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		<title>Rockwall resident Loafman: vote AGAINST $59.4 million bond package</title>
		<link>http://therockwallnews.com/2012/0507/community/against-bond-package?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=against-bond-package</link>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 07 May 2012 18:23:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>The Rockwall News</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rockwall bond propositions]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://therockwallnews.com/?p=15067</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Letter to the Editor: I oppose the $59.4 million bond package Rockwall voters will consider May 12.  While the propositions in the package vary in merit, asking Rockwall property owners to support additional debt under current economic conditions is undesirable if not irresponsible. The people of Rockwall already pay very high property taxes.  In 2012, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a class="highslide" onclick="return vz.expand(this)" href="http://therockwallnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/voteno.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-15085" title="voteno" src="http://therockwallnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/voteno-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a></p>
<p>Letter to the Editor:</p>
<p>I oppose the $59.4 million bond package Rockwall voters will consider May 12.  While the propositions in the package vary in merit, asking Rockwall property owners to support additional debt under current economic conditions is undesirable if not irresponsible.</p>
<p>The people of Rockwall already pay very high property taxes.  In 2012, according to <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tax-Rates.org</span>, Rockwall taxpayers will pay 2.16% of their property’s value in taxes.  Of 3,145 counties in the U.S., only 56 have higher taxes.  That puts us in the top 1.8% in the country!  According to <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Forbes.com</span>, only four Texas counties have higher property taxes, and only one is in North Texas (Collin County.)  As a percentage of income, however, Rockwall County has <em>the highest</em> property taxes in the state, at 4.58% of median annual income.</p>
<p>Proponents tell voters 65 and over that their property taxes won’t be affected.  True, but that doesn’t mean <em>they</em> won’t be affected.  As Rockwall grows, every dime we spend on unnecessary things will be unavailable for critical infrastructure, police and fire protection, roads, schools, utilities, and public transportation.</p>
<p>Proponents of the package mention its total cost, worst case, is <em>only</em> 15.6¢ per $100 property valuation (a 30% increase.)  But that’s an annual cost of $285.80 to the owner of a property at the median value of $183,200 (again according to <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tax-Rates.org</span>.)  The athletic complex alone would cost the same taxpayer $120.90.  To proponents that may not seem like much, but if one put that money in a 5-year CD at 1.8% instead, at the end of the 20-year bond term, they would have accumulated $27,447.  Alternatively, if the city took that money out of our pockets right now to pay the bonds, it would cost each taxpayer $14,400.</p>
<p>I don’t opposed nice sports facilities.  In fact, I don’t oppose any of the improvements these bonds would support.  I <em>do</em> oppose the unnecessary incurrence of additional debt when there is such uncertainty regarding international markets, federal debt and leadership, and the substantial economic adversity that average families in Rockwall currently face.  Rejecting these bonds now doesn’t mean we can’t re-visit the issue when things improve.</p>
<p>Please vote AGAINST the bond package, or at least consider each proposal on its necessity and vote AGAINST those that can wait.</p>
<p>Thom Loafman</p>
<p>Rockwall Resident</p>
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		<title>Former Council member Cotti: vote Yes on all 5 bond proposals</title>
		<link>http://therockwallnews.com/2012/0501/community/bond-proposals?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=bond-proposals</link>
		<comments>http://therockwallnews.com/2012/0501/community/bond-proposals#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 01 May 2012 12:28:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>The Rockwall News</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bob Cotti]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rockwall bond proposals]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://therockwallnews.com/?p=14891</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Letter to the Editor: There are five Bond Propositions that will be before the public for vote on May 12th. There are those in the community who do not favor the bonds for one reason or another. The picture that is being painted by some of those who oppose the bonds, unfortunately, isn’t totally accurate. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a class="highslide" onclick="return vz.expand(this)" href="http://therockwallnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/AthleticComplex-300x199.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-14894" title="AthleticComplex-300x199" src="http://therockwallnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/AthleticComplex-300x199-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a></p>
<p>Letter to the Editor:</p>
<p>There are five Bond Propositions that will be before the public for vote on May 12th. There are those in the community who do not favor the bonds for one reason or another. The picture that is being painted by some of those who oppose the bonds, unfortunately, isn’t totally accurate. I hope that this information clarifies the matter:</p>
