Friday Letters: South Park loss protested April 8, 2010 South Park destruction sparks more comment -------------------------------------- Regarding the photograph and the editorial under it in Sunday's paper (about South Park school): I am so glad that the paper finally had the nerve to tell the truth about this matter. The racial hatred went back to the late '60s, and likely those on the school board who tried to stop the integration are not even living now. Those who are punished are the "Greenies" who love that building, which could have been refurbished, not the school board from long ago. Since this is done, now I hope the hatred can be put aside. I stayed in hotels in Europe that were 500 years old, and the buildings were treasured; there was no hatred causing their destruction. We who graduated from SPHS, both black and white, will always treasure memories and regret what has been done to our building. Evelyn McGee, Vidor ------------------------------------- 1) Friday, April 2, 2010. A black day for Beaumont. 2) Judge Bob Wortham let his constituents down by not doing the right thing. 3) Lamar University and the city did not step up to the plate and support saving South Park based on its history and architectural significance. 4) Terry Ingram's timing to retire now is quite suspect. 5) Bob Neild states he hopes boards trust can be regained. You're kidding, right? 6) A significant blow has been dealt this community. A very sad commentary indeed. 7) BISD's new spelling curriculum: Question: How do you spell fraud? Answer - BISD. 8) I think someone should check the finances at the BISD What is going on we don't know about behind closed doors? Don Wade, Beaumont --------------------------------- "I don't care 'bout nobody. ... I got what I want(ed)," shouted the lady from the sidewalk in front of the South Park building as she witnessed and celebrated the dismantling of the building's front wall and facade. As the noisy machinery pounded away at the brick and mortar, she elevated her voice to be heard. Further, her motions and body language added to her jubilation for seeing the building coming down. Lady, unlike having your wants, you did not get all of what you wanted. What she and like-minded others are leaving behind is that which is not available for their destruction. It is the "Greenie spirit" which remains intact and not for sale, compromise, exchange or discriminatory destruction. Do you not know that a "Greenie" is a Greenie because of what is in his heart, mind and spirit? It is, in part, the realization of a great God-given heritage we South Parkers have experienced for ourselves and others during the tough times of our formable years, along with a rich legacy of solid values we tried to achieve and now expect to leave for others when we have to go. Pass it on! Gene A. Van Meter Sr., Beaumont ------------------------------------ Congratulations to Dr. Carrol Thomas and BISD Board of Education! After years of neglect, economic starvation and assaults on her character, you have managed to knock down the 87-year-old matriarch of Beaumont's educational community. Enjoy your celebrations while you can, for they will not last even as long as the 30-year generic box you will construct to replace South Park High School. Long after the sweep of history has confined you to its dustbin, the name and memory of that grand old lady who was South Park High School will be celebrated in the hearts of her progeny and the history of her people. If you are remembered at all, it will be simply as another bunch of political hacks who made promises you did not keep to citizens whose history you did not share in order to hold on to positions of public trust you did not deserve. All the while, the prescient words of "Varsity" will be lifted up in praise of that iconic lady you have sought to destroy: "South Park, South Park, dear old South Park, time the change may bring. Still, the name of South Park High School evermore we'll sing." David Morgan, SPHS Class of 1969, Canton, Ohio ----------------------------------------- Something far bigger, uglier and more important than nostalgia, historical preservation, or even needed new schools is sadly apparent here. It is a lack of honor and ethics from the very men chosen to lead. The fact that the citizens of Beaumont have empowered a rogue school board and brazen superintendent - who are not accountable to anyone - needs to be addressed! Judge Bob Wortham has found them guilty of fraud; they are in violation of the Open Meetings act; and Carrol Thomas developed a bad case of "amnesia" under oath (which Judge Wortham himself described as "not credible" testimony.) No matter how Paul Brown or anyone else spins it, that is just not OK with me - and it shouldn't be with anyone else, regardless of ethnicity, either. The actions of the BISD board and superintendent are a shame on Beaumont, and they must be held accountable. Otherwise, we should just change the city motto to read "Beaumont: Where the end DOES justify the means." Wake up, citizens; the inmates are running the asylum! Margaret Wade, Beaumont ------------------------------------------- If you would want to see what South Park school could have looked liked, go to Port Arthur and see a couple of their old majestic school buildings that they did not tear down. They look better today than when they were built. It took almost 30 years after the BISD was known nationwide as the "Ping Pong District" to get a bond election passed. This board has lost so much trust that the next bond election will surely be more than 30 years in the future. However this board with