Letters - Tuesday (9-15-09)

Questions are part of official's duties

I would like to respond to the editor's assertion in Saturday's Post that the County Commission's reception to business is sometimes "prickly" — in particular my questions about the proposed Christmas light display in Rowan's Summit Corporate Center.

Of interest, the Post had earlier mentioned there were questions about this proposal that needed to be answered and there was an expectation that the County Commission would ask.

As example I had continued to ask, how many deputies would be needed to regulate traffic? Why collect the admission fee at the end? What if someone refused to pay? Why not offer reduced admission prices Monday-Thursday to reduce overcrowding on weekends and make it more affordable for a wider range of families?

Even with a 5-0 vote initially, Mr. Mike Miller abruptly announced at the last county commission meeting that he was withdrawing. He blamed me personally. Mr. Miller insisted that a county commissioner is not "business friendly" if asking about his profits even though he would be using county assets. Remember, Summit Corporate Center was developed with over $9 million in taxpayer funding and has restrictive covenants. Mr. Miller has stated publicly that he was doing this out of the "goodness of his heart" and yet he stood to gain many thousands for marketing purposes from Mid-West. He was unable to answer questions about concessions or other income areas although Uncle Sam would likely require answers.

In essence, I believe that it is my responsibility to be prepared and ask pertinent questions. Business professionals who are confident in their proposal can withstand any question and will come through rock-solid. On the other hand, questioning will most always reveal poor planning — hence, cut and run or point and blame.

— Tina Hall

Mount Ulla

Tina Hall is a member of the Rowan County Board of Commissioners.N.C. has problems

Regarding Shavonne Potts' Sept. 11 column "Message to South Carolinians: Just stop talking":

Please spare us your whining about being embarrassed by some of your South Carolina folks. We North Carolinians aren't impressed by idiots who speak out of turn, ignorant beauty queens or governors who can't keep their pants zipped. We have a proud tradition of politicians who have total, absolute contempt for us and the rule of law.

Our former speaker of the N.C. House, Jim Black (D), is in the slammer for paying bribes — and that's just what he admitted. Two other Democrats who held statewide office, Meg Scott Phipps and Jimmy Green, did their time for corruption crimes. So the culture of complete arrogance is alive and well in North Carolina.

Now our recent governor, Mike Easley (D), is under investigation for some bad judgments, but he hasn't been convicted of anything yet. And his wife is certainly entitled to anything she wants, plus a highly paid state job, at your expense, right?

Our former senator and VP candidate, John Edwards (D), is a low-life, liar, lawyer and adulterer. He is under federal investigation for misuse of funds. So how about this? As a show of our compassion for you South Carolinians, we'll send him to you. He's from there anyway, so you can have him back. Then you'll have someone you truly can be embarrassed to claim. But there's a catch — he's kind of out of a job right now, so the University of South Carolina has to establish the new "Two Americas" department and make him the head of it.

— Tim Messinger

Salisbury

Showtime in Rowan

I watched the county commissioners meeting, when Miller Davis made the presentation concerning the light show.

The presentation was excellent. The male commissioners asked good questions and made positive remarks, and for about 20 minutes the meeting moved along. Then the lone female started her "show." She too had some good questions. Miller Davis and the persons from the tourism planning group also had information that helped move the meeting along.

As it continued on, I almost changed the station, but I was very interested in the project. I have traveled in 40 of the states and five destinations outside of the country and visited some of the places owned by the corporation Miller Davis was representing. Good places of interest.

It became very obvious this was going to be a long meeting. The gentlemen tried to bring the meeting to an end, but the lady in question could not stop talking. My thought: That company has had enough, and so have I. Hit the remote.

Bottom line — the vote for the day was on the concept, not the whole project! The vote was taken, looked to be all in favor, but the lady still had a few more questions. We lost another opportunity awhile back with another woman talking about a proposed raceway. Too much talk, not enough action. I think, I just did the same thing. Guess it's a female thing. My 300 words must be up!

— Frances W. Lomax

Salisbury

Shelter inadequate

My condolences to C.E. Hudson on the loss of his cats after being placed with sick cats at Rowan County Animal Control. Unfortunately, this is not uncommon.

As taxpayers, we support this facility which is sadly viewed by Rowan County residents as a horrendous "last resort." It doesn't have to be this way.

Individuals and groups have expressed concern for such disgraceful conditions to both Mr. Leonard Wood, director, Rowan County Board of Health, and Officer Clai Martin, Animal Control specialist, to no avail.

Yes, they might be understaffed and underfunded for some duties, but volunteers have been denied the chance to help. Volunteers can also help with fundraisers and adoption events to start to bring our facility up to standards equal to or better than most other such facilities. Even isolation areas to help decrease situations such as Mr. Hudson's could hopefully be realized if people were willing to all work together.

How many more unnecessary deaths will occur due to the complacency and apathy of the shelter administration? No one wants this outcome, but community input is being ignored.

Wouldn't we all like a facility to be proud of, rather than seen as an embarrassment to our county?

— Joanne M. Bryla

China Grove

Joanne M. Bryla is a veterinarian.In remembrance

My Lord, has the eon passed? Beloved Sadie Woods Hawkins has entered her eternal reward. Rejoice, oh ye children of the Lord of Lights!

Oh, to see the splendor of her eternal home! She had no cause to be living in an evil time such as this. Still, how fortunate we children of Mt. Calvary Holy Church were to have lived in her time and to be nurtured at her feet when the hand that rocked the cradle was the hand that ruled the world. Women who were domestics raised a generation of children of faith at home and on the job.

In her younger days, she was a strong woman who led congregation songs with a toddler on her hip. I do not have words to describe her powerful, melodious voice. Odetta of Sweet Honey in the Rock comes to mind, but Sister Hawkins' voice was second soprano, or a high first tenor, and her 11 children could sing, too. She was perfection in leading congregation songs.

Her Dad was a sharecropper who came to supervise Goodman Farms in the 1950s. Her mother was the only living "saint" I had the pleasure of knowing. In simple mannerism, Sister Hawkins proved to us God is real. Her powerful prayers ushered the presence of the Holy Spirit. She lived the true, old-fashioned Christian life, and she made it feel enjoyable.

When I was a young child, she caught me in a lie and taught me not to lie — to always love the truth, and the truth will be your friend. It will not desert you. "But a lie will always leave you standing alone, feeling bad. Now take this tissue 'n wipe your face, and here, take this piece of (always) Juicy Fruit."

How I loved Sister Hawkins. My prayers are with her children, grandchildren and sister.

— Marvel E. Daniels

Kannapolis