What’s in a name in today’s politics?
In sixth grade, I had to choose a presidential candidate to represent in a mock election, I chose the Libertarian. Afterwards, I identified myself as Libertarian because I liked their ideals.
At 17, while researching what affiliation I should choose for my voter registration, I enjoyed the principles behind several parties but found they had trouble with actual implementation, so I went with the Republicans because they factored in human misgivings.
In the 14 years I’ve been voting, I’ve changed my affiliation several times. This has little to do with my ideals changing, but because the meaning and intentions of the parties changed from location to location.
In Oregon my values placed me in the very conservative camp; on our military base in Germany, I was suddenly fairly liberal; Southern Colorado labeled me a far left winger, and here in North Carolina I seem to be back to the conservative side.
When I first heard about the Tea Party ideals, I thought, “Cool! Fiscally conservative, socially out of my business, this is my kind of party!” Imagine my surprise when the Rowan commissioners’ version of the Tea Party turned out to be a septic tumor on the good name of a positive force in American politics. Driving a county into debt over pride — not to mention a dilapidated mall? Refusing to support the schools that are the one chance for many children to pull themselves from poverty and ignorance? Willfully stamping out industry and positive changes that will bring jobs and tourist dollars? I changed my affiliation because I want to remove this tumor that is the current commission and the rot it’s bringing to our county.
With a new commission that excludes the current members and includes Judy Klusman, Jim Greene, and Johnny Love, Rowan can have the positive changes we have so long worked for. And hopefully more bike trails.
— Sally Bays
Salisbury

Why not like mall?
Seems there is a group who does not like the fact the county bought the Salisbury Mall. Ever wonder why they stuck a mall clear on the west end of town? Follow the money and you’ll get your answer.
I’m not here to endorse any candidates, but I am here to support this decision. This mall is only dead if we let it die. If it does die we have to clean it up anyway and Salisbury should be ashamed for letting the mall get built there in the first place.
Salisbury seems to have no problem letting it die; however, they’re quite eager to spend money to resuscitate a dying city they crippled 30 years ago when they told everyone in the county not to travel our streets at night and hang out. Do not park over two hours during the day, either; that’ll cost you $5 at the police station.
Downtown is like an old mullet, business by day and now we want to party by night. Good luck with that mullet. The county needs more space. The mall is a win-win for the businesses already there and potential government offices — except the school board, of course. They want a new building “in town.”
Thelma’s was even able to expand. This helps small business on a local level and is income-producing property with free parking. Maybe La Resistance should change their slogan to “Stop the School Board Tax.” RSSS already receives over half the county budget. Taxes won’t increase because of the mall; they’ll increase due to an over-administrated school system. Maybe we should fire the school board?
On that note I’m headed for some dipped fried chicken. Be positive and support your local business. The county just did.
— Christopher Whitman
Salisbury

Wake up, Republicans
Wake up Republicans! The La Resistance PAC is attempting to place control of the county commission in the hands of Democrats. The officials of this PAC are Todd Paris (R), who contributed $1,000, and Jeremy Gardiner. Other contributors to this PAC are unaffiliated.
Their strategy is to endorse the three weakest Republicans that are running. Two Democrats will be on the ballet in November. Raymond Coltrain has enough signatures to run as unaffiliated and Gene Miller will qualify as well.
Their plan is to run three weak Republicans against two Democrat nominees and two unaffiliated nominees. This could result in the county commission shifting from a fiscally responsible conservative body to a tax-and-spend liberal body.
Republicans, you can thwart their plans by electing strong fiscally and socially conservative Republicans in our primary. Two Republicans that fit that description are Joe Coladarci and Jim Sides. Jim Sides is the taxpayers’ best friend. He has never voted for a tax increase. He works hard to keep our county government efficient and business friendly. Jim Sides is the hardest working commissioner we have had in many years.
I have known Joe Coladarci for several years. Joe has been very active in our Rowan Tea Party Patriots and our Republican Party. This year he organized our Lincoln-Reagan dinner. He is serving on our county Planning Board. Joe has been in business for himself nearly all his life and is a dedicated, hard working conservative.
Jim Sides and Joe Coladarci will fairly represent all of the towns in our county and also rural residents. Neither will cave in to special interest groups. I voted for both Jim Sides and Joe Coladarci and hope others will as well to keep our county commission strong and conservative.
— Larry Wright
Salisbury

