Smoke-free proposaldeserves support
The 2009 session of the N.C. General Assembly began last Wednesday.
The items legislators will be discussing include tobacco prevention efforts in North Carolina. One proposal would make all N.C. work sites and public places 100 percent smoke-free, and another would increase the cigarette tax by $1. Lots of studies have proven that raising the cigarette tax decreases both youth and adult tobacco use. I am a seventh grader at Knox Middle School and a member of the Trojans Tackle Tobacco Club (funded by the N.C. Health & Wellness Trust Fund Commission).
My opinion is that if you raise the price of tobacco products, teens won’t be able to afford them anymore. Please support this effort and let your legislators know you want them to pass this bill.
ó Robyn Rivers
Salisbury
Kudos to Knox
I am writing in regard to the Jan. 29 letter “Changes at Knox”:
I have a seventh grader at Knox, and I am absolutely thrilled about the changes. My son is excited with them as well. The last couple of years have been real rough there, with fights and disrespect from a lot of kids that was overwhelming. This year, it is going much more smoothly. In order to have a orderly school you need to get it in order. Great job, staff at Knox!! Keep up the good work. Principal MoragnEl, you are doing a fantastic job.
All others: If you didn’t know what the school was like before, don’t comment on what it is now! Be glad we have people who care about our children!
ó Tammy Whitlatch
Salisbury
The dark side
I’ve noticed that from Harrison Road to Brenner Avenue, the city has no street lights in this area … total darkness. I understand one side of the road is in the county, and the other side is inside the city limits, or so it appears according to the maps I’ve seen. Why doesn’t the city put up lights in this area on its side of the street? I don’t know how many times I’ve come through there, and would encounter a broken-down car sitting in darkness on the side of the road, or deer standing on the shoulder playing Russian Roulette with the traffic.
ó Ray Cope
Salisbury