Wouldn’t a private prayer serve the same purpose?
The Rowan County commissioners are apparently good Christian men, as I am. I, too, have been overwhelmed by the ACLU, a body that attacks our Christian values. I think something should be done about this assault on Christian values. I wish to offer an idea of compromise by the commissioners. Why not offer a prayer to our Lord in private before the meeting? Then proceed with the business of the people of the county.
I appeal to Chairman Sides to finally think about compromise, instead of taking chances with defending this lawsuit that would cost the county a great deal of money, and would amount to an increase in taxes. It would also consume lots of the commissioners’ time, which could be used for other things like the bad roads in Rowan County. They should attend a special meeting with the governor and request emergency aid to cure this terrible injustice to our citizens.
Instead of refusing to compromise on the prayer issue, which is ridiculous, proceed with the many matters that need to be attended to in Rowan. We cannot afford another tax increase.
The commissioners should also approach the railroads to improve the many crossings in the county. The commissioners have plenty to do in fulfilling their obligation to serve the people rather than spending their time on a losing lawsuit which would be a disaster for the county.
Chairman Sides, it is time for you to endorse a Christian principle and compromise. Pray in private.
— Victor S. Farrah

Salisbury

Read the Bible
Regarding the debate over county commission prayers:
Prayer before meetings has been done this way for years, but all of a sudden it seems to be a bad thing for some people. I don’t understand. Do you not all pray to the same God? I’ve also read where some object to prayer ending in Jesus’ name. We have just observed the memoralization of his death. Why do you feel he’s unworthy of recognition? Instead of complaining, why not pick up your Bible and read (John 14:6).
— Dot Trexler

Salisbury

Messing with the calendar
Just when I thought the district got the calendar almost right, you are going to mess with the summer again. You know, those months in the middle of the year when we go on vacation to the beach, the mountains, travel to Aunt Bessy’s farm and fish on the lake from the crack of dawn to our heart’s content. By the sounds of it, you are ready to throw us into a short summer this year.
You should take some lessons from the schools up North. Their calendar runs from the Wednesday after Labor Day to the last week in June. Those kids don’t seem to have problems attending summer classes at colleges or difficulty with testing programs. They have teacher workdays and days built in for snow days, even a mid-winter break in February. I wonder how they get their days in and still have sane teachers and bright kids.
I also agree with Mr. Adams: “Let’s have a traditional summer break and not start school the very first of August.”
P.S. Besides, some of us have already put deposits on “summer” rentals for this season. If you are bent on rearranging summer, at least give us this last one. Then next school year, 2013-2014, we will be prepared.
— Darby Decker

Salisbury

The really important issues
So Reps. Harry Warren and Carl Ford are co-sponsoring a bill to allow district attorneys and their assistants to bring concealed weapons into the courthouse and jails.
This would allow this small group of people to be “packing heat” in buildings where everyone has to go through metal detectors before entry — an environment where there are sheriff’s deputies in the courtrooms, in the halls and around every corner.
I guess I missed the incidents that must have occurred that brought this serious unmet need to the forefront and have so frightened our district attorneys throughout North Carolina.
Of all the topics worthy of thoughtful discussion and debate by the N.C. General Assembly, our legislative delegation has picked this issue as their hallmark legislation? Ouch. Reaching out, are we, to the masses and solving real problems here in Rowan County and throughout North Carolina?
— John T. Blair

Salisbury