Editorial: Right the wrong

Someone should enlighten Troutman town officials that it's the 21st century.

The town doesn't observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day - the civil rights movement's most noted anniversary - by giving its employees the day off work.

Troutman is the only major municipality in Iredell County that stays open on the federally observed holiday.

Town officials use the excuse that Troutman employees already receive 11 paid holidays - New Year's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, the Fridya after Thanksgiving and two days at Christmas, plus an 11th day for a "personal holiday."

Alderman Mike Spath said out of "respect for Dr. King," he'd add the extra holiday. Mayor Elbert Richardson said he was in favor of adding the day, but the board didn't want to add a 12th holiday.

"If an employee wants to take off on Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday or any other day, they have an 11th holiday where they are free to do that," said Town Manager David Saleeby.

For Troutman to brush off MLK Day as just "an 11th holiday" is an eleventh-hour excuse for failing to serve the wants of many of its constituents.

As the Rev. Carnell Thomas told the R&L, this holiday isn't about celebrating some random day in history, "it's about respect for the matter of civil rights."

MLK Day represents our nation's progress toward eradicating racism and reminds us we still have work to do.

If we refuse to believe, as King instructed, that the bank of justice is bankrupt, we should refuse to believe the Town of Troutman can't rectify its error in judgment.

There isn't room in today's world for yesteryear's thinking, and we hope the Troutman board will acknowledge that before another year passes.