Friday, June 30, 2006
Budget-watching: Picking the numbers is only half the battle
Although it is not quite finished yet, the state budget is well on its way, with legislators still arguing, but getting closer to coming up with a spending plan that could actually move North Carolina forward. They are still debating...Thursday, June 29, 2006
Wayne-onomics: A lot of factors go into making county a magnet for business
The news that Andrew Corp. is not coming to Wayne County after all was a blow. No one is going to argue that point. We were probably all looking forward to seeing some new construction and some new jobs at...Wednesday, June 28, 2006
You can help: How to enjoy a good meal
There’s some good news and not-so-good news on the Community Soup Kitchen. The good news is that the Soup Kitchen has a good cadre of eight to 10 volunteers on hand each day to feed its 100 or so patrons....Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Driver danger: Keeping teens’ focus on the road best idea yet
Don’t think the North Carolina’s Legislature’s discussion of a bill to ban teen cell phone use while driving is just going to go quietly into the night or slip into the law books undetected. Many people say they are in...Monday, June 26, 2006
Still a mystery: Years later, no one knows what happened to JonBenet
The name Patsy Ramsey is, unfortunately, synonymous with one of the greatest unsolved mysteries ever to hit the American airwaves — and one for which we might never find a guilty party. “Who killed JonBenet?” has been a question asked...Saturday, June 24, 2006
Brave neighbors: Residents take a stand against crime
There is a new kind of bravery hitting Wayne County — residents who simply do not want to put up anymore with crime in their back yards. This past week, the call came from about 10 residents in Fremont, who...Friday, June 23, 2006
Fitting tribute ... Sanford-Hunt dinners planned
Since 1948, North Carolina’s Democrats have held their Jefferson-Jackson fund-raising dinners in Raleigh. In 1960, they introduced the Vance-Aycock dinner honoring Gov. Zeb Vance and Wayne County’s own Charles Brantley Aycock. This year, Democrats have come up with the Sanford-Hunt...Thursday, June 22, 2006
Interesting ... How does Mexico treat non-natives?
What can — or should — the United States do about its “illegal immigrants”? The question has grown in intensity amid a flood of illegals coming across the Rio Grande from Mexico. They are so numerous it appears physically impossible...Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Rules are a must: New sex offender regulations a start in protecting children
Every time anyone talks about changes in the laws governing sex offenders, someone brings up the word “rights.” And truth be told, there is some reason to be cautious as we consider the rules we make. They should be fair,...Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Iraq pullout? Troops should come home, but at the right time
Every discussion about what should be done about setting a date for American troops to leave Iraq should begin with the same thought: Everyone wants to see our servicemen and women come home as soon as possible. There is not...Monday, June 19, 2006
Inspiring futures: County schools honor the best of those who teach
North Carolina leaders will continue to debate about what to do about the increasing difficulty of keeping quality teachers in the state’s classrooms. And even withthe proposed 8 percent raise for state’s teachers that is included in the budget this...Saturday, June 17, 2006
A shared loss: South Korean pilot killed in crash
Those who attended the graduation of eight South Korean aviators who trained at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base to fly the F-115 were impressed. Not only had the officers mastered flying one of the finest and most sophisticated aircraft in...Friday, June 16, 2006
Cheaters 1, aid for needy 0: Fiascos like the Katrina payouts make givers jaded
When Hurricane Katrina caused havoc in New Orleans, the first criticism was that the government moved too slowly in getting rescue workers to the region. Then, the complaint became that the aid was too slow in coming, and there were...Thursday, June 15, 2006
Justice: Tough challenge in case at Duke
There have been some often expressed concerns that the scales of justice seem tilted in behalf of the accused. Certainly defendants must be regarded as innocent until proven guilty “beyond a reasonable doubt.” The burden of proof is on the...Wednesday, June 14, 2006
A trip with purpose: No need for all the speculation, take Baghdad visit at face value
The speculation this morning after President Bush returned from his surprise trip to Baghdad was as varied as the people who were doing the “commentating.” Some pointed to the need for the “surprise” in the first place as a reason...Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Still questions: Months after debut, lottery is still topic of discussion
It should really come as no surprise that state legislators are still not completely certain that they know exactly how the proceeds for the brand new state lottery will be distributed. After all, legislators are famous for rushing to create...Monday, June 12, 2006
Unsung heroes: Parents, teachers and others stood behind graduates
There was plenty of pride evident in the cheers and tears as hundreds of Wayne County seniors turned their tassels and took home their diplomas this past weekend during graduation ceremonies at high schools around the county. There were also...Saturday, June 10, 2006
Death of a terrorist: Al-Zarqawi’s demise might be a turning point in war
No one should ever celebrate the death of another human being. It just isn’t right, and it certainly isn’t in keeping with what Americans should be about when it comes to looking at their own consciences and the national policy...Friday, June 9, 2006
Reasons to be very proud: Another school year is finished, with much to remember
Thursday afternoon, Wayne County teachers and students stopped to mark another passage — the ending of yet another school year. Beginning this evening, high schools around the county will celebrate a tradition, too — saying goodbye to the hundreds of...Thursday, June 8, 2006
Careful: If it sounds too good to be true ...
The daily mail and television commercials seem constantly to be offering relief for everything from obesity to delinquent taxes. The latter has resulted in a lawsuit by the New York Consumer Affairs Department against American Tax Relief. The suit claims...Wednesday, June 7, 2006
Shelter buzz: There is right and wrong in debate over new facility
To say that Wayne County does not need a new animal shelter is just plain shortsighted. And, by the same token, to say that all we need is the equivalent of a bare bones concrete building since the main activity...Tuesday, June 6, 2006
A new start: Habitat’s Blitz Build will give family a chance for new life
There is something about holding the keys to your own house. The sense of ownership — and the ability to say that you have an address, a place to call your own — makes you proud. This week, Habitat for...Monday, June 5, 2006
What about taxes? Some of the surplus should go toward easing tax burden
Carolina’s first-in-a-long-time budget surplus, and no one is even bothering to think about one use for the money that would help just about every resident? What about a tax cut? And, while we are at it, what about some serious...Saturday, June 3, 2006
A time crunch: School solutions remain elusive as budget deadline nears
More talk; more hand-wringing; and, still, county leaders are no closer to a resolution to the question of how much money Wayne County needs to provide for its schools. Now, on a positive note, it seems that there might be...Friday, June 2, 2006
Tragic loss: Teen’s death should remind us all of preciousness of life
Hundreds of people turned out Thursday evening to say goodbye to a Charles B. Aycock High School senior who lost his life earlier this week. No one really knows yet the details of what happened that day, but right now,...Thursday, June 1, 2006
