 million dollars worth of carbon credits annually, at today’s market value, for a one-time investment of $46 million worth of pollution control equipment at their refineries.

Phase one of the Carbon Credit experiment took place within the European Union from 2005 to 2007 and has been dubbed a learning experience by some and a disaster by others. The largest problem is that too many Carbon Credits issued the value of credits to crash. To add salt to the wound, EU greenhouse emissions rose by approximately 1% during that timeframe. The next phase runs from 2008 to 2012, when the Kyoto Protocol expires. The Kyoto Protocol is an agreement to reduce greenhouse gases through ‘green’ development and was ratified in 2005 by 36 industrial nations, not including the U.S. The U.S. has insisted that the Kyoto Protocol should include a Cap-And-Trade program with Carbon Credits.

The U.S. implemented a Cap-And-Trade program nationally for emissions permits in the early 90’s during the elder George Bush’s administration. Cap-And-Trade allows for a declining number of permits annually which in turn forces U.S. utilities to install newer, cleaner equipment over time to stay in compliance with the lower amount of credits available to them. The goal was to allow the market to force efficiency in the ways of reducing pollution and has been a success in eliminating its original target, acid rain.

Without the adoption of a Cap-And-Trade program in the next Kyoto Protocol, the U.S. should again refrain from participation. To watch the worst polluters in the world gain wealth because of runaway speculation on Carbon Credit valuation will be painful enough but to materially participate would stand to draw us into another lingering financial crisis. The statement ‘History repeats itself’ bodes familiar as we’ve witnessed the same federal responses to the negative economic conditions that have continued to plague the U.S. over the past 4 decades. The 1970’s brought us a weak dollar and growing inflation. Instead of learning from mistakes of the past we’re presently heading into the same disastrous condition as before, with skyrocketing fuel prices, inflation ready to strike, and a withering currency.

Can we really rely on these same leaders and experts, who allowed the recent subprime mortgage mess to unfold, faulty credit-rating systems to develop and risky collateralized mortgage securities to be traded, to suddenly learn from previous mistakes in an uncapped Carbon Credit system? An uncapped system is potentially fraught with mismanagement and corruption because of the amount of wealth stood to be made. I applaud any continued resistance by our country’s leaders to be pressured into the next Kyoto accord without Cap-And-Trade as a cornerstone to its implementation. Hopefully our next leader, be it McCain or Obama, will have the fortitude to withstand the environmental lobby’s pressure for our participation without sensible restrictions like Cap-And-Trade in place to prevent turning cleaning our environment into a money-making venture.

Habitat for Humanity Women Building Together
Guest Editorial by Chuck Buttram, Director of Business Development for Habitat for Humanity of Denton County

You may not realize that Habitat for Humanity builds more than houses. Habitat builds hope, lives and communities. Did you know that over 800 houses built by Habitat across the U.S. were built by all female volunteers? The program is known as “Women Build” and our experience has shown that women can indeed build a home and they can do it extremely well.

A few years ago, Habitat for Humanity of Denton County built one of those homes and it turned out to be one of the greatest build experiences for the Denton County Habitat affiliate and the women who participated. Some of these women already had building skills while others did not. When they finished building the Habitat house, in addition to acquiring new skills, they acquired new friends, increased their self-esteem, and improved the community.

Habitat for Humanity of Denton County believes that it is time to do it again. Imagine the potential life changing experience of women uniting across Denton County, joining together as they build a home in partnership, side-by-side with a single mother who will ultimately move into the house with her family. This could be the closest thing that anyone in Denton County will ever experience to being involved with something similar to the hit television series “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”.

If you’ve seen the TV show, you know that lives were forever changed. And, it is not just the recipient of the home. Look into the background and see the tears of joy on the faces of those who helped build it. There is no feeling like doing something unselfish for someone who is working as hard as they can to make ends meet, and longs to see hands reaching down to provide the hand up they so desperately need. Those tears followed many arduous hours sweating in the heat or freezing in the cold.. But, the end result lasts longer than the brief inconvenience of the Texas weather. Being a part of a Women’s Build in Denton County could be your shining moment, and something to tell your children and grandchildren about as you drive them by “the house that “Mom (or Grandma) built.”

