… The Merchant
of West End

Great man! My first apartment was up the street from McLaughlin’s on Tabernacle Street. I was a young mother and still in high school. Every time I walked in that store, (John McLaughlin) enlightened me and shared a story with me. I’ve always loved politics and enjoyed those talks even though my friends would be outside begging me to come on.

When I moved out of the area, I later enrolled at Livingstone College. I was extremely happy to go back to the store and let him know that I was graduating with a criminal justice degree. This store is definitely a Salisbury landmark loved and respected by many.

— Shanikka Harris

Enjoyed reading this article. It brought back many memories from my days at Livingstone and venturing out into the Salisbury community. I didn’t realize the rich history this store holds, a real staple in the community.

— Debbie Webb-Ogundele

This story brings up wonderful memories of my student days at Livingstone. … I practically lived on campus either in class or studying. McLaughlin’s store was the place from which I bought food for lunch. I got to know John then and he was always pleasant. His wife was teacher for my grands at North Rowan Elementary. She is a wonderful person and great teacher. May God bless John and Carolyn.

— Allene McNeil

I have such fond memories of frequenting this old-fashioned “mom-and-pop” shop during my tenure at Livingstone College. Never realized the proprietor was a Livingstonian.

— Miriam Norris

I live in Brooklyn, New York, and every time I go south I go shopping there. I have my mom and sister going to Mclaughlin Grocery store to buy their meat.

— Tony McConeyhead

Awesome story. He let me post a “Just Thinking” poster, and it’s been in the same place in the store for over 20 years.  

This business is a real piece of history in the Salisbury community.

— Tee Boones

Letter: Unfair pricing

Deer Park has always been more expensive than the Nestle’s. If they were truly price gouging, I would expect that all the water would have been much more expensive. …

Because of the state of emergency being declared, price gouging laws are in effect, so if you truly believe that stores are price gouging, then you can register a complaint here: https://www.ncdoj.gov/…/Price-Gouging-Complaint.aspx

— Eric Shock

… Caution is not racism

The question is if, individually, we are capable of examining our systems and how those systems came to be, vis-a-vis our own privilege as inherited and perpetuated for the benefit of the dominant culture, which favors in all cases white people. The individual’s (and by extension the national) answer to this question is what will decide the trajectory of race relations, and ultimately the social and economic health of the country — but not only the answer.

If the continuance of systems proven to be racist are allowed to perpetuate, as is historically and currently the case, it doesn’t matter how “heartfelt” or “Christian” or “liberal” or “loving” one is toward people of color in this country — the results of systemic racism will continue.

— Whitney Peckman

… Rowan-Salisbury Schools ‘flat’ on annual testing report

It’s interesting to me that the system’s highest performing school, Rowan Early College, is the one which is neither doing “business as usual” nor returning to perceived halcyon days in education. Theirs seems to be the model to which we should look for clues as to what works.

I’m glad to see that the North Rowan school community is doing just that. Look out, county. The North area will be as a phoenix rising from the ashes.

— Karen South Jones

… School board approves changes

The Board of Education should begin to question the motives of removing state-mandated testing and the creation of “district created” testing. Statistics are easy to manipulate. For example, graduation rates where kids are simply pushed through without seat time, content knowledge, accountability,and preparedness for the workforce/college.

… In short, the school board must take a stand for the children. … The “we’ll build a plane as we fly it” mantra as championed by the current administration (and even repeated by a member of the NCGA) is ridiculous and the future of our children, grandchildren and economic development of Rowan-Salisbury is jeopardized.

— John Davis

… Kann. plant closes, lays off hundreds

Through the tears and confusion, people turned over their badges, keys, walkie talkies and other company property as we received our layoff notice scheduled for 60 days from then. “What are we supposed to do now?” was the main question being asked after the devastating news.

— Jeremiah Wallace

Niagara Bottling in Mooresville is hiring. Check out open positions at careers.niagarawater.com\mooresville.

— Derek Zeedyk

I’m a production superintendent at Carolina Foods Inc. Our industrial bakery has several job opportunities. You can contact us. 704-333-9812.

— Albert Tizon

… Letter: RSS test scores worse than flat

Performance of children on their third grade reading exams has fallen three years in a row. More children have failed reading exams each year —since the implementation of Read to Achieve (a legislation passed by Phil Berger). He’s a politician, by the way, not an educator. These third-graders rise up through the ranks in our schools — so yes, poor scores and performance “trickles up,”… if you will. “72 percent of teachers indicated that Read to Achieve has negatively affected teaching quality…” (News & Observer)

— Shelley Palmer

 As a former teacher, I can tell you from experience that the one-to-one initiative has caused a decline in student achievement. Students even brag about how easy it is to have assignments air dropped to them by others. … Other electronic devices like cellphones are just as disruptive.

— Larry Bolen

The only people being hurt are the students who are not ready for the real world, whether it be college or going into the workforce. Education is a fundamental pillar of the county’s progress. We need to wake up and pitch in to solve this problem instead of just being complacent about the situation.

— Kyle Huffman

… Editorial: Making the grade in NC

School letter grades do have a purpose. They provide vital information for parents. If a school is low-performing, parents have the right to move their children to a better school.

You are right when you say the letter grade does nothing for the school, but it does make a difference. It should grab the attention of district level administrators. The need for change should be ad dressed. … When a school has a D or a F it is a red flag. Neither student scores nor school scores will improve unless the problems are addressed.

— Karen Bowyer