Freightliner numbers raise questions
The fact that Freightliner is struggling to hire qualified employees is very troubling and presents a lot of unanswered questions and concerns in a city where we struggle to get quality paying jobs like the ones Freightliner offers.
Of 5,500 applicants, 13 percent have been hired (715), 15 percent failed the drug test (825), 25 percent failed the background check (1,375) and 30 percent didn’t show up for the interview (1,650).
We understand why they turned down those that failed the drug test, because they can’t allow workers on the job that might be impaired. I wonder if Freightliner offers them an opportunity for those to reapply if they become drug-free and can pass a future test?
The 25 percent that failed the background check should concern us all. It would be interesting to know the level of background check that caused them to fail. What percentage of problems came from high school, etc., and what percentage has been rehabilitated but still has the mark on their background checks? At least this 25 percent showed up for the interview and was willing to work. If this 25 percent can’t get a job, they will remain a burden to society in some form — whether it’s receiving some type of benefit or a life of crime — because they can’t get a job. I don’t know the answers or the solution, but we need to find one and give the people that are willing to work that opportunity.
— Rodney Queen
Salisbury

In defense of Bible curriculum in schools
This is one time that religion and politics, for many of us, will indeed mix.
The looming fiasco from the Bible being taught in elementary schools is nothing short of ridiculous. As a child, I sat under the tutelage of Catherine Brazell at Woodleaf School; I am a better person for having done so. As it was for my mother as a child and remains for children today, these classes were strictly elective ones.
West Rowan Bible Association sponsors these classes in my area. While praising its service during my first graduate semester at seminary a few years back, I was challenged by a classmate regarding the constitutionality of the program. My professor, a world-renowned scholar, surprised me by sharing with the class that my area is “one of a handful of school districts privileged with a Bible curriculum.” In that moment, I was so proud of my district. I had no idea he even knew of Rowan County, but he went on to explain to the class that the curriculum is in fact constitutional in that it forces no one to participate.
He was right. Parental consent has always been required for students to enroll in these classes. The curriculum is well-planned and meets state guidelines. It’s your choice as a parent to disagree; if you do, by all means don’t consent to your child’s involvement. By the same token, don’t deny children of consenting parents the opportunity to learn more about the Jesus who counts every hair on their little heads “precious in His sight.”
To each electoral candidate: you need to know that I will vote for no one who even hints that he or she will not fight to keep the option of Bible curriculum available to students in my district. And I am one of many with this resolve.
— Carole Ann Hallyburton
Cleveland
The writer is president of Student Council at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary.
Rescue Squad counts on Rowan United Way
If you have ever needed the services of the Rowan County Rescue Squad, then you know what it’s like to be lost in the woods or pinned inside of your wrecked car or have your arm or leg caught in a piece of machinery. Or maybe you have experienced the loss of a friend or relative to a drowning at High Rock Lake or Tuckertown Reservoir.
Over the last 63 years, a lot of citizens have experienced a traumatic incident in their lives that have required our local Rescue Squad to respond and assist.
A lot of these type responses are made possible through our local Rowan County United Way. Being a United Way agency, Rowan County Rescue depends on every citizen and employee in Rowan County to make an annual donation to the United Way Campaign each year. The squad uses 100 percent of the money allocated to us for operational purposes such as buying fuel for the trucks and ambulances, buying medical supplies and paying employees to man the rescue stations and respond to your accident.
Without the money coming from our United Way each year, we couldn’t pay near as many employees to be on the job and ready to respond immediately to the emergency call, and we surely couldn’t afford to have between 45 and 50 volunteers trained as emergency medical technicians, paramedics and rescue technicians. For this I want to personally thank every citizen that makes his or her donation to the United Way. Your donation helps 15 different agencies in Rowan County each year make ends meet, pay the bills and assist over 70,000 citizens. That’s half of the population of Rowan County.
The annual campaign is now underway, Please consider giving this year.
— Eddie G. Cress
Salisbury
The writer is chief of the Rowan County Rescue Squad.