Habitat houses are modest, yet well-built homes, averaging about 1200 square feet. These homes usually have three bedrooms and two baths. The potential homeowner works alongside volunteers, helping build her own home. Unlike Extreme Makeover, Habitat Homeowners (aka Partner Families) are required to provide a minimum of 350 hours of sweat equity for a single parent, and 400 hours for a dual parent family. Some of that sweat equity is performed by helping others build their homes, and much of it is accumulated by the potential homeowner working on the construction of their own home.

The primary difference in Habitat homes is that the partner family actually gets the pride that comes with purchasing a new home that is affordable. Homeowners make a modest house payment to Habitat on a zero percent interest loan for 25 years. This allows people who would otherwise not qualify for a conventional home loan realize the dream of home ownership. Their principal payment then goes into a revolving fund that is used to fund future Habitat homes in Denton County.

To date, there have been 79 Habitat homes completed in Denton County. Every homeowner has a different story. One partner family reported that because they now have an affordable home, they have been able to buy their child Cochlear implants which allowed her to hear for the first time. Other families report their children being able to invest and participate more fully in school due to a stable home environment while still other partner families that were forced to live in with multiple relatives can finally all live under the same roof.

Now is your opportunity to be a part of something life changing. Habitat is looking for women who want to make an impact on their community and the lives of others. It takes just over $60,000 to build a Habitat home. Assuming that there are nearly 600,000 people in Denton County, only 10% would have to give $1 to provide the necessary funds to make a huge impact. To put it another way, 2000 women in Denton County investing only $30 each on average would fund a home. And, those who donate will have first priority to physically build the home.

Volunteers and funds are needed now. Call Debbie Hvostik at 972-355-3559 or email to connect2deb@verizon.net and let Habitat know that you want to make a donation for the Women’s Build. You may also register as a volunteer to help us build or visit our website at www.hfhdentoncounty.org.

Be a hero to someone in Denton County. Imagine, yourself along with other women in your community funding, building, and dedicating a home to a single mother in Denton County. Women across America are taking advantage of this opportunity, and so can you. Call now.

Differences of City vs. County Living – Part 3: Fresh Water Supply Districts
Guest Editorial by Cynthia White, Denton County Commissioner, Precinct 1

In my last article I talked about the fact that counties do not have zoning powers. The challenge for suburban counties like Denton County is handling the growth. In this article I’d like to talk about Fresh Water Supply Districts (FWSD) and other special districts as these districts impact growth issues.

The state legislators created several different types of special districts and they have been modified over the years as practical implementation reveals shortcomings in the legislation. While the intent of the legislators in the purpose of these districts could certainly be debated my focus is not to debate the merits of the districts but to focus on how they impact our growth here in Denton County.

Most of the Fresh Water Supply Districts were created by Commissioners Court in 2000 before I took office in 2001. There are some that have been created by the state legislators since I have been in office. By state statute FWSD’s can be created through the state, through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality or through Commissioners Court. These FWSD (and other special districts) are political subdivisions of the state just as counties are political subdivisions of the state. Developers use these districts as a financing tool to provide critical infrastructure (water, wastewater, roads) for their future residents.

Since the unincorporated area does not have zoning these FWSD’s have essentially served as zoning tools. Developers establish their district as authorized by the state legislators and map out a planned community. These master communities are organized in a manner similar to what you would see within a city where you have similar and compatible land uses together. So instead of haphazard development you have very large tracts of land that are laid out in an organized manner.

Certainly, there are many other issues related to growth and development that these special districts present including, police and fire services, high density growth in the unincorporated area and the impact of development on county roads. So far, most of the developers have been responsible and have partnered with the Sheriff’s office to provide increased police protection. Additionally, the county has partnered with area city fire departments for fire protection. Many developers have also donated land for school sites within their districts which helps to contribute to the quality of life for the residents.