<p>Most government entities have the wherewithal to fund various infrastructure programs (such as those proposed for the bond election) within their General Fund Budget. The Federal Government and State Government do this. Counties and cities do not have that ability. I won’t speak to the County because it isn’t involved in these projects but I will speak for the city side.</p>
<p>The City of Rockwall’s General Fund Budget is set aside to pay for those day-to-day operating expenses (police and fire protection, parks and recreation maintenance and upkeep, building maintenance and upkeep, minor street repairs, staff salaries for all departments, etc.). Other things such as building new parks, major road construction and repair, construction of new municipal facilities (fire houses, offices, etc.), and things considered to be ‘capital improvements’ require a different source of funding. In some cases there is the matter of “public necessity’ (these would include Fire Houses, Police Stations, Public Safety Facilitoes, etc.) for which citizen approval isn’t required. Other cases, such as the ones on the ballot for May 12th, do require the citizens approve the issuance of Municipal Bonds to pay for these improvements.</p>
<p>Now, how does the process work?</p>
<p>City Staff (and these are folks from all departments) identify their needs to the City Manager who puts together a listing of all the infrastructure improvements that can be foreseen over the next 3-5 years (sometimes longer). The City Manager then presents this information to the City Council who reviews, modifies where necessary, and agrees to put together a Citizens’ Committee charged with the responsibility of developing a Comprehensive Capital Improvements Program. The Council then appoints citizens from all walks of life in Rockwall (normally a committee of 15-20) to this committee.</p>
<p>The committee then begins a series of meetings (with Staff involvement) to review, refine, and set a recommended slate of Capital Improvements to be brought back before the Council for approval and scheduling of a Bond Election. During this time, costs are determined, schedules for work are prepared, and the impact on the Ad Valorem Tax (property taxes) is established and reported to the entire community in a worst case scenario.</p>
<p>For the five items that have been identified and placed on the ballot for May 12, all of the above was accomplished. The Committee (made up of citizens and not government employees) agreed that these five items are needed and recommended that they be placed before the citizens for approval. Those five items are:</p>
<p>1) Athletic Complex (approximately $25 Million). The last time the City of Rockwall did anything to increase the number of outdoor athletic venues or improve what we had was in the early 1990s. At that time the population of Rockwall was 12,000 and the average age was 47+. Today our population approaches 40,000 and our average age has dropped to 36. We have far more folks interested in outdoor sports than ever &#8230; and they are having to go to Rowlett, Plano, Mansfield, etc. (and pay fees) to play ball. It’s time for Rockwall to do something, not just to satisfy the needs for today but the needs of future generations.</p>
<p>2) Downtown Upgrades (approximately $10 Million). In 2009 the City of Rockwall was recognized as a Main Street City in Texas. We have new businesses, new restaurants, new opportunities in the Downtown area. What we are lacking is 1) adequate parking, 2) improved sidewalks, 3) improved roads, and 4) a safe area for pedestrian traffic. These are important to the merchants downtown and to the city to retain its Main Street City identification and to provide a better venue for our citizens to enjoy the rich history of Rockwall’s downtown area.</p>
<p>3) Fire Protection for Downtown (approximately $1.8 Million). Currently all of the structures in the downtown area of the old design. Water pressure in the area is relatively low and cannot deliver the levels necessary should a fire disaster occur. This bond proposition upgrades all of the water delivery infrastructure in the downtown area and also installs sprinkler systems in every building. These are both essential to ensure maximum protection during a fire.</p>
<p>4) Heritage Park (approximately $5 Million). As you know, Rockwall turned 158 years old this month. And, as you know about our history, we were named Rockwall by three well diggers who uncovered a massive rock wall underneath the soil they were digging. There are very few locations where this rock wall can be seen. The city has identified, and the property owners are agreeable to sell, a piece of land that has good exposure to the rock wall. This bond proposition will purchase the land and build an infrastructure to expose and protect the wall and will provide outstanding public access to view the rock wall, to be entertained by local artists, and to be treated to some exceptional community opportunities.</p>
<p>5) Road Construction (approximately $20 Million). There are a number of major thoroughfares in Rockwall that have deteriorated due to weather and other conditions that need major repairs. Additionally, there is great need to improve the on-ramp/off-ramp opportunities in the vicinity of I-30 and Ridge Rd./SH-205.</p>
<p>Now, to the matter of the $0.36 tax increase that has been discussed. As I mentioned earlier, if all of the bonds were to be issued in their full amount at the same time the city would have to increase the “bond reduction” side of the taxes by $0.36. You know, I know, and anyone with common sense will know that this scenario simply CANNOT and WILL NOT happen. Each of these five propositions is phased in the manner in which work will be accomplished and, as such, the bonds will be issued only when necessary to pay for the work to be done. This will be spread over an extended period of time that will run between 5 and 10 years. Also, during this same time frame bonds that have been previously issued will be paid off resulting in a tax rate offset.</p>
<p>For example, I have to issue bonds in 2014 that will raise taxes by $0.03. But in 2014, I will retire bonds that I have been paying for that will reduce taxes by $0.015. So &#8230; the real increase in taxes is only $0.015. All of these rates are, of course, based on $100 of property valuation as assessed by the Rockwall Central Appraisal District.</p>
