Comments for San Marcos Mercury | Local News from San Marcos, Texas

Comment on Hays County activist O’Dell dies in motor scooter wreck by June Raleigh

June Raleigh — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 10:01:48 +0000

Frank: you show respect for your fellow human being whether you know him or not. That’s honorable. It’s something that is going to be ingrained in your mind and will have an impact on your life forever.

Comment on Texas State to remove bur oak tree at River House by Brad Rollins

Brad Rollins — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:54:27 +0000

This article has some information about the Kissing Oak and other local historic trees.

http://smmercury.com/20037/historic-local-trees-featured-in-photography-exhibit/

Comment on Hays County activist O’Dell dies in motor scooter wreck by Frank C. De Leon

Frank C. De Leon — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 04:10:36 +0000

I was in the vehicle immediately behind Dr. O’dell when he was struck and I can tell you without a doubt that he was wearing a helmet, gloves, a leather jacket and a fluorescent vest. I’d never met him but he has been in my prayers ever since. May God rest his soul and bless his family, friends and foes.

Comment on Texas State’s Tomás Morín wins American Poetry Review prize by Ray (Raymond) Hernández

Ray (Raymond) Hernández — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:03:16 +0000

Congrats Tomás! Last month, I was going through a few Southwest Texas State items from the 1997. I found a collection of short stories and poetry called “Persona”. We both have a poem included in it. Your poem was, “The Zebras of Manson Zoo”. I was proud to know you then and even more proud today. Adelante!

Comment on Hays County activist O’Dell dies in motor scooter wreck by Leah

Leah — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:01:31 +0000

Although I have seen Mr. O’dell post some outright hateful and distasteful comments, I will tip my hat to Charles, someone who at least cared enough about what he believed in and ACTED on those beliefs, day in and day out.

It is eerie that he and Mr. O Quinn both died in accidents that could have been easily prevented.

Comment on Texas schools chief’s remarks on testing draw blacklash by Tarl

Tarl — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:00:07 +0000

Great discussion. I love that Scott has opened this can of worms.

Comment on Hays County activist O’Dell dies in motor scooter wreck by AndyG

AndyG — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:42:03 +0000

Reports from friends who saw the scene immidately after it happened say that mr o’dell was not wearing a helmet. He was also doing a lot of things that bike riders never do. Why ride on Hopkins when safer alternatives like San Antonio, or Belvin streets are available ? Helmets save lives. I am constantly gently chiding my younger friends to wear helmets, and to have proper lights when riding their bikes at nite. I love riding my bike to do a lot of daily errands here in San Marcos. I ride on main streets some, but take any safer alternative that exists. I always wear my helmet. A helmet saved my life on a caving expedition in Oaxaca in 1989.

Tacky comments ? I guess it is repayment in kind. mr o’dell was never one to act properly , even when death was involved. Look up his comments after the chestnut street home invasion shootings or several other similar cases.

but now all that is over it is the past it’s history….time to move on

Comment on Hays County activist O’Dell dies in motor scooter wreck by Majesta Majorca

Majesta Majorca — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:47:44 +0000

Those of you posting tacky comments about Charles O’Dell really didn’t know Charles the way his friends and cohorts did, and that is too bad.

Charles garnered the ire of local politicians precisely because he called them on the carpet when he saw them serving themselves at the public trough. Too many people get themselves into public office and then turn on their constituencies in favor of the people who show up with money in hand and this is what we have all seen happen time and again.

Charles was not afraid of anyone and he never stopped trying to cajole our politicians, and the bureaucrats who actually do the day-to-day work of government, to stay honest in the face of financial temptation. He was (and still is) feared and disliked for the fact that he would get hold of public records (through Open Records requests) and show plainly what was going on behind the backs of the citizens.

This particular blog, and its flawed sense of what journalism is supposed to be, was always on his case, because their political darlings, like the Bartons, were the worst offenders. Charles saw through this local charade and called it as he saw it.

Charles O’Dell, for those of you who never met him, shared a beer or an afternoon with him, was a kind, compassionate, funny, caring, incredibly logical man whose intellect was beyond compare. His choice was to stay on a trail, despite the dangers to himself, and to track down malfeasance and outright corruption, which is rampant in this County. Now that he is not here to do this, others will need to step up and fill his shoes.

Charles was my friend, as he was to countless citizens of this County and beyond and the pathetic attempts by Brad Rollins or Jeff Barton or the tacky posters on this blog to defame this man….will fail, because the Truth Will Out….and Charles would not have had it any other way.

