Letters – FSA elections and Martindale grants

FSA County Committee nomination period begins

To the Editor:

It is that time of year again. The Farm Service Agency (FSA) 2016 County Committee Elections begin soon. Your FSA county committees are a vital and direct link between our farm community and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

I encourage all eligible farmers and ranchers, e

specially women, minorities, and beginning farmers, to get involved by making a nomination and voting in this year’s county committee elections. This is a great podium for your concerns and opinions to be heard. Don’t miss this opportunity.

Your concerns can reach the decision makers if you do not happen to become a committee member yourself. FSA county committees operate within official federal regulations so local input is provided on federal programs such as:

• Income safety-net loans and payments, including setting county average yields for commodities
• Conservation programs
• Incentive, indemnity, and disaster payments for some commodities
• Emergency programs
• Payment eligibility

Your knowledge and experience can assist your community by keeping them thriving and informed. We need to hear from you. You won’t have to watch things happen while other decision-makers affect your business. You will be a part of the process to ensure your concerns are addressed. Why sit on the sidelines when you can run with the ball?

The nomination period begins June 15 and runs through August 1. You can nominate yourself or anyone of legal voting age who participates or cooperates in an FSA program.

Visit Nomination forms and other information can be found at www.fsa.usda.gov/elections.

Forms must be postmarked by close of business Aug. 1.

Judith A. Canales

USDA Texas Farm Service Agency State Executive Director

Reader objects to Martindale grant

To the Editor:

Recently Bluebonnet Electric announced grants of $1.2 million to 42 deserving non-profits.

I was chagrined to read that among the recipients was the City of Martindale, which was awarded

$24,832 by Bluebonnet and LCRA for the purchase of a patrol vehicle.

Really, for Martindale, a known speed trap?

According to a study by Aren Cambre, Martindale collected $5,496,670 for writing 44,442 tickets between the years of 2000-2008. How many more millions did they collect between then and now? What do they have to show for it?

Martindale may be a little strapped for cash because the State Comptroller, after an audit, identified Martindale as collecting too large of share of their City budget from speeding tickets. The Comptroller sent Martindale a bill for $573,000 payable out of sales tax receipts.

How many of you lament the fact you were caught driving 51 in a 50 mph zone in Martindale? How many of you think they should get a patrol vehicle?

Bluebonnet, the next time Martindale comes calling with their hat in hand, I urge you to grant them a one year supply of donuts and a horse.

Robert L. Peters

Maxwell