Letters to the editor - Tuesday (1-24-2012)

Sunday blood drive a chance to share the gift of life

“Life is not about how much you get, but instead how much you share.” Hearing that quote tonight reminded me about the great feeling we get inside when we give to others. Have you noticed how the most “generous natured,” sharing people we know are so well loved? It’s January, but that doesn’t mean we should forget about “a season of giving.”

I am going to ask for a very special gift from each of you, and it won’t cost anything except an hour of your time. Please come to our community Red Cross Blood Drive on Sunday, Jan. 29, at Bethel Lutheran Church on East Ridge Road, Salisbury, between 1 and 5:30 p.m. We all have someone who at some point was helped by others who donated blood. Weren’t we thankful that there was an adequate blood supply to help them? Yes! I know my family was grateful when my grandfather, Henry Shuping, received blood transfusions when needed. A farmer, he was not wealthy, but always had lived his life like he was a good, rich king in terms of his generosity. Strangers, whom he never met, saved his life.

Thank you to the many, many wonderful people that help others (non-monetarily or monetarily) each day. If you have never given blood, you are being asked now. You never know if you are able, until you try. Please call Bethel’s church office to reserve a time that is convenient for you to come and give blood. Please call 704-636-0331 during week, or on weekend call 704-640-8839. One blood donation saves the lives of up to three people. Be a hero and save a life. Give blood at Bethel on Jan. 29. I hope you have a fantastic week, and remember what Aesop said: “No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted.”

Thank you and God bless.

— Lora Owen

Salisbury

Wasting lives and money

We have all observed the recent events concerning the proposed school administration building, and I have been amazed at all the time, effort and money being spent on this one issue.

I’m amazed because our current ranking statewide in performance of education is an unacceptable 112th out of 115 total school districts. Wouldn’t the money spent to hire an attorney/lobbyist to try and get this building resolution past the LGC (Local Government Commission) have been better spent in the classroom? If our School Board and administration spent as much time and dedicated themselves to the business of educating our children instead of this building, I firmly believe that we could raise our standing in the state.

Our teachers have been overworked, understaffed and forced to continue doing more and more useless paperwork while our administration turns their attention to brick and mortar. In the end, our children are the ones paying the price. Their lives can't be done over. Their education can't be put on hold. I think it’s time we all took a long, hard look at what we are getting for our tax dollars and decide if some changes aren’t in order.

— Craig Pierce

Salisbury

Tax hike proposal is appalling

When are we taxed too much? Regardless of your income, you should be appalled at our governor’s announcement last week in Charlotte proposing a “temporary” increase on the sales tax to support education. Do we really want to give more money to our state government? If you remember our governor elected in 1960 — “Food Tax Terry” — you will know there is no such thing as a temporary tax. (We are still paying for that temporary tax.) The governor says this is to support education, which is what we were told about the lottery. (How is that working for us?) And we see in our own county, millions of dollars are wasted on a centralized education system with too much overhead, while our schools thirst for funding, and teachers are let go. Regardless of your politics, I encourage you to remember who the politicians are that are working to transfer our income to the government, and vote them out this November. We are paying enough taxes. It is time for our governor to cut out centralized government spending and reduce taxes, or be replaced in November.

— Rodney Phillips

China Grove

Outside burning and air quality

In response to the article about air pollution in Rowan and the surrounding communitutes, the fact that people still burn leaves and other natural debris in Rowan County, even though legal, should be stopped. Lawmakers should address this issue. I find it very unpleasant to walk outside and breath in the layers of smoke accumulated from this open burning.

— Georgia Sorensen

Salisbury