Regarding the Oct. 7 letter “Dreams for Knox” from Eric Perry:
Every time I read another letter about conditions at Knox Middle School, I get upset all over again!
Mr. Perry, I understand only too well what you said in your letter about having a dream for that school. I worked at Knox for most of my 30-year teaching career. It was and continues to be my “home school,” the place I loved for so many years. But the cry today is no different than it was five years ago, 10 years ago, 15 years ago. Knox has always been on the bottom of everyone’s list … departed principals (who came with great fanfare and left in less than a year), the central office and most anyone in a position to do something to help.
So, maybe something positive will happen at Knox Middle School to help the deserving students there … but I doubt it.
— Lea Silverburg

Salisbury

It’s wonderful to dream; dreams can be the beginning of change. The key to making a dream reality, however, is an effective plan put in place by the people who can bring about the intended change. The dream about what Knox could be was a reality when I attended the school some 50 years ago.
When Knox was constructed in the 1960s and became the junior high for the Salisbury City Schools, it was placed on a firm foundation that included a state of the art curriculum, effective and dedicated teachers and an effective principal. This foundation was held together by many effective and dedicated Salisbury parents and community leaders who also had a dream of what a school should be to effectively educate future generations.
For the ‘60s, Knox was a wonderful and effective school. The world today, however, is not the same world in which Knox was constructed. For one thing, our schools are no longer segregated; many folkways and mores of society have changed, and technology has advanced by leaps and bounds.
The fact remains, however, that an effective school must be supported by effective parents, and effective, dedicated parents can make dreams come true if they’re willing to put forth the necessary time and effort. Parents hold the key, not teachers or administrators, and definitely not the school board. Always remember that teachers, administrators and the school board work for the parents. When parents do have effective teachers and leaders in our schools, they need to support them in both curriculum and discipline. If they are not effective, change must take place.
Parents are investing their children’s future in that school. If the school isn’t effective, their children and society will reap a less than satisfactory future. Parents should always remember, if not me, who? And if not now, when? Are Knox parents still looking for who and when, or will they take this bull by the horns and look at themselves? Schools will always reflect the effectiveness of the parents who send their children to them. If effective parent actions don’t take place, our dreams remain only dreams.
— Gordon Correll

Salisbury
When fighting your enemy, you need to know a few things. You need to know who they are, how many there are and where they are. Sometimes after learning these things, it’s not always wise to engage. It could be in your best interest to withdraw and live to fight another day when the odds are more in your favor.
This seems to be the situation the GOP finds itself in regarding its battle with Obamacare. They know the enemy; they know they’re outnumbered, and because of the president, they don’t hold the high ground. Yet despite all of this, they continue to attack with their guns of defunding and repealing blazing away. This may seem noble, but in reality it’s doomed to fail. Courage, conviction and principle are great, but without common sense, it’s just foolishness and hubris.
Like it or not, Obamacare is the law of the land. We need to step back and see how all of this begins to play out. Personally, I’m not too optimistic. These guys can’t even take proper care of our veterans, let alone the entire country. If Obamacare begins to unravel like many people feel it will, there will be plenty of time to resume the attack. In the meantime, the GOP needs to swallow the pills of pride and patience. Like taking castor oil, it won’t be pleasant. But in this long, drawn-out battle over Obamacare, it just might be what the doctor ordered.
— Allan Gilmour

Salisbury

I was absolutely stunned to open a recent letter from Blue Cross and Blue Shield, my health insurance carrier. My wife and I are retired and are longtime Blue Cross customers who are quite happy with our current policy. According to the letter I received, our premium will increase more than 500 percent for the same level of coverage under Obamacare. My annual premium will be almost $12,000 for the “bronze” level for the two of us.
Since Blue Cross was previously willing to offer me coverage for about $2,500 annually, I can only assume the $9,500 differential will be used to supplement others — mostly likely those already on easily available federal entitlement programs. As a hardworking, taxpaying American who has achieved retirement age, I personally am tired of paying the way for those who choose not to carry their own weight. Obamacare is nothing more than another Democratic version of wealth redistribution. The inflated premiums are just another form of taxation for middle income Americans already paying more than their fair share. The Affordable Care Act is anything but affordable.
— Steven Carson

Salisbury