On Monday, May 12, Robert B. Kopper said he “watched daily for a letter from some area clergyman on the antics of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.” Here’s something for you: Jesus was a Jew, not black or white. It is not appropriate to take God’s name in vain from behind the pulpit. Sometimes the devil is the loudest one in the room.
Marcus Troutman
Troutman
Friday, May 16, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Letter: Democratic leadership guilty of exercising poor judgment
It has been said that in the house that is America, the biggest room is the room for improvement. That critique comes not from those who hate America, but from those who love America, and it comes regardless of which political party is in power.
We need liberal Democrats and conservative Republicans to bring their best ideas for solutions to the problems America faces to a fair and balanced debate. That debate has been everything but fair and balanced since the beginning of the Iraq war.
The venomous rhetoric from the Democratic leadership in Washington has swollen the flow of public discourse at home and abroad with distrust and hate overflowing the bridge Democrats and Republicans must traverse in order to do America’s business in Washington and abroad.
When one accuses the commander-in-chief and military of the many horrible things that the Democratic leadership has since the beginning of the Iraq war, at a time of great peril for our military personnel around the world, then he or she must have proof to back up those charges. Democrats running for office say that they want to restore America’s image around the world. It seems to me that if they are serious, that restoration should begin in the Democratic Party.
Am I accusing the Democratic leadership of being unpatriotic? No, I am accusing them of poor judgment.
Paul A. Lowe
Hiddenite
We need liberal Democrats and conservative Republicans to bring their best ideas for solutions to the problems America faces to a fair and balanced debate. That debate has been everything but fair and balanced since the beginning of the Iraq war.
The venomous rhetoric from the Democratic leadership in Washington has swollen the flow of public discourse at home and abroad with distrust and hate overflowing the bridge Democrats and Republicans must traverse in order to do America’s business in Washington and abroad.
When one accuses the commander-in-chief and military of the many horrible things that the Democratic leadership has since the beginning of the Iraq war, at a time of great peril for our military personnel around the world, then he or she must have proof to back up those charges. Democrats running for office say that they want to restore America’s image around the world. It seems to me that if they are serious, that restoration should begin in the Democratic Party.
Am I accusing the Democratic leadership of being unpatriotic? No, I am accusing them of poor judgment.
Paul A. Lowe
Hiddenite
Editorial: Every vote counts
This year’s North Carolina primary election provided a ballot full of reasons to head to the polls:
- For the first time ever this late in the race, a black man and a white woman were on the ticket for the Democratic presidential nomination and, for the first time in recent memory, the Tar Heel State played a decisive role in that election;
- In the Democratic primary for the 5th Congressional District seat, only 521 votes separated winner Roy Carter from runner-up Diane Hamby (79,261 voters participated in that race);
- A mere 114 votes vaulted Grey Mills into office in the 95th District in the N.C. House and ended Rep. Karen Ray’s tenure in the General Assembly (7,112 voters cast ballots, according to the N.C. State Board of Elections); and
- Right here in Iredell, only 124 votes kept Fred Coggins from capturing the Democratic nomination for the board of commissioners races this fall (32,448 voters).
Now the principles of democracy have punched another hole in the proverbial get-out-and-vote ticket, and it comes in the form of provisional ballots.
Provisional ballots — given to voters who say they have registered but aren’t on the polling place’s list — aren’t factored into preliminary findings, like the numbers printed above.
And, in some close races, provisional ballots could mean the difference between winning and losing. For example, if Hamby could capture 1,647 votes on the 2,761 provisional ballots in her race — less than 60 percent — she’ll grab the Democratic nomination from Carter.
Relative to the 80,000 or so people who participated in that election, the 1,647 votes — about 2 percent — that could decide the race seems small.
Yet ask anyone whose name appears on the ballot, and they’ll tell you no vote goes unnoticed.
Hamby told the Winston-Salem Journal that if she falls short after the provisional ballots are tallied, she’ll likely ask for a recount.
“I truly believe we need to count all the votes,” Hamby said.
If this primary election has proven anything, it’s that all votes do count.
Letter: Firefighters, Red Cross made disaster bearable
I would like to express my deep gratitude to a few of Iredell County’s finest firefighters, residents and volunteers. On Feb. 8, my home caught fire with me in it. Unfortunately, it was a total loss. But thanks to the kindness of Shepherd, Troutman and Mooresville fire departments, I am safe and still have some of my most precious memories.
While the fire was being extinguished, members of these fine departments were graciously bringing out of harm’s way some very important framed portraits. They were of my deceased son and of my parents and could not be replaced. The firefighters continued to save other items they felt would be important to me. For these kind acts, I am very grateful.
I would also like to thank my many neighbors and friends on Carver Lane. They have gone over and above with their generosity and gifts of money, clothes and help. All of this is appreciated.
Two caring volunteers from the Red Cross will always stand out in my heart and mind. Ben Mahaffey and Jeremiah Huston, I will never forget you or your kindness. To say you were wonderful is an understatement.
Most know the Red Cross is there to lend a helping hand in time of need, but most of us forget the many volunteers who give so freely of their time to make the Red Cross what it is. They were there within minutes, offering me a much-needed place to stay, food to eat and clothing. With their help, I have been able to go on with my life and make plans for the future.
Thanks to all of you.
Because of your kindness and caring, I have been able to find the silver lining in this dark cloud. I will always appreciate you and the work you do for this county.
Shirley Houston
Troutman
While the fire was being extinguished, members of these fine departments were graciously bringing out of harm’s way some very important framed portraits. They were of my deceased son and of my parents and could not be replaced. The firefighters continued to save other items they felt would be important to me. For these kind acts, I am very grateful.
