May 2008 archives

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Saturday, May 31, 2008

Heart and resolve: A young boy and his family need community’s help

You might not realize it, but sometimes it does take a community to raise a child — or at least to let a family know that they are not alone. When Wayne County learned that little Cooper Bryan, this year’s...

Friday, May 30, 2008

Not quiet here: Walnut Creek officials get full-blown reaction on ETJ

Whoops. That sure wasn’t a quiet meeting, was it? There’s good news and bad news in the community reaction to Walnut Creek’s consideration of creating an extra-territorial jurisdiction. First, isn’t it nice to see that people care what is going...

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Reality check: Want us to appreciate new immigrants? Follow the rules.

America has been and always will be a country that welcomes in anyone who wants to be here — and who wants to become an American. So that is why some of us bristle when we hear comments from advocates...

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Who’s on first? Presidential nomination battle a bit too much to take

The worst part about picking a new president is enduring all the political posturing and bad-mouthing of the old one. It seems very rare these days that any president leaves office without being castigated for a laundry list of wrongs....

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

How to succeed: First step in creating a life is not expecting it to be given to you

Graduation advice has become a cottage industry these days. You can’t turn around without reading some pithy comment from someone to young people just starting out their careers — and lives. So, at about this time of year, there are...

Monday, May 26, 2008

Not just a day off: Today’s holiday is a time to reflect on courage, sacrifice

Because a group of people wanted to make sure no one forgot that today is a special day to remember heroes, Wayne County children are not in class today. They are, instead, home with their families, either marking the day...

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Nurturing hope: Dillard/Goldsboro alumni show how dreams become real

There is a lot of talk these days about giving back. You hear it from politicians, sports figures and celebrities, and a whole television industry has been built around it — “Extreme Makeover Home Edition” and “Oprah’s Big Give” to...

Friday, May 23, 2008

Gas on the rise: One of the areas legislators should look at is conservation

There is not much good that has come from the ever-increasing price of gasoline this spring and summer. In fact, some of us are wondering if there really is a point where the price just can’t go any higher. When...

Thursday, May 22, 2008

A new ‘Idol’: Perhaps newest soon-to-be star can be better role model

OK, the results are in and America has a new “American Idol” winner. What happens to David Cook from here is anyone’s guess. Just winning the top prize of the singing competition that has already crowned a number of recording...

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

A real legacy: Generations will benefit from the kindness of Walter Davis

It’s easy to leave a mark on the world if you have a lot of money, fame and fortune. But the problem with a legacy that is based in dollars and cents is that — in the end — the...

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Money woes: Families are going to look hard at any tax increase

Local politicians across North Carolina are finding out something that the federal government is going to understand very, very soon. If you want voters to go along with a plan for more new taxes — or to give up tax...

Saturday, May 17, 2008

So many steps: Wayne County fights cancer with determination, love

You see it in the “Why I Relay” buttons on people’s shirts honoring a loved one who has passed on or one who is still fighting cancer. You see it in the thousands of luminarias that twinkle in the night...

Friday, May 16, 2008

In the public eye: If you take the job, be ready for the accountability

Watchdog — what does that mean? There are some who think that perhaps the media spend a little too much time harassing politicians and others who have been entrusted with public positions. They say that the scrutiny keeps many good...

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Convenient nod: Here’s why John Edwards’ endorsement not worth a look

Does anyone else smell the stench of political patronage in John Edwards’ announcement Wednesday that he will be supporting Barack Obama in the race for the Democratic nomination? He will probably say that it is because his state had not...

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Teacher focus: Let’s face it; best work should be rewarded in schools for all

Another day and another announcement of yet another young teacher who has decided that the best place to find a new boyfriend is in her classroom. Yet another Florida teacher is facing charges that she messed around where she shouldn’t...

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Class of 2008: College degree is a first — and very important — step

This weekend, more than 825 students got their diplomas at either Wayne Community College or Mount Olive College. They celebrated their achievements with family and friends as well as classmates, and turned their tassels as they prepared to enter the...

Monday, May 12, 2008

A dream lost: Not too hard to see why Hillary Clinton stayed so long

Really, what would you do if you had dreamed of something for more than a few years, worked hard to prepare, earned the frontrunner status early on and then watched it all slip away? If you were Hillary Clinton, would...

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Start with candor: Changing self-destructive lives takes priority shift, tough stances

It is not easy to write what you really think, especially if politics is your business. So even if you did not agree with what Goldsboro Mayor Al King said about the future of young black men in this community,...

Friday, May 9, 2008

Sales tax, take 2: Want to get people to think about sales tax? Start over.

Wayne County voters sent the message loud and clear to their county commissioners this week: No new taxes. And it wasn’t just a whisper, either. A tax referendum that was defeated by more than 80 percent of those who turned...

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Remember us? County needs to insist new governor knows the way here

One of the biggest jokes about Gov. Mike Easley is that he never leaves the office — and that he never seems to be anywhere in the state other than Raleigh. That means that unless you have that address, you...

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Get out the vote: Turnout for primary was strong, and it needs to continue

It is usually disheartening to see the numbers of people who turn out to vote in primaries. Often, it is a ridiculously low percentage of those who are registered to vote — and that is a dismal portion of those...

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Memorial Day: District’s heart is in right place, but fix isn’t easy

The results are in and the Wayne County Board of Education has decided to give Wayne County students the day off in honor of Memorial Day. And, now, to make up for the extra day they will have off from...

Monday, May 5, 2008

More to choose: Presidential battle not only important vote on Tuesday

After months of listening to the banter back and forth, the day is finally here for North Carolinians to have their say in who will be the next president of the United States. Whether this state chooses Barack Obama or...

Sunday, May 4, 2008

The truly rich: Real wealth measured by hard work, determination

There is a new dirty word in America. “Wealthy.” You hear it all the time, especially around election time. Why does it come up? It is about this time of year that politicians and others start talking about how the...

Friday, May 2, 2008

College costs: Several candidates say they are giving education away

It sounds good, the idea that every student in North Carolina will have the chance to go to community college for free. In fact, you are hearing it quite a bit as the candidates for governor make their final pitches...

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Relay Friday: Show your unity by dressing down tomorrow

Call it a little bit of team spirit, mixed with support for those who have suffered and are suffering from cancer. Sometimes all it takes to send a message of hope, inspiration and compassion is a T-shirt — and thousands...