… Rowan commission reacts to denial of prayer case by Supreme Court

If the commission does not opt for a common sense moment of silence, I am curious if they will have rotating invocations. Rotating invocations would bring the county in line with Greece v Galloway, and it is what Forsyth did when they lost their prayer case.

… Should the commission ignore the possibility of a moment of silence, I would hope that they consider a policy of rotating chaplains, rather than limiting it to one specific Christian sect.

— Al Adersen

How can the court pick and choose what they will and will not hear? Doesn’t sound too fair.

— Mark Cantrell

If they heard all cases, there would be no need for any other courts in the entire country. Evidently they felt the lower ruling was accurate.

— Bruce Murphy

… Study finds rental discrimination in the city of Salisbury

I strongly support Mayor Heggins’ suggestion that commission members who oversee the local housing issues be trained in these specific areas. Janet Gapen was asked in this meeting if they have received any training she replied, “no.”

The statement by Councilman Brian Miller was, “If discrimination is happening …” Jeffrey Dillman (co-director of the Fair Housing Project) shared the results as stated in this article. It is happening already.

If the council fails to implement a system of monitoring such discrimination as Dillman stated was its responsibility, then they have failed over 50 percent of our community.

— Renee Wimbish

Along with diving deep into the housing impediments, there needs to be a sweeping institutional analysis addressing racial equity.

— Anthony Smith

I must say that Janet Gapen continues to keep her word in terms of improving and reducing the impediments identified in the 2104 report. There is still a great deal that must be done, but this is a start in the right direction.

I would like to develop a black and minority housing organization to respond to these concerns and to provide a vehicle that leads to increased home ownership, decent and affordable rental housing, and increased banking opportunities locally.

— Kenneth Muhammad El

… Landis OKs budget with tax increase and vehicle fee

Town of Landis utility bills are already outrageous. This is a very sad situation for people who are already on fixed incomes. No way to justify $100,000 for Christmas lights. I’m really upset at all the increases.

— Elizabeth Kimberlin

No, mayor, what you heard about during the elections was high utility bills. You told me to my face that you were going to fix that. The only street I’ve heard a complaint about is Chapel.

And for the love of God, we do not need $100,000 worth of Christmas lights.

I’m very heartbroken to say that I cannot wait for the day that I can sell my house and move away from here. Of course, probably no one will buy it because they’ve heard about the utility bill. I am so disappointed.

— Susan E. Corriher

Can’t wait for the next election cycle.

— Michael Gunner

My goodness. Makes me sick. Power bills are already ridiculous. I think it’s time to move. After our family building this home here in the ’50s, calling it home for nearly 65 years, this is not the place to live anymore.

We’re in what is now deemed a commercial area. But, with the rise in taxes on top of utilities being so high at times (nearly $600/month in the fall and winter for no reason), no business wants to come here, let alone families.

— Carolyn LaFevers

Hope Oliphant is one fine lady that works where the rubber meets the road. She sees the results of high water and sewer bills. Better listen, fellows. We have clients that state they do not want to look in Landis because they cannot afford the utilities. Now a 5-cent property tax increase?

— Jim Crawford

… Phil Kirk: Renewal school system could blaze trails

How does this “restart” improve student performance? This system has many restarts over 10-15 years. Not one has has improved the quality of education provided to the students. …

“The renewal school system model provides charter-like flexibility for all school sites within a traditional public school system.” How does that work? In my opinion, this is just another attempt to hide the failures of RSSS.

— Larry Cole

… Editorial: Saturday vote should stay

You folks, wake me up when Rep. Carl Ford actually votes against the GOP majority led by Tim Moore and Phil Berger. I will most likely get to sleep the next 2.5 years. Funny how he voted against the working middle class in the district, isn’t it?

— Bill Sorenson

Yes, Saturday voting must remain, and, in fact, voting access must be expanded. Voting should be easier, not harder. And why not make Election Day a holiday?

Voting participation in the United States is appalling already, so don’t make it any worse. And why are the GOPers not trying harder to prevent meddling by the Russians?

The GOP continues its efforts to discourage voting.

— Pat Bullard

… Letter: Immigration doesn’t have to be divisive

The concept is hard to grasp because refugees seeking asylum, not immigrants searching for a better life, are running for their lives. There is a moral problem with separating children from their relatives to legitimize, consolidate wrongdoing, and to use family breakups as bargaining chips to build a wall. 

— Reginald Brown

Immigration is very complex and needs all of Congress to sit down, work the problem, pass a solution and then override the Trump veto.

We also need a strong third party. No one would buy a two-legged stool, so why should we think Congress can function with only two parties?

— Eric Marsh

… Letter: Congress should join fight against Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s is a horrible affliction, and I have seen first-hand its effects on both sides of my family. It’s beyond heartbreaking to see people you love decline and become a shadow of their former selves as the disease slowly takes them. However, why should it be government’s job to do something?

Why is it that whenever there is a problem in our society (and I will readily agree that Alzheimer’s disease is a problem), the automatic answer is to make government take care of it? The reason is because there is this false perception that government has unlimited resources and unlimited power to wave some sort of magic wand to solve whatever problem is set before it. …

I commend working towards a workforce better prepared to care for those with Alzheimer’s, but I would also commend more research towards finding an end to this disease. But, respectfully, government is not the solution to our problems in life.

— Eric Shock

… Letter: Drivers’ respect means a lot

This is one of those traditions of respect that we can continue to display to a bereaved family and also pass along on to our children and grandchildren.

— Dixie Dalton

It’s a Southern thing.

— J.P. Miller

I grew up in southern New Jersey and was taught from a young age to always pull over for a funeral procession.

— Terry Dunn

… Wayne Hinshaw: Watching Pride and prejudice

Great article, Wayne. Plenty of good religious places and folks out there, but it always seems to be the hateful ones making the most noise.

— Jason Higgins

Explain to me why, when someone has or offers a different opinion, that it equates to hate. So this is how you label anyone who doesn’t agree with your thought process? That seems narrow-minded to me. That’s OK; I don’t hate you for it.

— Jimmy Potts

… Ada Fisher: It’s not just about the children

Personally speaking, I will vote this election for candidates who prioritize citizens over illegal aliens, and those who oppose sanctuary cities, amnesty and taxpayer-funded in-state college tuition discounts for illegals. That means no Democrats and no RINOs.

— Mira Dean

… Ed Rogers: Democrats still have no message on the economy or jobs

This economy is not the result of Trump’s policies. It is the continuation of a trend started several years ago under Obama, conveniently ignored by Republicans until “their guy” was in office.

If you want specific examples of Trump’s effects, ask the former Carrier employees, the soybean farmers, anyone that will be paying more for aluminum and steel. Ask about Puerto Rico. Ask about the environment and the State Department. Ask about the elimination of net neutrality, the families split apart, and the money given away to the 1 percent.

— Chris Coleman