I would also like to thank my many neighbors and friends on Carver Lane. They have gone over and above with their generosity and gifts of money, clothes and help. All of this is appreciated.
Two caring volunteers from the Red Cross will always stand out in my heart and mind. Ben Mahaffey and Jeremiah Huston, I will never forget you or your kindness. To say you were wonderful is an understatement.
Most know the Red Cross is there to lend a helping hand in time of need, but most of us forget the many volunteers who give so freely of their time to make the Red Cross what it is. They were there within minutes, offering me a much-needed place to stay, food to eat and clothing. With their help, I have been able to go on with my life and make plans for the future.
Thanks to all of you.
Because of your kindness and caring, I have been able to find the silver lining in this dark cloud. I will always appreciate you and the work you do for this county.
Shirley Houston
Troutman
Monday, May 12, 2008
Letter: Obama's spiritual adviser should get boot from church
As a daily reader of letters to the editor in the R&L, I have watched daily for a letter from some area clergyman on the antics of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.
In a community with a church on practically every block, I did not think that was too much to expect.
Every person has a right to share and express his or her opinions with others - even when those beliefs and statements are as goofy as those that came forth from the Rev. Wright. He can stand on every street corner and spout his ignorance and hatred.
What concerns me is that when one is truly called into the ministry and speaks from the pulpit, those messages are to truly be a word from the Lord. The pulpit is not a place for personal ideas - hateful or otherwise.
Whoever is the ruling authority in his denomination should immediately remove him from the ministry and let him pout in his multi-million dollar castle.
Robert B. Kopper
Statesville
In a community with a church on practically every block, I did not think that was too much to expect.
Every person has a right to share and express his or her opinions with others - even when those beliefs and statements are as goofy as those that came forth from the Rev. Wright. He can stand on every street corner and spout his ignorance and hatred.
What concerns me is that when one is truly called into the ministry and speaks from the pulpit, those messages are to truly be a word from the Lord. The pulpit is not a place for personal ideas - hateful or otherwise.
Whoever is the ruling authority in his denomination should immediately remove him from the ministry and let him pout in his multi-million dollar castle.
Robert B. Kopper
Statesville
Letter: Terminally ill children need love and support, not scorn
First I want to thank Mary Bass for taking the time to respond to the letter by Bonnie Black (a couple of weeks ago).
Secondly, I want to ask Ms. Black if she knew what she wrote was very disheartening.
Does she know who the Make A Wish/Children's Wish Foundations serve? Does Ms. Black realize that the 11-year-old boy has been in and out of the hospital for a good portion of his childhood and that most of his memories of his 11 years of life revolve around doctors and hospitals? If Ms. Black would look up the Make-A-Wish and Children's Wish Foundations, she would find the children they serve may not live to be 12 years old. She would find the foundations serve terminally-ill children.
Does Ms. Black know any of this?
The reason Tyler said "he deserved his wish" was because his doctors and nurses continually told him he did. Does Ms. Black know Tyler's trip was postponed two times because of his terminal ill condition? Does Ms. Black know donations from caring people like Mary Bass helped to fulfill these children's wishes? (There is a radio station DJ in New York who does crazy things like sit on a roof for days or stays on the radio for an outrageous amount of continuous hours to help raise funds to help these wishes be fulfilled. He does this every year.)
I thank God that there are people like Mary Bass and pray that only a small number of people who would publicly criticize an 11-year-old boy who is terminally ill.
Lori Carr
Mooresville
Secondly, I want to ask Ms. Black if she knew what she wrote was very disheartening.
Does she know who the Make A Wish/Children's Wish Foundations serve? Does Ms. Black realize that the 11-year-old boy has been in and out of the hospital for a good portion of his childhood and that most of his memories of his 11 years of life revolve around doctors and hospitals? If Ms. Black would look up the Make-A-Wish and Children's Wish Foundations, she would find the children they serve may not live to be 12 years old. She would find the foundations serve terminally-ill children.
Does Ms. Black know any of this?
The reason Tyler said "he deserved his wish" was because his doctors and nurses continually told him he did. Does Ms. Black know Tyler's trip was postponed two times because of his terminal ill condition? Does Ms. Black know donations from caring people like Mary Bass helped to fulfill these children's wishes? (There is a radio station DJ in New York who does crazy things like sit on a roof for days or stays on the radio for an outrageous amount of continuous hours to help raise funds to help these wishes be fulfilled. He does this every year.)
I thank God that there are people like Mary Bass and pray that only a small number of people who would publicly criticize an 11-year-old boy who is terminally ill.
Lori Carr
Mooresville
Editorial: Remember mothers - yours and others'
It doesn't take much to let a mother know she's appreciated.
Most card stores and candy shops use Mother's Day - and Father's Day, Valentine's Day and the like - as a catalyst for big profits. And many people will justify the tradition of dropping a few gallons' worth of gas money on flowers for their mom.
While it's important to let a mother know she's loved = through a "World's Best Mom" coffee mug or just a hug - it's also important to remember there are those who will be going without today.
Today, there will be mothers who won't hear from their children due to the fighting overseas.
Today' there will be single mothers who will spend the day working just to feed their children another meal.
Today, there will be mothers who will be in mourning because their children died too soon.
Today, these women are still mothers, and if you ask them, they'll probably tell you they don't know how to be anything but a mother.
By their very nature, mothers are givers: They give life, they give advice, they give themselves. And they don't ask for much in return. Most of the time, they just want to hear an "I love you."
All mothers - those surrounded by family, those too busy to think of themselves, those whose children have left this world - deserve a "thank you" today.
