Toll bridge plan is
act of desperation
The proposal to make a new I-85 Yadkin River bridge a “cashless” toll facility has to be one of the most cockamamie ones ever put forward for a public project.
This is not a commuter route where most users would obtain a transponder or set up an account. The great majority of users would have to be sent a bill ó perhaps something like 20,000 to 30,000 a day. In addition to swamping poor Spencer with cars and trucks bypassing the toll, this dumb proposal would result in enormous administrative costs and massive inconvenience to motorists. Obviously, the project should be built as a normal facility financed with regular road user fees.
What this desperate proposal does point out is the pressing need for additional transportation financing in North Carolina. Because, unlike almost all other states, the state DOT is responsible for all county roads, and the state’s economy and population are expanding so rapidly, North Carolina’s transportation funding needs simply are swamping current financing sources. Nobody likes the idea of additional road taxes, but they are essential. In addition, of course, the allocation of available funds needs to be based on demonstrated needs rather than political expediency as they are now.
ó Charles Floyd
Cleveland
Parking a problem for truckers, too
Regarding the Jan. 31 letter about trucks parking on Harrison Road:
I was on a big truck with my then-fiance, and we delivered to Food Lion in Salisbury on many occasions. I would like to answer Mr. Lambert’s question of “why can’t the trucks park in the Food Lion lots.”
While Food Lion has large common carrier as well as staging lots, truckers who have traveled thousands of miles to pick up and/or deliver at Food Lion may not park there unless it is one, or in some cases two hours, before their scheduled appointment time. Many truckers are unaware of any truck stops in the immediate area, and the Food Lion staff and the brokers are of no help in suggesting where the truckers may go. We didn’t live in the area at this time, and I can’t tell you how many times this happened to us. We would drive thousands of miles from the northwest to deliver on time at Food Lion. After we arrived there thinking that we were early enough to get some much needed rest before we had to unload, we were were told by the guards that we were too early and had to vacate the premises immediately. We were told we were unable to park in the seemingly empty Food Lion lots. When I asked the guards where we could get a meal, shower or park and go to sleep, they didn’t know and offered no suggestions. I called the broker and they didn’t know either.
Maybe we should stop and consider the many devoted people who have drive a truck and the sacrifices and long hours they have to work in order to ensure that everyone has what they need and want instead of always criticizing the trucks and the drivers.
ó Rene Coker
Cleveland
What teachers need is friendlier parents
Regarding the Jan. 30 article “Rowan-Salisbury Schools to become customer friendly”:
It would seem a great question might be, what are they thinking? Those of us who have experience in the classroom are just shaking our heads in total disbelief. People, it is hard enough doing the job without worrying about some irresponsible parent who is totally clueless complaining about something they have no idea about. The parent that does the complaining is also the parent of the child that you will have the most trouble with. Parents that support you are parents of the students you are proud to have in your classroom.
This is a prime example of an administration that is throwing money away. This money would be much better spent helping students, not trying to appease immature and irresponsible parents.
ó D.W. Mason
Kannapolis
School staff needs attitude adjustment
It’s no surprise to me that we would have to pay an outside company to evaluate our schools’ staffing attitudes. Although I think it’s about time, it’s still a shame. My family and I have been treated extremely badly by administrative staff in Rowan County since we moved into the area five years ago.
Administrative staff act as though they want parents to be involved; however, you’re treated as though you’re an interruption, not welcome on school grounds, and are not to return.
On one occasion, my son had an absentee appeal hearing (one day over limit in only one class), and when I asked the secretary, “When should I expect to hear from the appeal board on their decision?” ó the principal ran out of his office and responded in front of everyone in the office, “You’ll know when he gets his report card and he’s failed the class!” I was later told by another staff member that as long as he passed the EOC, he would win the appeal. Figure that one out! My son was an honor society member and held a GPA of 4.2.
However, on a positive note … Since the staff at Erwin Middle changed a few years ago, the staff there now is awesome. They are always friendly, and they always make it a point to call everyone by name (parents and children) and go out of their way to help in any way they can.
ó Nancy Morgan-Crawford
Salisbury
Fence isn’t enough to calm tiger fears
Can the county commissioners not say no? We just got rid of one tiger mess. What makes anyone think this one is any different?
These are wild animals, and they kill. A dog can tear a chain-link fence with its teeth. I don’t care if the fence is doubled. It is still not safe to have these tigers in a residential area.
I live on N.C. 52, and I remember what a commotion there was when Sydney the monkey got loose. What if a tiger gets loose?
I have dreams, also, and one of them is seeing my grandchildren play outside without having to look for a tiger.
I hope county officials think twice and tell the Tiger World owner to take her dreams elsewhere, as they were smart enough to do in South Carolina.
ó Johnny Moore
Rockwell
A better alternative for the White House
“There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root.” Henry David Thoreau wrote that, and I believe it is referring to my candidate for the presidency ó the only one who is striking at the root of America’s problems, Tom Millican (www.tommillican.com).
The freedoms of America laid out in America’s Constitution are worth defending regardless of the cost and it is, I believe, our duty to defend them against all attackers. Our freedom as spelled out in America’s Constitution is our inheritance from our Founding Fathers. It would be unforgivable of us if we should lose them by violence without a fight, or to be tricked out of them by those who dangle globalization in front of us.
How many of you have lost your jobs do to these globalists? The globalists are working toward world-wide free trade at your and my expense. You and I have paid for globalization with the loss of our jobs, the very jobs that we planned our lives and our futures around. We believed that our elected officials were looking out for our best interest, but it was only their interest that mattered.
Now they come back to us vowing to “change.” How can we believe them when the majority of those running are members or immediate past members of the lowest-rated Congress and Senate in the history of America?
Show your intelligence get behind Tom Millican and help him become the first citizen president since George Washington.
ó R.G. Rhyne
Maiden