Letters to the Editor

LTE: Urgent financial measures needed for DISD 

Decatur ISD is in a financial crisis due to state funding not increasing in five years despite a significant rise in educational costs and a large state surplus. Local taxpayers feel the burden as transportation, utilities, insurance, and maintenance expenses escalate without state support. But DISD’s own spending decisions have also played a significant role. Administrative salaries have risen. Budgets […]

LTE: Rhome needs strong leadership

Are you ready for the nonsense and endless fighting in Rhome to stop? Are you ready for an adult to take charge? Are you ready for Rhome to get it together so we can take care of business and get this city moving forward? Well, I am more than ready. Rhome has the wrong reputation in the Wise County community. […]

Letter to the Editor

Craig Johnson for sheriff This letter is in support of Craig Johnson for sheriff. In my opinion, Lane Akin is the finest and most honest man in Wise County. He recommends Craig. Plus, Craig has done a great job as chief deputy and he knows the workings of the office well. The other men in the race are good people […]

Letter to the Editor

Which candidate is beholden to PACs On Feb. 1, 2024, the Messenger published an article, ostensibly about a county sheriff candidate taking a donation from a Political Action Committee (PAC) called Defend Texas Liberty. Oddly, given the title of the article, it also noted that a candidate running against Lynn Stucky for Texas House District 64 (Wise County’s district) took […]

Letter to the Editor

Sheriff vouches for candidate Craig Johnson and I first worked together in 1993. He was a brand new Wise County Deputy, and I was the Texas Ranger assigned to Wise, Jack and Montague Counties. Twenty-three years later I was elected Sheriff. I needed a Chief Deputy, someone who could be the next Sheriff, someone who could step in and seamlessly […]

LTE: Vote for problem solvers

As I was paying my property taxes Jan. 17, a lady came in and started ranting, at first towards the heavens. She attracted a listener. There is a time and place for everything. The time for property protest was back in May and if not satisfied, file for arbitration. I did and received a sizable reduction. I come across a […]

LTE: A call to support DISD Place 6 candidate

I‘m writing this letter in support of Matt Joiner for Decatur ISD School Board Place 6. Working alongside Matt at Weatherford College Wise County gave me a firsthand view of his exceptional leadership qualities. This was evident in his relationship with students, faculty and staff alike. His open communication kept us all in the loop on upcoming changes, and he […]

LTE: A message to DISD voters

As a retired Decatur ISD Assistant Superintendent and lifelong resident with grandchildren in the district, I wholeheartedly endorse Dr. Matt Joiner for Place 6 on our board of trustees. Matt has excelled from his beginnings on the summer yard team in the early 2000s to his notable achievements as DISD’s Teacher of the Month. His impactful teaching at Rann Elementary […]

LTE: Takeaways from the forum

On Jan. 4, the Wise County Conservatives hosted a Republican Candidate Forum in Decatur to give constituents a chance to hear from candidates running for offices on spring ballots including the Texas House Congressional District 64 which includes Wise County and the northwest part of Denton County. Oddly, the incumbent, Lynn Stucky, chose not to show up. Andy Hopper and […]


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