Once again I want to urge everyone to help the Service Above Self program recognize young people who have given of themselves to help others in our community. Last year, Rowan Rotary Club and Rowan County United Way recognized over 238 individuals and groups for the volunteer service they provided to our community, totaling over 20,000 hours.
There are so many school-age individuals and groups in Rowan County who volunteer without asking for any compensation. Through Service Above Self, young people ranging from 5 to 18 years old are eligible for recognition as individuals or in groups. Any individual or group performing worthy acts of kindness for others will be recognized if nominated and they could even win money to further benefit their work!
The last day to submit nominations this year is Nov. 15. Judges will then choose three winners from the following categories: individuals and groups in K-5, middle school and high school. All will be recognized at a ceremony on Dec. 12 at Keppel Auditorium.
We often hear about the negative things that happen in our community. We should focus our attention on the positive things youth do around us. You can submit nominations through our website, www.rowanserviceaboveself.com; or paper nomination forms are being accepted and can be acquired by calling the Rowan County United Way Office at 704-633-1802 (Jackie Harris).
I challenge you to recognize our great youth in Rowan County. Encourage your family, friends, fellow co-workers and church members to nominate a child or group today!
— Jerry Chandler
Salisbury

Chandler is chairman of the Service Above Self program.
As an attendee of the Spencer candidate forum and a resident of Spencer, I’d like to make a few comments.
The first is I’m glad we have enough candidates not only to fill our board but also to offer a choice on who gets elected.
The second is that “communication” was mentioned as a need to move our town forward. I was disappointed in the command of the English language some of the candidates had. I’m no language expert, but incomplete sentences, sentences with wrong verb tense and statements that made no sense were too common. If the aldermen are elected to represent me, I think how they say something is reflective on whom the people in Spencer are.
Lastly, I recognize that what people say and what people do are different things. Some incumbents spoke eloquently about what needed to be done but I would have liked to hear more of what they have done. The new candidates said what needs to be done more than how they will get it done. I join candidate Kevin Jones in regularly praying for our town. That’s a start!
— Bob Oswald
Spencer

Endorsement deadline: Letters endorsing candidates in the Nov. 5 municipal elections must be received in the Salisbury Post newsroom by 5 p.m., Oct. 30.