December 2009 archives

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Thursday, December 31, 2009

Profiles in safety: Screening for potential terrorists a matter of common sense

Not so sure that you want to tackle the inevitable lines and awe-inspiring inconvenience that will now accompany a trip to the airport? Feeling more than a little uneasy about the fact that the nation's Homeland Security chief thinks...

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Civic-minded: Groups that provide underpinning for community face declining membership

There is a crisis in its early stages in Wayne County. It is not immediately apparent, unless you are one of this endangered breed. The pool of people willing to serve in leadership positions in local organizations -- and...

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

GHS at risk: Reversing a struggling school's problems means facing up to what's wrong

There have been some sad consequences of the concerns that have been raised about Goldsboro High School. First, some of the people who have fought the hardest to get more attention paid to the inner city schools have faced...

Monday, December 28, 2009

Tax man cometh: Will there be any money left after Uncle Sam takes his cut?

It is that time of year again, when a property owner's thoughts turn to his or her looming tax bill. And with the county revaluation on the horizon, once again there could be some local property owners who will...

Thursday, December 24, 2009

In the spirit ... Community's efforts are what holiday is really all about

There have been a thousand examples of it over the past few weeks -- and many more stories of people who have made generosity and caring for one another a part of their Christmas season that we will probably...

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Step 1: The vote -- by this time Christmas Eve, health care reform will be on way

It might seem like it's all anyone is talking about these days -- who is voting, who is dealing and who is blowing smoke when it comes to the health care reform bill. So, it is no surprise that...

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Sam's mission: Young man asks his town to share in his Christmas gift

There needs to be an avalanche of food delivered to a location near Brooklyn Pizzeria, near Walmart, beginning at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Why? Because Sam Thacker has asked his community to help out those in need -- as his...

Monday, December 21, 2009

The deal: If health care reform package is solid, there was no need for deals

The word is that the final vote necessary for the first passage of the Senate's version of the health care reform bill came after a negotiation with a key senator, Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska, who was not convinced...

Friday, December 18, 2009

Time to help: There are plenty of places that could use a dollar or two

The need in this community this year has been nothing short of astonishing.In addition to those who seem to fall through the cracks annually, there is a whole new list of people who need help and who have never had...

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Service class: Students could use perspective on the realities of real world

It really isn't a bad idea -- asking college students to participate in some kind of community service before they graduate.It isn't even a bad idea for high school students.Many schools around the country are implementing such a requirement and...

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Sad reminder: If you don't support local stores, they will likely go away

Sportsman's World's story is not unique.In an economy where just doing business is a challenge, the obstacles small business owners face with regard to taxes, regulation and other hits to their bottom line can easily turn a profitable enterprise into...

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Prevention: Who knows if we can fix this mess, but we can stop another

There is going to be a lot of teeth-gnashing about what could very likely end up being the release of several inmates whose good behavior credits have taken care of their life sentences. And while Gov. Bev Perdue can...

Saturday, December 12, 2009

The fine print: New spending plan includes some raises to be concerned about ...

The U.S. Senate has passed a spending plan and, of course, you have to look closely to see why, once again, your representatives in Washington have proven that you need to scrutinize everything they do. The spending plan includes...

Friday, December 11, 2009

Like a president: Obama goes to Oslo, and says the right thing ...

There is no question, really, that the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to a U.S. president who had not even served a full year in office was nothing but politics and spin. The idea was, of course, to...

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Here's why ... No, Alford Jones should not be released early. He took a life.

It might have been about 30 years ago. He might have been a different person then. And he might have been a model prisoner and earned good conduct points for his time served. But Alford Jones should serve a...

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Tiger television: Story is interesting, but, really, every single day?

The best thing that ever happened to Congress is the worst thing that probably has likely happened to Tiger Woods. The ongoing saga of the professional golfer's marital infidelity as well as continuing 911 calls involving members of his...

Friday, December 4, 2009

The right reason: Dealership's gift example of businesses helping community

Frema Motors did not donate a car to be given away as part of the United Way's Fair Share Challenge this year simply because the owners and employees might get their pictures in the newspaper. And Thursday night, when...

Thursday, December 3, 2009

A grain of salt: Just because someone throws out an accusation doesn't make it solid gold

The members of the Wayne County Citizens for Property Rights had every right to say what they thought to Wayne County Commissioner Jack Best and City Councilman Chuck Allen in a public meeting. Just like every other citizen in...

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

A true servant: Commissioner Atlas Price knew that serving his community was an honor

There are few who talk about former commissioner and school board member Atlas Price without mentioning that he loved and served his county. And on the surface that might not seem like the largest contribution that a person could...

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Look out below: News about North Carolina tax collection no plus for taxpayers

Uh, oh, the rumblings are already starting. The news out of Raleigh is not good when it comes to projected sales tax revenue. "Why does that matter to me?" you might wonder. That's an easy one. When the state...