Another perspective
on the local economy
Regarding David Postís Nov. 7 column ěOur economic past and futureî:
I have lived here 17 years and have witnessed the deterioration of Main Street and futile attempts to bring it back. Innes Street has become a mess of fast-food outlets and, of course, the great Walmart.
Yes, the homes on Fulton and Ellis streets are beautiful, and most of them are well kept. But what about what he calls lower-income neighborhoods? Clean? Evidently, they didnít go toward Spencer.
We live below Cone Mill and have had to buy houses in that neighborhood to keep out elements you donít want living next door. As mill workers died or moved, the mill houses were becoming slum landlord rentals.
My first year in Rowan County I worked through temp agencies. When I was sent to Pauline Knitting on Long Street, I wondered if they had read all my qualifications. As it turned out, I have many fond memories of my mill worker days. We do need manufacturing jobs. I was amazed at how many steps were involved in making cloth, from start to finish. Itís not something you can just walk in and pick up. Mr. Post apparently has the same mind-set as our politicians and the greedy people running this country. Put people out of work, get it done as cheaply as possible wherever you can. NAFTA has done our country more harm than good.
Not everyone has the money or right mind-set to get a college education. Many so-called educated people cannot find work and will take a job despite low pay, just to pay the bills. The mills filled a need, plus ěmade in Americaî is something we need to regain.
Regarding the N.C. Research Campus, our health has steadily declined in this nation because our food is unhealthy, having been processed in an unnatural manner. Research will not undo the damage done in that area.
ó Terie Brown
Salisbury
Perryís gaffe and media bias
Iím not a big fan of presidential candidate Rick Perry, but after the recent Republican debate, the media again revealed how unfairly biased they are. The next day, all day long, TV and radio news had a field day making fun of his brain freeze when he tried to name the third of three government agencies he was discussing. Which one of us can truthfully say we have never had a moment of such confusion?
Our liberal media didnít poke fun when, as a candidate, Mr. Obama said heís visited 57 states. Itís true that there are 57 states of Islam, known as the Organization of the Islamic Conference, and he did attend a Muslim school in Indonesia as a child, so his slip is perfectly understandable. Just like Perryís.
When President Obamaís campaign committee (Organizing for America) paid to truck in busloads of union protestors to fight Wisconsinís decision to rein in spending, the media was silent. When Obama said ěthe Cambridge police acted stupidly,î the media overlooked it, suggesting that police are mostly racial profilers. Then, rather than apologize, he held a ěbeer summit.î I guess he wonít apologize to anyone unless heís apologizing for America. When Obama mispronounced corpsman as corpse-man (twice), he proved that even a teleprompter canít always save the day. Yet the media barely mentioned it. If the media hadnít ignored the ěFast and Furiousî operation and Solyndra for so long, a lot of money, and maybe some lives, could have been saved.
Kathleen Parkerís recent article spoke about Mitt Romneyís humble and caring attitude, and how that might not be ěpresidentialî enough to win the election. However, after three years of stimulus, bailouts and a heavy dose of arrogance, all paid for by the taxpayers, a little humility and common sense would be refreshing.
ó Doloris Pender
Rockwell
Thanks for your support
The election in the town of East Spencer will open many, many doors for the citizens and friends of this great town. A special thank you is extended to the citizens for the confidence you have shown me by your vote. This victory was for ěyouî ó every man, woman and child that resides in, works in, or thinks about the town of East Spencer.
We have come to a blessed time to be a part of the rebirth and rebuilding of our town. The progress will continue, but it calls for prayer and whole hearted commitment from every elected official, employee, volunteer and citizen. With Godís help, we can and we will make it work!
Thank you.
ó Barbara A. Mallett
East Spencer
Mallett was elected mayor of East Spencer.