<p>So, at the bottom line, the City of Rockwall is placed in a bit of a predicament. First, it has responsibility to all of its citizens to ensure that they have the best possible infrastructure to meet their every day needs. Although not everyone will take advantage of all of the infrastructure, our friends and family will. The other side of the coin on that is that the city has ONLY one means of acquiring the funds necessary to provide this infrastructure and that is from the citizens it serves in the form of a Bond Election. There are no other sources of funding for these improvements. There is no entry in the City Budget that reflects income from the Federal Government. Nor are there entries reflecting income from the State or County. We must rely 100% on ourselves to meet our needs.</p>
<p>A couple of additional points also need clarification. First &#8230; these Bond Propositions are solely for the City of Rockwall. They are in no way tied or related to any of the County’s Bond Propositions past or future. Secondly, there have been a couple of suggestions that the City spend its funds to expedite completion of the road work on FM740 to the South of Interstate 30. That project is the responsibility of TxDOT. The only responsibilities that Rockwall ever had in this effort was: 1) Right of Way acquisition, and 2) Landscaping upon completion (and this only goes as far south as Chandlers’ Landing).</p>
<p>So, at the bottom line I would request that the Citizens of Rockwall research and understand what the City is trying to do, then determine whether or not they wish to support these Bonds. It has been said that, &#8220;Now is not the time.&#8221; In response I would say, &#8220;There will never be a better time than today.&#8221;</p>
<p>Bob Cotti</p>
<p>Former Rockwall City Council Member</p>
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		<title>Rockwall citizen Johanna Runnels writes &#8220;Vote No&#8221; on bond proposals May 12</title>
		<link>http://therockwallnews.com/2012/0430/community/vote-no?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=vote-no</link>
		<comments>http://therockwallnews.com/2012/0430/community/vote-no#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 30 Apr 2012 07:52:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>The Rockwall News</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rockwall bond proposals]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://therockwallnews.com/?p=14836</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Letter To The Editor: As an ordinary citizen, when I look at a list of bond issues submitted for my consideration, I assume they are on the ballot because my duly-elected city council members have vetted these proposals and are recommending them to me as a good idea. This tacit endorsement is what concerns me. [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a class="highslide" onclick="return vz.expand(this)" href="http://therockwallnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/voteno.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-14838" title="voteno" src="http://therockwallnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/voteno-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a></p>
<p>Letter To The Editor:</p>
<p>As an ordinary citizen, when I look at a list of bond issues submitted for my consideration, I assume they are on the ballot because my duly-elected city council members have vetted these proposals and are recommending them to me as a good idea. This tacit endorsement is what concerns me.</p>
<p>We, the city of Rockwall, are currently carrying a heavy debt&#8211;over $222,000,000 as of 8/11 (<a href="http://www.brb.state.tx.us/lgs_search.aspx?action=city" target="_blank">http://www.brb.state.tx.us/lgs_search.aspx?action=city</a>) which comes to $5,922 for every man, woman, and child.*. So if you are a family of four, that totals $23,686.</p>
<p>But wait! There’s more! Our county debt is now $102,400,000 ($86,000,000 plus recently added $16.4 million issued in January) (<a href="http://www.brb.state.tx.us/lgs_search.aspx?action=county" target="_blank">http://www.brb.state.tx.us/lgs_search.aspx?action=county</a>) which comes to $1,345 per person**.</p>
<p>And finally, our school district carries a debt of $707,729,600 (<a href="http://www.brb.state.tx.us/lgs_search.aspx?action=isd" target="_blank">http://www.brb.state.tx.us/lgs_search.aspx?action=isd</a>) which breaks down to $9,034 per person.</p>
<p>And that does not even include the nearly $16,000,000,000,000 (trillion) and climbing debt we carry on the national level which is currently at $50,000 per person.</p>
<p>To summarize our current debt:</p>
<ul>
<li>City debt $5,922 per person</li>
<li>County debt $1,345 per person</li>
<li>School debt $9,034 per person</li>
<li>TOTAL $16,301 per person in debt in Rockwall</li>
<li>Plus a national debt of $50,000 per person</li>
</ul>
<p>We will also see a personal massive tax hike come 1/1/13 when the Bush tax cuts end. That is going to send a lot of our ever-shrinking disposable income to Washington for the (mis)use of the federal government.</p>
<p>As a parent, if your family were personally in a boatload of debt, would you give your children a list of high ticket items to choose from to buy for them?</p>
<p>Not at our house and likely not at yours.</p>
<p>Now is not the time to increase our city debt load in Rockwall by 25%. Instead we should be getting our financial house in order by cutting spending and paying down our current debt.</p>
<p>&#8220;NO&#8221; to the bond proposals.</p>
<p>*Based on the 2010 census date 37,490 people in the city<br />
**Based on 2010 census data of 78,337 people in the county</p>
<p>Johanna Runnels</p>
<p>Rockwall TX</p>
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		<title>Parent praises Rockwall ISD for their actions during tornado warning</title>
		<link>http://therockwallnews.com/2012/0405/community/parent-3?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=parent-3</link>