its arrogance will claim that another bond issue will not be needed for more than 30 years! Ron Rollins, Beaumont --------------------------------------- Anyone who went to a high school in Beaumont from the 1920s to the 1980s has in all practicality lost his high school and his visible heritage. Charlton Pollard, Hebert, French, Beaumont High and Forest Park all changed names. As a 1959 French High School graduate, I have not had the experience and pride of taking my grandkids to the north end and pointing with pride to my school. The name French High School is gone from the building. The same for all the previous mentioned schools and their graduates from those 60 or so years. So now South park has to experience some of the sadness we have all had to endure. Sure, they are losing a building, but the building hasn't been called South Park High School for years. Like the rest of us, get over it! You have the memories and that can't be taken away by a name change or a bulldozer. Joe Bonura, Beaumont ----------------------------------- Comments: Ringo wrote: Bonura, screw the sentiments to the bricks and mortar. Those memories are in our hearts. It's the OVER $30,000,000 that's it's now costing BISD taxpayers EXTRA over what it would have cost to have remodeled the structurally sound building (all this is in the court documents). It's all about the dollars that are flying so freely out of my pocket that I worked so hard to put there. And the powers that be just don't seem to care. THAT makes me sick. And Mr. Van Meter, I'm sure glad you're still among us! You've done so much for Beaumont and the South Park Community. 04/10/2010 12:26 AM CDT legaleagle wrote: To Joe C. Bonura - Joe, you of all people should understand the grief that people feel when they suffer a senseless loss. I am not trying to say that losing Alicia is anything like losing a building so do not misunderstand me. But the senselessness of the act taken by BISD in demolishing South Park, after promising that they would not do so is outrageous. There is also a difference in that the building that housed French, Forest Park, Hebert and Beaumont High were not demolished. Telling people to "get over it" is dismissive and flippant. You are a better person than that. Every time I pass the memorial on Hwy 90, I think of your family and pray that Alicia is in a better place. I hope this letter helps to give you some insight into the needless suffering and angst that BISD has caused to happen with a whole lot of people. 04/09/2010 11:23 PM CDT legaleagle wrote: Chicks - Texas law does not provide for recall of school trustees. Furthmore, since Beaumont has 7 single member trustee districts, you only get to vote for one trustee, the one that represents the area in which you live. Now here is the really screwed up part. The three trustee districts to the west of I-10 represent approximately 40,000 people. The FOUR trustee districts to the East of I-10 represent approximately 30,000 people. So the smaller population gets more votes on the board than the majority of the population. What a great system. 04/09/2010 11:21 PM CDT timwopel wrote: you see, we all have our own view. 04/09/2010 12:05 PM CDT timwopel wrote: wow, i'm guessing that being a greenie requires one to have the ability to cry loud enough for the majority to want to drown out your sobs with shouts of joy. 04/09/2010 12:01 PM CDT Exile wrote: If Mr. Ingram has been unfairly tarred, it is because the BISD board and administration have so abused their authority and violated their trust that the stench is apt to stick to the just and the unjust. 04/09/2010 11:07 AM CDT chicks wrote: All these people are talking about South Park being torn down and the fraud the Dr. Thomas and the school board perpetrated yet not one person has started a recall petition on one single board member. What gives Beaumont? You don't like what they did you gotta get rid of them. 04/09/2010 10:39 AM CDT corky2 wrote: You're right, Susan, the choice of words by Mr Wade is unfortunate. Not to worry, though...nobody thinks Terry did anything 'suspect.' If you know Terry, you know he has always been an honest, up front guy. The timing of his retirement was more ironic than suspect. All of his colleagues and friends wish you both well. I am sure if Mr Wade knew you or Terry better, he would have chosen his words more carefully. Take care. 04/09/2010 08:18 AM CDT singram wrote: I apologize if this post is repeated however I feel strongly enough to post again. In reference to Donnie Wade's letter I would like to point out something that I resent. Terry Ingram decided to retire many months ago. He turned in his retirement to the district in February. The reason for retirement is simple. We want to move closer to our sons and their families. I do not know why you find this suspect but I suggest you not question his retirement. He has served the district well after 36 years. You need to find a more positive avenue to vent your frustrations. I am retiring also. I hope you do not find that suspect. Have a nice day Mr.Wade! 04/09/2010 07:55 AM CDT singram wrote: In response to Donnie Wade's comments about Mr, Ingram, let me assure you Mr. Wade, Mr. Ingram's decision to retire was made last summer before the South Park controversy. He turned in his retirement letter in February 2010. The reason he retired is so we can move closer to our family Period! I resent the comment you made. Time for you to turn your anger elsewhere. Your comment was unnecessary and ugly. Susan Ingram ( also retiring in June... is that suspect ,too??) 04/09/2010 06:26 AM CDT Enterprise Friday's Opinions