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August 17, 2003.
One very smart person told me recently that we are at a point here in Llano in which we must let go of the things that have happened to our school system, and now let our system work. That being the court system. The Attorney Generals’ office, the Auditors Office, the Comptroller’s Office, the TEA, the District Attorneys’ Office…have looked…all have found wrong- doing we think…the jury system will determine for sure.
But, the point is two things: 1. Our school will never be the same…for the reasons we think, and for the reasons which will be determined, butthere are now over 50 less people working in our schools today than there was this time last year. Our $1,700,000 of reserve monies are gone. Our Bond rating is next to “junk bonds”. Criminal or not by law…it was criminal. 2. We…the citizens...the teachers, administrators, coaches, fans, students, employees, school board members…we must move on. We have done our job, all in our own ways. The information was reported. It was turned over to the authorities, and now our job…is to move on. We will over come this. But some lives will always be different because of this. But, we must pick up and move on. If we don’t, LISD will not return to the school system that we once were all so proud. And few things bring a small county like Llano together like a school.
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Mada Beth Stewart West passed away this week. When I began the Llano Buzz in 2000, Mada was my first cheerleader. She came early, stayed late. We had so much fun, telling old tales of family history, and someway I am not for sure, our families were related. More important was her friendship.
Her passion for life and living is what I will always remember about Mada. When she took up a cause or issue, it was not a sometime thing. It was 100%. Same with her beautiful writings that she contributed to the Llano Buzz for two years. She entertained while she was recording history.
A few months ago, she received a 45-year award from The Merle Norman
Company, in which she sold their products for that many years here
in Llano. She was so
excited about that, but she wanted that 50-year award. Her heart was broken when
she took the information to the Llano Buzz and they deemed it to be advertising,
and wanted to charge her for the space. Mada called me crying. The Llano Buzz
ran a small article about it, but the Llano News ran her entire article. I want
to thank Jimmy Stephenson for that gesture to honor one of Llano’s best
ever.
Just last week Mada brought me both of here prized tapes that had recorded the
award ceremonies with Merle Norman. Mada was laughing so hard she could hardly
tell me what they were about.
I will always remember her laughing, for her passion for life was
what made Mada, whom she was…a great person, a great leader, and a delight
to have on your side, when life got tough. I think that is called friendship.
She was one of my best. I love you Mada.