		<comments>http://therockwallnews.com/2012/0405/community/parent-3#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 05 Apr 2012 20:00:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>The Rockwall News</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Latest News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kay McKown]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rockwall ISD]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://therockwallnews.com/?p=14495</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ROCKWALL &#8211; Letter To The Editor (a copy of the letter sent today by a Rockwall parent to Rockwall ISD Superintendent Jeff Bailey): Dear Mr. Bailey: I have nothing but praise for the Rockwall Independent School District and their actions during the severe storm on April 3rd, 2012. Two of my grandchildren are students at [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a class="highslide" onclick="return vz.expand(this)" href="http://therockwallnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/tornado-warning4.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-14497" title="tornado warning" src="http://therockwallnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/tornado-warning4-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a></p>
<p>ROCKWALL &#8211; Letter To The Editor (a copy of the letter sent today by a Rockwall parent to Rockwall ISD Superintendent Jeff Bailey):</p>
<p>Dear Mr. Bailey:</p>
<p>I have nothing but praise for the Rockwall Independent School District and their actions during the severe storm on April 3rd, 2012.</p>
<p>Two of my grandchildren are students at Ouida Springer Elementary School and several events that took place were witnessed by my daughter first hand. Parents who came to the school to check on their kids were told that students would not be released, but parents were welcome to come in and wait out the storm. I received a text at 2:49 p.m. from the Rockwall County Sheriff&#8217;s Department and The National Weather Bureau indicating that the tornado warning had been discontinued.</p>
<p>At 3:17 p.m. that warning was reissued. I am guessing that during that 27 minutes some students were put on buses throughout the district with the assurance that all was ok. As some of those buses were already in neighborhoods, bus drivers probably determined that students would be safer in their homes than on buses returning the distance to school. I do know that a few buses left Springer a few minutes before the reissued warning and reached John King Blvd., a block away. Upon hearing the reissued warning they immediately turned around and returned to the school. Some of the students and teachers remained in the school past 6 p.m. until they could be safely released to their parents.</p>
<p>As a former educator I know that in every crisis situation there will be a few disgruntled parents who either do not have all the facts or have never had to take responsibility for a classroom, school, or district, during a crisis situation. There will always be a few mistakes made and lessons learned. In this instance, I think RISD did a superior job of keeping parents informed by email messages and the news media, and by personally insuring the safety and welfare of the students.</p>
<p>Sincerely,</p>
<p>Kay McKown</p>
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		<title>Parent &#8220;appalled&#8221; that Rockwall ISD bused children home during storm</title>
		<link>http://therockwallnews.com/2012/0404/community/parent-2?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=parent-2</link>
		<comments>http://therockwallnews.com/2012/0404/community/parent-2#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 04 Apr 2012 22:00:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>The Rockwall News</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Misty Hubbard Gutierrez]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rockwall ISD]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://therockwallnews.com/?p=14445</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ROCKWALL &#8211; Letter To The Editor (a copy of the letter sent yesterday by a Rockwall parent to Rockwall ISD Superintendent Jeff Bailey): Dear Mr. Bailey, I am appalled that RISD sent elementary-aged children home on school buses during yesterday&#8217;s severe weather outbreak. My ten-year-old twins were placed on a school bus shortly before a [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a class="highslide" onclick="return vz.expand(this)" href="http://therockwallnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/school-bus.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-14449" title="school-bus" src="http://therockwallnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/school-bus-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a></p>
<p>ROCKWALL &#8211; Letter To The Editor (a copy of the letter sent yesterday by a Rockwall parent to Rockwall ISD Superintendent Jeff Bailey):</p>
<p>Dear Mr. Bailey,</p>
<p>I am appalled that RISD sent elementary-aged children home on school buses during yesterday&#8217;s severe weather outbreak. My ten-year-old twins were placed on a school bus shortly before a tornado touched down in Forney that was headed toward Rockwall. According to my daughters, the tornado sirens began sounding while they were on the bus.  The school bus driver dropped them off at their bus stop and said, &#8220;run as fast as you can to your house.&#8221;</p>
<p>Every day I put my faith in RISD that the safety of my children is its top priority. Yesterday, as I watched the weather events unfold from my office in Dallas, every maternal instinct told me to go home and protect my children. But there was a line of tornadic storms blocking my route.  And so I took solace in knowing that my daughters&#8217; schools were among the safest buildings during a severe storm, and that the leadership and staff at RISD had the training and competence to keep my children safe.</p>
