October 4, 2006

 

Chester Nolen
City of Cleburne
PO Box 677
Cleburne, TX 760dd

Re: The Cleburne Eagle News at the Library

Greetings:

It has come to my attention that the Cleburne Eagle News is no longer available in the Cleburne Public Library. The reason given by library staff was that the Eagle printed so many lies about the city and the administration that the city council decided it should not be available at the library.

I checked with Don Rice, owner/publisher of the Eagle. He said that he sends the library a copy every week at no charge.

Making the Eagle unavailable at the library constitutes censorship and discrimination. The Times-Review remains available.

This matter has never been raised or voted on at a city council meeting. I am sure the councilmen have better judgement than to vote for this type of censorship. I am sure the city attorney would advise them against such a vote.

Please advise me who initiated this policy, why it was initiated, and when the Eagle will be made available again in the Cleburne Public Library.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

 

Alden Nellis
603 S. Walnut
Cleburne, TX 76033
817-641-9646 (10-6 M-F)

cc with explanatory cover letter:

Texas Press Association
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott
County Attorney Bill Moore
CISD Superintendent Robert Damron
District Attorney Dale Hanna
Congressman Chet Edwards
Mayor Ted Reynolds
Texas Library Association
Councilman Sonny Russell
American Civil Liberties Union, Fort Worth Chapter
Councilman Kyle Boles
Banned Books Project,
ACLU Foundation of Texas
Councilman Robert Force
Councilman John Warren