… Master plan: $14 million savings by keeping former mall 

I think we all saw this coming. When you hire one of these firms, they are determined to bring back a way to do what you want to do because you are paying them. Consequently, they glaze over the problems and give you the report you were asking for, i.e., a document that bolsters what you wanted to do (or have already done).

— John Blair

As I understand it, a decision has not been made, only an array of options were presented. This will inform future deliberations, so that a reasonable, cost-effective solution to Rowan County’s space needs can eventually be reached.

Their careful consideration of the available options is much appreciated.

— Jeff Morris

Gary Page told the “Post” is would cost $10 million over the course of a decade. Aaron Church told one of our people last year he estimated around $20 million and now it’s nearly $30  million. Oh, but it is cheaper the ludicrous “Cadillac plan” that was drawn up as a much more expensive “straw man” alternative. …

The Post’s next story should be how much taxes will go up for this “bargain.” My prediction is that the massive mall tax is coming, and 2016 will be the year of tax protester.

— Todd Paris

I have a hard time fathoming some of those estimates. $26 million for a new building where the magistrate’s office is now?

And where is the county supposed to get the funding for all these grandiose plans? Considering half of the mall plan involves “flex space” (read: space we have no usable purpose for because we bought way too much), that’s retail space that very few are lining up to occupy.

I am thankful that someone finally decided to get off their rear and actually analyze what is needed and what sort of plan should be come up with, as opposed to “we gotta buy now, figure it out later!” Too bad this is the “figure it out later.”

— Eric Shock

What if the entire County investment were made in downtown? Would the long term benefit offset the short term higher cost? Intuitively, I am guessing yes. As such, there would be no loser. But the city and downtown would benefit. And that would be bad because…

I hope our new county leaders are not holding onto the mall to save face. … We need to work together to enhance our county Seat. Working together we can accomplish three times as much. That is the kind of return on my taxes paid that I am looking for.

— Michael Young

It would appear the time could be at hand for La Baloney to eat some crow!

— Chris Borre

… West Rowan students rally for suspended teacher

Students have a code like cops. They normally stand together when it’s one of them. This tells me that the student spoken about must have done something even his peers could not stand by. Proud of the protesting students who want to stand up for what they believe is right. …

Put God back in the schools. Put paddling back in the schools with less drama around spanking. Face it! Time out and talking don’t work for some! I feel sorry for teachers. They obviously do it out of love because the pay sure isn’t the draw. Let that man back in his classroom!

— Jamella Martin

Once the student touches the teacher, the teacher should be allowed to use the proper force to defend himself and the students he is responsible for. If I had ever put hands on a teacher, my dad would have kicked me sideways and I would have been mowing that teacher’s yard for the rest of the summer. I guess that is what’s wrong with the world today

— Darrell Fleming

There is a difference between discipline and assault. Get a dictionary,  people!

— Gabriel Barrera III

I can remember when my assistant principal used a paddle with holes in it. It caused a very severe case of respect.

— Mitch Flowers

I understand where Mr. Linville’s head was at the time. I hope our legal system gives Mr. Linville the slap on the wrist that our school system gives out-of-control students. Good luck to you, sir, and my prayers go out to you and your family in this stressful time. This also goes to the family of this young man; maybe he can now get the help he needs.

— Debbie Tidwell

Years ago I would have thought differently on this subject, but to see the way most (not all) kids are to adults and even their own parents nowadays makes me want to beat them at times (like the way we got our butts beat) too! … I pray for the kids and the teachers. I wasn’t there, so I have no idea but what I see here in this post, so I pray justice is served to whoever was not in the wrong.

— Tracy Correll

I see it both ways. … The child should not put his hands on the teacher, but the teacher should not put his hands on the child. He could have really hurt that child. If he broke his neck … would you really want the teacher to do that to your child?

— Ann Spratt

Every school has their problems. Opinions are just that, opinions.

— Tonya Barber

… Residents near Buck Steam Station told not to drink well water

We have massive amounts of “iron bacteria” in our well water, according to the “well experts.” … We can fix it with a $3,000 PVC liner installed down our well. Well, what about the water that continues to come up from the well containing iron bacteria? Anyone else have this problem on Long Ferry Road?

