The Texas Baptist Men (TBM) was called by Murphy’s First Baptist Church pastor Dr. Don Cole to cut down trees located on their property that connected to McMillen High School’s property.

The trees were deemed “Dangerous, ugly and dead” by Pastor Cole. An agreement was formed with PISD that if the church arranged for the trees felling, then the school district would provide a dumpster and remove the trees. Concern over the trees falling on parked cars or cars traveling through either parking lot or falling on a passerby instigated the tree removal.

Do you have an opinion on the proposed North Murphy Road (Murphy Middle School) underpass/overpass/crossing that you can format into a “pro” or “con” for publication?? The Messenger would like to hear your views.

Please send your comments to:? Marcia@murphymessenger.com

Submitted by:? Kathleen Lockwood, Murphy Resident



Mr. Sanderford"s Press Release appearing on the Messenger’s website is lacking the facts.? PISD does not bus kids within a 2 mile radius anywhere in PISD, unless they meet the "Fair Guidelines and Procedures".? He is misleading the public in a big way with his article.??

Currently the students are getting free bus service to Murphy Middle School because they meet the unsafe guidelines because there are no sidewalks along Murphy Road.? After the road is widened, there will be sidewalks, which will qualify it as a safe road to school, ending "free" busing.

?Mayor Baldwin is not changing anything already in place, but is giving the kids within the restricted 2 miles a safer way to school!? Mr. Sanderford is?either lying for political gain, or HE failed to do the research on the subject, and simply decided to attack the Mayor.? Which is it Mr. Sanderford?? You can find this information on the PISD website under the transportation section.
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Mr. Mayor, thank you for taking the initiative to get our city funding to help with projects.? As a citizen I appreciate your efforts.?
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As for Mr. Sanderford wanting to review the application before it was submitted, micro-managing the effort to get funding, and issuing his own press release...did he take that same hard stance when our City Manager and Chief were running a muck in our city bringing in criminals to our streets for a TV show?? I must have missed that press release!
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Here is the transportation guideline and the "Fair Guidelines and Procedures"? straight from the PISD website:?

The State of Texas defines the parameters in determining whether or not a student is declared eligible for regular education school bus transportation. In general, a student must live 2-miles or more from their assigned school to be eligible for regular education school bus transportation at no additional charge. This is measured from the midpoint of your property to the bus loading area adjacent to the door at your student's assigned school by using the shortest possible distance on public roads.

For students who are not eligible for regular transportation to their assigned school, Plano ISD offers a Fare Busing program on a space available, area available, first come first served basis. The cost is $35 per month per student. Enrollment instructions are listed below.

Important note: There are 14 of our elementary schools and 1 middle school where all students live within 2-miles of the school. Because of this, these schools do not offer home-to-school transportation, including Fare Busing in most cases, for any regular education students. The schools not offering regular education home-to-school transportation are Andrews, Bethany, Christie, Daffron, Davis, Forman, Haun, Hedgcoxe, Hightower, Hughston, Mathews, Meadows, Memorial, Robinson and Thomas.

To read further about PISD transporation guidelines, click on "Full Story."