<p>Apparently my trust was misplaced.  RISD made a gross misstep by putting children on school busses during yesterday&#8217;s extreme weather. We were fortunate not to be more seriously affected by the storms.  My family was fortunate to have a trusted nanny at home who knew to keep an eye on the weather and the safest place in my home to survive a tornado.  But how many children did you send home to empty houses?  How many elementary-aged children would know to come home and turn on the news and where to hide in their houses?</p>
<p>The &#8220;what-ifs&#8221; are unbearable to contemplate.  While I watched news footage of tractor-trailors being hurled through the air, my children were placed on a school bus. While I watched in horror as tornados moved toward Rockwall, my children were loaded on a bus, dropped off, and essentially told to &#8220;run for it.&#8221;</p>
<p>RISD created a possibly deadly scenario yesterday when it released children while there were still severe storms in the area that were tracking toward Rockwall.  This cannot happen again. Immediate measures must be taken to ensure that it does not happen again.</p>
<p>I request that you forward me RISD&#8217;s policies regarding student safety and dismissal during severe weather. If appropriate policies are not already in place, new policies must be created immediately. If appropriate policies were already in place, then steps must be taken to ensure that they are followed and that all leadership and staff  is appropriately trained to implement those policies.</p>
<p>My understanding is that DISD did not send any children home on school buses yesterday.  This was certainly the most prudent action to ensure that the children were safe and no children were home alone during severe weather. I cannot understand why RISD did not exhibit the same good sense.</p>
<p>I look forward to hearing from you soon regarding RISD&#8217;s severe weather policies and the steps that RISD is taking to ensure  that this does not happen again.</p>
<p>Best regards</p>
<p>Misty Hubbard Gutierrez<br />
Attorney at Law<br />
Thomas, Feldman &amp; Wilshusen L.L.P.</p>
<p>,</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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		<title>Publisher of The Rockwall News saw his father kill his mother, commit suicide</title>
		<link>http://therockwallnews.com/2012/0329/community/saw-his-father-kill-his-mother?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=saw-his-father-kill-his-mother</link>
		<comments>http://therockwallnews.com/2012/0329/community/saw-his-father-kill-his-mother#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 29 Mar 2012 10:14:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>The Rockwall News</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinions]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://therockwallnews.com/?p=14269</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ROCKWALL (Editorial)- Another family violence tragedy has rocked the Rockwall County community. This time it was a married Heath doctor who, last week, committed the horrific murder-suicide of his young girlfriend in Iowa and himself, leaving behind his shocked wife, four children, family and many friends. Last time, in June, 2010, it was the husband [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a class="highslide" onclick="return vz.expand(this)" href="http://therockwallnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/j.j.-smith.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-14270" title="j.j. smith" src="http://therockwallnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/j.j.-smith-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a><a class="highslide" onclick="return vz.expand(this)" href="http://therockwallnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/lillian-smith.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-14271" title="lillian smith" src="http://therockwallnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/lillian-smith-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a></p>
<p>ROCKWALL (Editorial)- Another family violence tragedy has rocked the Rockwall County community. This time it was a married Heath doctor who, last week, committed the horrific murder-suicide of his young girlfriend in Iowa and himself, leaving behind his shocked wife, four children, family and many friends.</p>
<p>Last time, in June, 2010, it was the husband of highly-respected Rowlett juvenile judge Belinda Loveland who took her life and his own, two months after a Fate father killed his wife and himself in their bedroom while their two children were watching TV in another room.</p>
<p>A month before, another murder-suicide occurred in Rowlett. Then within a week, another man killed himself and burned down the house of his ex-wife after he attempted to kill her in Rowlett. At least one of her family pets perished in the fire.</p>
<p>News stories about senseless tragedies like these are not published by TheRockwallNews.com to sensationalize the news or try to take advantage of the circumstances to obtain more readers. Because news is defined as whatever is unusual and, since, murders and attempted killings are still highly unusual in Rockwall and surrounding areas, we print stories like these to inform members of the community who know the victims and survivors, plus alert the community to the dangers around us. We also desire to use events like these to proactively educate adults, teens and children about how to prevent, reduce and deal with such tragedies.</p>
<p>More stories will soon appear about domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assaults and other crimes which are taking place locally, quoting survivors and experts from law enforcement, women’s shelters, healthcare, schools, non-profits and more, whose advise can hopefully help us all to find ways to prevent and reduce the violence and abuse around us.</p>
