letters to the editor
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, February 19, 2008
N.C. 150 residents
are being outfoxed
It seems we have a fox in the henhouse out on N.C. 150, and I don’t like it. This sneaky involuntary annexation move by the city of Salisbury reminds me of things that we expect to happen in socialist countries, not here at home! My husband and I bought property here 40 years ago with the intent of being outside the city limits, and I’d like to keep it that way.
I encourage my neighbors who feel the same way to make it known and to attend the meetings regarding this matter.
ó Marie Howell
Salisbury
A financial burden
The city of Salisbury is about to annex several communities off N.C. 150 in Rowan County, including the one in which we live, Neel Estates. We moved into this community in July 2005 on a fixed income not only because it is a lovely community in which to live but also because it was, and is, affordable.
If the proposed, forced annexation is carried through, the increased taxes, water, sewer, and garbage pick-up charges will financially severely hurt us as well as many others in Neel Estates and similarly affected communities who live on a fixed income.
We receive fully adequate police protection from the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office and fire protection service from the Locke Volunteer Fire Department. Our garbage service does an outstanding job. We enjoy well water and have a septic tank. We cannot think of any benefit we would receive by being annexed into the city of Salisbury, and we definitely oppose the effort that the city is carrying out to effect this annexation.
ó Hubert Bradley Jr. and
Sally Aiosa-Bradley
Salisbury
A heaven for all
Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Perhaps the quintessential facet to the teachings of Jesus, this excerpt from Matthew’s Gospel explains in crystal-clear detail the purpose for Jesus‚ existence among humans. His love for everyone not withstanding, Jesus needed to connect with those who needed him most. Jesus was ó and is ó looking for lost sheep.
A recent column in the Faith section of the Salisbury Post by William Alexander explains to us who may be right for heaven. Following several paragraphs of overt judgmental commentary on lifestyle choices, the author proceeds to explain how passing judgment also earns you instant disqualification. This does not make sense!
Instead of preaching exclusivity by explaining who will not reach heaven, perhaps this author could have described the expanse of God’s unconditional love. A love so immense that even those who don’t praise God on earth, who gossip, who have yielded to substance abuse can still find grace and forgiveness.
It is most disheartening to read that there are some among us who are pointing fingers and creating judgments concerning those who have wandered. Lost sheep, fear not: God loves you no matter what. After all, isn’t that the meaning of unconditional love? Loving someone no matter what? God is big enough and concerned enough to find every single wandering sheep, yes, even those who don’t know they’re lost. God’s love covers us all.
Mr. Alexander, please consider carefully what you teach to others. Do you really believe that God would be satisfied with only some of his children in heaven? It would not be heaven without all of God’s children there. Every. Last. One.
ó Jason Harwood
Rockwell
Regarding the Feb. 16 letter “Huckabee comments are disturbing”:
I have seen the laws of man changed before, but the laws handed down by God haven’t changed for thousands of years … a little bit longer than our Constitution has existed. It is fact whether Reggie Dailey wants to admit it or not. No one seeks to restrict any of the rights he describes.They seek only to preserve the rights of those who would be victimized by people wishing to make political gains at the expense of others, including unborn children.
ó David Wilson
Salisbury