Most card stores and candy shops use Mother's Day - and Father's Day, Valentine's Day and the like - as a catalyst for big profits. And many people will justify the tradition of dropping a few gallons' worth of gas money on flowers for their mom.
While it's important to let a mother know she's loved = through a "World's Best Mom" coffee mug or just a hug - it's also important to remember there are those who will be going without today.
Today, there will be mothers who won't hear from their children due to the fighting overseas.
Today' there will be single mothers who will spend the day working just to feed their children another meal.
Today, there will be mothers who will be in mourning because their children died too soon.
Today, these women are still mothers, and if you ask them, they'll probably tell you they don't know how to be anything but a mother.
By their very nature, mothers are givers: They give life, they give advice, they give themselves. And they don't ask for much in return. Most of the time, they just want to hear an "I love you."
All mothers - those surrounded by family, those too busy to think of themselves, those whose children have left this world - deserve a "thank you" today.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Editorial: Iredell voters spoke loudly at the polls
There are a lot of lessons to be learned from Tuesday’s local primary elections.For starters, we in the media tend to overestimate the importance of endorsements, including those that we make, and the value of news coverage on the choices voters make on Election Day.
Six of the 10 candidates the R&L endorsed prevailed in an assortment of local races. That’s not a bad batting average in baseball, but when you factor in the fact that two of the county commissioner candidates we endorsed finished dead last in five-candidate races for the Republican and Democratic nominations, that number seems a little inflated.
The endorsements of three of the most popular Iredell County politicians in the past decade — Sheriff Phil Redmond and Commissioners Sara Haire Tice and Steve Johnson — didn’t carry that much weight either.
Redmond, like the R&L, endorsed Alan Martin in the district attorney’s race. And Redmond, Tice and Johnson all backed the unsuccessful candidacy of developer Brad Howard for county commissioner.
Even more surprising is that Barbara Orr was the top vote-getter in the Democratic commissioner primary. Orr was out of the country for a significant portion of the weeks leading up to the primary and missed out on several opportunities to connect with the electorate at numerous candidates forums and other public events. As a result, we gave her little chance to advance to the general election.
The 28,463 voters who cast ballots in Tuesday’s elections provided a very powerful lesson: In the end, theirs is the only opinion that really counts for much.
Six of the 10 candidates the R&L endorsed prevailed in an assortment of local races. That’s not a bad batting average in baseball, but when you factor in the fact that two of the county commissioner candidates we endorsed finished dead last in five-candidate races for the Republican and Democratic nominations, that number seems a little inflated.
The endorsements of three of the most popular Iredell County politicians in the past decade — Sheriff Phil Redmond and Commissioners Sara Haire Tice and Steve Johnson — didn’t carry that much weight either.
Redmond, like the R&L, endorsed Alan Martin in the district attorney’s race. And Redmond, Tice and Johnson all backed the unsuccessful candidacy of developer Brad Howard for county commissioner.
Even more surprising is that Barbara Orr was the top vote-getter in the Democratic commissioner primary. Orr was out of the country for a significant portion of the weeks leading up to the primary and missed out on several opportunities to connect with the electorate at numerous candidates forums and other public events. As a result, we gave her little chance to advance to the general election.
The 28,463 voters who cast ballots in Tuesday’s elections provided a very powerful lesson: In the end, theirs is the only opinion that really counts for much.
Letter: Tuesday’s election was one of the most exciting of our time
Tuesday was Election Day. I was told this was not a good year to vote. If not now, I ask, when?How can you not vote? You have no right to complain if you don’t vote, so get out and vote whenever you can. It is a privilege.
Brenda Simendinger
Statesville
Brenda Simendinger
Statesville
Monday, May 5, 2008
Letter: Statesville has a history that needs to be marked
On May 1, 1868 (140 ago), the event that made Statesville known around the world happened just south of the railroad tracks.This same event made Statesville known around the world again in the late 1950s when the Kingston Trio sang their number one hit song,“Hang Down Your Head Tom Dooley.”
It was on this date Tom Dula (Dooley) from Wilkes County was hung at the “Circus Grounds” just south of the train depot for the murder of Lara Foster. This was the first “crime of passion” case to become famous in America and around the world. Many stories have been written over the years about the love affair of Tom Dula, Lara Foster and Ann Melton. Lara Foster’s death still remains a mystery to this day.
Tom Dula stood trial twice in Statesville. Tom’s defense attorney was the former governor of North Carolina, Zebulon Vance. Gov. Vance lived in Statesville and moved the capital here in 1865 when the Federals (Yankees) invaded Raleigh at the end of the War of Northern Aggression, or “Civil War.” It was at this house the Federals arrested the governor. The house and museum still stands on West Sharpe St.
The two most historic events in the history of Statesville are almost totally ignored by our civic leaders of today. More than 90 percent of our schoolchildren in this county don’t know Statesville was the home of Gov. Vance and the capital of North Carolina was right here.
I have tried to get a state marker erected on Shelton Avenue near the present-day site of the Depot. This is the place where Tom Dula was hanged. The state will not put a marker there because they have a marker near his grave in Wilkes County. The state claims it will erect only one marker per person or event, yet you see dozens of markers around the State telling of Stoneman’s Raid.
Since Tom Dula was hung near the present site of the Depot and tourist information center, it would add a lot to the tourism of Statesville to mark where Tom Dula was hanged. So far, our civic leaders have not stepped forward and offered a hand in getting a marker put up, and a private marker costs a lot. It would take a big fundrasier to buy a suitable marker.
I do not want to bring glory to someone who committed a crime such as murder, if indeed Tom did kill Lara, but the trials and hanging did bring international attention to the town of Statesville. May1,1868, is a part of Statesville’s history.
