August 2012 archives

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Friday, August 31, 2012

Hurricane aid: Red Cross needs you to help them

The news is as you would expect -- thousands of Americans in the Gulf Coast are struggling to restart their lives after flood waters swept their houses and belongings away. Some of their stories ended tragically, with the loss...

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Fill the pantry: You helped us many times. Now local hungry need you.

The point does not need belaboring. There are Wayne County families struggling to keep food on their tables -- and the organization that makes it its mission to help them does not have enough food to feed them. And just...

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

GOP gets hits: First speeches were winners

Truth is, you never really know a presidential candidate -- or a party -- until you hear what the nominee and the party's membership have to say. And Tuesday night, Republicans took a strong first step toward telling potential supporters...

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Night meetings: Commissioners make their first effort at offering more access

It is a little bit disappointing that so few people turned out for the commissioners' first evening meeting, but it is not all that surprising. Evening meetings are a nice idea, in theory, but when it comes to getting...

Monday, August 27, 2012

Right choice: Republicans needed to respect worry, threat from hurricane

It would have been more fun to kick off with balloons, speeches and parties beginning today. And there is no question that those who are gathering in Tampa for the Republican Convention would rather have been celebrating than waiting...

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Here at home: N.C. voters should be focusing on more than presidential ballot

It might seem like a second thought. After all, with the heat coming from the presidential election, it seems almost unfathomable that there should be anything else that needs our attention. But, unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on which side of...

Friday, August 24, 2012

Breaking in line: Political gimmick offers no genuine answer to immigration quandary

A whole bunch of people just fell for a fast one. The millions of children of illegal immigrants who signed up recently to be on a list that promises to protect them from deportation -- well, not in so...

Thursday, August 23, 2012

A story's moral: Dog and cat overpopulation persists. Spaying and neutering are critical.

Not too long ago, there was some sad news out of the county animal shelter -- suspected distemper forced shelter personnel to put down a potentially adoptable dog because it could have been infected with the deadly disease. There are...

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Name that cost: Museum is a nice idea. Putting city finances in peril is not.

And so now there is a name -- well, at least the beginnings of one. And yet, there is still no official determination that the community has agreed -- as it was promised it would have the opportunity to...

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Live and learn: Advice is nice, but what really makes schools thrive is involvement

There is always lots of talk -- especially from those who have never set foot in a classroom -- as to what they see as the solution to the problems in the county schools. It is funny how quickly...

Monday, August 20, 2012

For love of sport: Olympian Missy Franklin inspires by not rushing to cash in

The Olympics are over and the scramble has begun for the endorsement dollars and other perks that go along with becoming a world-class amateur athlete. And in the middle of all the hype, scandal and egos stands Missy Franklin....

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Sunday vote: Don't get your hopes up. It's just more politics.

One of the most amusing developments in the continuing battle for the presidency of the United States is the sometimes sanctimonious rantings of those who are battling over the issue of the "right to vote." The claim is that Republicans...

Friday, August 17, 2012

Sad day: Panel needs to iron out UNC class debacle

Anyone who thinks there is not a major in every university that is a haven for pampered and academically unmotivated athletes is fooling him or herself. But it is sad to know that there was a whole program at...

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Pants pulled up: Dunn City Council has the right idea; too bad others miss point

Every generation has its share of bad clothing decisions. We all have closets full of those remnants of another time and mindset. But this week, the Dunn City Council decided to consider action against one fashion trend that has...

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Medicare scare: Watch out, seniors. There's more to this than meets the eye.

They have already started -- the scary ads proclaiming that soon, now that Mitt Romney is under the influence of the evil Paul Ryan, seniors will be left with no Medicare coverage. And it is understandable that hearing words...

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Back to books: Reading might be schools and parents' secret weapon.

Within the next couple of weeks, Wayne County students will be heading back to class and teachers, administrators and parents will be faced with an age-old questions that does not seem to be attracting any new answers. It is:...

Monday, August 13, 2012

A chance to help: Stuff the bus for local children

If you are a parent, you know how expensive back to school shopping can be. Forget about the cost of clothing and shoes, school supplies themselves can be pricey items, especially for struggling families. This week, you can help us...

Saturday, August 11, 2012

The budget guy: Romney's pick signals belief in Americans' succeeding on own terms

There really wasn't a consensus on whose name we would hear Saturday when Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney announced his pick for vice president. Some thought it would be Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, while others thought it should be New...

Friday, August 10, 2012

Last call: Closing ceremonies will offer chance to review London 2012

It has been a special Olympics -- and not just because of Michael Phelps either. There were many stories of triumph and reward for hundreds of athletes who have been working for four years for just a couple minutes...

Thursday, August 9, 2012

A lesson: Judge's sentence a wise one; there are consequences

There is a lesson to be learned in a recent Wayne County court case. A young man was sentenced in connection with a robbery that included the beating of a 78-year-old man and an assault on his wife. During...

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Missed point: Commissioner's rant not good way to start 'open dialogue'

We thought it might be too good to be true. We just did not think we would know without a doubt that it was merely a dream quite so soon. Within a month of making a reasonable request to meet...

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

An odd start: Why does city council need to go to 'black and white' again?

Since he has been in office, officially, for only a few hours, it is too early to determine the intentions of one of the newest Goldsboro City Council members, William Goodman. But his first act as a new city...

Monday, August 6, 2012

They served: City Council members gave time to the city over years

You might not have agreed with everything -- or anything -- that Don Chatman, Jackie Warrick or Bob Waller said or did during their tenures as Goldsboro City Council members. In fact, you might even have concurred with them...

Saturday, August 4, 2012

The tests: We need a better way to judge what education success really is

Another round of tests is out, and there is a new batch of good news about Wayne County Public Schools. Several schools have shown improvement in their scores, and there are more children hitting their marks when it comes...

Friday, August 3, 2012

Gabby's gold: U.S. gymnast could be a role model for young girls of all races

It is important that she is the first African-American gymnast to win a gold medal in the women's all-around. But Gabby Douglas' inspiring victory is not just about a milestone or a "first." This young gymnast's story is also...

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Time to care: United Way event allows residents to pick a day to help others

In this ever-busy world, very few people remember to take the time to do things for others. It is not selfishness -- and it is not because they do not care. It is because there are just so many...

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Olympic heroes: It's not just the medals. It is the journey.

There are some places and athletes who just don't seem to get it. Winning the medal is wonderful and all, and being near the top of the country-by-country medal count is exhilarating. But the bottom line is it is...