The roundup: A positive, two questions -- and a debate over plaques

Today should not pass without a mention of what happened at the Goldsboro City Council and Wayne County Commission meetings earlier this week.

Both boards reconsidered proposals to cut funding to an organization that is providing a cost-effective and meaningful service to the citizens of Wayne County.

Both boards worked to find a solution that allowed them to keep the budget balanced and to invest in a program that is needed and worthy.

And they both should be commended.

It is not easy being a public official. Trying to spend wisely and to keep the needs of the community paramount is a delicate balance.

You are never going to please everyone -- or anyone, sometimes.

But when a public body takes the time to listen to its community, that is a sign that government is really working for -- and with -- the people.

And that is an accomplishment that should be acknowledged -- and respected.

Now, lest you think it was a perfect day in Goldsboro, there are still some questions.

• Why do we need $32,000 in signs announcing to travelers that they are entering the county? Couldn't that money be better-purposed -- or couldn't it come out of travel and tourism dollars (read, the hotel tax)?

And why in the world would you cut the county's library budget -- the place where people go to get free materials to better themselves -- to fund such a request? Priorities, please. We want people reading, learning and becoming informed and responsible citizens.

That is an investment, not a frivolous cost.

• Why can't anyone get some members of the county commission to understand that we WANT those who do not speak English to learn how to do so as quickly as possible, and that we should reward those who make that effort to assimilate into American culture?

The argument simply does not make any sense. The problem is those who refuse to learn the language -- and then require government to pay for translations, extra services and staff and other goodies that go along with pretending America is officially bilingual.

We want people to seek citizenship legally, and learning English is the first step to making that a reality. It shows a commitment to becoming real citizens who work productively here.

These people are not trying to steal English instruction so they can take it back to their homeland.

Ugggggggghhhhh.

And, just because we can't believe we are still listening to this argument, would Mexico teach illegal American immigrants Spanish? Who cares. This is not Mexico. We can find better places for a role model.

And even though this is the commission's turn today, a moment should also be spent on the recent dust-up at the board of education meeting.

The debate was over signs on the new schools.

The question? Whether those who worked to create the agreement that led to the construction of the schools should be acknowledged -- that means former members of the county board of education, the recently retired superintendent and the members of the county commission.

Or, the question was asked, should the current boards be listed.

Board member Patricia Burden offered to give up her spot to allow one of the former members, the late Thelma Smith, to be acknowledged.

She said those who did the work deserve the credit.

And she is absolutely right.

Leave it to a former principal to boil this one down to the bottom line in 30 seconds or less.

Buy the bigger plaque and let the students know that a bunch of people in their community joined hands to create a project that will be around when their children go to school.

Celebrate a moment when two governmental entities set aside their self-interest and worked, hard, to make these new schools happen.

Show some respect for people who dedicated years of their lives to service, but who weren't around when the final base was rounded.

Inclusive is better -- almost always.

And in this case, it is a chance to set an example of how you show respect -- and gratitude.

And that is a lesson that more students -- and adults -- could stand to learn.

Published in Editorials on June 3, 2015 12:04 PM