Buddy Hemric
Statesville
It was on this date Tom Dula (Dooley) from Wilkes County was hung at the “Circus Grounds” just south of the train depot for the murder of Lara Foster. This was the first “crime of passion” case to become famous in America and around the world. Many stories have been written over the years about the love affair of Tom Dula, Lara Foster and Ann Melton. Lara Foster’s death still remains a mystery to this day.
Tom Dula stood trial twice in Statesville. Tom’s defense attorney was the former governor of North Carolina, Zebulon Vance. Gov. Vance lived in Statesville and moved the capital here in 1865 when the Federals (Yankees) invaded Raleigh at the end of the War of Northern Aggression, or “Civil War.” It was at this house the Federals arrested the governor. The house and museum still stands on West Sharpe St.
The two most historic events in the history of Statesville are almost totally ignored by our civic leaders of today. More than 90 percent of our schoolchildren in this county don’t know Statesville was the home of Gov. Vance and the capital of North Carolina was right here.
I have tried to get a state marker erected on Shelton Avenue near the present-day site of the Depot. This is the place where Tom Dula was hanged. The state will not put a marker there because they have a marker near his grave in Wilkes County. The state claims it will erect only one marker per person or event, yet you see dozens of markers around the State telling of Stoneman’s Raid.
Since Tom Dula was hung near the present site of the Depot and tourist information center, it would add a lot to the tourism of Statesville to mark where Tom Dula was hanged. So far, our civic leaders have not stepped forward and offered a hand in getting a marker put up, and a private marker costs a lot. It would take a big fundrasier to buy a suitable marker.
I do not want to bring glory to someone who committed a crime such as murder, if indeed Tom did kill Lara, but the trials and hanging did bring international attention to the town of Statesville. May1,1868, is a part of Statesville’s history.
Buddy Hemric
Statesville
Friday, May 2, 2008
Letter: Liquor referendum will do town no good
There’s a rumor and letter floating around Troutman promising us that if we rush out and vote for the liquored-up-by-the-drink referendum, we’ll all suddenly have a rosy future and money coming out of our kazoonkas.
The so-called “Troutman Partners for Progress” even uses the word “progress” a total of six times.How do you measure progress? I must admit they paint a very pretty picture. They promise it would allow “taxes to stay low.” Remember, we were promised that if we passed school bonds, we wouldn’t have our taxes raised.
Then we were promised if we passed the gambling — I mean the education lottery — the students would benefit.
Yeah, right.
That letter was filled with concerns for profits for Troutman. All we have to do is pass a referendum to allow someone to get plastered then get out on the roads around Troutman. Yeah, that’s what we need.That “extra money” will do a lot of good when someone —maybe you — has to lower a loved one’s casket into a grave, because they were taken out by a drunken driver.
I urge every voter in Troutman to vote May 6 for keeping the roads safe and the crime rate low in Troutman. Now that’s real progress.
Don Riddle
Troutman
The so-called “Troutman Partners for Progress” even uses the word “progress” a total of six times.How do you measure progress? I must admit they paint a very pretty picture. They promise it would allow “taxes to stay low.” Remember, we were promised that if we passed school bonds, we wouldn’t have our taxes raised.
Then we were promised if we passed the gambling — I mean the education lottery — the students would benefit.
Yeah, right.
That letter was filled with concerns for profits for Troutman. All we have to do is pass a referendum to allow someone to get plastered then get out on the roads around Troutman. Yeah, that’s what we need.That “extra money” will do a lot of good when someone —maybe you — has to lower a loved one’s casket into a grave, because they were taken out by a drunken driver.
I urge every voter in Troutman to vote May 6 for keeping the roads safe and the crime rate low in Troutman. Now that’s real progress.
Don Riddle
Troutman
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Editorial: Two terms is enough
Rep. Patrick McHenry may well be the youngest career politician in Washington, D.C.
At age 32, the Cherryville Republican is seeking his third term in the U.S. House of Representatives. While that’s an impressive feat, voters in the GOP primary should think twice before extending McHenry’s contract. Aside from his staunch support of the failed domestic and foreign policies of the Bush administration and his recent missteps while touring American military operations in Iraq, the fact that McHenry lists his occupation as U.S. congressman should cause voters grave and profound concern.
When the framers drew up our Constitution, they certainly didn’t envision someone making a career out of representing the people as McHenry seems intent on doing.
The more time elected officials of both parties spend in Washington, the more they become beholden to special interests and the PAC money that fills their campaign coffers. That’s not what’s best for North Carolina’s 10th Congressional District or America.
In Tuesday’s primary, challenger Lance Sigmon gives Republicans in the 10th District a solid alternative to McHenry and the status quo.
A U.S. Air Force veteran, attorney and father of two, Sigmon has a wealth of real-life experience that could open some eyes in Washington. While the incumbent has spent his career as a politician advancing conservative social causes, Sigmon has spent his adult life serving his country — as an enlisted airman and as a commissioned officer, raising a son and daughter, and he operated a private law practice.
Republican voters in the 10th District, which includes a big chunk of South Iredell, should thank McHenry for his service in Congress and then force him to get a real job. They can do just that by voting for Sigmon.
At age 32, the Cherryville Republican is seeking his third term in the U.S. House of Representatives. While that’s an impressive feat, voters in the GOP primary should think twice before extending McHenry’s contract. Aside from his staunch support of the failed domestic and foreign policies of the Bush administration and his recent missteps while touring American military operations in Iraq, the fact that McHenry lists his occupation as U.S. congressman should cause voters grave and profound concern.
When the framers drew up our Constitution, they certainly didn’t envision someone making a career out of representing the people as McHenry seems intent on doing.
