Let Julian Road keep its name
Not again???
First it was the City Council and now the county commissioners are being asked to extend Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue to include Julian Road. What is it you people do not understand about family and tradition?
I know most kids today probably don’t have an “old home place” that they will remember and cherish all of their lives, but I do. Julian Road was named after my great-grandparents, my grandparents and my father. The Julians were people who served in the military; they farmed that land to feed their families. Martin Luther King Jr did have an impact on this country, and in every county and every state across this country there is a road named after him. The Julians did a lot to make an impact on this county, but we don’t want thousands of roads to bare our name, just one.
If you need people to know that Rowan County has honored Dr. King, buy a billboard ó “Rowan County … home of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue.”
ó Patti Julian Cassels
Salisbury
Annexation voices make a difference
First, I’d like to thank the Salisbury Post for giving forced annexation opponents a voice and fairly reporting both sides of this issue.
In Hugh Fisher’s article “Raleigh hears from Rowan on annexation legislation,” Larry Wright was quoted as saying that if he “were a betting man,” he would bet that his comments at the Joint Commission meeting on Jan. 6 won’t make a difference. Some folks interpreted this to mean that he thought “we, the people,” were wasting our time by being there, which is not the case. I was standing nearby and know that this comment was in relation to the awesome “Tweaking is not an Option” presentation by Mark Davis, which successfully and totally refuted all claims by the League of Municipalities to be responsible for AAA bond ratings, for forced annexation being the reason for vibrant cities and other such drivel. Davis’ presentation received a long, standing ovation, as did remarks by Jim Sides. Sen. R.C. Soles Jr. then put a stop to the enthusiastic responses of those fighting forced annexation.
All of us, statewide, who have been involved in this fight know that we are making a difference. Many of the towns and cities who have never initiated a forced annexation have been horrified to hear of the goings on in other places across the state which are using forced annexation as a means of revenue.
Our voices are growing louder and are being heard as we continue to show up in Raleigh to fight the status quo. I would encourage everyone who possibly can to join us on our next bus trip on Jan. 22nd. You may call me at 704-636-2228 for details. We are making a difference! Reporters from the Salisbury Post are cordially invited to ride with us. You might learn a lot during the ride.
ó Marie Howell
Neel Estates
End dependence on foreign oil
American soldiers both past and present are whom I choose to focus my volunteer efforts toward. The members of the Elks lodge do this daily. I once worked at Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area (FFAFRA), which is on the coast of NC, near Wilmington. I experienced the luxury of meeting and getting to know the most selfless group of people ever. The American soldier is the reason we all have so many choices. Soldiers and veterans are my father, my neighbors, my community, my clients and my friends.
Many, but not all, of the oil rich nations of the world are the same folks that support and advocate the death of countless American soldiers and American citizens. The American soldier is my true motivation in pushing “The Pickens Plan.” We want you to know about something you can do for a soldier. We are creating awareness of this grassroots movement one person at a time.
You have probably seen the commercials on television that feature T. Boone Pickens. There are a bunch of windmills in the background, if that helps to jog your memory.
Please join me and almost 1.4 million other Americans and make the pledge to help stop the cycle of sending our GNP overseas. The Pickens Plan is a non-profit organization. The plan’s goal is directed at stopping America’s dependence on foreign fuel sources over the next 10 years. Let’s look at the resources we have available in the United States
This is a non-profit group that will not try to sell you anything. You can learn more and sign up by visiting http://www.pickensplan.com/theplan/
If you are unable to go online, you can call me and we (the Energy Army) will help you to sign up over the phone. You may reach me at 704-213-0341.
ó Missy Spencer
Salisbury
Youths need gang alternatives
I’d like to talk about a problem that has been affecting our community: This is gangs. They have been affecting us in a really big way because these kids’ parents are showing that they really don’t care about what their kids do these days.
Because they think that their parents don’t care about them any more, they start looking for someone or something that will pay attention to them. They get involved in gangs and their activities.
They join them thinking that they are going to get attention from everyone, including their parents. But what it really is doing is just hurting both them and their parents.
My solution to this problem would be to make a program for gang members. It would show them other activities that they could do but at the same time not get them in trouble. For example, a person who is very talented could join an art class. He would be able to show off his talent, and at the same time, he wouldn’t be getting in trouble for doing it on someone else’s property. There are other ways that we could help out these people. You never know ó in the future, they might end up being your friends.
ó Liliana Sanchez
Salisbury
Take responsibility for your animalsWhen was the last time you went by an animal shelter and thought about how many poor animals are waiting to be adopted? Most of them will probably be euthanized because of irresponsible pet owners not wanting to have their animals spayed or neutered. Often they take the animal and its offspring to the shelter for adoption. You can look in the paper each week and read about dogs and cats awaiting adoption.
They’re also taken to the shelter because the pet owners get tired of them or because they’re not cute and little anymore. It’s so wrong. Animals need love even when they’re grown, just like people do.
When you get an animal, you should take care of it until the day it dies. From the day you get the animal, it becomes your responsibility to care for it, play with it, have it spayed or neutered, and love it.
At Christmas, people think an animal would be a good present, but those are usually the first ones to go to the pound. If you do give someone a pet for Christmas, consider getting one from the shelter!
Start taking responsibility and maybe we can lower the rate of euthanized animals.
ó Katie Safrit
Salisbury