As development in general presents many challenges so too do these special districts. The positive impact of organized development in the unincorporated area brings with it other issues that require cooperation and partnerships with several entities. Denton County, the developers, the FWSD’s and the residents continue to work together to build strong communities.

Differences of City vs. County Living – Part 2: Zoning Powers
Guest Editorial by Cynthia White, Denton County Commissioner, Precinct 1

This article continues to discuss the differences between cities and counties; specifically zoning powers. Cities have zoning powers. Counties, however, do not. This can present many challenges especially in a high growth county such as Denton County.

Zoning powers are planning tools that allow cities to control how growth will look within their city limits. While details may vary from city to city, generally speaking the zoning categories include residential, multi-family, commercial, office, and industrial. Cities can control the uses of the land within the city and for the most part try to buffer residential areas from uses that could be considered unappealing or undesirable such as industrial or commercial use.

When folks who have lived in the city move out into the unincorporated areas many times they are unaware that counties do not have zoning powers. And then they find out that a sand pit is nearby or that a concrete batch plant or power station plant is locating next to them and want to know what the county will do to control that use. Unfortunately, the county has no authority to zone for these uses or any other uses. The state legislature has provided some level of oversight for these specific types of uses (sand pits, concrete batch plant, and power station): Specifically, the environmental aspect of these uses, by way of creating criteria which must be met. However, if the criteria are met (and this is overseen by a state agency such as the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) the use will be cleared.

Denton County is unique in that the state legislators took action several years ago to create a zoning area within Denton County around Lake Ray Roberts. The state defined the area and defined the zoning authority. In addition, the state created the Lake Ray Roberts Planning and Zoning Commission and all rules and regulations under which they operate. So there is a small portion of unincorporated Denton County that has the authority to zone. This is unique and it should be noted that this also serves as an example that counties can only do what the state specifically tells us we can do; hence the creation of a zoning area specific to Denton County via state statute.

Read Part 1 of this series here.

"Hypocrites!"
Guest Editorial by Brett Peveteaux

Hypocrisy always lights our fire. And why not? It's an age old human failing. We're especially fond of discovering hypocrisy among politicians and other notable individuals. Maybe it's part of the character of a democratic people, that we would be so taken with the downfall of a noted person.

We see the catcalls of hypocrisy when Republicans get involved in sex scandals. Their status as the party of family values is cited and we are shown how they are frauds. We see claims of hypocrisy made when Democrats are discovered to be doing something wasteful with regards to the environment. Their status as the party of environmental concern is called into question and we are shown how they are frauds. Politicians may provide the most extreme and frequent examples of this phenomenon, but it can be spotted in many corners of our land.

The media festivals and general protests over hypocrisy are quite intense. In the midst of that intensity I see another, perhaps less noticed message. Our vehement reaction to hypocrisy makes a very subtle suggestion... that it is better to have no standards than to have standards and fail to live up to them.

Without standards one does not run the risk of being a hypocrite, after all. And as we can plainly see, being a hypocrite is a very bad thing. This is not to say that being a hypocrite is a good thing, but is it the worst thing one can be?

Let's turn to popular culture for a moment. In the quasi-classic Beastie Boys song "Fight for Your Right (to party)" we are presented with a narrative of teen rebellion. The song contains a vignette about a teenager caught smoking by his father... "Pop caught you smokin' man he says "No way!" That hypocrite smoke two packs a day!" So the father is a hypocrite. It's true that his actions don't match his advice. He no doubt employs the classic (and despised) "do as I say, not as I do". Yet while he sets a bad example for his son, his position on smoking as it concerns his son is the correct one. But we have the Beastie Boys to help us diagnose our situation... and the authority of our father is, I gather, reduced.

