Letters for February 22
Concerned about Blue Bell Park seating areas
I would like to say that the new Blue Bell Park at Olsen Field is a great venue, but we have a seating opportunity that needs to be addressed.
The upper deck of the 1st base side used to be for general admission; now it is for students only. Because of this, the only place that the public with general admission tickets can sit is in the grassy knoll area or standing room only area, not seats. Unfortunately, this just came about over the past week or so and the change was poorly communicated, if at all.
The 12th Man Foundation seating chart at the ticket office (same as last year) still shows this as general admission area with no mention of students only. If communicated in advance, the general public could have made other seating plans. I understand the student seating idea, however in 90 percent of the games, this upper deck area is only half full with students. The other half has been filled for a long time by former Ags in for the weekend and locals who have been sitting up there for years, supporting the team while helping to create Olsen Magic.
There has never been any mentioned of the former seating arrangements being an issue. In fact, it appears to mix well and work out well. The long-time supporters, both former Ags as well as locals, deserve better. I hope someone addresses this.
Omaha Here We Come.
JIM BRYANT
College Station
Brazos Valley Symphony deserved its ovations
The Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra on Sunday presented a stunning performance of The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi and the Four Seasons of Buenos Aires by Astor Piazzolla.
The solo violin in each was played by Lara St. John, a world-class violinist. St. John, conductor Marcelo Bussiki and the members of the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra richly deserved the two standing ovations given them. It was truly a world-class presentation.
The orchestra also performed Eric McIntyre's Shrouded Reminiscence. It was a superb performance. The Brazos Valley is blessed by having such a talented orchestra.
JOHN ELLISON
College Station
No surprise that Perry is not often in his office
It should not be a surprise of Gov. Rick Perry's office time (Eagle, Feb. 20). After all he retired, in 2011.
Five months later he signed a bill that required retiring teachers to have a 12-month break before returning to a full-time position of teaching.
Maybe Perry's presidential campaign was the break, but he continued to collect his governor's salary.
RON HAYS
College Station
Thank you for Sheriff's Office's quick response
We would like to say a big thank you to the officers with the Brazos County Sheriff's Office. We had an intruder at our farm shop, prompting a call to the Sheriff's Department.
Even though we are located in the very southern part of Brazos County, the officers were on the scene in a matter of just a few minutes.
They stayed and searched our barns and outbuildings until they were confident the threat was over for us and our property.
We are all fortunate to have these dedicated people.
TED HIGGINBOTTAM
JOHNNIE OSBORNE
Higginbottom Farms
Brazos County
Houston Baptist starts its first football program
I know it is not football season, but I want to inform readers of the advent of a new college football program.
My alma mater, Houston Baptist University, will field a team in 2014. A nationwide search for the Huskies' first football coach is ongoing.
On Nov. 21, Houston Baptist University marked a new era when it accepted an invitation to join the prestigious Southland Conference, along with Sam Houston State University, Stephen F. Austin State University, Lamar University, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and others.
Houston Baptist University opened its doors in the fall of 1963 and graduated its first class in May 1967. I am a member of that first class.
DAN BATES
College Station
