Government oversteps, and we let them do it

Carrol Fisher’s article, an indictment of the practices of the Congress (“Congress violates Constitution by delegating to bureaucrats,” Oct. 16) was dead on the money. From a practical standpoint what does it mean, “All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in the Congress of the United States?” The Congress after doing their legislative duty, to pass laws of the land, have left the grunt work to bureaucrats. These bureaucrats and bureaucracies decide how it administers this new law and the “administrative law” they declare, trumps all other law – even the Constitution of the United States.

To whit, a citizen living in California a few years ago purchased a field to cultivate and grow a crop that would for all intents and purposes provide an income for his family and a product needed by the public. A bureaucrat administering the law for the Endangered Species Act ruled the owner could not plant his crop because an endangered species, the kangaroo rat, lived in his field.

The Bill of Rights’ Fifth Amendment states in part, “nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.” You might say, but this is not the taking of private property where the government takes your property and gives it to another for use in the public interest.  The remedy being you should be paid for the property being taken.

However, I suggest to you that’s the effect of being unable to plant your crop for fear of being severely fined —and even worse,  your land has been taken and given to a rat — with no compensation given or offered.  In practice, this super-legal power has denied this landowner his just compensation and his constitutional right given by the Bill of Rights.

This is only one example. There are many, many more.

­— Richard Roberts Kannapolis

Devoted to God, family

I know Greg Edds will make a fine Rowan County commissioner because I have evaluated the evidence, namely what my eyes have seen and my ears have heard. Greg and I have been friends for years and our friendship has afforded me the opportunity to peer into his character and evaluate the fruit of his priorities.

Greg is devoted to God, his family and his community. He cares about our great nation and he has been troubled by the state of politics on nearly every level and he wants to be part of the solution. I believe and, more importantly, Greg believes he is in the right place at the right time trying to do the right thing. Like the truly great leaders of history, Greg is a servant who wants to unite people under a common cause and for the common good.

Greg waited to run for elected office until his kids were grown, his business was well established and he had studied the issues important to the future of our county. Greg will strive to represent all citizens of Rowan County. He cares about people in need as well as the educational and economic engine that will present them with future opportunities.

Whether ministering to prison inmates or serving as Chair of the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce, Greg has been a good steward of his time, gifts and talents. Whether serving in his own congregation or ecumenical settings, whether managing his own business or helping to promote economic development for Rowan County at large, Greg is a servant leader and collaborator. That is the kind of leader we need in Rowan County and that is why I will vote Greg Edds for Rowan County Commissioner.

— Michael Hollingsworth Salisbury

Good field of candidates

I don’t think I want to presume to tell others who to vote for, but I attended the forum for commissioner candidates, and I was so pleased that there seems to be several good choices for our county.

After hearing what each of the candidates had to say and reading some of their writings, I believe we have five excellent candidates to choose from, and amazing as it is, they are from different parties or no parties at all.

The candidates who seem to truly be willing to put the people first are Leda Belk, Raymond Coltrain, Jim Greene, Rick Locklear and Gene Miller.

As a die-hard Democrat, it’s difficult for me to vote for non-Democrats, but in this case, I’m going to try. I want things to change with our county commissioners, and I don’t want to take any chances with someone who might have his/her own agenda. The most important thing you can do to make things change is to VOTE.

— Susan Beard Salisbury

Listen, then lead

During this election season, I’ve heard many politicians rant about what they’re against, but few say what they stand for. Even fewer candidates put actual work into developing a plan for attaining planned goals.

Greg Edds is a positive exception to this. Greg has spent the past year talking with community leaders from the County, City, RSS, RCCC, EDC, to local businesses, civic groups, and many others to first hear what the community needs and then form a plan with realistic, attainable goals to move this county forward. Listen. Plan. Lead.

From these conversations, a theme developed: We need jobs. We need better education. We need to boost our local economy. In response, Greg has already started making connections, working with our EDC to determine the growing industries in our state, seeking which industries are best suited for Rowan County’s location, infrastructure and citizens. From this, conversations are already underway with RCCC discussing opportunities to train our students in ways that will attract these specific industries to build here. Jobs. Education. Economy.

These conversations are still in the early stages, but they’re already happening. Greg is already facing issues, seeking community input, and offering creative solutions. Listening to people first, identifying the needs, making a plan, then acting on it. If you want to be blown away by the shear amount of effort that one candidate has put into this race, visit Greg’s Facebook page, read his posts, read the Salisbury Post articles linked to his page – see what he’s been up to these past twelve months. It’s no secret.

We need realistic solutions that come from listening to the people’s needs and concerns. We need someone who will listen, plan, and then lead Rowan County to a better tomorrow. Vote. Greg. Edds.

— Pete Bogle Salisbury

Politicians, straighten up

Politicians need to stop character assassinations. If the Republicans will stop telling lies on the Democrats, Democrats will stop telling the truth on the Republicans.

— Joe Barnhardt Kannapolis

What goes up …

If you throw a beer can out the car window, they’ll write you a ticket for littering.

If you release a bunch of balloons up in the air, they’ll put you on the front page of the paper.

—Whitey Harwood Mocksville

Endorsement deadline

Letters endorsing candidates in the Nov. 4 election must be emailed or delivered to the Salisbury Post newsroom by 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30. If you have sent a letter that has not appeared, please contact Editor Elizabeth Cook at 704-797-4244 or email editor@salisburypost.com.