Would it be better for the father to encourage his son to adopt his destructive habit? Clearly not. Would it be better for the father to not smoke at all? Certainly. But it also appears it would be better for the father to be indifferent to his son's smoking. In this way he could avoid the dread plague of hypocrisy. It seems that silence is preferable to promoting a morality that we cannot ourselves meet. This strikes me as nihilist.

I see this as an unspoken yet very real suggestion made by our culture to itself... to its young people especially. Are we hinting to people that they would be wiser to craft a morality of their own in order that they never fail to live up to anything outside of themselves? It would seem that is one of our suggestions.

The world where silence on moral subjects is held in higher esteem than a defense of 'the good' is a world where the possibility of any transcendent morality is denied. This isn't simple moral relativism, I think we're past that. We've moved on to nihilism, a condition where we hold that there is no universal truth or underlying reality that undergirds moral values.

Perhaps the real situation in our nation's public life is best reflected in the Beastie Boys song: An adolescent engages in a self indulgent denial of authority on the basis of a trivial concern over consistency, all the while ignoring his own health.

Comment on this editorial

Differences of City vs. County Living – Part 1
Guest Editorial by Cynthia White, Denton County Commissioner, Precinct 1

With the growth that Denton County is experiencing a common story is when folks who have lived in a city move into the “country” otherwise known as unincorporated area. Since there are many differences between cities and counties and many of these differences directly impact residents I thought I would write a series of articles on the differences between cities and counties and what those differences may mean to people.

Cities and counties are political subdivisions of the state. Cities (dependant upon whether they are home rule, which generally means they are larger cities, or general law, which generally refers to smaller cities) can essentially take action as long as the state does not specifically prohibit the action. Counties, however, can only do what the state specifically tells them they can do. Typically, counties have much less authority than do cities. Which brings up another area; cities have jurisdiction within their respective city limits and counties only have jurisdiction within the unincorporated areas. Many people think that counties have authority over cities; which is not the case.

Cities set the tax rate for their entity, determine the budget, have zoning authority, provide basic services such as streets, drainage, water and wastewater services, provide police and fire protection, establish ordinances, and provide for other quality of life issues.

The County’s three main areas of service authorized by the state are to maintain county roads and bridges, provide public safety and county courts at law. Additionally, Counties set the tax rate for their entity and determine the budget. To a lesser degree, counties are involved in other areas as well such as providing for indigent health, indigent court representation, pauper burials, and emergency management (this has seen an increase since 911). Counties, like cities, may also be involved in administering a variety of state and federal grant programs. Denton County has several within public safety (Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s office and Emergency Management) and public health.

In my next column I will focus on the implications of the fact that Counties do not have zoning authority and what this means to residents living in the unincorporated area.

Commuter Rail Service is on its Way
Guest Editorial by Gary Kuhatschek

I recently had the privilege of attending a presentation by Dee Leggett from the Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA). She spoke of the need Denton County has for a regional passenger light rail system.

By 2010 - the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) light rail system will extend from downtown Dallas to Carrollton. The DCTA will construct a new system that connects Denton County to the Carrollton DART station. Leggett described in detail the routes, station locations and construction schedule for the planned rail line.

The new rail service will utilize the abandoned Missouri Kansas Texas tracks running mostly along I-35E between Carrollton and Denton. Construction should begin in the next 18 to 24 months with anticipated completion in 2010.

Once completed, commuters will be able to travel by rail from southern Denton County to locations all over Dallas, Plano and Fort Worth. Rail stations will be located in Downtown Denton, the area near Denton Regional Hospital, I-35E at Garden Ridge in Highland Village, Downtown Lewisville and near Vista Ridge Mall.

This much needed rapid transit system will greatly reduce commute time for those currently traveling along the I-35E corridor. This service will also help with the future population growth of Denton County, which is expected to increase approximately fifty percent by the year 2030. As you know, diversity in community infrastructure is paramount in keeping up with growth. This regional passenger rail line is a service intended to do just that.

