Letters to the editor - Saturday (1-28-2012)

Maybe it’s time to hold fund drive for school office

In my 72 years, I have lived, worked and traveled over many parts of the United States, and I have to say that Rowan County tops the list of having the most dysfunctional governing bodies of any place I have been. What a joke.

The school board was duly elected by a countywide vote just as the county commissioners were. Why do the county commissioners (Raymond Coltrain excluded) think that it is their responsibility to run the schools also?

Additionally, why does everyone in the county feel that it is appropriate to dump their unwanted property on the school board for use as a central office? If they do not want it, why should the school board? Regarding the Salisbury Post’s buildings, why swap one set of high maintenance old buildings for another? The commissioners and Gary Page can find the money for any police, fire etc. request that comes before it ... wait, I take that back. Rescue Squad look out: you've made their hit list, too.

I was delighted when I read of the Robertson Foundation’s generous offer to assist the school system in obtaining its goal. With all the wealth in this county, maybe it’s time for some other donors to step forward and add their support for the schools and the elected school board. Maybe we should start a fund drive to raise the additional $3 million to build the building that the board wants. If I personally had the funds, I would give it to the board if for no other reason than to let Carl Ford know that no one elected him emperor, and Jim Sides to know that no one elected him king.

— D.C. Sink

Rockwell

South swimmers are tops

Congratulations to both the men’s and women’s swim teams at South Rowan for winning the county and conference titles this year. The men’s team has won the county title 10 consecutive years and the conference title three consecutive years. This says a great deal about the leadership the students have in Coach Greg Yanz and his assistants, Jacob Morton and Joe Gosha. They spend countless hours with the athletes and much more time “behind the scenes” to help make these athletes successful. I am grateful my sons have had the opportunity to be a part of this sport and for the privilege to learn under Coach Yanz and his assistants. The South Rowan YMCA is a tremendous help to our team, and I would like to thank Aaron Crowe for his good help and Dr. Don Knox, principal of South Rowan, for his support of the Raider swimmers.

Good luck to all the athletes still competing in the regional swimming events.

Go Raiders!

— Patricia Bettis

China Grove

Time for gas prices to drop

Come on, man! We’ve already been told that if the Iranians were to try to block the Strait of Hormuz, they would be obliterated. Gas prices should come back down to $3.10 to $3.08 per gallon, where they were. At least some of the Salisbury stations have kept their prices at $3.26 and $3.29. The greed really starts to shine at $3.53. Remember what the word says: “The love of money is the root of all evil.” Lord bless each of you.

— J.N. Spry

Faith