Taft Texas was our home for over thirteen years. It's slogan is "The Friendliest Cotton Pickin' Town In Texas". The black land is very productive...when it rains. Not so, so far this year. It has also been a friendly town through the years. Not so, Saturday night. Following a stormy political time the last several years a new mayor was elected. A celebration broke out downtown Saturday night. Disgruntled losers made their appearance, and a riot ensued. A city councilwoman was arrested , along with the acting police chief. He was arrested by one of his own officers. Monday morning the City Manager fired the arresting officer. Lawyers and charges are lining up after this ridiculous turn of events. A blow-by-blow account is in Thursday's Caller-Times. All of this comes when Taft is in the spotlight for all the windmills cranking up to produce power and give the town some new life.
It is pathetically true that a few persons, with little regard for the history and good of a little town, can give it a " black eye", and make it a laughing stock before others. I have spoken at all kinds of city events, and even MC'd the Chamber of Commerce annual banquets. I have watched hard-working men and women give countless hours to their city to make it a better place. To see folks come along and grab leadership, and then proceed to undo all the work of many years is sad and tragic. I hope under new leadership they can pick themselves up and go again.Let's hope not-so-friendly Taft can regain the right to their slogan.