Gary Kuhatschek is a broker at RE/MAX Cross Country REALTORS located at 1990 Justin Road in Highland Village.

Shall We Cohabit?
Guest Editorial by Brett Peveteaux

A web forum I frequent posted the question, "Is it right to live together before getting married?"

The most interesting thing I found in the discussion was among the supporters of cohabitation. They all cited several reasons why it was a good idea. Most of them said they were very serious about marriage and were committed above all, to avoiding divorce. They felt that cohabitation provided important information about the other person. I commend their desire to avoid divorce, especially when people are planning on having children.

In the effort to avoid divorce, some attempt to discover all they can about the other human being. We want to know all we can, take in all the factors, weigh the considerations, etc. We must measure this person. These are the sentiments of an age dominated by science. We're going to take another human being and see if we can probe the depths of their soul in order to ensure that they are palatable to us, and are going to remain so for all time.

This is in stark contrast to the older approaches to marriage. In the not too distant past social custom cultivated an air of mystery surrounding the marriage, and the individuals involved. Men and women didn't have so much close interaction as they do now... and especially at young ages they were quite foreign to one another. So there was a conventional arrangement whereby the opposite sex was filled with mystery. The putting off of physical intimacy until marriage was part of that too. To say nothing of living together.

These days we have flattened everything. We want all information possible, and preferably in short order. We want to know it all, right now. We crave instant intimacy. We're not really fond of mystery, that's seen as a risk. We know our own appetites well, and by the time we are ready to marry most people have indulged them a great deal .

Here we are at the intersection of the pre-Modern world and the Modern world. Marriage is an ancient custom. Yet most of us still see it as important. Though I can't help feeling that this ancient custom has been robbed of its unique power. The bonding of two persons into one via intimacy and the resulting children was once the sole property of marriage (at least as far as polite society was concerned)... now these things are available without any kind of commitment. As I mention above, the mystery surrounding marriage has also declined. What we're left with is this hollowed out institution that still compels much adherence.

Perhaps the younger generations seek to rehabilitate marriage. The idea of maintaining it and not wanting to be divorced seems to have gotten a little stronger in recent days. Of course the method whereby this is achieved is not a return to more strict custom, or even the 'covenant marriages' offered by some states. Our approach is to gather more information.

The problem with all that is we cannot ever hope to know everything. Living with the other person will not tell us how a catastrophic event would affect us. Living together probably cannot tell us how our marriage would fare under economic strain. Human beings also have a tendency to change or get bored; living together for three years doesn't tell you what it's like to be married for ten.

So we mimic marriage in order to probe its mysteries, perhaps in an attempt to master it. But we cannot master fortune.

The real need for all this information is that custom has lost the power to prevent the dissolution of marriages... so now we seek information as a substitute. We hope to gain the advantage of custom via research, all the while enjoying the fruits of the decline in custom's power to compel delayed gratification.

Cohabitation has a morality behind it. I'm sure many see it as a sham morality that is only employed to cover over the desire for convenience and/or further indulgence. Either way the decline in marital commitment is real, and that cannot be ignored. Cohabitation appears to many as a thoughtful response... if it is that, it is the thoughtful response of a technical age. We now employ a technical approach to love. The other person already had to measure up to certain physical standards, intellectual standards, and emotional standards. "The other" must now submit to an experiment in living. Only then can we allow a permanent attachment to grow. It's so reasonable and precise, one wonders how people ever did any different.

Politics as Religion
Guest Editorial by Brett Peveteaux

A friend asked me recently why people who talk politics are so mean towards those with whom they disagree. On the surface we might cite a decline in manners or something like that, and I'm sure that's a factor. But I believe the reason runs deeper... I think the meanness in politics is related to the decline in the power of religion.

