ustxtxb_obs_1983_02_25_50_00003-00000_000.pdf

Mark White, who has shown a knack for being in the right place Pt the right time, was briefly pressed into duty to help fight the Capitol fire. Thumbs-up for the Governor Pho to by Ra n dy Re ines this education package that is so important to all of San Antonio. COPS has changed the face of San Antonio. Much of what COPS has done in the past has taken us from the past to the present. Much of what it is doing now will take us into the future.” There was applause. Cisneros smiled, waved, and started to walk back to his seat when he was summoned back to the front by Ms. Luna. As if she were a firm, but sympathetic, schoolteacher speaking to an errant pupil, Luna said, “We have been on opposite sides on many issues.” Cisneros smiled. Luna continued, “We know you have been in Austin backing highways.” Cisneros gulped. Luna then asked Cisneros to write a letter to White, Lt. Governor Hobby, and House Speaker Lewis, asking them to make education their first priority. Cisneros was visibly taken aback. “You want me to write a letter?” he asked. Luna nodded. Cisneros said, “I’ll write it. I’ll do anything you say.” Representative Berlanga was then asked to come to the front of the room to offer his support. He began.reading a speech addressed to “County Judge Albert Bustamante, Mayor Cisneros, and Madam Chairman.” The speech extolled the virtues of Gib Lewis, adding “Speaker Lewis reiterates his commitment to education. . . . Speaker Lewis understands your concerns and is a sensitive individual. . . . Speaker Lewis understands that you are politically astute and can understand the political process,” etc. He went on to praise Lewis’ appointments of Mexican Americans to committee posts and his restructuring of the appointments process. “I believe Speaker Lewis and I believe in Speaker Lewis,” Berlanga said, at which point he was interrupted by Sonia Hernandez, who said, “We’ll believe in Speaker Lewis, too, when our education package is passed, and that’s what we’re looking for.” Berlanga did not reply. He did not even acknowledge that she had spoken, except by looking annoyed. He picked up reading where he had left off, saying how, as speaker pro tem, he was now “allowed on the inside” and how Mark White’s putting education first on his agenda would allow them to deal “with money on the table and not after it’s been spent.” Berlanga folded up his speech and smiled nervously as a cheer went up from the back of the room: “Equal Education Now!” Soon the entire audience was on its feet, clapping and shouting, Cisneros and Berlanga with them. Two COPS members then produced a huge telegram, mounted on 6 ft. by 10 ft. stretchers, addressed to White, Hobby, and Lewis, reading: “The collective voice of San Antonio joins the COPS voice to say ‘The COPS education package is San Antonio’s Number One legislative priority in the 1983 session. More equal aid is essential or San Antonio will, not grow and prosper. We ‘call on your continued active support of this legislative package.’ ” Sonia Hernandez asked Berlanga to be the first to sign. He seemed to panic, ran up and grabbed the microphone to reiterate his support for education, and, after much prodding, finally signed the telegram. He was followed by Cisneros, members of the city council, and assorted others. Following the meeting, COPS education chair Lynn Stewart told the Observer that an education equalization bill is being finalized for introduction by a member of the Mexican American legislative caucus. G. R. We’ve had our differences with Mark White in the past and no doubt we’ll have them in the future, but overall we’ve been pleased by his first few weeks in office. We applaud his appointments . particularly his attention to women and minorities his emphasis on higher teacher pay, his willingness to wade into Public Utilities Commission reform \(though we question his proposal to elect PUC commisand enthusiasm are also refreshing, whether he’s fighting fires at the Capitol, leading reporters on hikes to find people down-and-out in Austin, or taking the time and making the effort to respond to reporters’ questions Faulk Has No Regrets Austin Listening to John Henry Faulk speaking to enthusiastic supporters at a party in Austin a week before the election, it was easy to get caught up in th6 excitement, to be seduced by his enthusiasm. We had endorsed him, of course, and maybe, just maybe, his long-shot candidacy would catch on; maybe he would articulate the issues in terms so plain and sensible that Phil Gramm would at least be forced into a runoff. But that was Austin, among loyal and devoted friends. In Corsicana a few days later, Sixth District realities were more obvious. Here on the winter-brown lawn of the Navarro County courthouse was Austin folksinger Bill Oliver strumming his thoroughly and honestly. The era of good feelings may not last, of course, but for now we’re encouraged. Along with environmentalists from all over the state, we’re hoping that the governor appoints former Land Commissioner Bob Armstrong as chairman of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission to replace Fort Worth oil millionaire Perry Bass. Bass’ six-year term on the commission expired this month. Armstrong said he was “astounded” to learn he was being considered, but he told White he would accept the appointment if it is offered. White said he was considering Armstrong “for a great number of positions,” including Parks and Wildlife.. J. H. THE TEXAS OBSERVER 3