Who will stop Franklins' demise?

What irony that Ken Burns' tribute to our national parks was on PBS as bulldozers once again encroach upon the natural beauty adjoining the Franklin Mountains State Park.

Entire mountains in the region have been systematically slashed down, cut apart, gashed and stripped, and soon every approach to the state park may look like them and the mountain by McKelligan Canyon. Once this happens to the delicate ecosystem, there is no recovery.

As our national treasures have had to be protected in a continuing battle for over a hundred years, what can be done for the scenic natural treasures that make our city and region so special?

Where are the voices of those charged with protecting our city and mountains?

What power might come if all civic organizations, neighborhood preservation groups, social clubs, churches, school and university systems, Scout troops, nature and preservation societies, museums, businesses and concerned citizens joined together to say STOP before all that make our mountains and city so unique has been taken.

Can we prevent El Paso, once the Pass to the North, from becoming the Gash to the North?

Juawanna Newman

Lower Valley

Toll road

Please, someone, explain why the border highway was chosen as the first toll road in El Paso County.

Did anyone on City Council, the MPO or the Texas Department of Transportation study the demographics of the Lower Valley?

This demographic area is the lowest income

level and has the highest unemployment in El Paso County and the Border Highway has the lowest traffic count of any limited access highway in the city.

This decision does not make any common sense.

Dick Bowen

Lower Valley

Heat frustration

During the summer months, people in El Paso tend to show their frustrations with the heat, the children being home with "nothing to do," and whatever else occupies their time, by taking pot shots at anything and anyone. This is called writing letters to the editor.

Some of the letters are well-written, coherent, and intelligent on the subject matter. Sadly, however, most are just drivel, with no truism to them, just a way to "blow off steam."

Perhaps, if those who truly want to have their say, whether on political, social, economical, or personal issues, would inform themselves about what they want to say, we would all benefit from their views.

Citizens of El Paso need to get involved in their local government. You don't have to run for office or be out campaigning for a candidate to be involved.

Don't just watch City Council meetings on TV; make it a point to attend (that means physically be there). If you're there when an issue is being discussed and you don't understand what it's about, ASK the members of the City Council.

Educate and inform yourselves -- then write your letters.

Anita R. Cortes

Northeast El Paso

Editor's choice

Editor Chris Lopez defended his promotion of Britney Spears on the front page of the Times in order to gain new readership from her young fans.

Choosing the content of the paper based on the cultural and other preferences of potential and current subscribers must be sound newspaper business: the more subscribers, the more the paper can charge for advertising.

I therefore am not surprised that Mr. Lopez did not waste space by including a professional review of last weekend's El Paso Symphony Orchestra's program; the appeal of the latter attracted only a fraction of those who worship Britney.

And no matter that the latter might have judged that the expertise of the orchestra, the brilliance of Maestra Ioannides' conducting, the virtuosity of violinist Jennifer Koh, and the musical genius of the program's composers offered a bit more than Miss Spears.

But Mr. Lopez did allow a colorful but technically unqualified review of the symphony by Doug Pullen, a music critic who admits that he is no expert on classical music.

No businessperson here would find fault with Mr. Lopez's editorial choices unless they happen to contribute to both the symphony and the advertising revenue of the Times.

Robert E. Lingle

West El Paso

Hail damage

Since the recent hailstorm (windows still broken, stucco pelted by golfball-sized hail), neighbors are slowly placing claims to fix or repair damages to their homes.

I have to ask this question: The homes that are vacant and have hail damage, who is responsible for the repair and upkeep of these vacant homes?

It brings vagrancy and makes the neighborhood run down. Due to the recession, houses are already devalued. Let's not add to it by ignoring the obvious.

Diane Caisse

East El Paso