The more time elected officials of both parties spend in Washington, the more they become beholden to special interests and the PAC money that fills their campaign coffers. That’s not what’s best for North Carolina’s 10th Congressional District or America.
In Tuesday’s primary, challenger Lance Sigmon gives Republicans in the 10th District a solid alternative to McHenry and the status quo.
A U.S. Air Force veteran, attorney and father of two, Sigmon has a wealth of real-life experience that could open some eyes in Washington. While the incumbent has spent his career as a politician advancing conservative social causes, Sigmon has spent his adult life serving his country — as an enlisted airman and as a commissioned officer, raising a son and daughter, and he operated a private law practice.
Republican voters in the 10th District, which includes a big chunk of South Iredell, should thank McHenry for his service in Congress and then force him to get a real job. They can do just that by voting for Sigmon.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Letter: Grey Mills will represent Iredell if he wins 95th District battle
I am writing a letter in support of Grey Mills for the 95th House seat now occupied by Rep. Karen Ray. I am writing in response to the negative attacks Ray has made against him on TV and in her direct mail campaign.
She has attacked Grey’s character and his good name. She has attacked his family and anyone who supports him. She has accused him and his supporters of trying to divide the Republican Party.
Speaking of dividing the party, Ray in 2002 voted with the Democrats to end debate on realignment of districts after the Democrats had cut Iredell County the house district occupied by Frank Mitchell and the Senate seat held by R.B. Sloan. We lost two Iredell County representatives as a result of that vote.
When asked recently to speak to the Iredell County Republican Women’s Club, she told President Marcia Freuhan that she could not attend that event because she needed to be closer to her constituents in Mooresville. She then wrote a letter to the club saying she was dropping out to join a new club she was helping to start around Lake Norman.
Karen Ray is not for Iredell County; she is for Karen Ray. Iredell County needs a representative who is willing to represent all of the county and that person is Grey Mills. Grey is a personal friend of mine and I know his character is above reproach. I ask the voters of Iredell County to support Grey Mills on May 6.
C.W. “Butch” Bell Jr.
Statesville
Letter: Veterans aren’t getting the support they need
I am a Desert Storm veteran. I am writing this letter to let the people who have the little ribbons on their vehicles that say “support our troops” know what kind of support the troops really get.To the Vietnam veterans and the people who really do support the troops and veterans, I would like to say thank you.
I want to tell a story about a six-week program I participated in at the Salisbury VA Medical Center. This was a program for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. I have to say thank you to all the staff of the program who treated me like gold while I was in the program and have been very helpful since I’ve left the program.
This story is about a roommate who was a Vietnam veteran who had been trying to get his total disability for a long time so he could support his family. Several weeks into the program, we were sitting in our room after having eaten a meal and talking about Vietnam. He had been looking for a certain music CD, which he found that day and we were listening to it. He was telling me things that happened when one of the songs came on. He stopped talking and got a strange look on his face.
I could tell something bad was happening, so I got the nurses. My other roommate and I got a wheelchair and took him to the emergency room. We were in the emergency room for a long time before they finally decided to take him and do a scan to find out if the man had had a stroke.
They did the scan and came back and told me and my other roommate that he didn’t have a stroke. However, it was obvious that the man had had a major stroke.
We asked if anyone had tried to contact his wife and were told by the staff in the emergency room that they had tried, however we were later told by his wife that they hadn’t. The next morning a doctor came in and ordered another scan. At this point they said he had had a major stroke. He was sent to Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, where they decided that there wasn’t much they could do for him so they sent him back to the Salisbury VA Medical Center, where he died.
You are probably wondering why I am writing this. Well, I have often wondered, if they had sent him to Rowan or Baptist Medical Center, would my friend and fellow veteran have gotten the medical care he had earned and deserved. Would he still be with us today?
I also wanted to let you know that three days after he died, the VA Regional Medical Center in Winston-Salem decided he deserved the 100 percent disability, and the social security awarded him his claim at the same time. However, they sent his wife a letter requesting that she return the checks.
If wonder if this is the kind of support you would want for your husband, dad or brother or sister who is or isn’t a veteran. I wonder if this is the future I have to look forward to.God bless America.
James C. Ward Jr.
Troutman
I want to tell a story about a six-week program I participated in at the Salisbury VA Medical Center. This was a program for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. I have to say thank you to all the staff of the program who treated me like gold while I was in the program and have been very helpful since I’ve left the program.
This story is about a roommate who was a Vietnam veteran who had been trying to get his total disability for a long time so he could support his family. Several weeks into the program, we were sitting in our room after having eaten a meal and talking about Vietnam. He had been looking for a certain music CD, which he found that day and we were listening to it. He was telling me things that happened when one of the songs came on. He stopped talking and got a strange look on his face.
I could tell something bad was happening, so I got the nurses. My other roommate and I got a wheelchair and took him to the emergency room. We were in the emergency room for a long time before they finally decided to take him and do a scan to find out if the man had had a stroke.
They did the scan and came back and told me and my other roommate that he didn’t have a stroke. However, it was obvious that the man had had a major stroke.
We asked if anyone had tried to contact his wife and were told by the staff in the emergency room that they had tried, however we were later told by his wife that they hadn’t. The next morning a doctor came in and ordered another scan. At this point they said he had had a major stroke. He was sent to Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, where they decided that there wasn’t much they could do for him so they sent him back to the Salisbury VA Medical Center, where he died.
You are probably wondering why I am writing this. Well, I have often wondered, if they had sent him to Rowan or Baptist Medical Center, would my friend and fellow veteran have gotten the medical care he had earned and deserved. Would he still be with us today?
I also wanted to let you know that three days after he died, the VA Regional Medical Center in Winston-Salem decided he deserved the 100 percent disability, and the social security awarded him his claim at the same time. However, they sent his wife a letter requesting that she return the checks.
