Category: Opinion

By Jeff Weinstein

The Athens City Council is expected to discuss the proposed street closing on Dul Averiett between Royal and Owen streets this coming Monday, March 28. If you want to be heard, I suggest you consider attending the City Council meeting. If you can’t make it, you might want to call City Hall and let them know how you feel. Here’s my top reasons why I’m in favor of the street closing. If you don’t agree, I’d like to hear your reasons that you are opposed.

Continue reading “Opinion: Reasons to support closing portion of Dul Averiett”

By Jeff Weinstein

In the wake of the San Bernardino terrorist shooting, privacy rights are front and center stage. Should Apple comply with a court order that basically requires it to create a software program to open a cell phone? A cell phone that was not owned by a terrorist involved in the shooting, but a relative of one of the terrorists. Before you read further, what’s your opinion – Yes or No?

We live in some interesting times. The writing is on the wall that the future will involve terrorist activity unlike anything we have known in the past. The old days of attacks every now and then somewhere else in the world may soon be coming to an end. The attacks on US soil appear to be something our grandchildren may consider the norm. Do I sound pessimistic about the future of our safety? Maybe I am. I still believe in the good in all of us and believe that we are truly blessed to live in the greatest country on the face of the planet.

Continue reading “Opinion: Should Apple have to comply with court order?”

By Steven Schiff/Special to HCN

I recently was invited by the Mabank Independent School District Superintendent to sit on a panel of three local citizens and interview six potential candidates (one teacher from each school in our district) for Mabank Independent School District Teacher of the Year. It was interesting that these six finalists were chosen by their peers to represent their particular school in hopes of securing the sacred crown of “Teacher of the Year”. Many of these teachers had even undertaken professional development for teachers to hone their skills as educators and transform their students’ learning experiences.

When I arrived early to the Mabank Independent School District Administrative Building, entered to conference room where the interviews were going to take place, I couldn’t help but think back to my days as a Special Education teacher in Willingboro, New Jersey.

Continue reading “Opinion: Teachers, strong and committed to excellence”

By Jeff Weinstein

A few weeks ago I received a summons to appear for jury duty. I’ve received seven or eight since becoming eligible. I’ve never been picked to serve and of course I know the reason why, but I wanted to share my experience anyway. This particular summons came from Judge Calhoon in the 3rd Judicial District Court. Judge Calhoon’s court covers not only Henderson County but Anderson and Houston counties as well. As a lawyer that has practiced before each of the county and district court judges, I can attest that we are lucky to have the quality of judges we have in Henderson County. Our judges are fair, respectful and mindful of our time – three really nice qualities that don’t necessarily exist in other places.

Continue reading “The importance of jury duty”