Job well done, United Way supporters and volunteers

This Thanksgiving as you reflect on your blessings, and perhaps some trials and tribulations, Communities In Schools of Rowan County would like to share our gratitude for our wonderful community.

We are thankful for all the generous people in Rowan County who give of their time, talent and treasures.

CIS Rowan is particularly thankful for the hard work and dedication that our Rowan County United Way staff, board members and volunteers put into the campaign each year. Without that dedication our agency, Communities In School of Rowan County, would not be able to provide the services that we do. Nearly 300 students are enrolled in CIS Rowan. All students receive on-going individual service and attention. Without funding from United Way we might be able to serve only half of those students.

Our dedicated site coordinators are located in five of the most “in need” schools in our community where the free/reduced rates can be as high as 95 percent. Because of United Way funding, our staff are able to conduct home visits, meet parents at work and even help transport family members to schools to attend parent/teacher meetings. Our site coordinators meet with parents/guardians to assess children’s needs, develop individual goals and implement plans that will address that child’s concerns.

Last year 97 percent of our students stayed in school, 88 percent improved academically and 84 percent of our “at risk” seniors graduated on-time. If we had not received United Way funding, the outcomes may have looked incredibly different.

At this time of celebrating Thanksgiving with our families and friends, we would like to express our thankfulness for the support you have given all Rowan County United Way agencies. To all who have lived by this year’s campaign slogan “Raised Here. Stays Here. Shared Here.” a heartfelt thank you and job well done.

— Vicky Slusser

Salisbury

The writer is executive director of Communities in Schools of Rowan County.

Time to repeal Obamacare

A prevalent issue to the current world today is the health care reform brought on by Obamacare. With Obamacare’s effects becoming prevalent last year, it has been plagued with issues ever since. Obamacare promised lower rates and better coverage, but the contrary has become reality. This is because the system is only cost effective if a lot of healthy young people sign up to pay for the sick old people. The cost effective proportions are thrown out of whack resulting in the extremely high rates for the same coverage.

The “better” Obamacare designed to replace the “flawed” old system has come out more flawed beyond recognition than the old. The good intentions have been screwed up in typical government fashion. The only reasonable option in my opinion at this point is to scrap the new and go back to the old that has worked well for many years before. Repealing Obamacare is the only logical choice for the greater good of the hard working American people.

— Robert Leonard

Salisbury