As America prepares to mark in remembrance the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., let us do so with a sober, abstemious (self-disciplined) mind. National sentiments and emotions seem somber and saddened as we approach sixty years since the March on Washington and the momentous “I Have a Dream” speech. The logic and reasoning of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. have outlived most hearers of his words that day in 1963, and they will continue to live on as an engrafted root of this great nation.
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” I can hear Andy Williams singing his signature Christmas carol—it is one of my favorites. “With the kids jingle belling and everyone telling you, ‘Be of good cheer,’ it’s the most wonderful time of the year! … There is no holiday season I enjoy more than I do Christmastime. The sights, the sounds, the smells—all invoke memories of past celebrations with family and friends and promises of those to come. Traditional remembrances, both secular and religious, round out the experience as the new year approaches.
As we come to the end of the year, inevitably our focus will begin to shift toward our goals for 2023. But before we make our New Year’s resolutions, let’s pause to look back and appreciate all that 2022 has brought us. Building, dreaming, and improving are the tenets of our community and this year did not disappoint.
You do not have to be an economist to notice that it takes a lot more dollars to purchase the same goods or services today than it did just six months ago; six months ago, things cost noticeably more than they did 12 months ago; one year ago, they cost noticeably more than they did in a world before COVID-19. As the pandemic came to a slow roll, it is as if someone threw jet fuel on inflation, which has gobbled up all previous financial gains and increases. … Recent governmental numbers reveal an overall across‑the‑board inflationary increase of 9.1% from June 2021 compared to June 2022.
Texarkana Independent School District (TISD), the largest school district in our region, proudly features programs that encourage students to innovate, lead, and excel while in educational settings with the specific intention to prepare them for highest achievement as they enter the world following graduation. … On November 8, members of the TISD community will have the opportunity to vote for two school bond propositions. Both include renovations and additions to TISD facilities that were intensely studied and researched during TISD’s strategic planning initiative:
VOTE NOVEMBER 8th … FEDERAL … U.S. House of Representatives, Arkansas District 4 … The United States House of Representatives, is the lower house of the U.S. Congress. Each state receives representation in the House in proportion to its population but is entitled to at least one representative. … Gregory Maxwell (L) Bruce Westerman (R) John White (D) … U.S. Senate … The Senate is the upper house of the U.S. Congress.
VOTE NOVEMBER 8th … FEDERAL … U.S. House of Representatives … Texas has a new 38-district congressional map that incorporates two new House seats, which the state gained due to its population growth. … U.S. House of Representatives, Texas District 4 … Pat Fallon (R) Iro Omere (D) Josh Simmons (L) … U.S. House of Representatives, Texas District 1 … Nathaniel Moran (R) Jrmar “JJ” Jefferson (D) … STATE … Governor … The governor is the chief executive of the state of Texas and is elected by the citizens every four years.
The November 2022 ballot will include two bond proposals for consideration by Texarkana ISD voters. TISD is committed to informing residents about the purpose of bond elections and the specifics of these measures. … A school district’s tax rate is composed of two components, the first of which is the maintenance and operations budget (M&O). It funds recurring expenses such as teacher and staff salaries, supplies, and utilities. … The second component is the interest and sinking budget (I&S), also known as Debt Service.