—Jacqui Watson

Where are the Fox News “coal is good for you” people?

— Leo Smith

… Josh Bergeron: Teachers should be held to a higher standard

As a teacher who has broken up countless fights over the years, I have been kicked in the head, punched in the face, chest, and once even pushed down the stairs by a students fighting from the bus lot to the cafeteria. … Every kid that hit me got restrained immediately by myself. The resource officer and security are often 10 minutes or more away from any situation and in these days of modular classrooms you are often on an island and have to make snap judgments that we do not always want to make.

Most students are good kids, but there are times when they lose control of their emotions and do stupid things, no matter how much we want things to be calm. I had a student pull a knife on another student in my classroom not two minutes into the first block six years ago, and if I had not knocked the crap out of him with a chair after he cut the student on the arm, I may have had to attend a funeral instead of waiting for a sideline critic to write an article like this.

— Keith Stringfellow

Per N.C. General Statute 115C-391.1. & RSS Policy Code: 4301 Authority of School Personnel:

Teachers and other school personnel have the authority to manage or remove disruptive or dangerous students from the classroom and other locations within the school building. School personnel may use reasonable force to control behavior or to remove a person from the scene in those situations when necessary:

1. to correct students;

2. to quell a disturbance threatening injury to others;

3. to obtain possession of a weapon or another dangerous object on the person, or within the control, of a student;

4. for self-defense;

5. for the protection of persons or property; or

6. to maintain order on school property, in the classroom, or at a school-related activity whether on or off school property.

— Jonathan Hattaway

You don’t have to have an authority position to be a bully. This student deliberately picked on a teacher, counting on the fact that the teacher wouldn’t react, and the teacher defended himself from an attack. If this same incident happened in a shopping center parking lot — where the teacher was just another person, like you and me — no one would fault him for “overreacting” to such an attack. Bullies need to be taught a lesson, and the lesson is “Don’t mess with me!” The kid walked away uninjured, didn’t he? He deserved what he got. I am surprised that anyone would think otherwise.

— William Bucher

It is sad to read such a wimpy response. We have become a country of big cry babies, spoiled rotten to the core. … We have allowed the government into our lives to such a degree that teachers are no longer allowed to discipline in a way that many parents fail! We live in the land of the offended. How sad!

— David Holman

I completely agree with this article.

— Crystal Reyes

The general public needs to spend some time in a high school to observe behavior of a few students. Until you do, I would be very careful criticizing. Your degree in journalism does not give you the knowledge to know what goes on in a typical day of a teacher.

— Ralph Walton

Who are you to judge the teacher for his actions in neutralizing the threat of the student, saying the teacher used more force than necessary? Were you there and witnessed what really took place? I wasn’t and can only assume what I have heard and read about in fact happened in the way you described.

… Before casting a guilty verdict on the teacher, please wait until all the facts are in. No one is perfect and not all plans of action are perfect. Until all factors are known, stay neutral.

— Karey Clark

… David Post: Ready for Walmart government?

It’s so hard living in conservative land, where to be a conservative means to be a follower of Ronald Reagan and Jesse Helms. It makes me sick.

— Mark Denton

The math doesn’t add up at either the federal or state level. As an administrator and teacher at a UNC university, I can attest that the quality of instruction is constantly evaluated. It is most administrators’ primary goal. There are models of primary, secondary and higher ed around the globe that are driven by private interests, and it doesn’t look pretty.

— Cathy Mahaffey

… A lot of memories for legendary Catawba coach Moir

One of my most vivid memories of those teams in ‘82 and ‘83 was when UNC Asheville came here for the NAIA playoffs. They brought a couple of busloads of “well lubricated” fans whose behavior during warm-ups got the Indians so fired up that they scored the first 20 points or so and put the game away almost before it started. … Many will recall the 1980 conference tournament finals against High Point, when Jerry Steele’s Panthers tried in vain to freeze the ball inside, with a snowstorm outside, Catawba finally prevailed 10-9. Those two games really stand out. Coach Moir deserves all those accolades and many more.

— Stuart Smith