… My Turn: What ‘no kill’ should mean

It’s heartening to see that there are clear-thinking folks like Jane Felts willing to say what needs to be said about the sorry state of so-called “shelters” in Rowan County (and all over NC).

Not only is no-kill working sustainably in Polk County, but Dare County has managed to bring its save rate from 56 percent in 2011 to almost 91 percent in 2014.

These communities do this with the help of animal advocates, rather than slamming the door on volunteers.

— Fix NC

My heart breaks to see a perfectly healthy animal get euthanized largely … due the irresponsible owners who fail to spay and neuter their animals.

But there is the other side to “no kill.” Many of the conditions found within no-kill shelters would have me begging to be euthanized if I were a prisoner of one. I am 100 percent sure that the intentions behind no-kill are genuinely meant for the good of the animals. Unfortunately, space and funding are the stumbling blocks that are too big to wish away or in many cases, threaten away with continually asking to have people fired who understand the bigger picture.

— Bradn Chotiner

Two to three million dogs and cats die in shelters each year, while 17 million people will get a new pet every year. This is not hard math.

Because a few shelters may encounter stumbling blocks and/or do not implement the programs correctly, does not explain why shelters do not introduce free programs, volunteers, etc to progress to a no-kill shelter.

It can be done. Polk County as been very successful. Repurpose the funds budgeted for euthanasia, utilize the funds generated by adoptions and fund raise!

— Tracy Waugh

No-kill is a joke. It doesn’t take a genius to see that lots of money, a large facility, additional staff member salaries are needed to even dream about adopting no kill.

Rowan County has a small, open-admission shelter. They cannot turn away sick, old, unwanted animals. No-kill simply does not work.

I agree that low cost, high volume spay neuter is the answer. And breeders should be required to have a license or face high fines. But no-kill is a silly, uneducated idea that will never work in an open admission shelter.

— Sallie Thompson

I do believe that our county has a very long way to go before we are a no-kill county. I also think that some of the staff at the shelter would rather put them down than try to find homes, rescuers or fosters for them. It truly breaks my heart for the animals.

We, the citizens of Rowan County, need to stand up for these poor animals that have no voice. We must be their voice.

— Judy Owens

One part of the disagreement about this is more of semantics than actual disagreement about the methods. I wholeheartedly support the No-Kill Equation (NKE) so therefore, when I say I support “no kill” (NK) that is a shortened way of saying “I support low cost/high volume spay/neuter, owner retention, proactive redemptions, volunteer programs, community education and community involvement.”

If everyone would just google the NKE and read the 11 steps of it, more people would realize that they actually do agree with at least most of no-kill. “No-kill won’t work, we should try spay/neuter,” and “No-kill won’t work, we should help people keep their animals” are exactly the same as saying “No-kill won’t work, we should try no-kill instead.” …

I don’t care what it is called; intake is down at the shelter due to many people in our area working tirelessly on the components of the NKE whether they say they agree with no-kill or not. Let’s just call it “progress” and keep it going.

— Rachel Lambert

… Editorial: Icon ready for action

Not only has the restoration of the 611 gained the N.C. Transportation Museum prestige, but the wildly successful Streamliners event of 2014 and the equally successful Heritage event of 2012 have really shown the railroading community about what Spencer has to offer. There was a time when the museum in Spencer was one of the “best kept secrets” in this part of North Carolina. Truly that is something that can no longer be said. The secret is out.

— Eric Shock

… Express line to history

611 is an amazing machine, and the N.C. Transportation Museum is a tourism magnet for this area.

— Allen Scott

Great story, great engine! The event was greatly improved. To me this was the highlight of the show, being only the second “bullet train” I’ve ever seen. One came through and stopped at the depot in Salisbury about 20 years ago. It was down from Canada where they were last used.

— W.F. Owens

… Barbecue in the Carolinas, from shoulders to hogs to vinegar and mustard

I guess turnabout is fair play, because for those of us who grew up in South Carolina, the vinegar here that is substituted for real barbecue sauce is the taste that must be acquired. I’ve lived here for 46 years and have learned to appreciate N.C. fare. (When in Rome…)

But if you want to truly experience the food of the gods, take a vacation to Edisto Beach, S.C., and look up hole-in-the-wall Po’ Pigs. There’s a reason that CNBC rated it the best barbecue in the country.

