… Letter: Praise God
for nation’s new elected officials

What would Jesus do/say? The exact opposite of what Donald Trump has done and said.

His “ban” is not effective (no one from any of those countries has ever committed any act of terrorism on U.S. soil — unless you count Steve Jobs’ parents being from Syria, one of the countries).

And explain to all of us how coincidental it is that he and his companies only do business in the other countries that are not banned?

Trump is increasing no protection for Americans against terrorism on U.S. soil, he made an arbitrary decision to ban based on his personal business interests. Period.

— Ed Clark

I’m sure the protesters are grateful for being “allowed” to exercise their freedom of speech. As to “certain minority groups” criticizing our leaders, are you referring to those folks who seem determined to think for themselves?

— Alan Rutherford

Protesters are shouting messages to America and the world that injustice for anyone will not be tolerated and that any lawful means to fight it will be used. The activists are concerned with the well-being of all citizens, not government jobs that put careers ahead of suffering Americans. They stand for equal justice under law and the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

— Reginald Brown

I would ask everyone if they lock their doors at night. If so, do you do it out of hatred? Do you only wish to lock out a certain group? Or perhaps you do it out of a sense of responsibility to the occupants of your home.

Why then would we not also take the same view of our city, state or nation? Is everyone’s safety not important? Our government has a responsibility to its citizens to provide for their safety and security.

— Mike Jordan

… Speer hopes to help
sister buy ride to school

One of the greatest pleasures for me in getting involved in Lee Street Theatre has been meeting and getting to know Chris Speer. He is the heart and soul of the place. He has been dealt more bad hands of cards in his young life than most people twice his age; still he overcomes. … I’m proud to call him my friend.

— Mike Cline

Chris Speer is one the finest young men around. His work ethic and devotion to Lee Street Theatre are unparalleled. His story is heartbreaking at first glance, but look closer and you will find strength and inspiration — he is determined.

— Wendy Beeker

… Letter: A history lesson from 1797 treaty 

The attacks on American shipping did not stop as a result of the “tribute” that was being paid, and by the end of John Adams administration, the tribute was equal to 20 percent of the federal budget (David Barton, “An Historical Perspective on a Muslim Being Sworn into Congress on the Koran,” January 2007).

The continued piracy and attacks on American shipping caused the Adams administration to authorize the building of a navy. Adams sent the newly constructed flagship of the navy, the George Washington, to Algiers with the tribute payment. Once inside the port and moored, the crew unloaded the tribute payment and the ship was commandeered by the dey of Algiers and essentially turned into a slave ship.

After the election of 1800, Jefferson realized that Washington’s treaty was worthless and decided to take action. He sent in the Navy and Marines to free the USS George Washington and its enslaved crew. This action was successful and is immortalized in the first line of the Marine Hymn, “from the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli …”

Nothing has changed in over 200 years. Today’s terrorist nations still have a culture of required dominion and enslavement. Their religion is their government and their government is their religion. It is incompatible with any other. Negotiations are worthless.

— Franklin Merrell

… Animal shelter will
host horse, animal cruelty classes

More progress at our Rowan Animal Shelter for the county animals. This is an awesome opportunity to gain needed education on how to stop animal cruelty in our county and our state. True information about what is and is not legal, and what needs to change. Thank you, Clai Martin, Rowan County animal enforcement manager, for bringing this to our county.

— Nina Dix

… Students compete in regional mock trial competition at Rowan County Courthouse

Thank you to the Rowan County Bar for supporting this event. I’ve attended one of these regional events for the last five years and this one was as well run as any I’ve seen.

Congratulations to Central Carolina Homeshcoolers, a team that performs very well every year. Actually, congratulations are due to participants from all 10 teams who put in the hard work and did their best. I would like to recognize the local team, Blackstone, which is made up of home school students primarily from Rowan County. It’s a young team (all 10th-graders this year) that performed well and had a couple of members win individual awards.

— Larry Jones

My daughter from the other finalist, Mooresville High School, thoroughly enjoyed the day. Thank you to my fellow bar members for hosting and creating such a great event.

— Brendan Edge

… Eight-month drug investigation nets 17 people in narcotics roundup

It’s sad to say I know two of the many suspects. One of them, all he ever saw growing up was the drug life, all he ever knew. The other one I know lives in my neighborhood and has always been the nicest guy to my family.

We’ve got to do better, black people. With all the talent you have, build positive business in your own neighborhoods. Give back to your people instead of destroying the lives of our children, mothers and absent fathers.

My heart is heavy. Stop the madness. Isn’t it enough in the White House without adding more to our community?

— Beverly Phillips

… Prep Football: North Rowan’s Zion DeBose picks Virginia Tech

Wishing this young man nothing but the best. Happy for him and his family.

— Chris           Sifford

So happy to see another North Rowan student going on to the next level and hopefully beyond. This school and area need some good publicity.