<p>Family violence is the leading cause of injury to women and children in America, according to the National Center for Injury Prevention of the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta. One in four women experience family violence in their lifetimes. One in 12 children suffer abuse, generally at the hands of their parents, step-parents or parents’ boyfriends or girlfriends. Shocking is the statistic that 1 in 4 girls and 6 boys will suffer sexual abuse before they reach 18 – 90% committed by family members or close friends of the family.</p>
<p>The publisher of TheRockwallNews.com, J.J. Smith (pictured above left) is particularly sensitive to the subject of family violence, because when I was just 10 years old, I witnessed the horrific murder-suicide of my mother by my father. For years our family had suffered from his abusive behavior and constant threats.</p>
<p>In all sincerity, my condolences, prayers and heart go out to all of the family violence victims, survivors, their families and friends. Believe me when I say, I’ve been there. I was the little boy who, with my older sisters, was pictured on the front page of both newspapers the day my parents died, plus was the lead story on all the TV &amp; radio stations. I also became the adult constantly plagued with fear &#8211; although I never understood why &#8211; until I finally found the answer through professional counseling when I was over 50. My memories of watching my father beat and threaten my mother until she courageously left him, and then seeing him shoot and kill her and himself did not go away easily.</p>
<p>In order to help others suffering from the same fears, I founded the non-profit Lillian Smith Family Violence Foundation 12 years ago &#8211; in memory of my mother, Lillian Smith (pictured above) &#8211; to increase awareness of the problem and encourage finding solutions. We’ve arranged and published literally thousands of news stories nationwide, plus helped a number of abuse victims to tell their stories when the legal system failed them. We also held two “Race To End Abuse” events in Rockwall and one in Frisco, which attracted hundreds of runners and raised thousands of dollars for family violence awareness.</p>
<p>Last year we expanded our efforts and established Americans Ending Abuse and Americans Ending Abuse PAC – the first Political Action Committee for this cause &#8211; to bolster our efforts across Texas and the entire nation. Our objective this time is to educate and empower citizens nationwide to find ways to prevent and reduce the tens of thousands of injuries and thousands of deaths needlessly caused by family violence. Board members and supporters include State Senator Bob Deuell, Texas “Superlawyer” John Browning, former Rowlett Mayor John &amp; Debra Harper, Congressman Ralph Hall, Rowlett Mayor Todd Gottel, Rockwall County Criminal District Attorney Kenda Culpepper and attorney Jim Pruitt, who is now a candidate for State Representative.</p>
<p>Last year, thanks to the highly-commendable efforts of Sen. Deuell and State Rep. Cindy Burkett, we even passed our first state law. It is now illegal in Texas for parents and guardians to show porn to their children. Our bill was passed unanimously by both houses of the legislature and signed into law by Gov. Perry last June. It became effective Sept. 1, 2011.</p>
<p>Rockwall County is a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family. I hope and pray that we can protect our women and children here far better than they are being protected elsewhere across the nation. They are the victims 85 percent of the time, according to law enforcement. We also need to support the survivors. I’m committed to helping. So is TheRockwallNews.com. How about you?</p>
<p>Will you join or support Americans Ending Abuse today and help bring an end to the national family violence epidemic? <a href="http://therockwallnews.com/Contact">Contact me here </a>or call 214-317-1718.</p>
<p>J.J. Smith, Publisher</p>
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		<title>Alzheimer&#8217;s assisted living community to open in Rockwall March 22</title>
		<link>http://therockwallnews.com/2012/0322/community/alzheimers?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=alzheimers</link>
		<comments>http://therockwallnews.com/2012/0322/community/alzheimers#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 22 Mar 2012 13:11:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>The Rockwall News</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Autumn Leaves]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://therockwallnews.com/?p=14202</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ROCKWALL – The grand opening of Autumn Leaves Alzheimer’s and Memory Care Assisted Living Communities in Rockwall is scheduled today from 4-7 pm at 225 East Ralph Hall Pkwy, behind Home Depot. Their Rockwall location is the 10th community opened in the DFW area since the Irving-based company broke ground on its first development more [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a class="highslide" onclick="return vz.expand(this)" href="http://therockwallnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Autumn-Leaves.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-14203" title="Autumn Leaves" src="http://therockwallnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Autumn-Leaves-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a><a class="highslide" onclick="return vz.expand(this)" href="http://therockwallnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/autumn-leaves-2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-14204" title="autumn leaves 2" src="http://therockwallnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/autumn-leaves-2-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a></p>
<p>ROCKWALL – The grand opening of Autumn Leaves Alzheimer’s and Memory Care Assisted Living Communities in Rockwall is scheduled today from 4-7 pm at 225 East Ralph Hall Pkwy, behind Home Depot.</p>
<p>Their Rockwall location is the 10<sup>th</sup> community opened in the DFW area since the Irving-based company broke ground on its first development more than 10 years ago in North Texas.</p>
<p>There are also three communities in Chicago, four in Houston and one in Tulsa. Additional development plans include expansion in those markets.</p>
