Isn't it interesting that juvenile records aren't open to the public? Otherwise, we could know what really goes on. ("ACLU files TYC lawsuit on behalf of inmates" and "Profiles of the TYC plaintiffs" June 12 -- ed.)

I'm highly suspect that this story and the related ACLU Web site is severely biased. I think my first clue was when I read that the girl "accidentally" hit her teacher and was sent to TYC. I think we're not getting the whole story here, and I can't believe the ACLU has fallen for this!

A quick search on Google for TYC led me to the following: "The youth sent to the Texas Youth Commission (TYC) are the state's most serious or chronically delinquent offenders. In fiscal year 2007 (9/06-8/07), 39 percent of new arrivals had committed violent offenses, six percent higher than in fiscal 2006. Overall, 45 percent of new arrivals were categorized as high risk offenders, also a six percent increase from fiscal 2006. Forty-nine percent were in juvenile court on two or more felony-level offenses before being committed to TYC. Forty percent admitted to gang affiliation and approximately fifty percent have been sent to TYC by the courts for one of the following: simple assault, aggravated assault, aggravated robbery, robbery, evading or resisting arrest or escape."

If indeed they do find problems, of course fix them, but this just doesn't sound right. Thank God we have people who are willing to work with these kids!

Dawn Ogletree

Comanche

Reader raises concerns about road project

In the June 25 issue of the Abilene Reporter-News, it seems that the city of Abilene has decided to squander $60,000 of the Infill Development Fund for a relocation of the Maple Street exit from Loop 322.

This is a stretch of imagination to consider this project as an "infill." I thought infill meant to build in depressed areas of Abilene, not on Loop 322.

There will be many "unhappy customers," i.e. Mike Bounds Recovery on the corner, Union Texas LP, BML and Ingram Concrete, also the residents of the newly annexed Park Side, who will have to go all the way to Industrial to get back on Maple.

I guess what it boils down to is the money talks -- Centro Real Estate is not doing this to improve Abilene but to improve their bottom line.

I guess I should be pleased this will cut down on the tremendous traffic passing my house at 7101 Maple at speeds in excess of 70 mph.

R.W. Weeks

Abilene

Pedestrian bridges would benefit residents

The grassy voids that exist between the Winters Freeway and its respective service roads are beginning to resemble what I think the "Friendly Frontier" would look like.

At first, I'd complain about the ungroomed appearance of the landscaping but have recently gained an appreciation of the accidental charm that the "au natural" landscaping exhibits. Amid the high grass, the native West Texas shrubberies, the prairie dogs and other "wild life," there are footpaths that part the grasses from the high amount of pedestrian traffic alongside the service roads.

As a frequenter of AR-N's Web site, I'm familiar with the debates that occur about Abilene's need for sidewalks and other utilities that would accommodate our city's pedestrians and patrons to public transportation. Although it would be unrealistic for us to expect Abilene to lace her streets with sidewalks on every single street, there would definitely be a great gain for us to build sidewalks in key areas around town.

I propose our city consider erecting pedestrian bridges in a few spots that cut over the hazards of Highway 83/84 and its service roads, connecting the neighborhoods and businesses that are bisected by the highway between the Buffalo Gap Road and South 1st Street intersections. This would not only encourage walking to their destination across the freeway, but also help walkers avoid the dangerous intersections and speeding traffic alongside the roads.

Just imagine being able to walk to the Mall of Abilene from your home on Ivanhoe Lane, or biking to Dyess AFB from S. San Jose Street.

Anthony DeCicco

Abilene