When a business closes, we all lose
During my work week, I looked forward to visiting my favorite place, the coffee shop, Spenzanelli’s. I have been going there every morning for the last five years to get my coffee. For me it’s not just a cup of coffee that gets me going, but the friendly faces I see there. Every morning, small chit chat, laughs and concerns of the day are welcomed. The baristas are not just people who serve coffee; they are part of the community and part of your lives. To hear that they were closing down disheartens me.
These small business owners have more to lose than just a building in my opinion, they lose friendships, and as customers, we lose theirs. There are many businesses in Salisbury that might be on the same track. I implore the city of Salisbury and its residents to stand up and support your community businesses. Shop in Salisbury and surrounding towns; spend the day with these owners! I have met a few of them and enjoy their company. These owners live here, work here, and are very much a part of our community and who we are as a whole. I do my best to purchase items within our city. So should you! By not spending time here, they may have the same fate as others.
Do we want to go back to empty buildings, and no one wanting to live here? We went through this once, and I feel if we don’t start paying attention to our fellow business owners, we may end up there again. We must stand together as citizens of Rowan County and support our local owners and ourselves. We are all victims in this financial pitfall, and it will only get worse before it gets better. We must stand together and help each other in every possible way.
ó Elaine Brown
Rockwell
Smoking & drinking
Yes, they need to tax alcohol more ó and leave tobacco alone for a while! Yes, secondhand smoke and smoking can kill people. But they need to tax drinking more heavily because it will slow down the drinkers, especially the younger ones! Drinking kills more people than smoking does. I haven’t heard of anyone being killed going down the road because of someone smoking. If smoking is so bad, why don’t we have smoking road blocks intead of DUI road blocks? I believe the people in state government who don’t smoke sure do drink.
ó D.B. Harmon
Salisbury
S. Rowan football
I would not take a thing for the 45 years I have followed South Rowan football. From 1961 until 1970 they were the “Home of the Rebels.” From 1971 until the present, they have been the “Home of the Raiders.”
South Rowan High School has been blessed with some fine coaches and players over the years. I wish South Rowan a lot of success in the future.
The winningest years were when Reid Bradshaw and his staff were at South. With outstanding athletes from 1976 to 1978, those were good years for all sports at South.
Also other years had some very talented athletes. They had some very good college players and pro ball players in football, basketball and baseball.
ó George R. Elliott
China Grove (1979 graduate)
They love pets, too
Give animals hope to stay alive. Here are some statements from people whom you might know; they love animals just as much as I do.
“Don’t treat animals any different than you would a human being, just like any other living creature. There are so many great animals out there in the shelters to be had. So many people want the purebred dogs, but give shelter dogs or cats a chance. There are so many cool ones there ready for a loving home. It’s not about what kind of dog or cat it is; it’s about the connection, which you can see right away.” ó NASCAR crew chief Chad Knaus.
“I personally think it’s the right thing to do, so pass it on: rescue and save a pet’s life.” ó NASCAR driver Travis Kvapil.
“Don’t get an animal if you can’t take care of it ó wait. You’ve got to be fair. You’ve got to be ready. Don’t jump into anything until you’re ready.” ó NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne.
Taking care of a pet is a life-time commitment.
ó Kristen Klaus
Salisbury