In our modern world religion's power over our minds and day to day existence is far reduced in both breadth and intensity. Despite man's desire to 'liberate' himself from religion he still has longings for a 'perfect existence'. Religion traditionally placed this longing outside of this world... via the promise of man's salvation in the afterlife. People today still want that perfect existence, but they now believe it can be realized on earth. History attempts to convince us that we're making progress. Modern science promises to liberate man from the pain of his existence, and Modern Political Science seeks to liberate man from the unfairness of this world.

Politics steps into the void left by religion and becomes a new religion. Ideologies are developed and claim to be the 'ideal plan' for our salvation. And all this turns politics into a much more serious business. After all, our debates over policy are now debates over the fate of humanity.

When you come to see a public policy as man's only hope for the future, you are now a convert to a kind of earthbound religion. The danger here is that partisans and ideologues may begin to see policy ideas as more important than public service and social peace. It appears they already see political programs as more important that good manners and moderate speech. When we shorten the horizon for man, we invite man to practice inhumanity towards his fellows.

Religious students’ rights clarified
Guest Editorial by Kelly Coghlan

Schools are not religion-free zones, school officials are not prayer-police, religious students are not enemies of the state, and the Texas Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act (also known as the Schoolchildren’s Religious Liberties Act) makes that clear.

The Act, which goes into effect at the beginning of the 2007-2008 school year, provides much needed guidance for school officials who have sometimes felt compelled to quash students’ religious expressions for fear of lawsuits. The new law pulls together Supreme Court rulings into a format that is easy to understand and apply.

"This law is a victory for freedom and non-discrimination for every young Texan," said Rep. Charlie Howard who introduced the bill. “It is win-win for students, school administrators and teachers. No longer will a cloud of confusion obscure the rights to individual expression students enjoy under the U.S. Constitution. School officials need no longer fear the threat of lawsuits simply for allowing students to exercise their constitutional rights.” Houston attorney Joe Reynolds, a 16-year member of the Texas A&M Board of Regents, who has represented more Texas school districts than any other attorney said “This is the best piece of legislation for school districts that has been introduced in the past 50 years.”

This Act does not require or suggest that any child express a prayer or other religious viewpoint, it just protects them if they do. Whether or not a student will ever use a speaking opportunity to express a religious viewpoint on an otherwise permissible topic is a matter upon which school officials must not speculate, opine or discuss since school officials must remain neutral. Doing otherwise will land a school in constitutional hot water. However, parents, pastors, students, citizens and all other non-school-officials are free to encourage students to publicly pray and honor God whenever students have the opportunity to do so.

The first sentence of the Act (Sec. 25.151) provides that “A school district shall treat a student’s voluntary expression of a religious viewpoint, if any, on an otherwise permissible subject in the same manner the district treats a student’s voluntary expression of a secular or other viewpoint on an otherwise permissible subject and may not discriminate against the student based on a religious viewpoint expressed by the student on an otherwise permissible subject.” The remainder of the new law instructs school districts how to properly apply this legal declaration.

A safe harbor model policy (Sec. 25.156) for schools to include in their local policies is a part of the Act. If a school district adopts and follows the suggested model policy, the district is automatically assured of being in compliance with the Act regarding all matters covered in the model policy. Not only was the Act’s model policy drafted and reviewed by numerous constitutional attorneys across the country, the policy was field-tested in a number of public school districts for up to 6 years from Texas to Illinois. Superintendents from two such school districts testified in the House and Senate that no student had abused or exploited any speaking opportunity, embarrassed the school district, or caused any lawsuit or complaint under the policy. Adopting the Act’s model policy is the safest route for school districts and assures the district of help from the Texas Attorney General in the event of a facial challenge since the model policy is part of the Act. While a school is free to have TASB or others draft a policy, a school will be on its own to legally defend that policy. Why would any district take the unnecessary risk when a tested policy is already part of the law? Bewilderingly, an alternative policy has been submitted to schools by TASB which significantly deviates from the Act’s model policy. TASB has even added its own definitions having no cogent basis under the Act or in law. It is the author’s opinion that adoption of the TASB alternative policy will put a school in violation of the Act and open that school to legal claims.