Vinegar doesn’t come close.

— Stuart Smith

… Gravesite found near Civic Park Apartments reflects area’s history

So glad to have questions answered about this cemetery. As a small child in the early ‘80s, I saw that spot daily as my school bus drove by that wooded spot and I could see the old headstones. Even into my teenage and adult years I wanted to know and hoped to one day find those answers. History is just amazing. Hope to hear more about this soon.

— Kenya Morgan

Such respect for the dead makes me proud of my old hometown and county!

Just outside of Danville, in Pittsylvania County, Va., an historic site with graves and house remains was destroyed for the promise of a new locating industry with needed jobs. The site was destroyed, then the industry backed out. Now, it’s a site of “historic” destruction!

It’s always best to let the dead rest, and not covet that little bit of land which is all that they need.

— Mack Williams

… Yes, racism is a white problem

Linda is right on point. I agree with her 100 percent.

— John T. Blakeney

If everyone does their part, we can eliminate racism.

— Dennis Bridges

This is like trying to get Dracula to drink holy water. Racism shows up in nine different basic behaviors of human activity: education, economics, entertainment, law, labor, politics, sex, religion and war.

Racism is the dominant power system in the world today. It’s the only system we know. You can expect to be insulted everyday when living under the guise of white supremacy. Racism out trumps Christianity times 10,000! Good luck with that.

— Chris Sifford

Sounds good but what is really going to motivate people to change? I have to take the initiative as well as my neighbor, co-workers, friends, family, church and everyone else.

— Prince Stiller

One of the nice things about being 65 is that one can spot a “I’m white and I feel guilty” article within a few sentences. … Treating another person differently because of race is wrong. Living in a perpetual grudge because of some grievance generations ago is wrong, also.

— Stephen Owen

Fantastic commentary, Ms. Ketner. Very well said and well articulated. I must say I’m impressed with the Salisbury Post for publishing this.

— Dan Stach

… Liberal view is perverted

Mr. Biggerstaff, when I read Ms. Ketner’s article, I shared your thoughts that she went to the extreme. While I passionately agree with her that racism is a white problem, we can’t deny that there are also problems in the black community, and that, yes, police officers, teachers, etc. are often provoked by people of any race.

While Ms. Ketner’s article ignored the problems of the black community, your letter likewise ignores the problems in the police community. Most are doing their job to protect society, and worthy of all the respect and appreciation we can give them, and many are corrupt, very corrupt.

Perhaps you and Ms. Ketner are making the same basic point from different angles: People are individuals, and should not be reduced to labels (including the label “liberals” or “higher education” or “born with a silver spoon,” when meant as a condemnation).

—Kathy Vestal

… Big numbers, little truth

Those in the labor force are the ones paying the bills. So a falling labor participation rate is bad news for those living on the taxpayer’s dime. Inadequate job growth is part of the problem, but so is the huge Baby Boomer generation now retiring in large numbers. Fewer workers paying for more retirees is a huge drag on the economy.

— Gary Coffman

… Economists could tell us much more about employment, but we would have to put out significant effort to understand the implications of all that additional information. How many people are willing to put in the time and energy to understand complex ideas? All most of us want to do is cheer or boo.

— Ralph Dratman

Hats off to the David Purtell for referencing a more complete statistic of why the country is collapsing. We will continue to follow our leaders until there is nothing left of our wealth, our country, or our leaders, who’ve left to reunite with our wealth that they’ve quietly moved into some other country.

— Ed Would

… Citizens have reason to distrust government

Good grief, Charles. Obama isn’t a Muslim, the US already owns Texas, anyone who wants can go to any church they want, pray as often as they want and you aren’t going to be forced to be gay married and have gay sex and own a gay dog.

Seriously, what is so terrible about the world today that makes you think it was better 50 or 100 years ago?

— Greg Page

… Larry Efird, Rough drafts on teaching: Answering the question

I look forward to your column after reading this. A good teacher does just what you describe here: plan, implement, and reflect — then do it over until you get right, not assuming that shortcomings always stem from the learner but also from the lesson.

— Cathy Mahaffey