August 2007 archives

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Friday, August 31, 2007

Talk to them: Commmissioners’ meetings might be worth your time

OK, so maybe the last thing you want to do after you come home from work is to head off to a meeting with your county commissioners. After all, discussing boring stuff like taxes and school buildings is what you...

Thursday, August 30, 2007

A big ‘so what’: Lottery jackpot seemed to generate little excitement

If somebody told you that all you had to do to get a chance to win $300 million was to buy a ticket, wouldn’t you scurry off to the nearest sales outlet? Well, this past weekend, there was more than...

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Pants policy: Councilman has right idea — tickets for low-hanging dress

There’s an uproar in Atlanta these days. And its not just about Falcons quarterback Michael Vick and his pet-parenting skills. This protest is about ... pants. It seems that some local lawmakers are debating putting a civil penalty on those...

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Uniform idea: Schools that checked ‘yes’ made right choice

As usual, the children are leading the way. After a small, but loud reaction to a proposal by the Wayne County School District to implement a “higher standard” dress code, there was a vote in each school. Most parents said...

Monday, August 27, 2007

Right to go: Alberto Gonzales was too flawed to lead department

It seems like it has been months since anyone has uttered the name Alberto Gonzales. After all, there were just so many other issues to talk about. So, the announcement this morning that the embattled attorney general will be leaving...

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Talk begets talk: Discussions about schools needs to transform into action

Talk, talk, talk. More talk, talk, talk. Demand more information. Get it, then talk, talk, talk again. Complain about compliance, hurl a few criticisms, imply a lack of cooperation — or that some simply don’t care — and then stop...

Friday, August 24, 2007

Hope for future: New poll says young people are valuing faith

You wouldn’t know it by listening to rap music — and there are more than a few places on the Internet that might suggest otherwise, but a new poll taken by The Associated Press and MTV suggests that young people...

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Lottery promise: What’s next for funds — and education support?

This weekend, there will be millions on the line, and North Carolinians as well as those in other Powerball states will have their chance to play to win — big. But as the jackpot hits another big number, the question...

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Family debate: How much should voters care about a candidate’s family?

Another day and another slip up on the campaign trail. This time, Barack Obama’s wife, Michelle, is alleged to have made a snide remark about her husband’s opponent’s ability to maintain a family. Of course, the Obama campaign says her...

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Celebrity justice: Michael Vick is a criminal, but will he get just punishment?

As vile as what he did to the animals in his care is and as many times as he has denied his involvement in the dog-fighting business, the news that Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick will plead guilty has brought...

Saturday, August 18, 2007

In transit: With passenger rail coming, planning has to be right on time

Goldsboro has an opportunity. And for right now, that’s all — and that’s enough. The news that the North Carolina Department of Transportation is partnering with the city to bring passenger rail through Goldsboro — and that a restored Union...

Friday, August 17, 2007

Rescue dilemma: Town must wrestle with how much longer to go on digging

No one in the town of Huntington, Utah, wants to give up hope that the six miners who have been trapped underground for more than a week are still alive. You only have to look at pictures taken there to...

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Battling cancer: Proposal to build world-class cancer center is about hope

Finally, state lawmakers have discovered a good way to spend some of the millions of tax dollars that North Carolina residents send to Raleigh each year. Before they closed out this year’s session, legislators voted to devote $50 million a...

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Chance to share: United Way’s kickoff was an evening of fun, caring

There were probably a few people who came to the Taste of Wayne County just to get a piece of pizza, some ribs and a slice of cake or sticky bun with a little ice cream on the side. OK,...

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

China syndrome: Companies might have to think twice about overseas plants

This is not the first time. It is not even the second time. And even scarier — this is the second major news item in less than a year. The recent announcement that toy manufacturer Mattel will have to recall...

Monday, August 13, 2007

Teamwork: City crews spent long hours getting cleanup accomplished

Goldsboro is not back to normal yet, but the mounds of tree limbs that clogged several streets are but a memory in many areas of the city. And the messes in several other areas are dwindling rapidly, too. And all...

Saturday, August 11, 2007

A corporate move: Butterball’s headquarters choice underscores infrastructure needs

Wayne County is poised for future growth — but it is not quite there yet. So, when officials at now locally owned Butterball Turkey needed to decide what to do about creating a centralized administrative office complex, the conclusion was...

Friday, August 10, 2007

Cleaning up: You Tube strikes again — proving need for scrutiny

There is a new trend on the Internet video collection called “You Tube.” Now, videos are appearing of pranksters who are filming themselves driving up to fast-food restaurant drive-thrus and throwing drinks in the faces of the workers. Some of...

Thursday, August 9, 2007

With an asterisk: Don’t let your babies grow up to be that kind of ballplayer

OK, so there is a new home run recordholder. And although there was lots of cheering when Barry Bonds smashed the winning shot that would catapult him over Hank Aaron’s long-held mark, there was a bit of taint to the...

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

Heroes on duty: 916th Security Forces Squadron takes on another mission

There wasn’t a large group who got their orders, packed their bags and headed off to support the U.S.’s efforts in the Middle East this week. And it was not the first time the members of the 916th Air Refueling...

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

The list is in: School board is right, it’s time for action

It’s hard not to scowl when one thinks about just how long it has taken to get to this point in the discussion about county funding and schools in Wayne County. It almost seems like the preamble to one of...

Saturday, August 4, 2007

Allegiances: U.S. shouldn’t have to shoulder anti-terror burden alone

There is one aspect of the war on terror that really does need renewed emphasis. It has been neglected because the United States has always been considered the savior of the world — even though many countries deny that fact...

Friday, August 3, 2007

Rediscover books: Public input speaks volumes for future of library system

The Wayne County Public Library is in the midst of a renovation of sorts. Director Jane Rustin and her staff have asked community members to join with them to create a new direction for the future. Their plan will probably...

Thursday, August 2, 2007

A chance to lead: Wisdom on schools should accompany tax authority

OK, it’s done. The N.C. House and Senate have given counties the taxing opportunities they want and the Medicaid relief for which they clamored. Now, what? What concerns every resident of every county is what politicians are going to do...

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Amenities: Longtime residents might overlook community’s best assets

No one ever really has anything nice to say about the town in which they live. Sure, there might be a nostalgic moment or two when you contentedly sigh that your town is “the best ever,” but when it boils...