<p>Family-owned and operated, Autumn Leaves communities are designed to combine a warm, home-like environment with the highest quality memory care available, according to Community Relations Director Gina Lozano.</p>
<p>“Specialized in every aspect, Autumn Leaves memory care residences are focused on meeting their residents’ emotional, physical, social and nutritional needs in a home-like environment.”</p>
<p>“All Autumn Leaves’ professional staff, nursing personnel, and caregivers are specially trained in Alzheimer’s and dementia-related care.  Our on-going education and training allows us to provide the latest and highest quality of care to meet the unique needs of our residents.”</p>
<p>According to Mitchell Warren, president of The LaSalle Group, which designed and constructed the facility, the new community in Rockwall should make an immediate impact.</p>
<p>“Our home-like approach to care-giving for those living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia is unique to the industry, and I am confident it will become valuable to the Rockwall community,” said Warren. “Not only do we intend to be a resource to the community, but we want to invest in Rockwall, as well, through job creation and ongoing education. We’ve already created more than 200 jobs.”</p>
<p>Warren said each Autumn Leaves community is approximately 26,000 square feet and supported by an expert, dedicated team of approximately 40 staff members.</p>
<p>“Unlike most independent and assisted living centers, every Autumn Leaves staff member is rigorously and exclusively trained and certified to serve its residents’ unique needs,” he added.</p>
<p>“Our business model of smart growth and family focus is setting the standard in caring for those living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia,” said Chad Anderson, president of Constant Care Family Management. “Our community in Rockwall will sustain the momentum we are currently experiencing and help us maintain our position of servant leadership and passionate care-giving for those in need of memory care and their families. With Gina helping us in Rockwall, I look forward to serving the community immediately.”</p>
<p>For more information, visit <a href="http://autumnleavesliving.com/">AutumnLeavesLiving.com</a> or call (214) 845-4500.</p>
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		<title>Funeral this Sunday for Royse City High assistant principal</title>
		<link>http://therockwallnews.com/2012/0317/community/funeral-2?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=funeral-2</link>
		<comments>http://therockwallnews.com/2012/0317/community/funeral-2#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 17 Mar 2012 21:04:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>The Rockwall News</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Deaths]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Craig Bowers]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://therockwallnews.com/?p=14177</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ROYSE CITY &#8211; Royse City High School assistant principal Matthew Craig Bowers was killed in a spring break skiing accident Wednesday at Crested Butte CO. Bowers&#8217; funeral is set for 2:30 pm Sunday at Family Fellowship, 401 Division St. in Greenville, under the direction of Coker-Mathews Funeral Home. Rev. Randy Felder, Dr. Kelly Carr, Gary [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a class="highslide" onclick="return vz.expand(this)" href="http://therockwallnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/craig-bowers.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-14193" title="craig bowers" src="http://therockwallnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/craig-bowers.jpg" alt="" width="100" height="141" /></a></p>
<p>ROYSE CITY &#8211; Royse City High School assistant principal Matthew Craig Bowers was killed in a spring break skiing accident Wednesday at Crested Butte CO.</p>
<p>Bowers&#8217; funeral is set for 2:30 pm Sunday at <a href="http://ffgvl.com/" target="_blank">Family Fellowship</a>, 401 Division St. in Greenville, under the direction of Coker-Mathews Funeral Home.</p>
<p>Rev. Randy Felder, Dr. Kelly Carr, Gary Sprinkle, Calvin Davis and RCISD Superintendent Randy Hancock will be officiating. Interment will follow at Memoryland Memorial Park.</p>
<p>Visitation is from 6 to 8 pm today at the funeral home.</p>
<p>Bowers, 36, was a respected administrator with a bright future whose goal was to make a difference in the lives of students, said Hancock.</p>
<p>He graduated from Greenville High School in 1994 and received his master’s degree from Texas A&amp;M University-Commerce. He was currently employed as assistant principal at Royse City High School.</p>
<p>Before working at Royse City High, he worked several years as a Greenville High School junior English teacher and a basketball coach.</p>
<p>In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made in behalf of his young children to the Caden and Caroline Bowers Memorial Fund, at the American National Bank in Royse City.</p>
<p>For more information, see <a href="http://www.cokermathews.com/services.asp?page=odetail&amp;id=1028&amp;locid=">www.cokermathews.com</a>.</p>
<p>By J.J. Smith, Publisher</p>
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		<title>Rockwall Committee On Aging thanks restaurants, donors for holiday Meals On Wheels</title>
		<link>http://therockwallnews.com/2012/0105/featured/aging-2?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=aging-2</link>
