School spending far exceeds mall purchase
Many moans and groans came from the $3.5 million county buy of the mall.
So how many cries of outrage have we heard about an unneeded school administration building approaching double the mall cost? What about the $40.5 million just approved for school buildings? Now they are already back for more.
The only county expense approaching school costs is social services. This can largely be traced back to improperly educating residents to acquire sufficient supporting jobs for themselves.
As to schools, what do we get for a budget now approaching $200 million a year?
Many complain about the lack of discipline and education in the classrooms. The real problem seems to be a lack of discipline and education on the Board of Education. A change is desperately needed in November or outrageous unaffordable excesses will continue. Vote like your future depends on it, because it does.
– W.F. Owens
Spencer

Speak the truth
The articles on the departure of the city manager, Doug Paris, and Elaney Hasselmann were well-written and received; however, questions still arise. Since the mayor and his departing staff cannot make disparaging remarks about each other, others may comment or disparage, but to no avail.
I choose to reveal truth, but if I undervalue, discredit or dishonor all implicated, as the word “disparage” means, then so be it, as truth speaks.
The “no disparaging comments” statement in Doug Paris’ contract keeps the general public from knowing how deep their forgiveness must go, for only Doug and God Almighty know the depth of what could have gone on. There is apparently, to this story, much more that could have been written. Now the mayor and council members can make Doug and Hasselmann look like the only bad guys without legally calling them so. What an escape.
Knowing the mayor and council members can legally say nothing negative about a pothole that was growing fast into a sinkhole, then possibly a canyon — then who knows what they can legally tell?
Any voters who cannot tell that something is wrong with this are simply out of touch. Don’t get fooled again. Vote.
— Kenneth D. Miller
Rockwell

Careful with kudzu
Good article about the kudzu in Spencer Woods. A word of caution to those in charge. To bring in goats is good if one is clearing. Everyone is aware that nothing grows under kudzu, no ground cover of any kind. To let that ground in the gully be completely cleared not only will displace the current residents, but will also lead to serious, severe erosion. A lot of that gully will wind up in the Yadkin River.
To prevent this erosion, a quick growth is needed, such as the seed blankets the N.C. Department of Transportation uses on road banks. If left bare this winter, weather will take a horrible toll.
I in no way am trying to be critical. I just don’t want to see the things that will happen.
Control the kudzu. Trim at the edges of growth and keep it off the trees, but leave as is otherwise.
— Ben Mitchell
Salisbury

Givers and takers
You have already printed many letters of varying thoughts concerning Doug Paris and Salisbury City Council. He took them to the cleaners.
We will always have takers.
Three good stories in the Sunday Post (on July 13) are refreshing reminders that we will also always have givers.
1. Sole Hope at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church (a wonderful program helping provide work and shoes for poor countries.
2. Chickweed (Celebrating Indestructible Women)
3. Footloose (to help fight Alzheimers)
Thank God for the givers.
— Donna Kesler
Cleveland

Keep writing
On June 26, one of my favorite writers of Letters to the Editor/My Turn in the Salisbury Post announced he was back to writing again when he learned that many folks liked his well written letters. He had submitted a My Turn letter last November which the Post never printed. So he stopped writing.
There are about a dozen of us who write letters and send them to the Post for printing quite frequently. I started about 30 years ago sounding off or reporting on issues of vital interest I wanted folks to read about. Things that could have a significant impact on their lives, like Obamacare, the illegal immigrants invasion, governmental misdeeds, both local and national. At times I have criticized the two political parties since neither ever accomplishes anything.
Like my favorite writer, some of my letters never appeared in print either. I think I know why. Far-left, ultra-liberal people who read the Post don’t like folks who criticize their ways like morals, ethics, values and tolerance. I believe the Post was protecting me when I may have written something that could have resulted in my home and front yard from being rolled in toilet paper, or worse. I may have written something like, “God bless America,” or “I’m proud to be an American,” or “Why can’t we just be friends?”
Ty, please continue to write.
— Don Schumacher
Salisbury Post

Consider the taxpayers
My jaw dropped when I read that Councilman Pete Kennedy heard nothing negative about Salisbury government. Since he apparently has not talked with residents of West End who can’t get money for more lighting, or the senior citizens who are forced to pay higher taxes and fees for the mess made by the council and city administrators, let me address him personally.
As a city resident and taxpayer, I have expressed my extreme displeasure with the timidity of the mayor and city council regarding the “termination” and letter of recommendation for our former city manager. If he did deserve such a glowing recommendation, he should have been retained for the full three years. It would have been cheaper.
Otherwise, the recommendation should have narrated the good points of his service, if any, and moved on. And who reviewed the contract between the city and Mr. Paris, before he was hired? No CEO in private business would have approved such a contract for a young novice.
As to the city administrator who approved the severance package for Ms. Hasselmann, he or she should resign, be terminated or pay the $33,000 personally. This is outrageous behavior, when the city coffers are low enough to require senior citizens to pay higher utility fees and higher taxes. My mother will be 99 in October and lives on a fixed income in a residence she owns in Salisbury. She and her friends in similar situations should not have to pay for this.
Many residents who help pay the bill for Fibrant can’t afford the video and don’t care about the expensive “faster internet.” City officials, including Mayor Paul Woodson, say the video section of Fibrant will be improved, with further costs involved. So am I hearing that the competition is better and costs less?
— Billie E. Breedlove
Salisbury

Pray for progress
This letter, I am praying, will help represent the families, citizens and taxpayers who are struggling to make ends meet. Praying too that with so much misuse of our tax dollars, they will not lose hope due to lack of leadership needed from our City Council.
Our hard-earned tax dollars are being given away without knowing the truth about why the quarter million dollars were paid to Doug Paris and Elaney Hasselmann. For those fortunate enough to have big incomes, these figures are peanuts. Not so with the working class.
Lack of consideration for our citizens, the taxpayers, is unacceptable. We are government of the people for the people and by the people.
Our council members need to be reminded that they work for us, not we for them and their agendas with decisions behind closed doors. Shutting out and hiding the absolute truth is not acceptable.
It is evident that a lot is missing when our representatives are in a big hurry to move on and disregard the whole issue, hoping we (not without intelligence) will soon forget.
In the days when I was a county employee, I remember the good leadership, when checks and balances were in place. This kind of leadership can happen again with the support of right voting.
Why is it so hard to admit the truth? It will set you free!
Many, many prayers are needed.
– Carol Cauble
Salisbury

Shock and awe
In the news recently, my doctor was charged with trafficking a controlled substance. He was a great doctor and listened to and helped his patients. I feel so lost since hearing of this incident. I had tried to see him earlier this year and was told he was on medical leave.
Hearing of his arrest was a shock and disappointment. I considered him a good individual. He had been my doctor for eight years and was always someone I could turn to. I will keep him in my prayers.
— Juliann C. Wood
Landis
Two journeys
What’s the difference between David Freeze and the former City Manager? One is taking a ride, and the other has taken Salisbury for a ride.
— Mike Cline
Salisbury