Michael Brown is gone but won’t be forgotten
Our justice system showed last week that it is who you are that determines what you get away with in our court system today. All six of the individuals involved in Michael Brown’s death even told in their statements that they had hit Michael and/or felt a “thump.”
Probation or house arrest etc. for those involved in Michael’s death is all a big joke and a great injustice to all of us. I hope the citizens of Rowan County stand up for what is right and vote very differently in the next election for our district attorney, our judges, etc.
ó K.S. Deal
China Grove
Drivers going too fast on Woodleaf Road
I live just off Woodleaf Road on the N.C. 801 end.
Woodleaf Road is a 7-mile, two-lane road with two small passing zones, and no speed limit posted.
My thoughts were that since Jake Alexander Boulevard is a four lane, most of which has a 45-mph limit, that Woodleaf would be safe at 45-48 mph. Now there’s a joke. Most cars ride right up under my rear bumper while the driver talks on a cell phone, hardly safe. How many wrecks at Second Creek Bridge and the caution light at East Ridge are we going to have to have?
Also, a big thank you to Michael Day for saving the kittens. If you need help, Michael, you know who I am.
ó Steve Powers
Woodleaf
A tribute to all those who brave the flames
To all of the firemen that risked their own lives on that horrible day when some lost their lives:
To all of you men who survived the test, we know in your hearts you really did your best. To the two firemen who didn’t come out, God took you upstairs so there wouldn’t be any doubt. He made you both angels to watch over your friends. We know you’re the ones to call on if they have to go back in. This day will be remembered for the red, white, and blue. But mostly for the brave people, people like you.
To all the firemen, thank you.
ó Michelle Williams
Salisbury
Research funds vital to Alzheimer’s study
On behalf of people with Alzheimer’s disease, their loved ones and caregivers, I applaud Sens. Tom Harkin, Arlen Specter and Reps. David Obey and Jerry Lewis for their leadership in proposing the largest increase in funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in five years. Much of the world-class research conducted in the United States and the scientific advances that our health care system relies on are made possible through NIH funding. This vital work gives hope to American families who are facing terrible diseases like Alzheimer’s, the sixth leading cause of death in America.
Alzheimer’s is a degenerative disease that has no cure or effective treatment and costs Medicare and Medicaid more than $100 billion annually. However, at last month’s Alzheimer’s Association’s International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease, researchers reported on an unprecedented number of drugs and diverse avenues of focus that show promise to slow or stop the disease’s advancement. But these tremendous strides will quickly evaporate if there isn’t sustained investment in research.
N.C. voters are calling on Sens. Richard Burr, Elizabeth Dole and Reps. Howard Coble, Robin Hayes, Patrick McHenery, Sue Myrick and Mel Watt to make this proposal a reality and vote on its passage.
ó Marsha Smith
Board member, Alzheimer’s Association, Western Carolina Chapter