The Act’s model policy covers the following subjects: Student Expression of Religious Viewpoints, Student Speakers at Non-Graduation Events, Student Speakers at Graduation Ceremonies, Religious Expressions in Class Assignments, and Freedom to Organize Religious Groups and Activities.

The Act establishes safeguards to assure that a student’s religious viewpoint, if any, is not attributable to the school or mistaken as affirmatively sponsored by the school by requiring (1) limited public forums for student speakers, (2) selection of speakers based on neutral criteria, and (3) disclaimers to be read and/or printed clearly establishing the individual nature of the expressed viewpoint.

Section 25.152 requires the “establishment of a limited public forum for student speakers at all school events at which a student is to publicly speak” in order to, inter alia, “eliminate any actual or perceived affirmative school sponsorship or attribution to the district of a student’s expression of a religious viewpoint, if any.” The 2001 Supreme Court case of Good News v. Milford Central School holds: “[S]peech discussing otherwise permissible subjects cannot be excluded from a limited public forum on the ground that the subject is discussed from a religious viewpoint…. [Excluding a] religious perspective constitutes unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination.” Thus, the Texas statute, by using the limited public forum format simply codifies the language of the Supreme Court.

Schools are not required to have student speakers for any occasion, and, thus, are not required to establish any limited public forums for student speakers. But if there are to be student speakers, a limited public forum is required. For schools that opt to adopt the model policy, a student speaker will publicly introduce the beginning of football games and the opening announcements/greetings for the school day (and any other events the school designates). From the inception of public education and football games, these two identified occasions have traditionally been introduced by student speakers; so nothing new here. Students are required to stick to the subjects/topics enumerated under the policy: “introductions must be related to the purpose of the event and to the purpose of marking the opening of the event, honoring the occasion, the participants, and those in attendance, bringing the audience to order, and focusing the audience on the purpose of the event.” Under the model policy, the eligible student speakers are student council officers, senior class officers, captain(s) of the football team (and any other neutrally selected student leaders the school designates). Student speakers have normally been student leaders; so nothing novel here. Just as at graduations, not every student gets to speak. It has always been a great honor to have attained a student leadership position to be allowed to publicly address the school; and the model policy maintains that honor.

Why have student speakers? Public speaking fosters numerous educational benefits in established pedagogical areas such as Speech, English, Grammar, Drama and Civics. Students have to organize their thoughts, author, prepare, practice, and deliver a concise oral presentation before a live audience, providing valuable educational opportunities. What a waste to allow school events to pass without utilizing them as opportunities for students to advance their communicative skills—important skills for any career. Some districts may be tempted to reduce or eliminate student speakers altogether, but this would not only be counter-educational but would likely stir up legal issues rather than avoid them. If a district’s motivation for reducing or eliminating student speakers is to assure that no religious viewpoint will be expressed, that is an unconstitutional motivation inviting legal challenge.

Finally, sections 25.153 & 154 of the Act codify the almost identical language of sections of the U.S. Dept. of Education “Guidance on Constitutionally Protected Prayer in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools,” drafted by the attorneys of the U.S. Dept. of Education and U.S. Dept. of Justice.

The Act is an anti-discrimination law protecting students’ voluntary expressions of religious viewpoints to the same degree—no more and no less—as students’ voluntary expressions of secular or other viewpoints on otherwise permissible subjects and topics. Religious children do not receive special rights, extra opportunity, preferential treatment or extra protection, just equal rights, equal opportunity, equal treatment and equal protection. That’s fair.

Coghlan is a Houston constitutional trial attorney and author of Those Dangerous Student Prayers. He has represented 159 students and parents as amici curiae before the U.S. Supreme Court on faith-based issues, obtained the first federal injunction preventing censorship of a student’s voluntary public prayer in Ward v. Santa Fe I.S.D., and is the legal author of the Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act. Website www.kellycoghlan.com. The article’s contents are the personal opinions of the author and are not legal advice, warranties or representations

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