Reporter-News Online: 'Brazos' Bill Whitaker
Sunday,
June 16, 2002 --
Columnist bids adieu (Bill Whitaker)
In a sun-baked West Texas town born of the railroad, where
the interstate never sleeps and trees never fully hide the far
horizon, the open road always beckons. (Bill is now plying
his trade at the Waco Tribune-Herald.)
Sunday,
June 9, 2002 -- City manager was gruff but insightful
(Bill Whitaker) In
a strong democracy where fighting City Hall is practically a national
pastime, city managers are seldom mourned upon their departures
or deaths.
Sunday,
June 2, 2002 -- Hall of Fame reminds us to look inward
(Bill Whitaker) Ordinarily,
the fact that a big, boisterous, colorful city like Fort Worth
is just a lasso's throw away from Abilene might seem reassuring.
But this month its proximity is leaving Abilene boosters feeling
a little hog-tied.
Sunday,
May 26, 2002 -- City leaders must resolve local dogfight
(Bill Whitaker) For
all the animosity in this dog-eat-dog world of ours, few Abilenians
expected Rescue the Animals to attack the city animal shelter
and the woman who runs it.
Sunday,
May 19, 2002 -- Joe Stamey symbolized
the joys of learning (Bill Whitaker) If any other distinguished
professor of philosophy and religion had been eulogized to the
strains of Bourbon Street Parade at St. Paul United Methodist
Church, devout Abilenians might have deemed it an outrage, even
sacrilegious.
Sunday,
May 12, 2002 -- State law often ignored
at local level (Bill Whitaker) Nestled amid the splendor of
the Hill Country 26 miles north of Austin, Georgetown boasts many
amenities, including its Red Poppy Festival, an Inner Space Cavern
and Southwestern University.
Sunday,
May 5, 2002 -- West Texas politicos offer
lively footnotes (Bill Whitaker) Pundits labeled this spring's
Abilene school board election one of the most critical in our
city's 121-year-old history, but let's face facts.
Sunday,
April 28, 2002 -- Chamber president had
heart in right spot (Bill Whitaker) Several weeks have passed since
Abilene Chamber of Commerce president Charlie Dromgoole announced
he was putting Abilene in his rearview mirror, but his imminent
departure has yet to fully sink in.
Sunday,
April 21, 2002 -- PR spot reflects schools
troubles (Bill Whitaker) One
of the cruel ironies coloring the brief tenure of Abilene public
schools information officer Jim Biggerstaff is that the biggest
headline he served up to local news media was his own demise.
Sunday,
April 7, 2002 -- State tax isn't rallying
the troops (Bill Whitaker) If
Lt. Gov. Bill Ratliff hopes to make up for his so-called Robin
Hood plan by proposing a statewide property tax to address school
finance woes, he'll find little merriment greeting it.
Sunday,
March 31, 2002 -- Geologist kept faith
in the land (Bill Whitaker) When
a geologist sees a rock, he thinks of continental plates, geological
faults, fossils, massive blocks of time and fierce pressure. When
I see a rock, I think of John Chalmers.
Sunday,
Feb. 17, 2002 -- In dark times, a mere song can uplift
(Bill Whitaker) Mention
Home on the Range and you immediately think of some lonely cowboy
serenading cattle in a land where skies are not cloudy all day.
Nobody, however, thinks of David Guion.
Thursday,
Feb. 14, 2002 -- A Lasting Match: Newspaper
feature draws Abilene duo into marriage (Bill Whitaker) Faye Showalter was
a cynic about lonely-hearts columns. She still is. But today she
has less cause for complaint.
Sunday,
Feb. 10, 2002 -- Fiscal strategy topsy-turvy
on home front (Bill Whitaker)
Hear the one about the door-to-door stockbroker? Its no
joke. Its 21st-century reality.
Friday,
Feb. 8, 2002 -- Historical panels
chief steps down (Bill Whitaker) At age 79, Taylor County
Historical Commission chairman Jack Holden says hes history.
Sunday,
Feb. 3, 2002 -- A Leading Role:
Local blacks often take skills elsewhere (Bill Whitaker) Whatever true
leadership entails, Kim Roach has plenty to spare. During rehearsals
of an Essence of Ebony theatrical production, the black Abilene
Christian University marketing major is never loud, never abrasive,
yet consistently straightforward and clear in her direction.
Sunday,
Feb. 3, 2002 -- West Texas shaped black
leader (Bill Whitaker)
Of the many native-born Abilene blacks who left town for greener
pastures, few proved as great a loss to our city as Rickey Childers.
Thursday,
Jan. 31, 2002 -- Leading a Dogs
Life: Special fund set upfor retired police dog (Bill Whitaker)
City
officials lavished praise on a former city employee Tuesday, much
to the delight of the honoree. At least, they think he was delighted.
Sunday,
Jan. 20, 2002 -- Meteorologist enjoys
blowing with the wind (Bill Whitaker) Life in arid, dusty, drought-stricken
West Texas the past few years might have seemed pleasingly simple
for KTXS-TV chief meteorologist George Flickinger.
Friday,
Jan. 18, 2002 -- Variety has
spiced up Abilenian's ventures (Bill Whitaker) For a crusty,
91-year-old geezer nicknamed "Toad," longtime Abilenian
C.D. Leon might seem as far removed from today's business mainstream
as yesterday's filling station is from Enron. Think again.
Sunday,
Jan. 13, 2002 -- Ex-mayor understands
Beckham bid (Bill Whitaker) Other
than the candidates themselves, probably no Abilenian has viewed
the upcoming, already divisive 17th Congressional District race
with more interest than former Mayor Gary McCaleb.
Sunday,
Jan. 6, 2002 -- Evangelist left fine example
to follow (Bill Whitaker)
Whether you call yourself optimist or pessimist, ones logic
just naturally dictates 2002 has to be better than 2001.