JACKSONVILLE — I am writing this letter in response to a letter to the editor entitled “Goon Squad” in the Sunday, April 17, edition of the Daily Progress. I am appalled and outraged that the Daily Progress would print such an untrue and slanderous letter! Surely, the Daily Progress has better, informative, articles to place in their paper. This article reminds me of something one might read in a “tabloid” type paper.

I have been associated with and subscribed to the Daily Progress since 1966. I served as a delivery boy on the streets of Jacksonville on my bicycle while growing up there. I lived in Jacksonville and either my parents or I subscribed to the paper until 1988, at which time I moved to Rusk where I have continued my subscription until now. I am saying “until now” because I am considering dropping it because of the things printed in this letter.

I know this “person”, whom I refuse to name, had an opinion to express. The Daily Progress should have taken time to check out some of these accusations to see how untrue they are. Does the Progress print every letter to the editor they receive? Have you ever NOT printed one? If so, this should maybe have been one of those.

As a citizen of Rusk, having children graduate from there, I find it insulting that the author would make fun of our educational system. I know I am not alone in feeling this way. There are so many positives about our school system that I am not going to try to name them in this article. (Maybe the Daily Progress could send a reporter to check out some of these “positives”)

To accuse Dr. Largent by saying he sends out names of trustees to vote for at election time is ridiculous! What he does is send out an email to remind employees to vote for the candidate of their choice and lists ALL the names of those running for seats.

Not only does the Progress allow this author to slander the administration of Rusk ISD, but also allows him to make fun of the Board of Trustees who are elected, unpaid, volunteers? If the author of the “Goon Squad” would recall, he once ran for and was soundly defeated to become a member of this same Board of Trustees he is mocking! Maybe his article and opinions are just a case of plain old “sour grapes.” This is my opinion.

— Gary Robbins, Rusk