Warren and other lawmakers kept word

I write to endorse Harry Warren for the newly redrawn U.S. House District 13.

During the campaign for the 2010 election, the Republican leadership made a list of promises to the taxpayer if they were elected. They were, and they kept those promises. You may recall that the state budget was balanced without raising taxes, the budget for education was increased (and has been increased each budget cycle since), they removed the cap on charter schools, they passed legislation requiring photo identification to protect your vote at the polls, and they ended the practice of forced annexation by municipalities.

Since those early efforts, the Republican-led legislature has continued to make North Carolina more competitive with surrounding states through tax cuts for businesses and individuals. The current budget proposed by the N.C. House will fund more pay raises for teachers and teacher assistants (through third grade) and for most other state employees. In all of these, Harry has been effective in shaping legislation and in garnering votes necessary for passage. In short, Harry has represented us well.

Harry has kept in touch with us through monthly town hall meetings and with his weekly newsletter. He is “reachable.”

Yes, I know Harry and his family personally as well. We met in church, and I have found him to be spiritually sincere; and that he exhibits the finest attributes of someone in touch with the tenets of our Christian faith.

Let’s send Harry to Washington so that he may work to bring the same effectiveness to the U.S. House of Representatives.

— M.H. Clements

Cleveland

Walser has fresh ideas

There is no need to tell how different this election year is from any in our lifetime; and you know why. We face problems in our country that are big and they affect us all on a personal level: good paying jobs, health care, college tuition costs and more. I haven’t even mentioned the external threats we have from people who, quite frankly, want to kill us. And, oh yes, we don’t have any new income to confront these challenges, just borrowed money.

So what can we do, where do we begin? Well, first we need to have elected representatives that are up to the challenges. It is going to take people that come in with fresh ideas, a willingness to tackle these problems head on, and work with other elected officials to get something done.

Our new 13th Congressional district has such a candidate, and his name is Jason Walser. Jason has worked with people in the counties of this district for most of his professional career as the executive director of the Land Trust for Central NC. He is highly educated, having earned the Morehead scholarship at UNC-Chapel Hill, and a law degree there.

Jason has the creativity and intellect to solve some of these problems, and he has the drive and energy to do what needs to be done. On top of that, he loves people, and will work tirelessly to make our government work for each person in the district.

One of the things I appreciate most about Jason is that he abhors waste: wasted money, wasted food, wasted energy, and wasted talent. Wouldn’t it be refreshing to have someone stand up to the waste in government?

I encourage you to vote for Jason Walser in the Republican primary on June 7, but don’t wait until then. Go and vote early.

— Dyke Messinger

Salisbury

Mirroring Coble’s values

When I graduated East Rowan High School, I received a very nice congratulatory letter from Representative Howard Coble. I’d never met Rep. Coble and my family wasn’t high ranking enough to merit a note from a U.S. congressman. Yet, there it was. After receiving my undergraduate degree, I received another kind note.

In the years since receiving those letters, I met Howard Coble on many occasions. Every time I saw him I’d remind him of those notes and how I still remembered them. He’d kindly deflect the thanks to his staff, note that East Rowan was home of the Mustangs, and say it was his pleasure. Unlike most politicians, I always believed Howard when he said it.

It was Howard’s pleasure because he cared about our region in a way that transcended petty politics. He wanted what was best for his district – each high school graduate, each veteran, each and every person.

On June 7th voters in the newly created 13th Congressional district have a chance to elect someone with a similar approach. Jason Walser is that choice.

— Kevin Redding

Greensboro