Comment on Hays County activist O’Dell dies in motor scooter wreck by AM

AM — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:37:55 +0000

I personally think the article was pretty tasteless and said many unnecessary and inappropriate things, especially now, so soon after Mr. O’Dell’s tragic death. I did not know Mr. O’Dell. But I knew his wife, Susan – an incredible woman who loved him deeply. I can’t imagine the pain, shock and heartache that she and her family must be going through now. It is sad for me to think that she had to see a story like this less than 24 hours after losing her best friend and husband, especially after losing him in such a tragic way. Yes, Brad Rollins and everyone else is entitled to their own opinions. But have some consideration and compassion for the people that have to read it so soon after this truly sad event – especialy those people that are directly affected by it.

Comment on Quaint B&B, happening bar fight for their lives by John Smith

John Smith — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:38:30 +0000

ANY proof whatsoever to back up your claim?
LMC once again is spreading false allegation. It is pathetic to see her and her husband around San Marcos with that camera. Go find a real job, couple! Let’s teach Lisa Marie Coppoletta a lesson Let’s sue her. Enough is enough!

Comment on Trustees postpone hiring new SMHS head coach by Mary

Mary — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:02:53 +0000

Also, you should read San Marcos Daily Record’s Sports Editor Randy Stevens’ opine about this school board decision. It’s about time that the SMDR covered something controversial.

Comment on Hays County activist O’Dell dies in motor scooter wreck by June Raleigh

June Raleigh — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:57:44 +0000

Charles Odell was the most self serving individuals in Hays County! He took pleasure in bringing anyone down who he disliked, and would prove his point by lying. Does anyone wonder why his conspiracy theories were never taken up by a legitimate news source? It’s because they were ALL made up in his mind. Many say he was an evil man and evil energy comes back around to haunt you. Maybe that’s true, but maybe he was just mentally off kilter. Hopefully the latter is how a higher being will judge him.

Comment on Trustees postpone hiring new SMHS head coach by Mary

Mary — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:45:21 +0000

Today our realignment was announced and we are in nearly the same position as before, except no Seguin to play AND no athletic director/football coach.

Now what? Tell me what we gained again by waiting? I see the job is posted on the SMCISD website. So there are lots of new people looking now that were not looking then?

Maybe Mr. Castillo wanted to wait to see where DelValle would be with this realignment. Now that DelValle is with Lake Travis, Westlake and Bowie – lots of his friends may be looking to move to San Marcos.

Comment on Trustees postpone hiring new SMHS head coach by Capt Piggy Pearch

Capt Piggy Pearch — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:33:57 +0000

Well supposedly they were waiting on the realignment to occur to see what would shake down. Soza from Alice was a favorite but he wanted to bring more people than the board wanted plus he wanted to see what would happen down there. Now that Callallen has left Alice’s District it makes Soza’s job easier and he will not be coming this way. So my bet is the original reccomendations will take place at the next meeting.

I really hope Chiu is out this next election. His grandchildren do not attend public school in the district and are planning on going to San Marcos Academy when they reach that age.

Comment on Hays County activist O’Dell dies in motor scooter wreck by AndyG

AndyG — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 03:54:38 +0000

The World will little note
Nor long remember what he had to say,
most of it was lies anyway

Comment on Hays County activist O’Dell dies in motor scooter wreck by Cameron

Cameron — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 03:46:28 +0000

De mortuis nihil nisi bonum, because you too will be there one day, and unable to defend yourself. And karma is a big fat bit@h.

Comment on Hays County activist O’Dell dies in motor scooter wreck by Dano

Dano — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 03:15:52 +0000

I disagree. I don’t think its any more acceptable for a poster to trash someone in commentary on an article than it is for the author to do so in the article itself. Either way, the spirit behind the attack is the same and either way it’s out there for everyone to read.

The Internet is, after all, a breeding ground for impolite discourse. If you think this is bad, you should see what was said about Joe Paterno after his passing a couple weeks back….

Comment on Hays County activist O’Dell dies in motor scooter wreck by Catherine

Catherine — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:19:07 +0000

I am so sad to hear of Dr. O’Dell’s death. I was very fond of him, and also admired him. I find the tone of this article unconscionable. And there is a difference between what people might say in comments, and what a JOURNALIST says. RIP Charles, and my sympathies to Susan O’Dell and all who loved him.

Comment on Hays County activist O’Dell dies in motor scooter wreck by Morris

Morris — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:53:01 +0000

I hope that the young woman Amber Land understands how comforting she must have been to the man as he lay injured on the ground.

Comment on Texas schools chief’s remarks on testing draw blacklash by MikeO

MikeO — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:53:57 +0000

edit – that should have been:

Poor test results can mean a lot of things: the student did not learn; the teacher did not teach; the test was not accurate; or a combination of all of these.