News-Record.com

What a breath of fresh air to read the article about Proehlific Park (Jeri Rowe column, Sept. 15) after year upon year of seemingly nonstop sport scandals ranging from the youth level to the pros.

My admiration goes to a pro athlete who, rather than squandering his fortune, has the faith, vision, values, mission, courage and conviction to invest in the youth of our community -- a community his own family calls home.

As one who experienced the joy and personal fulfillment of coaching youngsters in sports for 20 years, I encourage all parents concerned for the environment in which their children are being formed to give their support to Ricky Proehl's community project. Proehlific Park's mission and guiding principles can be found at www.proehlificpark.com. They are worth the read!

John Malmfelt
Greensboro

My husband and I have lived in beautiful Greensboro for 30-plus years, but after reading two recent articles in our newspaper, we're thinking about moving.

On Sept. 16, we read how one of our officers of the court, attorney Kevin Morse, has tried to finagle his way out of paying $2,300 in parking fines he owes the city of Greensboro. Isn't there a law about paying parking fines?

Sept. 20, we read that our city's well-known Agapion family, who own "more housing units with code violations than any other landlord in the city," have won an award for repairing some of their rental property. Aren't they required by law to repair their property?

Yes, a nice little cabin in our beautiful mountains is sounding pretty good right about now.

Yvonne Cousino
Greensboro

Bluegreen Corp. wants to take 100,000 gallons (minimum) per day from the Haw River. Where is this Haw River? If you drive east on I-40/85, or on U.S. 70, you will cross the Haw River in Alamance County. It is recognizable as a river.

To find the Haw River that Bluegreen Corp. wants to develop, you must take a different route and see a very different river.

Drive north on Church Street from its intersection with Wendover Avenue at Moses Cone Hospital. Cross N.C. 150. There's a traffic light, be careful.

About 1 1/2 miles from 150, you will round a curve to the left and cross two little bridges (11.2 miles from Cone Hospital). The first bridge is the Haw River! It's hard to believe; it's not signed, there is not much water. Be careful, they drive pretty fast through there. Go take a look.

Vance Arnold
Greensboro

With the increased dichotomy of American opinion on the Iraq war, I would like to suggest a positive alternative. The Iraq Study Group produced a number of useful suggestions of ways for us to get out of the quagmire. There is legislation before Congress (Iraq Study Group Implementation Act) that would include the following policies:

* make clear the United States does not seek to establish military bases in Iraq or to control Iraq's oil resources;

* stress need to engage directly with Iran and Syria, and build "Iraq Support Group" in region;

* bring about early transition of military role from combat to training that would allow early redeployment of troops from Iraq;

* base continued U.S. political, military and economic support on specific reconciliation benchmarks;

* establish congressional oversight by requiring the president to report every three months on actions taken to implement provisions of this bill.

This bill has bipartisan support and could set the United States on a new course in Iraq and the region as a whole, beginning in this administration and likely continuing into the next.

Marilyn White
Greensboro

On Sept. 17, the Constitution turned 220 years old. Two days later, the U.S. Senate killed it. And North Carolina's Elizabeth Dole and Richard Burr helped. The Senate voted against restoring habeas corpus, which had been effectively neutered by last year's Military Commissions Act. That it was even considered for annulment will prove to be one of the more contemptible sins of George W. Bush. That our own representatives refused to reaffirm habeas corpus, after they had sworn an oath to uphold the Constitution, is treason.

I live in Rockingham County. For months I've watched elected officials in my own backyard trample on the Constitution: from a school board member suing citizens for practicing the right to petition, to a city council banning new churches.

From the top down, we are being destroyed by those lusting for power rather than desiring justice. We don't need these kinds of "leaders" anymore. We require honest citizens, not partisans or parasites.

Are there people to be found who still believe in the Constitution that our forefathers worked, fought and even died to establish? If there are, they should step forward and take the lead.

Christopher Knight
Reidsville

I know Gregory Woodard to be a fair and honorable man. He is an experienced leader who is action-oriented and possesses those desired leadership traits all voters desire in a civic leader.
He is a common-sense decision-maker, knowledgeable, and he produces results, not excuses.

As a veteran and schoolteacher, I strongly recommend we elect Greg as councilman at large.

Rick Dunlap
Greensboro

Regarding the nooses recently found at Andrews High School:

Stupid pranksters need to be dealt with. Regardless of who was involved the hanging of nooses at Andrews, it was, in my opinion, a prank performed by nonthinking persons, regardless of color.

When the guilty parties are caught, they need to seek counseling and should be required to take a course in exercising good judgment until school ends next spring.

These persons are copycats. Whether they are students or not, they have no idea what problems they could cause with the furniture market in High Point this week. Neither High Point nor any other city wants or needs this kind of publicity.

Anyone who knows who placed those nooses at Andrews needs to give this information to the police now. And we all need to try thinking about something that will help this city become a better place to live. Together we can.

Lawrence Graves
High Point

I sympathize with all young girls and parents who are dealing with the ticket situation for the Hannah Montana concert.

I am a dad who awakened early and stood in line for tickets. I arrived at 7 a.m., and I got four tickets. I do not condone or support anyone who buys up tickets online and then sells them for inflated prices. But by now, anyone who wishes to attend a very popular show knows this will happen.