If wonder if this is the kind of support you would want for your husband, dad or brother or sister who is or isn’t a veteran. I wonder if this is the future I have to look forward to.God bless America.
James C. Ward Jr.
Troutman
Editorial: Martin is our choice for district attorney
The three-way race for the new District Attorney position boils down to a simple question: Which candidate has a proven ability to put the most dangerous members of our community behind bars for a long time?
The answer is Alan Martin, who currently serves as the chief district attorney for Iredell and Alexander counties.
Martin, who has worked as a prosecutor for 14 years, has more experience trying serious crimes than his opponents in Tuesday’s Republican primary, Sarah Kirkman and Michael Van Buren. There is no Democratic opposition in this race so the winner of the GOP primary will take office in January.
This is an important election for the residents of Iredell County. For the past three decades, we’ve shared an elected prosecutor with three other counties. With the creation of a new district (22A), we will have a district attorney who is responsible and accountable to voters in only Iredell and Alexander.
And we’re fortunate to have three good candidates, all of whom have experience in our overworked criminal justice system.
Kirkman, an assistant district attorney in Iredell and Alexander, has taken the high road in this campaign and represented herself well, earning the support of the Fraternal Order of Police along the way. She has 11 years of experience as a prosecutor and has positioned herself as a crusader against child sexual predators.
Van Buren’s presence in the race has forced his better-known opponents to address some very real public concerns about the district attorney’s office’s conviction and dismissal rates in Iredell County. The numbers he quotes are startling and the winner of this race will be tasked with making some measurable improvements.
But Van Buren, an assistant district attorney in Rowan County who lives in Statesville, has campaigned as if Garry Frank, our current DA, is his opponent in the primary. Had that been the case, we may well have offered him our endorsement.
Unfortunately for Van Buren, he’s battling two opponents who have demonstrated a real and lasting commitment to seeking justice for the criminally accused and their victims here in Iredell and Alexander counties.
Among those two, we believe Martin has best established himself as a tough, independent prosecutor who has earned his stripes by sending a cast of bad characters to prison. When he’s taken a murder case to trial, Martin has won a conviction every single time. It’s tough to argue with that record.
With the accused killers of Don and Sue Barker, James and Delet Powell, Terry Turner, Jennifer Vincek and Jeff Peck still awaiting trial, voters in Iredell should ask themselves on May 6 which candidate for district attorney is most qualified to take these cases to a jury and seek the maximum punishment allowed by law.Martin’s experience and record in the cases where the stakes are the highest make him the best choice.
The answer is Alan Martin, who currently serves as the chief district attorney for Iredell and Alexander counties.
Martin, who has worked as a prosecutor for 14 years, has more experience trying serious crimes than his opponents in Tuesday’s Republican primary, Sarah Kirkman and Michael Van Buren. There is no Democratic opposition in this race so the winner of the GOP primary will take office in January.
This is an important election for the residents of Iredell County. For the past three decades, we’ve shared an elected prosecutor with three other counties. With the creation of a new district (22A), we will have a district attorney who is responsible and accountable to voters in only Iredell and Alexander.
And we’re fortunate to have three good candidates, all of whom have experience in our overworked criminal justice system.
Kirkman, an assistant district attorney in Iredell and Alexander, has taken the high road in this campaign and represented herself well, earning the support of the Fraternal Order of Police along the way. She has 11 years of experience as a prosecutor and has positioned herself as a crusader against child sexual predators.
Van Buren’s presence in the race has forced his better-known opponents to address some very real public concerns about the district attorney’s office’s conviction and dismissal rates in Iredell County. The numbers he quotes are startling and the winner of this race will be tasked with making some measurable improvements.
But Van Buren, an assistant district attorney in Rowan County who lives in Statesville, has campaigned as if Garry Frank, our current DA, is his opponent in the primary. Had that been the case, we may well have offered him our endorsement.
Unfortunately for Van Buren, he’s battling two opponents who have demonstrated a real and lasting commitment to seeking justice for the criminally accused and their victims here in Iredell and Alexander counties.
Among those two, we believe Martin has best established himself as a tough, independent prosecutor who has earned his stripes by sending a cast of bad characters to prison. When he’s taken a murder case to trial, Martin has won a conviction every single time. It’s tough to argue with that record.
With the accused killers of Don and Sue Barker, James and Delet Powell, Terry Turner, Jennifer Vincek and Jeff Peck still awaiting trial, voters in Iredell should ask themselves on May 6 which candidate for district attorney is most qualified to take these cases to a jury and seek the maximum punishment allowed by law.Martin’s experience and record in the cases where the stakes are the highest make him the best choice.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Editorial: Making a difference
South Iredell High School freshman Nick Morris has proven that, when properly motivated, teenagers can make the world a better place.
When his dog got sick after drinking water out of Lake Norman, Nick decided to coordinate a community effort to clean up the lake to meet a requirement for his Earth Science class at South. He contacted the R&L earlier this month to get others interested in the project.
On Saturday, he was joined by about 20 volunteers. The group spent five hours collecting trash from around the lake, stopping only after they filled two trucks with garbage.
Nick admits he organized the effort for somewhat selfish reasons. As the water level receded during last year's drought, old tires, floats, plastic bags and cans became increasingly visible and Nick didn't like what he saw.“It’s where I live and I’d like to be proud of it,” he said. “Living on the lake is fun and every time I go out I’d like to feel safe. You’re out there to enjoy yourself and not worry about ‘Am I going to get sick?’ ”
We should all be so selfish.After the event, the 15-year-old took the time to send the R&L a note thanking us for helping get the word out.We should be thanking you, Nick. So we are.