Hall, Rickard for KCS
For those of you who are voting early and who plan to vote on May 6, I would ask that you support our two incumbent school board members here in Kannapolis, two friends of our community, Millie Hall and Danita Rickard. They have done an outstanding job for our local, city school system for many years.
While I was attending school here in the Kannapolis system, their leadership always allowed for all students to have an equal chance to succeed in their educational experience by encouraging a productive and positive environment, along with high expectations. That is so important for our learners of today as they receive the most important gift that a community can give them: a quality education, rich in personal attention. That is exactly what Kannapolis City Schools gives to its students.
Millie and Danita will continue to serve us well and be great collaborators as we all work together to continue to rebuild our city’s economy.
I strongly endorse Millie Hall and Danita Rickard for the Kannapolis City School Board of Education. Thank you for your time and allowing me to serve our community.
— Ryan G. Dayvault
Kannapolis

Proven leadership?
My wife’s run for school board in 2012 was unsuccessful because of the proven leadership of Greg Edds. In a story in the Post after the election, Edds admitted that it was his decision as head of the local Republican Party to not include my wife or Bryce Beard on the red card handed out at the voting precincts and published in the paper, even though they were both Republicans. The sample ballot mailed to registered Republicans also stated that these were the only Republicans running.
First of all, a school board seat is nonpartisan. Second, to be correct, the red card and candidates’ lists should have said these are the Republicans that we are supporting for school board, not the only ones running.
My wife was supported by the Democratic Party because of her credentials, not her party affiliation — as a nonpartisan office should be viewed.
After the election, I checked with the Attorney General’s Office, which consulted with the State Board of Elections. A written response says that, under N.C. General Statute 163-274(8), it is a class 1 misdemeanor for anyone to publish or falsify reports or to be reckless in regard to reporting accurate information concerning a candidate when such report is calculated or intended to affect the chances of such candidate for nomination or election. The elections director closed by saying not all elections involve such activities and it is a shame qualified people are not accurately represented to voters.
As voting approaches, I encourage you to research the proven leadership qualities of political candidates. Look for those who are fair, knowledgeable, have good common sense and high integrity. Voters need to have the final say as to who they want in office; it should not be left to a few officers in any political party.
— Don Marsh
Salisbury
Sides not two-sided
As of late we have seen a flood of negative articles about our county commissioners , most of which are opinions , puns, half truths and such. One such article recently was about Mr. Sides. The article may lead one to wonder which side Mr. Sides is on — the high side, the low side, the left side the right side, the fore side or the aft side. It was a good funny article.
One thing I am sure of, he is not two-sided. I believe he is on the side of the people of this county, and I am convinced that his intent and desire is to keep our tax rate as low as possible and prosper the people in the county. As well, he stands up for our constitutional rights to own and carry guns, to pray in Jesus’ name and so on.
Oh, I have known Mr. Sides for more than 30 years. He is no push-over when in the business realm, but is compassionate and fair. He is a man of character and integrity and does not put forth untruths. I believe he and most of the other commissioners have done a good job under very adverse conditions
I would encourage the citizens of Rowan County who are interested in keeping our taxes low and who want fair and equal treatment for all of the citizens to vote for Jim Sides May 6th .
— Ernest Bartlett
Cleveland

Johnson has a plan
Joel Johnson is the only Republican candidate for clerk of court with experience in the justice system and a full understanding of the requirements of the position. He is also the only candidate who has come forward with a plan to implement much-needed improvements in the office.
Joel has experience dealing with the office as a law enforcement officer for both the Salisbury Police Department and Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, serving our community for nearly a decade, and has developed the necessary connections to enhance the service level of the office. Joel intends to implement several changes that will benefit the citizens of Rowan County.
He has seen personally the struggles that citizens face in dealing with the justice system and the lack of support. His goals are simple but effective. He wants to implement a citizen liaison position to help guide people through the challenges they face, whether it be executing wills, filing domestic violence protection orders, helping landlords through the challenges of evictions, as well as many other functions of the office.
He also wants to improve the availability and accessibility of the office by extending the hours of operation.
Most importantly, he wants to address the efficiency of the office to streamline and simplify the processes, which will expedite paperwork to other officials and reduce the delays that currently exist.
Please visit his website to learn more about him: www.ElectJoelJohnson.com. One of the things that I feel separates him from other candidates is the fact that he encourages the public to contact him and discuss their concerns. This shows that, for Joel, this would be more than just a job. It is an opportunity to provide higher service levels to the citizens of Rowan County.
— Christie Foutz
Salisbury