Published: September 04, 2008 12:57 pm            

Letters to the editor for September 4

Thanks to all who stepped up to help those fleeing hurricane

Once again, I have had the privilege to witness first hand the qualities and characteristics that transform a city into a community. Over this Labor Day weekend, I saw dozens of volunteers and workers come together to display the intangible and invisible things that define a communities spirit. I saw respect, compassion, charity and the generous nature of others given to our Texas and Louisiana neighbors who found themselves in harms way. Jacksonville brilliantly hosted more than 350 displaced residents of the Gulf Coast as a result of Hurricane Gustav.

I want to say 'thank you' to the many selfless people who gave of their time and resources to ease the burdens of those who were forced to leave the comfort of their homes to seek shelter in Jacksonville. A special thanks goes to First United Methodist, Central Baptist and Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic churches and all of their support personnel for a job well done. Also, thank you to Chief Rodney Kelley of the Jacksonville Fire Department who serves as the Emergency Management Coordinator and all city employees who participated in this operation.

It is times like these that exemplify the great nature of Jacksonville as a city and more especially as a community. On behalf of the Jacksonville City Council, thanks to all that stepped-up to meet the challenges of an uncertain weekend and for continuing to make our community the Star of East Texas.

Robert Haberle, DC

Jacksonville mayor

        

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