This is what energizes Barack Obama’s campaign
The theme of hope, change and “yes, we can” evokes a new beginning, a historical event, a positive movement toward a future inclusive of everyone. That is what energizes the Obama campaign. One that empowers democracy with high school, Catawba and Livingstone students; encourages 101-year-old Susie Chambers to vote when she has not voted in years; Khayla Miller and Tanisha Hawthorne, ages 10 and 12, to canvass streets, make phone calls and draw signs; the Cross family to make phone calls and posters in order to encourage voters to participate in the process; Annie Bates, 70, to hit the road daily at 8 a.m. encouraging others to register, vote and canvass ; Eliza Coleman, 94, to make calls from her home encouraging the elderly to vote and seek rides to the polls; families and residents of Rowan County coming together across race, gender, socio-economic status to work for change that is what this campaign and election has been about.
It is a movement and, prayerfully, in the right direction.
ó Emily Perry
Salisbury
Child safety isn’t a waste
Regarding the April 30 article “China Grove aldermen vote to gravel parking lot”:
It is obvious that Alderman Allen Welter did not grow up in China Grove and does not appreciate what the Little League park means for the children.
Mr. Welter, who were you referring to when you said “Why don’t you people raise some money, you guys sell some hotdogs?” Why doesn’t China Grove budget money for recreation? Our taxes should fund what little recreation is available.
I get the impression you think the Little League organization owns Cannon Park. We do not. We merely organize the baseball league. We have operated for years without this parking lot. The park started out with one field. We added three fields. It did not occur to us “we created a problem.”
It is a shame that you think this is a waste of money. The life of one child is worth far more then $24,500. If it saves one child’s life, it will be well worth the money spent.
Thank you to Ronnie Overcash, Butch Blevins and Lee Withers for standing up for the safety of our children. Per the article, Mr. Welter spouted, “You promised to help the town’s citizens but wasn’t doing it.”
Mr. Welter, the children are citizens. They can’t vote, so maybe they don’t count as citizens to you, but they are, nonetheless. More importantly, their parents can vote. Hopefully they will remember this when you come up for re-election. Just remember, the children are our town’s future and the next generation of voters.
One last comment: Farmer’s Day put China Grove on the map. I guess you think this is a waste also. Why exactly did you run for alderman? It doesn’t sound like you have the people of China Grove’s interest at heart.
ó Linda Thomas
China Grove
Thomas has been a Little League board member for more than 20 years.