		<comments>http://therockwallnews.com/2012/0105/featured/aging-2#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 05 Jan 2012 21:47:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>The Rockwall News</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Meals On Wheels]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rockwall Co. Committee On Aging]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://therockwallnews.com/?p=13793</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ROCKWALL &#8211; The Rockwall County Committee On Aging delivered 37,618 &#8220;Meals On Wheels&#8221; to local senior citizens in 2011. According to Board Member Kristy Bailey, when school is in session during the week, Rockwall ISD’s Quest Academy kitchen keeps busy preparing meals for a cadre of volunteers to pick up and deliver on their various [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a class="highslide" onclick="return vz.expand(this)" href="http://therockwallnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Meals-on-Wheels2.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-13794" title="Meals on Wheels" src="http://therockwallnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Meals-on-Wheels2-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a></p>
<p>ROCKWALL &#8211; The Rockwall County Committee On Aging delivered 37,618 &#8220;Meals On Wheels&#8221; to local senior citizens in 2011.</p>
<p>According to Board Member Kristy Bailey, when school is in session during the week, Rockwall ISD’s Quest Academy kitchen keeps busy preparing meals for a cadre of volunteers to pick up and deliver on their various routes. The volunteers use their own gas and time to make deliveries on a regular basis.</p>
<p>Holidays, however, are different, when Quest Academy is closed. That’s when generous business owners or civic groups donate the money needed to purchase meals from area restaurants, often at a reduced rate. The volunteers who do the delivery are often from service clubs.</p>
<p>“Our small staff works tirelessly to provide programs for our growing elderly population,” said Margie VerHagen, Executive Director. “One of the key elements is the sponsorship and delivery of holiday meals.”</p>
<p>&#8220;The RCCOA would like to thank the following participating restaurants and financial donors who made delivery of holiday meals possible this past Christmas.&#8221;</p>
<p>Restaurants:</p>
<ul>
<li>Taco Casa</li>
<li>CiCi’s Pizza</li>
<li>Lenny’s Subs</li>
<li>Culvers</li>
<li>NoNa’s Cafe</li>
<li>Zanata’s</li>
<li>El Chico</li>
</ul>
<p>Financial donors who made it possible included:</p>
<ul>
<li>Dr. Les Sandknop</li>
<li>Farmer’s Electric</li>
<li>Heart of Texas</li>
<li>Rockwall Breakfast Rotary</li>
<li>Dr. Buffington</li>
<li>Dr. Turner</li>
<li>Soroptomist Club</li>
<li>Kiwanis Club</li>
<li>Farmers Insurance</li>
</ul>
<p>Rockwall County Committee on Aging offers more than Meals on Wheels. Programs include the Diabetic Seminars, Caregiver Conference, Information and Referral, Benefits Counseling, Books-to-Go, and the popular Pet Food Program, where seniors get pet food for their cats and dogs.</p>
<p>For more information about the RCCOA programs, visit: <a href="http://www.rockwallmow.com/" target="_blank">www.rockwallmow.com</a> or call 972-771-9514.</p>
<p>By J.J. Smith, Publisher</p>
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		<title>Long-time Rockwall realtor Lance Holland passes away after long cancer battle</title>
		<link>http://therockwallnews.com/2011/1028/community/holland-2?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=holland-2</link>
		<comments>http://therockwallnews.com/2011/1028/community/holland-2#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 28 Oct 2011 18:59:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>The Rockwall News</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Deaths]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cancer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lance Holland]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://therockwallnews.com/?p=13235</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ROCKWALL &#8211; Long-time Heath resident and Rockwall area realtor Lance Holland passed away Tuesday after a long battle with cancer. According to his sister-in-law, Dana Cullins Macali, the new Rockwall Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, the 48-year-old co-owner of Regal Realtors passed away due to &#8220;complications from cancer.&#8221; Survivors include his wife, Saundra, and Heath [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a class="highslide" onclick="return vz.expand(this)" href="http://therockwallnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Holland-Lance.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-13236" title="Holland, Lance" src="http://therockwallnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Holland-Lance-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a></p>
<p>ROCKWALL &#8211; Long-time Heath resident and Rockwall area realtor Lance Holland passed away Tuesday after a long battle with cancer.</p>
<p>According to his sister-in-law, Dana Cullins Macali, the new Rockwall Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, the 48-year-old co-owner of Regal Realtors passed away due to &#8220;complications from cancer.&#8221;</p>
<p>Survivors include his wife, Saundra, and Heath City Council member and Home Bank banker Justin Holland, who has been one of the leading fundraisers for the American Cancer Society&#8217;s Rockwall Relay For Life for the past two year since his father was diagnosed with cancer.</p>
<p>His brother, Rod Holland, is also a well-known Keller-Williams realtor.</p>
<p>Funeral services will be conducted by Rest Haven Funeral Home this Saturday, Oct. 29, at 3 pm, at First Baptist Church of Rockwall, 610 S. Goliad, with the Rev. Mark Irons officiating. Interment will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Park.</p>
<p>The family will receive friends Friday, 6 to 8 pm, at the funeral home, 2500 State Hwy. 66 East, just east of Old Town Rockwall.</p>
<p>Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church, 3375 Ridge Road, Rockwall 75032.</p>
<p>For information, see his online Rest Haven funeral home obituary, including a slide show about his life under his photo, at</p>
<p><a href="http://www.resthavenfuneral.com/Obituaries/obituaries-detail.cfm?method=2&amp;id=1496">http://www.resthavenfuneral.com/Obituaries/obituaries-detail.cfm?method=2&amp;id=1496</a></p>
<p>By J.J. Smith, Publisher</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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