Tax cut would
boost growth
I read the May 16 newspaper with amusement and bewilderment about the proposed tax increase for the City of Salisbury. I had the same reaction to the proposed wind tunnel project that is dependent on a property tax rebate. If only we, the people of the city of Salisbury and Rowan County could receive a rebate on the taxes we pay to our governments!
Referring to the city Of Salisbury it seems that no matter how stagnant the economy may be, growth in taxes and government is as certain as the turning of the Earth. Regarding Rowan County and the wind tunnel project, what is apparent is the need for a cut in property taxes and a downsizing of county government. The latter is also true of city government. Salisbury and Rowan County need a vigorous and growing economy, and the best way to bring that about is through tax reduction. Free enterprise and capitalism, not government growth, will bring jobs to our cities and the county.
Tax increases at the local level should be subjected to a concurrent majority. Whether a city council or a county commission, a tax increase would be approved by unanimous consent of the elected representatives. If the tax increase was approved by the elective body, it would then be referred to the voters at the next general election. To be approved, the proposed tax increase would have to receive 60 percent, or perhaps more, of the vote.
If tax increases were subject to a concurrent majority, the taxpayer would have a powerful tool for limiting growth in taxes and government.
Russell Lovetinsky
Salisbury
Red flag should
raise questions
Anyone reading the article written by Frank DeLoache regarding the VA employee and the scholarship snafu should immediately recognize how biased this story was. A good reporter accurately depicts both sides of an issue, allowing the reader to make his own assessment. Mr. DeLoache reported that the employee was considering signing a release allowing the VA to defend their position. This should have been a red flag to the reporter that the employee had something to hide and that the accuracy of his report would be compromised.
Government organizations like the VA, the school system or the Department of Corrections are restricted from releasing information on any employee without their consent to protect their privacy. Very often this is interpreted by the public as the agency having something to hide. Mr. DeLoache is well aware of the restriction and chose to write a report riddled with inaccuracy. It must have been a slow news day in Salisbury for this story to be on the front page.
M.A. Hurley
Salisbury
Food drive was
a solid success
I thank all postal customers from Salisbury, Spencer and Rowan County who left donations at their mailboxes on Saturday, May 12. Even though we did not reach our goal of 22,913 pounds, we collected more than 14,000 pounds of food for Rowan Helping Ministries and the Salvation Army.
I give a special thank you to Ephesus Seventh Day Adventist Church for their contribution of 288 pounds. What a great way to start!
I thank the city letter carriers and rural letter carriers who collected the food. Also, I thank all the volunteers who collected food on the rural routes where carriers did not wish to participate. Your hard work is what makes the food drive a success.
I thank Mark Brown of WSTP and Buddy Poole of WSAT radio for their assistance with the public-service announcements. I also thank Jennifer Moxley of News 14 Carolina for her TV report about the drive.
I thank David Oakley of Krispy Kreme for the dozens of donuts to share with carriers and volunteers, and Bo Hawkins of Chick-fil-A for the sandwiches and tea.
I thank Gregory and Kimberly Mattingly of G.K. Sports for printing our T-shirts.
I thank Cam Campbell and Walt Ryerson of Rowan Helping Ministries for coordinating the volunteers who sorted and loaded donations into trucks. I thank the volunteers who came from Troop 443 at St. Johns Lutheran Church, Food Lion Inc., West Rowan High ROTC, Salisbury High ROTC and Stanley restoration.
There are so many people who work hard to make this drive a success every year. If it forgot to mention anyone, know that I appreciate all the help you gave.
Finally, if your donation was not picked up on Sunday, I hope it was picked up later. Please know your effort is appreciated and Rowan County is a large area to cover.
Ronnie Bailey
Salisbury
Editors note: Ronnie Bailey was the local coordinator for the Stamp Out Hunger food drive.