City secretary was a force

Russell always helpful

Regarding “Longtime city secretary had ‘absolute integrity’,” (A1, Feb. 4): Your story about Anna Russell was excellent. She was a fixture and a force at City Hall. As much as anyone, including mayors, she kept things on track, assuring that notices were posted properly, minutes prepared and approved, and she kept most aspects of Houston’s government running smoothly.

She was always helpful to members of City Council and our staffs. She had a small sign posted in her office for all to see: “Your lack of preparation doesn’t create an emergency for me!” Anna Russell was irreplaceable. One of a kind. She will be missed.

Jim Greenwood, Houston, City Council member at Large Position 3 (1981-1993)

Democrats’ incompetence

Regarding “Trump makes case for second term,” (A1, Feb. 5): Were there any doubts in any logical person’s mind as to the incompetence and lack of maturity of the current Democratic Party, one need only review the events of this week.

The colossal debacle in Iowa shows why they should not even have a seat at the table when discussing how to run a country, much less be given the opportunity to do so with a presidential nominee. Their inability to count votes shows they can’t even do something that has been done for over 250 years in this country. And that was on a much smaller scale.

And the reaction of the Dems over the impeachment reminds me of a 5-year-old child who insists on continuing the game because they are losing, even though time has expired.

But the ultimate display of immaturity manifested itself when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tore up the president’s speech at the conclusion of the State of the Union address.

Amazing.

Don McKinney, Cypress

I just listened to President Donald Trump’s promises for improving our health care system. That’s great because we’re sure going to need a better health care system when he has finished gutting all of our protections for clean air, unpolluted water and safe food. Maybe, if he fails, we can all learn to breathe, drink and eat the dollar bills he’s dangling under our noses.

Page S. Williams, Houston

Economic reckoning

Regarding “Deficit hypocrites,” (A14, Feb. 5): You were right to call out Republicans on their hypocrisy regarding the federal deficit. Despite decades worth of continual predictions of fiscal gloom and doom, none has yet to occur. But surely, one day, an economic reckoning will come.

As a cynical daily reader of your paper, however, I do admit suspicion of the motive and timing of the editorial. Democrats have never cared about deficits before.

And now that the impeachment fiasco is but the latest illustration of futility in taking down our president, something new must be presented to bash Trump and Republicans. So deficits it is I guess, at least until it becomes clear, just as it was with impeachment, that very few seem to care.

Raymond Ruiz, Manvel