August 2006 archives

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Thursday, August 31, 2006

Planned growth: Counties need to monitor how they develop

Growth. It is a blessing and a curse. North Carolina continues to be one of the fastest-growing states in the union, with increasing numbers of people choosing to start new lives around major cities and in small towns across the...

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Caring for others: Volunteer Wayne and United Way offer chance to help

There is still time to be a part of a project that could make a difference in Wayne County. Volunteer Wayne and United Way of Wayne County are currently organizing a week of events to not only honor those who...

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

One year later: Hurricane Katrina still brings questions, sadness

There is no way to look at the images from Hurricane Katrina and not feel a little sad. More than 1,500 people died and many more than that were left homeless by the devastating hurricane that nearly washed away New...

Monday, August 28, 2006

A curtain call: For more than two decades,

It might not seem like a tough job, directing the Arts Council of Wayne County. After all, how stressful could paintings and performances be? So, the casual observer might not really understand how much retiring Arts Council director Alice Strickland...

Saturday, August 26, 2006

Gang signs: Parents, neighbors can be first to recognize danger

It used to be that parents worried about peer pressure, not meeting curfew and whether or not their children would be able to bring home good grades on their report cards. There might be a few unmentionable concerns like teenage...

Friday, August 25, 2006

Started early: Rudolph Howell’s inspiring legacy

Rudolph Howell of Smithfield died last week at the age of 87. He chose to refuse further painful dialysis treatments rather than prolong a lingering death. During his 87 years he amassed not only a great personal wealth but a...

Thursday, August 24, 2006

Cause for alarm: Three young Goldsboro men shot from passing vehicle

Two young men were shot to death in their car while traveling on Olivia Lane in the early evening on Monday. Another young man walking nearby was wounded by the gunfire. The shots came from a moving vehicle which then...

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Back to school: Heading back to the books has responsibilities for all

After a couple months of enjoying a little rest and relaxation, Wayne County students are getting their first taste this week of what they will encounter when school opens this Friday. The open houses scheduled throughout the county are introducing...

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Have your say: There’s lots to comment on; speak now or hold your peace

One of the most frustrating aspects of presenting a new idea or a plan to implement a long-awaited change is waiting for the inevitable naysayers and second-guessers. They usually do not appear when the project is in its infancy and...

Monday, August 21, 2006

Photo with heart: Moment at Iwo Jima said much about heroism, patriotism

Most people know the story behind the famous photo at Iwo Jima. The group of servicemen struggling to hoist an American flag on top of the hill said much about patriotism, courage and the men who had fought so hard...

Saturday, August 19, 2006

Interesting: ‘Practicality’ blew N.C.’s ‘free tuition’

The University of North Carolina system has a constitutional mandate to provide “free” tuition to the state’s students. Well, free — “as far as practicable.” Obviously, free tuition hasn’t been practical in the memories of folks living today. And tuition...

Friday, August 18, 2006

Comments are in: Citizens are sharing their views on Paramount plan

Plenty of letters have come in regarding the recent proposal by Goldsboro businessman David Weil for the reconstruction of the Paramount Theater. The plan includes a new theater with many of the same amenities as the former showplace, but at...

Thursday, August 17, 2006

Broken hearts: Years of waiting must have been torture for family

It is too early to say whether the man who was arrested in Thailand Wednesday has really put to rest the story of 6-year-old beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey’s murder in Denver nearly 10 years ago. Only time and a judge...

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

A good start: Joint meeting portends progress on school facilities

It’s a beginning. That is all that can be said for the first meeting of the Facilities Master Plan Committee. And for now, that’s enough. The members of the Wayne County Commission and Wayne County Board of Education who were...

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Thanks, Britain: Its intelligence saved thousands

The sane world is indebted to British intelligence for averting another colossal terrorist episode that could have been the magnitude of 9/11. Within what could have been days of detonating explosives aboard nine commercial airlines, British authorities swept down on...

Monday, August 14, 2006

Ask the people: Lieberman’s decision could sprout interesting questions

It’s going to be interesting to see what will happen now that Sen. Joseph Lieberman has decided that he is not going to let a Democratic primary loss slow down his attempt to keep his seat. After losing to...

Saturday, August 12, 2006

What’s at stake: We are vulnerable if we ignore terrorists’ intent

There has been a lot of talk lately about what the next step should be in the war on terror. The debate about Iraq and how long U.S. forces should remain in the country to help keep the peace has...

Friday, August 11, 2006

The system: Court gives young felon a break, but is it justice?

Rashaad of Durham is 19 years old. Despite his youth, he is a convicted felon with a lengthy court record. Less than two months ago, he was in court on 10 charges. They included breaking and entering, damaging real property,...

Thursday, August 10, 2006

A friend, a hero: Thank you Col. Lennie Coleman for serving community, country

Characteristically, Col. Lennie Coleman, on his way out of service with the United States Air Force, was not eager to accept congratulations and thank yous for himself. The longtime 4th Fighter Wing Mission Support Group commander just doesn’t think that...

Wednesday, August 9, 2006

Paramount plans: You have read about the plan, now tell city what you think

The results are in — and after months of waiting — there is finally a proposal for what to do about the Paramount Theater. Downtown businessman David Weil’s proposal is more than just another comment in a long line of...

Tuesday, August 8, 2006

Suddenly — A realistic, doable, approach to the Paramount

A few months after the old Paramount Theater burned, an ad hoc committee reported to Goldsboro’s City Council that to rebuild it would cost some $12 million. With that staggering price tag, the idea was dead on arrival. Since then,...

Monday, August 7, 2006

Responsibility: Schools are not the only ones who need to work

Judge Howard Manning has a point. As North Carolina educators and leaders continue their push to improve the quality of education provided for state students, they ought to think carefully about a statement Manning made in his speech. Manning said...

Saturday, August 5, 2006

The race is on: Sen. Clinton sets sights on getting ready for campaign

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld is an easy and convenient target for those who are looking for someone on whom to pin the recent escalation of violence in Iraq. He’s the boss and he is a strong personality — both...

Friday, August 4, 2006

The good folks: Most officeholders serve communities very well

There seems to have been an endless series of stories this year about improper conduct on the part of public officials. This creates a tendency to turn people off of “politics.” It might even discourage some from considering seeking elective...

Thursday, August 3, 2006

Pay it forward: Shelter project deserves support, if rules are changed

It’s not surprising that Wayne County residents are not rushing in blind to support a new animal shelter project in the county. After raising more than $16,000 in support of the new construction, local groups and other volunteers have backed...

Wednesday, August 2, 2006

Speeding already: There’s still a problem with those who ignore limits

On any given morning or afternoon on Ash Street, there is always someone who is in so much of a hurry that he or she decides to ignore the speed limit. Sometimes the offense is just a couple of extra...

Tuesday, August 1, 2006

Checking in: Neighbors and others can help prevent heat-related tragedies

It might seem like no big deal and certainly not worth taking up space on a commentary page, but there is a reason that health officials are worried about the next couple of days and the high temperatures that are...