May 2011 archives

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Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Edwards ... plead: Everybody tired of hearing sordid tale

One of today's headlines is one North Carolinians are all too familiar with -- John Edwards is going to court. There are some who want him to plead to charges he used campaign funds to take care of his...

Monday, May 30, 2011

The costs build: Medicaid cuts are not what we want, but it might be best idea

Americans want to take care of each other. That's the reason that when there is a tragedy somewhere in this nation there is such an outpouring of support. We are generous to a fault. So, it goes against our...

Saturday, May 28, 2011

The heroes: Memorial Day is not just for cookouts. It is for remembering.

It would be easy to wait until Monday to write this tribute. After all, that is technically Memorial Day -- the day when Americans are supposed to honor those who have given their lives in the defense of their...

Friday, May 27, 2011

Act still a plus: We need every weapon in the war against terror

There is no question that most of us would like to have seen no more need to continue the increased surveillance powers that the Patriot Act provides. Most of us likely would have hoped that nearly a decade after...

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Idol watch: Maybe this is the way to keep Americans interested in elections

It was good news today that a North Carolina boy managed to bring home the title of "American Idol." Nothing like a little hometown pride to make people sit up and take notice. But the phenomenon that is Scotty...

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Back to basics: No reprieve for president -- the underlying concerns are still there

There was a certain elation and resurgence at the White House when the news came across that Osama bin Laden had been killed. It gave what to that point had been an anemic presidency a little boost of energy....

Monday, May 23, 2011

Education fight: Both sides are stubborn. Budget might be long way away.

It is really not all that unexpected that the state's Republicans and Democrats are at odds over what to do about education funding and the state budget. There are political reasons for each stand, of course. Republicans want to...

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Relay success: Another year, another reason Wayne County really does ... rock

You could feel the spirit around the midway of the 2011 Wayne County Relay for Life Friday night. Music filled the air, and friends, families, neighbors and co-workers greeted each other with hearty hellos, hugs and, in some cases,...

Friday, May 20, 2011

Relay call: Come spend some time tonight fighting cancer with your neighbors

There are many wonderful aspects of the annual Relay for Life events in Wayne County. First off, it is a chance for thousands of county residents to gather together to fight a common enemy -- and to have fun...

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Early voting: Let's face it -- you either care enough to cast responsible vote or you don't

Don't listen to those who are whining about the fact that the General Assembly has decided to save a little money and to cut back on the early voting hours. Of course, the measure has only cleared the House,...

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

A good Scout: Not the least of Tom Yarboro's legacy -- his commitment to Scouts

It was not hard to find people to speak highly of Tom Yarboro. The Goldsboro Milling executive has made his mark as a businessman and a volunteer across the state and country, offering his expertise not only to the...

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Reward success: Council's picks for cuts ought to be examined again

One has to wonder just what the members of the City Council -- and really, city staff and officials -- were thinking when they came up with the idea that the way to get the city's budget in line...

Monday, May 16, 2011

Teacher's gift: Former music teacher's lesson is one more students should learn

This weekend, students of former Goldsboro High School music teacher George Trautwein will gather together to say thank you and to say goodbye to a man whose influence has stayed with them for decades.Those who spoke of their teacher say...

Friday, May 13, 2011

Still fighting: Airman's courage a reminder just what's at stake in Middle East

There was a bit of euphoria when the nation heard that Osama bin Laden had been killed in Pakistan. It seemed almost like the war against terror had been won, or nearly won. But this week, we were reminded once...

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Cart, then horse: Where is all this money coming from to fund the 'other' expenses of project?

They are kidding, right? This week, Goldsboro City Council took an option on the Arts Council of Wayne County's soon-to-be-former location on Ash Street. The $25,000 "earnest money" the city put down on the purchase -- with the understanding...

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

One last stand: It's down to the nitty gritty; let's see what happens next

The truth is that no one is going to be happy with any of the budgets being proposed around the state this year.There are going to be programs that will be cut -- and, unfortunately, in some cases, positions that...

Monday, May 9, 2011

Economic watch: It is time to talk energy policy

So many Americans are still wondering just exactly when the recovery that so many analysts keep mentioning is going to reach their driveways. And while the dire forecasts of gas prices above $5 seem to be unlikely now that...

Saturday, May 7, 2011

A thought: City's decision -- and comments -- point to exactly why bill is bad news

There were more important things to say today. So we said them. But that doesn't mean that we are going to let the Goldsboro City Council's barb at public access go unnoticed, or unanswered. So, we decided to offer a...

Proud to be ... It is not the death. It is not the revenge. It is that we stood strong.

Americans are not the type to revel in the streets when someone is killed. It just is not our style. And while there was much celebration when it was announced that Osama bin Laden was dead, it was not...

Friday, May 6, 2011

A thank you: There is still time to give to allow vets to take tribute flights

We talk all the time about honoring those who have served this country with honor and courage. We say "thank you." We raise flags. And this week, we got to watch 19 World War II veterans from Wayne County...

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Budget battle: The bottom line is either the money is there or it isn't

Nobody wants to see anybody lose his or her job. In fact, if there were a way to balance the state's budget and to overcome the billions in debt without cutting somewhere, you can bet there would have been...

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Right decision: City has to be careful not to take on expensive projects right now

It would be nice to be able to help out the Arts Council of Wayne County by buying its former building and taking that albatross off the charitable organization's plate.After all, as we talk about the building that the Goldsboro...

Monday, May 2, 2011

Right to know: Proposed bill will make it easier for government to stay in the shadows

In a recent edition of The News-Argus, it was there -- in full color for everyone to see -- the proposed redistricting map for the city and an announcement of an upcoming public hearing to discuss it. Why is...

Justice: Check -- Osama bin Laden's death a step forward for war on terror

As most of us watched with tears in our eyes on Sept. 11, 2001, rescue workers, then-President George W. Bush and thousands of service members all over the world vowed that the deaths of more than 3,000 people in...