When his dog got sick after drinking water out of Lake Norman, Nick decided to coordinate a community effort to clean up the lake to meet a requirement for his Earth Science class at South. He contacted the R&L earlier this month to get others interested in the project.
On Saturday, he was joined by about 20 volunteers. The group spent five hours collecting trash from around the lake, stopping only after they filled two trucks with garbage.
Nick admits he organized the effort for somewhat selfish reasons. As the water level receded during last year's drought, old tires, floats, plastic bags and cans became increasingly visible and Nick didn't like what he saw.“It’s where I live and I’d like to be proud of it,” he said. “Living on the lake is fun and every time I go out I’d like to feel safe. You’re out there to enjoy yourself and not worry about ‘Am I going to get sick?’ ”
We should all be so selfish.After the event, the 15-year-old took the time to send the R&L a note thanking us for helping get the word out.We should be thanking you, Nick. So we are.
Letter: Caution light doesn’t cut it at dangerous intersection
It’s been six months since we lost our stepgranddaughter. We are not happy with the N.C. Department of Transportation at all.If it thinks putting a caution light at Triplett Road and Highway 70 will save another life, it is wrong. Lives were lost there in October 2007.
First Mike Dishman, who didn’t even know the road was open, and then Oct. 20 we lost Cathy Tolbert and our stepgranddaughter, Casey, who was only 3.
Even with 2,000 signatures on a petition calling for a red light, we didn’t get it because it didn’t meet the standards. We wonder why not because one mile down the road there is a new red light right in front of Casey’s grandpa’s house that just leads off to the old 70 and then a mile the other way is a red light that leads from the old 70 on to the new 70 with nothing but a dirt road across from it that dead ends. How does this meet those standards?
Good question when Triplett Road leads to Mooresville. Doesn’t make sense to us or anybody we’ve talked to.
We know there’s not been another wreck at that intersection since Casey died, but there have been a lot of close calls. One was her own mother, who was heading to Statesville when a truck almost pulled out in front of her at the same intersection where she lost Casey. There have been others, too.
It just goes to show people are trying to edge out just like Casey’s Grandma Cathy did, only a tractor trailer hit her front fender and it cost her her life and our stepgranddaughter’s.
I place flowers on the crosses and so does her mom. And I can stand and just watch as traffic on both intersections line up and you know why? The three crosses are just a reminder of what could be them. It hurts that we didn’t get the red light, and yes, we blame NCDOT for it. If there had been a light up, no one would have died. All because of its stupidity.
We miss Casey. She would have been 4 on May 18, and also on that date her baby brother is due, one that she never got to see because of the new road. My grandson, Joshua, who is 4, goes to his dad’s house and goes in Casey’s room and its like he’s looking for her. The room is still the same as it was when she left to go spend the weekend with her grandma.
If you ask what he’s looking for, he won’t say, but then he will come up and say, “My Casey’s gone and I want her back to play with me, and she’s never coming back ’til Jesus comes.” That hurts to hear a child say that.
Our hearts are mending, but tears still fill our eyes at times. And it’s still hard on all of us. Were just waiting and praying something will be done. There needs to be a red light at Triplett Road and Highway 70. What’s it going to take, a busload of kids trying to make it across a four-lane highway, before NCDOT puts the red light up? So many close calls and all we got was a caution light that doesn’t even help. The only thing that helps is those three crosses on the side of the road, one with a little teddy bear and one a wreath, where my stepgranddaughter breathed her last breath along with her grandma.
Margie Teaster
Woodleaf
First Mike Dishman, who didn’t even know the road was open, and then Oct. 20 we lost Cathy Tolbert and our stepgranddaughter, Casey, who was only 3.
Even with 2,000 signatures on a petition calling for a red light, we didn’t get it because it didn’t meet the standards. We wonder why not because one mile down the road there is a new red light right in front of Casey’s grandpa’s house that just leads off to the old 70 and then a mile the other way is a red light that leads from the old 70 on to the new 70 with nothing but a dirt road across from it that dead ends. How does this meet those standards?
Good question when Triplett Road leads to Mooresville. Doesn’t make sense to us or anybody we’ve talked to.
We know there’s not been another wreck at that intersection since Casey died, but there have been a lot of close calls. One was her own mother, who was heading to Statesville when a truck almost pulled out in front of her at the same intersection where she lost Casey. There have been others, too.
It just goes to show people are trying to edge out just like Casey’s Grandma Cathy did, only a tractor trailer hit her front fender and it cost her her life and our stepgranddaughter’s.
I place flowers on the crosses and so does her mom. And I can stand and just watch as traffic on both intersections line up and you know why? The three crosses are just a reminder of what could be them. It hurts that we didn’t get the red light, and yes, we blame NCDOT for it. If there had been a light up, no one would have died. All because of its stupidity.
We miss Casey. She would have been 4 on May 18, and also on that date her baby brother is due, one that she never got to see because of the new road. My grandson, Joshua, who is 4, goes to his dad’s house and goes in Casey’s room and its like he’s looking for her. The room is still the same as it was when she left to go spend the weekend with her grandma.
If you ask what he’s looking for, he won’t say, but then he will come up and say, “My Casey’s gone and I want her back to play with me, and she’s never coming back ’til Jesus comes.” That hurts to hear a child say that.
Our hearts are mending, but tears still fill our eyes at times. And it’s still hard on all of us. Were just waiting and praying something will be done. There needs to be a red light at Triplett Road and Highway 70. What’s it going to take, a busload of kids trying to make it across a four-lane highway, before NCDOT puts the red light up? So many close calls and all we got was a caution light that doesn’t even help. The only thing that helps is those three crosses on the side of the road, one with a little teddy bear and one a wreath, where my stepgranddaughter breathed her last breath along with her grandma.
