Heroes emerge from flames of inferno
Webster’s dictionary defines heroes like this ó a figure in mythology and legend renowned for exceptional courage and fortitude. I read that definition and can’t help but think about the many heroes we have heard about this past weekend. The blaze on Friday morning claimed two of those.
My heart hurts for their families, and my prayers are with them. Those two brave men went into a burning building to save lives and property because that is what they do. While they did not make it out, many others did. I did not know Victor or Justin, but I know many of their brothers at the Salisbury Fire Department. When I read about one of those men, Captain Buddy Miller, I felt compelled to tell you about him.
When I was a child, Captain Miller was a hero to me. Though we were only a few years apart in age, in the neighborhood in Granite Quarry, he was my role model, my hero. I read with great pride how Captain Miller went into that fire to pull his brothers out. Alive or dead, he was bringing them out. If the fire had claimed him, he would have gone down fighting for his brother.
In the days and weeks to come there will be many questions asked. Did I do enough? Could I have been faster, stronger? To that, I say no! You did all you could do to the best of your ability. I can only pray that if and when my time comes, I can show the courage and strength you men and women have shown.
Citizens of Salisbury, please thank a fireman, police officer or paramedic. They train to serve you. I ask you to pray to our Lord Jesus Christ for comfort for the families and friends of those we have lost and those that are still here. Captain Miller, Buddy, you will always be my hero!
ó Trooper Garrett Barger
N.C. Highway Patrol
Editor’s note: Trooper Barger lives in Faith and works out of the Concord patrol post.
Victorian annexation?
What did the marquis of Salisbury reply to the critics of his colonial policies under the British empire of Queen Victoria, circa 1850-1880?
“Gentlemen, get larger maps.”
ó R.D. Earnhardt
Spencer
Stick to the facts
In the Salisbury Post’s Feb. 29 edition, Sylvia Whitten published a letter concerning Lt. James Schmierer, East Spencer’s interim chief of police. Her letter mentioned actions allegedly committed by Schmierer, which may be her right. Her charges that he is a racist ó a term used to negatively and repeatedly demean one’s character ó could subject her to charges of defamation. She makes numerous allegations and asserts his actions relate to an apparent city refusal to be promoted to department chief. Her letter lays claim to numerous breaches of conduct and, if true, the city will be vindicated. But this is not the purpose of this response.
Ms. Whitten would deny the subject his due process rights because it may cost the city money to defend itself against the allegations Schmierer has raised in a letter claiming he was denied advancement because he is white, as referred to in this paper. Financial concerns do not render justice moot.
Every American is entitled to due process and Ms. Whitten should honor and respect the right of all parties. Our legal system serves the law and struggles to find the truth in a haze of being politically correct, a virus infecting justice and the truth.
If Ms. Whitten seeks justice for East Spencer, it would be best to determine all the facts before making scurrilous accusations uttered repeatedly by black and white troublemakers. At a time when two people seek the presidency, one white and one black, such statements stain the electoral process and good will among Americans. Let’s all play like reasonable adults.
ó Arthur Steinberg
Salisbury
I am not in the proposed annexation area but I have strong feelings about the precedent that is being set. Never before has taxpayer money, in Rowan , been spent to fight annexation proposals. I also note that when areas to be annexed are considered, they seem to pick out the more prosperous sections of the county. Wonder why?
The letter from the person who stated he was on his way back to Iraq to help fight for freedom for that country, yet his freedom was being taken from him in having a say in whether to be annexed, really touched me, but yet it is so true.
County taxes are just that, money to be spent to benefit the entire county, not a select group of people.The people of Rowan County spend their money in the city limits. That is what is wrong with the federal, state and local governments; they can never get enough money. People should learn to live within their means. Thi is just another example of taking from the poor to give to the rich. If you aren’t already poor, there is someone trying to scheme to make you poor.
ó Shirley Loflin
Salisbury
A few years back, when Landis was trying to grab over 400 homes in my community to pay for the ill conceived water/sewer line that the mayor ran over toward Kannapolis, I didn’t see the chairman and commissioners using county money to help us. We prevailed, but not a dollar of county money or even an encouraging word was offered by the commission. Oh, I forgot ó the chairman doesn’t live in our community, so I guess county money is only for the privileged elected class. What an embarrassment! OK, kids, can you say hypocrite? Sure, I knew you could.
ó John Lambert
China Grove