— Michael Julian

Being a longtime VT fan, I look foward to seeing this young man playing his college football in Lane. Welcome to your new home.

— Jack Ratcliffe

… In southern Rowan County, I-85 construction will change several dozen street addresses

Wow, could this possibly make less sense for taxpayers? A new road with no houses affected by a name change could have a new name and leave the other 80+ addresses as they are now.

Do the “powers that be” not understand what the cost and aggravation will be for over 80 taxpaying constituents? I certainly hope someone takes a moment to think about this before Election Day!

— Darlene Russo

… Teacher marks 40 years at North Hills Christian School

What an incredible teacher and woman of God. I was blessed to have her teach all three of my children. She is truly amazing to watch in the classroom. Although she leads with a gentle spirit, her students listen to her and are quick to obey. Having her on board is just one of the many reasons we chose North Hills Christian School. There is no such thing as retirement in the kingdom of God.

I love it that she is still going strong.

— Daphne Houghton

We were one of those families that had three kids go through her door. So thankful for her obedience to God’s calling on her life. Congratulations to 40 years.

— Amy McLain Miller

So privileged to work with this magnificent woman and honored to call her friend.

— Duane Galloway

… Warren introduces bill     to make school board races partisan

Josh Wagner chastised the Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools for refusing to hold its conference in Rowan County citing HB2. Mr. Wagner said the decision was “based more on politics than morals.” He said “a political issue should not be used to hold a school system hostage.” Furthermore, the issue “could have been handled outside the political ring.”

Yet he is all for partisan politics in a school board race. Hmmm.

I believe it is wrong for a political party to endorse a candidate in a nonpartisan race. And I think it is ignorant to vote for a candidate just because he has a D or R in front of his name. Vote on the issues.

Vote for the 21,000 school children in this county, not the party.

— Leah Campion

… Editorial: Drawing party lines

Good idea. Smoke out the people who hide their party. Such people are to be shunned as unfit to live with.

— Stephen Owen

The current branding of school board races as “nonpartisan” is about as far removed from reality as a person can get. Both parties have seen candidates vigorously seek their support in recent years.

I am more interested in a candidate’s ideas than his or her party affiliation, and their party label has rarely affected how I caste my vote for school board.

— Jeff Morris

… Cal Thomas: Careful   what you wish for, churches

For once, I agree with Cal Thomas. Allowing nonprofits like churches to openly endorse or oppose political candidates would drive many to the exits.

But the issue is far bigger than churches. There are over 1 million non-church nonprofits in the United States. There are hundreds in Rowan County, from Boy Scouts and Hospice to the organizations included under the United Way umbrella. Allowing these good, useful and truly American organizations to get involved in endorsing and opposing candidates will ruin them. Let them stand for good outside the political fray. Or else a lot of citizens will be heading for the exits and talking their charitable tax-exempt donations with them.

— Pete Prunkl

… Community reacts to city’s request for opinion   on warrants

What is clear to me is that our N.C. jurisdictions may be skating on an unpredictable frozen lake, unsure of where the thin spots are in the ice. Unfortunately for Salisbury, we fell through the ice. A young man is dead. An officer now has to live with taking the life of another human being for the rest of his life.

Our police officers are human beings and they possess compassion like the rest of us. You cannot convince me that police officers go to work in anticipation of “who can I kill today?”

It is the organizational culture that sets the tone. 

— Mary Duckworth

… South grad Carlos  Dixon returns to the US to coach after playing  pro ball overseas

That’s my boy —  been a good guy since we were kids, when we first met in the gym at the YMCA in Salisbury. He always played a great game and stayed, putting in work on the court. So congrats and I wish you nothing but the best.

— Cain Spivey

Awesome article, covering the highs and lows for the love of the game. Now being able to bring his lessons to Queens will benefit tremendously. Continued success from a die-hard Duke fan.

— Antione Duke Norman

Always been one of my favorite players. Can’t wait for him to be a head coach one day.

— Kevin E. McCullough

A great addition to any coaching staff

— Damon Watlington

… Residents again asks City Council to suspend use of no-knock warrants

The speakers are often making contradictory demands. First, demand that the City Council reduce crime but then second demand that the City Council restrict the actions of the police department in fighting crime and serving warrants. I would be interested to hear how many times police knock on doors with warrants but nobody comes to the door. If the police can show a repeated pattern of evasion by the subjects of the warrant, then I can understand the need for a no-knock version. All the while I see that the City is having difficulty recruiting police officers to work in this atmosphere. Officer conditions are probably much more positive in Mooresville or other surrounding towns where the crime numbers aren’t so high.

— Doug Sokolowski

The police have said one of the obstacles they consistently face in investigating crimes is the lack of cooperation they receive from the community.

There is a lack of cooperation because there is a lack of trust.

It is the responsibility of the police to earn that trust.

The use of no-knock warrants is an obstacle to establishing that trust.

— Mike Martelli