Margie Teaster
Woodleaf
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Editorial: Take a stand against child abuse, neglect
The numbers are staggering and shameful.
Some 1,931 reports of child abuse and neglect were reported to law enforcement and child welfare agencies in Iredell County last year.Investigators confirmed abuse or neglect in 700 of these cases.
Today, you can join members of Exchange/SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now), the Boys & Girls Club of the Piedmont and others in a ceremony to call attention to this disturbing trend.
At 5:30 p.m. today at the Iredell County Government Center, 300 children will hold up a paper chain containing a single link marking each child victim in our community. Then, in a symbolic gesture designed to stir the community to action, they will break the chain. Iredell is home to several nonprofits, including SCAN and the Boys & Girls Club, and government agencies dedicated to protecting children and bringing those who victimize them to justice.
We applaud these groups for their ongoing efforts and for bringing this problem to the community’s attention.
But they can’t do it alone. All of us have a shared responsibility to look out for the smallest, most fragile members of our community.
Today’s ceremony offers a good opportunity to start doing your part.
Some 1,931 reports of child abuse and neglect were reported to law enforcement and child welfare agencies in Iredell County last year.Investigators confirmed abuse or neglect in 700 of these cases.
Today, you can join members of Exchange/SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now), the Boys & Girls Club of the Piedmont and others in a ceremony to call attention to this disturbing trend.
At 5:30 p.m. today at the Iredell County Government Center, 300 children will hold up a paper chain containing a single link marking each child victim in our community. Then, in a symbolic gesture designed to stir the community to action, they will break the chain. Iredell is home to several nonprofits, including SCAN and the Boys & Girls Club, and government agencies dedicated to protecting children and bringing those who victimize them to justice.
We applaud these groups for their ongoing efforts and for bringing this problem to the community’s attention.
But they can’t do it alone. All of us have a shared responsibility to look out for the smallest, most fragile members of our community.
Today’s ceremony offers a good opportunity to start doing your part.
Letter: Cheating, stealing parents taint R&L’s cutest baby contest
I was not surprised to see the editorial in Saturday’s R&L about people stealing newspapers or resorting to questionable ethics in order to obtain ballots for the cutest baby contest.
This is exactly why I didn’t enter my 8-month-old daughter in the contest even though she is the cutest baby, ever. No parental bias here, she is cute to a ridiculous degree, even when I speak objectively. She is cuter than a basketful of kittens playing with a ball of yarn, surrounded by Golden Retriever puppies wearing sweaters. That’s how cute she is. I suspected the voting would be rigged/the results otherwise skewed and felt that she would be robbed of the title “Cutest Baby” she so rightfully deserves.
I understand the purpose of putting the ballots inside the paper, but if ballots were sold separately at local businesses instead of inside the paper itself, it would at least eliminate the people who resort to stealing in order to get a lot of ballots.
As for people buying loads of copies of the paper to cheat their baby to victory? They are basically paying for the title, along with the prizes they would receive. And although that is a bit pathetic, at least they aren’t stealing.
Jamie Gill
Statesville
This is exactly why I didn’t enter my 8-month-old daughter in the contest even though she is the cutest baby, ever. No parental bias here, she is cute to a ridiculous degree, even when I speak objectively. She is cuter than a basketful of kittens playing with a ball of yarn, surrounded by Golden Retriever puppies wearing sweaters. That’s how cute she is. I suspected the voting would be rigged/the results otherwise skewed and felt that she would be robbed of the title “Cutest Baby” she so rightfully deserves.
I understand the purpose of putting the ballots inside the paper, but if ballots were sold separately at local businesses instead of inside the paper itself, it would at least eliminate the people who resort to stealing in order to get a lot of ballots.
As for people buying loads of copies of the paper to cheat their baby to victory? They are basically paying for the title, along with the prizes they would receive. And although that is a bit pathetic, at least they aren’t stealing.
Jamie Gill
Statesville
Letter: Obama is committed to helping hard-working Americans
People who have ridiculed Sen. Barack Obama’s comments about clinging to guns or religion in hard times need to read the Charlotte Observer’s story, “Furniture on Shaky Legs” (April 18 Business section). It’s about the furniture industry in North Carolina and Virginia. The last paragraph in the sad story is about a man who lost his textile job after 27 years, then lost a furniture job after six years. After several months of unsuccessful job searches, he said the only way to keep his spirits up was by “Praying. That’s all I know to do anymore.”
I can relate. I’ve been through four factory closings in apparel and furniture, plus two other major layoffs. When will your job be outsourced? And, how will you feel about it? Obama knows.
He cares so much about making changes that he has sent his campaign staff to our area. He really wants the job so he can change things. His campaign office is at 258 First Ave. NW in Hickory. You must also take seriously who you send to Congress to work with him. Our present spineless Congress could have stopped anything wrong that President Bush wanted to do. The President does not have total control over our nation unless Congress allows it. We should be very careful about whom we send to Congress.
Lana H. Davidson
Taylorsville
I can relate. I’ve been through four factory closings in apparel and furniture, plus two other major layoffs. When will your job be outsourced? And, how will you feel about it? Obama knows.
He cares so much about making changes that he has sent his campaign staff to our area. He really wants the job so he can change things. His campaign office is at 258 First Ave. NW in Hickory. You must also take seriously who you send to Congress to work with him. Our present spineless Congress could have stopped anything wrong that President Bush wanted to do. The President does not have total control over our nation unless Congress allows it. We should be very careful about whom we send to Congress.
Lana H. Davidson
Taylorsville
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