Too much gloom, too little good news
Regarding the March 6 article “As layoffs loom, Freightliner workers’ prospects dim”:
It completely dumbfounds me how insensitive and thoughtless you guys can be. Not more than a week before many people find themselves without a job, you kick them while they’re down. Freightliner employees knew already that chances of finding another job were few and far between, but you have to wallow in it just to sell papers! Can you not print anything positive anymore? Does everything have to be gloom and doom when we have a hard enough time trying to keep hopes up and stay ambitious? Maybe you should try to print one positive story for every bleak or dismal story that you print. Bet you would sell more papers! By the way, my husband is one of those Freightliner employees.
It’s about time that people start seeing the glass as half full instead of half empty, and you could help by giving us something to feel good about. I’m sure the stories are out there, you just need to work a bit harder to get them!
ó Angela Harkey
Cleveland
Historic street
History should always be carefully studied and understood. It should be preserved and maintained for future generations to develop an appreciation of what our forefathers accomplished and achieved.
In so doing, a sense of respect for them is created and kept alive.
Institute Street is a historical street. Its name is one we cherish and respect. This feeling takes time to understand. Just two or three years here cannot establish the kind of feeling that one values through years of experience, which contribute to our community’s cultural and spiritual life.
During the founding years, the first name was Zion Wesley Institute, later changed to Livingstone College. Institute Street was so named to recognize the early history of the college.
We are proud and honored to be residents of this historic street. The name is distinctive and carries with it the sense of dignity and pride it rightfully deserves.
It is included in Salisbury’s African-American Heritage Trail. Institute Street is No. 13 on the trail map. There is should remain!
As responsible citizens, we must preserve, restore and perpetuate our history. There is absolutely no reason nor necessity to change the street name.
A mission of our country, state and city is the welfare of the people. The present economic crisis demands that citizens are cautious and sensitive to the decisions and actions that are made.
Our posterity depends upon the decisions we make. Let them be wise and sound. Changing this street name has no practical benefits for the people of this community. Institute Street must remain!
We live here, and it has always led to Livingstone College. There is no valid or justifiable reason to change the name.
ó E.G. Miller
Salisbury
The writer is a retired Livingstone College professor. Pet food donations
As a volunteer for the Rowan County Humane Society and Faithful Friends, I would like to thank Walmart for donating cat and dog food, plus supplies.
Many more animals are being dropped off due to the cold weather and the economic condition of families who can no longer take care of their pets. They also are hoping that other people will take these animals and feed them. Unfortunately, they are left alone to fend for themselves, with devastating results.
With Walmart’s generous donation of animal food and supplies, we are able to distribute food to people who are in need it to feed their pets, and then perhaps they will be able to keep them.
If any other organization or retail store would like to contribute food, supplies or make monetary donations, please contact the Rowan County Humane Society (704-636-5700 or 704-433-0746). Thank you all for your kind generosity and support.
ó Polly Anderson
Salisbury
More information
In reference to the letter written by Chris Cohen, I would like to clarify a misunderstanding about a statement that was printed.
When I mentioned at the Rowan County Commission Retreat about receiving “too much information,” I was communicating about too much information about one department. On most agenda items, I felt we received too little information, although, as commissioners, we gave everyone ample time to share their agenda items and information.
I personally reviewed all agenda items, as I do for every Rowan County Commission meeting. I cannot please everyone, but I will do my best to stay true to the facts and beliefs I have stood for from the beginning.
Mr. Cohen is a good guy with assumed good intentions. I’m sure he is just quoting information that was printed in the papers because he was unable to be present at the meetings in question.
ó Carl Ford
China Grove
Ford is chairman of the Rowan County Board of Commissioners.Always a fireman
After last week, I now know the true meaning of “brotherhood.” And the expression “once a fireman, always a fireman.”
My daddy, Walter Chaney, died last week. He was 90 years old and had been a fireman in the 1950s and ’60s for 20 years until illness forced him into retirement. The fire department sent a representative, Chris Kepley, to meet with us when we were at the funeral home to make arrangements. She explained all the things they would be more than glad to do to honor my father. There was an honor guard at the casket at the funeral home visitation; firemen served as pallbearers; the same kind of truck my dad drove was parked at the church with a black drape. But most of all, my mother’s wish to have the fireman’s bell rung at the grave was accomplished. Every time I tried to thank them, they just reminded me “once a fireman, always a fireman,” and said they were more than glad and honored to honor my dad. Everyone went out of their way to let us know this.
I just personally want to let Salisbury know what a wonderful group of men we have defending this city when the call comes in.
ó Patricia Proctor
Statesville