Yes, I’m bitter, and
with good reason
If this is the land of free speech, I can’t tell it. Every other day, it’s Hillary said this or Obama said that, and then to all but crucify Obama for what his pastor said? As if, indeed, Obama had uttered the words instead of Pastor Wright. Now, on the other hand, Hillary said what she said and then said perhaps she misspoke. I say until you’ve walked in a man’s shoes, don’t judge.
I lost my well-paying job in January 2005 due to outsourcing, thanks to NAFTA. I was employed by Bell South. I’ve not been able to land another job paying half as much, and being new to Rowan County, I may as well be from the moon. I’ve put out over 75 resumes in the last two years and have an excellent work history. Still, some companies don’t even have the decency to respond to my resume, let alone hire me. I consider myself to be one of the working poor ó working a temporary job at a place that’s hiring in my field but won’t consider hiring me permanently. Thus I and my family are without benefits, i.e., health and medical insurance, and we are existing from one paycheck to the next. Heaven forbid that I or my husband or son get sick.
Darn right I’m bitter.
Quite naturally, the first thing we tend to do in situations beyond our control is to cling to religion or something else. Some cling to alcohol or drugs or guns to rob banks, etc. Read the paper, folks. Can we lean more to important issues, like why can’t I get Medicaid while working a temporary job and why won’t anyone hire me?
When are we truly going to become the United States of America? God bless America!
ó Lynne Goodjohn
Spencer
Looking to the future
I breathe a sigh of relief that the city has put off annexing our subdivision; however, I realize that in the future, because Salisbury must grow, we will eventually become part of the city.
My argument from the beginning was that when we are annexed, services ó especially water and sewer trunk lines ó should already be in place so that we are not waiting two years and the city will not initially have an overwhelming debt to install them. I blame city and county officials for not communicating with each other and not planning strategies for a better move for county residents into the city.
Councilman Mark Lewis said, “I am tired of battling the county commission at every turn just because we don’t share the same vision on a particular issue.” The City Council and the county commissioners must start working together because Rowan County has much to gain by the growth coming up the I-85 corridor. If officials are squabbling over bruised egos, turf and not working together to make a better Rowan County where people want to live and work, we will lose tax revenue from new growth.
During the annexation discussions, the folks who live in the N.C. 150 subdivisions made it very clear about the wonderful fire service provided by Locke, and I do agree because my son is a volunteer firefighter and I have served on Locke’s board. However, I would remind these folks that they must take an active role in the fire department. Locke’s next annual meeting is in June. Look for the announcement in the paper and plan to attend.
I am proud to say I am from Salisbury, although I live in the county. I am starting today to save money for the time when I do become a city resident.
ó Linne’ Wallace
Summerfield
Repeal the law
With all of the well-coordinated annexations happening in North Carolina and the same catch-phrases used such as, “The N.C. way is better” and “county residents enjoy city amenities without paying,” one might suspect that the annexations are being orchestrated by the same people. If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, it’s a duck. These oft-used phrases are lobbyist lingo and can be traced to groups like Centralina and the North Carolina League of Municipalities. Salisbury Mayor Susan Kluttz, NCLM director at large, used the same phrases in the letter she sent to cities asking for their support.
On Feb. 18, Ellis Hankins, executive director of NCLM and a registered lobbyist, addressed state legislators. His videotaped speech shows him lecturing the legislators and audaciously saying what the league will and will not do. He says there’s no need to discuss changes to the annexation law, but the league will take suggestions under consideration. They will oppose a moratorium and fight any attempt to repeal the law. NCLM’s mantra drones on even though 45 states have outlawed forced annexation, and North Carolinians oppose it.
Good citizens of North Carolina want to believe in their elected officials. On May 8, 1959, the Salisbury Post reported, “The House passed and sent to the Senate three bills enabling cities to expand their corporate limits without holding elections.” Holding elections? Is it any wonder the citizenry was duped? Only an astute observer would have realized his pocket had just been picked!
Letters to the editor have accused us of ignorance of the facts or of the law. Let’s enlighten ourselves and borrow the motto of the North Carolina League of Municipalities: “In Unity There is Strength.”
Repeal forced annexation now!
ó Kathy Petrucelli
Locke Township
Join the celebrationEarth Day is April 22, but downtown Salisbury is celebrating early on Friday, from 5 p.m.-10 p.m., by hosting Lord Salisbury Celebrates Earth Day!
The Youth In Action Against Tobacco Council will have a booth with information on cigarette butt litter and how smoke affects things in the environment. While much is often said about the dangers of smoking and the harmful effects of secondhand smoke exposure for humans, there is evidence that dogs, cats and other pets are also adversely affected. You may say it is impossible or sounds silly, but this is how man’s best friend or cats can be affected: by ingestion of cigarette or cigar butts that contain toxins; by drinking water that contains cigar or cigarette butts, which can have high concentrations of nicotine; by breathing secondhand smoke; or by ingestion of nicotine replacement gum and patches.
Please, for the sake of your pets, don’t smoke around them or allow others to smoke around them. Keep ashtrays clean; don’t leave butts in them for pets to find. Dispose of nicotine gum and patches in receptacles that can’t be accessed by pets. Also, consider quitting. The health effects of your smoking on pets is just one more good reason to quit.
Come by the Youth In Action Against Tobacco Council’s booth on Friday night to learn more about how smoke affects the environment and other living things.
We will be giving away free popcorn and would love to share some interesting facts about Earth Day and our youth program. All our events are funded by the N.C. Health & Wellness Trust Fund.
ó Ebony Rivers
Salisbury
Campaign letters
Letters endorsing candidates in the May 6 primary should be limited to 150 words and must be received in the Salisbury Post newsroom by 5 p.m. April 30.