Letters to the Editor
Get the message?
Sunday, March 29, 2009 — In the circus of ongoing rhetoric about “the People’s Water” most of these statements should not be dignified by a comment but when a person of the stature of Albemarle Mayor Whit Whitley gets charged as having selfish motives for the city of Albemarle with his statement to Gov. Perdue we should realize that this whole mess has no merits.
Mayor Whitley made intelligent and well founded statements for the consideration of Gov. Perdue far from the “dog in the manger” yapping by the County Commissioners and their equally negative followers.
We could rightfully question the real motives behind the costly “jousting at the windmills” by all of these Don Quixote characters. The spending of county funds for legal services which was mere pocket change in the world of serious legal action but which could have been useful toward many of the needs of the county is one of the symptoms of poor wisdom by those elected to serve.
Does anyone realize that ALCOA has, and still is, following all applicable regulations as to hazardous materials, environmental impact, and all of the other legal matters involving the operation of these hydroelectric units as well as supplying the mountains of documents required by the federal authorities in the re-licensing procedures?
Asking for verification of such documents and steps is understandable by any citizen and also of any elected county board of commissioners from Stanly, Montgomery, Davidson, Rowan plus Anson and all other counties of NC and SC all the way to the coast. I would personally defend any such request for this documentation.
If it is the presence of toxic materials in the stream flow that has the naysayers upset, then lets look farther upstream into the headwaters of the Yadkin. Should we not ask if any sources of such toxic materials have been checked up there? How do these vigilantes explain how these terrible things purportedly dumped around Badin are supposedly found in High Rock reservoir, upstream of two concrete dams or in Tuckertown reservoir upstream of one concrete dam?
Many of us who have resided in Stanly County for over half a century would like to seriously ask our so-called county leaders if they are concerned with the depressed condition of the overall business climate around Albemarle including all of the industries that have closed down and left besides ALCOA? How much tax money are these long gone companies paying Stanly County as compared to ALCOA?
The current national economic crises is not the reason for the local industrial loss. It happened even in the best of economic times. Now, the climate is even more hostile and unappealing to any viable industry who would have pay scales in excess of twenty dollars an hour.
In my work as an industrial safety consultant I get to travel to other states. Some travel involves driving cross country by small towns with mid-sized industries. I have noticed these plants and mills have parking lots nearly full of employees’ cars.
During these same times, I have taken note that around Albemarle the only parking lots that are filled to near capacity are the hospital, Wal-Mart and the county offices. There may be a strong message in this observation.
One would hope that the commissioners and their booster club members might get this message if we read it to them very slowly.
Bill Garland
Albemarle
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Boat safe, boat sober
The end of summer is quickly approaching. One of the last big weekends for boating is the Labor Day holiday.
All of us want to go on the water and have fun with our family and friends, but there are a few things we need to always keep in mind. -
We should be pro-business
The number one priority for politicians and just about anybody to talk about is jobs and the economy. I would like to express my observations on what I believe are pretty strong “anti-business and anti-industry” expressions and actions that are on the local level.
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Many make School Tools Ride successful
A very special thanks to all the Albemarle Police officers who provided traffic control, blocking intersections for our School Tools Ride on Aug. 14.
Officer Kevin Boone, who is a member of Gold Wing Road Riders Associa-tion’s local chapter NC T-2 and a police officer with APD, was instrumental in arranging and coordinating a very smooth, safe ride for our out-of-town visitors. -
Writer seeks donations for Red Bird Mission
Two years ago I had the privilege of visiting the Red Bird Mission in Beverly, Ky., a remote region in Kentucky where poverty is a way of life, as is hard work if there is any work.
I saw small houses built way down the embankment off the road insulated with plastic or newspapers or anything to help block out the winter cold. I saw many barefooted children and it was not summer. -
A few tips for hunters
Hunting season is quickly approaching. I’m sure there are a lot of hunters anxious for this season to begin.
As many of you may know there are a few new privileges that are open to the public this season. One is that anyone may hunt with a crossbow. Another is that anyone may hunt on private property on Sunday with a bow and arrow or crossbow (during the designated season). -
Same-sex marriage issue debated
In the Aug. 19 issue of The Stanly News & Press, columnist Stephanie Salter advocates allowing same-sex marriage based on the contention that not doing so violates the “equal protection clause” of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
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Firefighters, volunteers show great bravery
As a resident of the Kirk Road community, I would like to give credit to the East Side Volunteer Fire Department and to Stanly County EMS for the bravery that was shown on Aug. 7.
Dusty Caviness initially helped save our neighbor Frank’s life by stopping the tractor that had fell on him. This allowed for the firemen to reach him and eventually free him. -
Showing respect in a tragic situation
I want to write to say thank you for the way the front page article was written about Jesse Kidd and the remarks that were made on the editorial page (Our View, Aug. 3). It showed the utmost respect and compassion for the family, as well as those who were there that night helping.
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Though saddened, we say thank you
Over the next few weeks, the Albemarle Christian Bookstore and Hallmark will be closing its doors and will no longer be able to serve the needs of a community that we have loved for many years.
It has been an excruciating decision, but has become one that is unavoidable due to the economic condition facing our country, and more specifically, our county. -
Who was offended?
A recent event in Raleigh has me wondering just what our State Government officials are thinking. And what We the People are allowing to happen.
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Boat safe, boat sober