I was amazed as I watched people arrive five to 10 minutes before ticket sales started. Should citizens be forced to camp out just to see a show? No, but the reality is that this show features one of the hottest TV and children's stars in the world, and you know it's going to sell out.

The Greensboro Coliseum could have served ticket buyers better. Due to the rodeo, the large ticket-sales area on the upper level was unavailable so they herded everyone into the small ticket-sales area on the lower level.

It was nice seeing coliseum Director Matt Brown standing off to the side grinning as he watched it all unfold. I wonder how much parking will be that night.

Joe Henzler
Jamestown

Yes, yes, crack down on the baggy-pants boys. Then cite the girls stuffed into tight jeans and short skirts. After that arrest the guys waddling around like toddlers in sneakers, shorts and message T-shirts. (Surely those bellies should be classified as private parts.)

Finally, go after the shameless old women who occasionally flash a bit of cleavage.

Let's punish those affronts to decency by displaying the perpetrators in stocks at Center City Park.

We're definitely going to need more cops!

Noel Kirby-Smith
Greensboro

Why won't the police and city government release all of the transcripts relative to the David Wray case? It is obvious they are keeping information from the public when the public has the right to know. In other words, they are protecting their rear ends and snubbing the public's rights.

Their actions say that the public is weak and ignorant and doesn't need to know the facts. Democracy fails when you tolerate public officials with such a warped sense of superiority.

It is very clear what these officials are trying to do. For some time now, Greensboro city government has been trying its best to put a good image on a sorry situation. Witness the newspaper articles and TV appearances by our mayor and city manager. Neither was credible or believable. The public is not stupid.

Let it all come out and let the chips fall wherever they may. Release all transcripts. Quit trying to cover up for certain groups and individuals as you have obviously been doing.

Let the sun shine in and it will all clear up quickly.

Louise Myrick
Greensboro

Lately, small groups of well-dressed, soft-spoken folks have knocked on our door.

They come bearing a message: Commit to their god. That would be my only path to heaven. So, I can surmise where I am heading.

When they left, I felt lousy. After living a long, honorable life, I was doomed. Why do people challenge another man's faith?

I am a World War II veteran, pretty much set in my ways. I don't do change easily. I admit that I switched from Pepsi to Coke, and when I smoked cigarettes, I tried different brands.

But to switch gods -- that's a bit much.

Even if I were to entertain this idea, what would I say to my God? "I found a better god?"
That's ludicrous. God is God. Or, are there different gods for different faiths?

Is heaven crowded? Or is the spirit of God universal?

In the interim, God told me that "heaven awaits."

I think I will maintain the status quo. Peace.

Max Roseman
High Point

The community has shown great support for an expanded Haw River State Park. We are grateful for that. There is some perception in parts of the community and media that the state was slow to move on acquiring the property currently being considered for rezoning.

The State Property Office, which handles all acquisitions for the state, has certain rules it must adhere to in order to make an offer on a property. These basic rules protect us all by assuring proper use of our tax dollars.

The state cannot make an offer on a property without having an appraisal in hand by a certified appraiser to justify the offer.

Community volunteers and employees of the state parks and property offices had numerous meetings and discussions with the property owners concerning the 692 acres up for rezoning next to Haw River State Park. Regretfully, the state was never able to obtain written consent to appraise these properties.

The state is willing and able to acquire these properties for the state park at the market price. By overturning this rezoning, we can allow that to happen.

Carolyn Allen
Greensboro

Allen is co-chairwoman, Citizens For Haw River State Park, and a former mayor of Greensboro.

Sept. 15 was Clean Up the Beach Day. Ocean Conservancy shows pictures of what was found dead on the sand: a seal wrapped in the nets of careless fishermen; a bird, its stomach filled with people garbage, including a cigarette lighter and bottle caps.

Oh, I can hear it now: "A seal, a bird? So what? Who cares?"

Wilderness Society pictures wolves being shot from airplanes, hard to miss from that vantage point.

"Wolves? So what? Who cares?"

A polar bear with the glacier melting out from underneath it in the warming Arctic.

"Polar bears? So what, who cares?"

Your daughter's puppy run over by a truck.

"My daughter? Her puppy? So ... who?"

Your neighbor's son murdered by a gang knifing.

"My neighbor ... his son?"

We're all in a line from seal to son, all related, all connected. One life built on all those that came before.

So what? Here's what: It's time to start caring. Now. Before it's too late, before we're all gone.

We need a Clean Up Your Heart Day. Soon.

Gay Cheney
Browns Summit

I was watching WFMY (Channel 2) earlier, and I commend whomever came up with the idea to have a funeral service for the N-word. It's about time.

God never intended for anyone to be degraded, and it pleases me to see a word that degrades finally die.

I just wanted to thank whomever orchestrated this for putting an end to such a childish word.

Matthew Scarborough
Greensboro

I'd like to stress one important fact to Christopher Rees, who thinks he has the right not to buckle his seat belt as long as it doesn't do anyone any harm (letter, Sept. 19). It is the law.

I could say I want to grow marijuana in my backyard and smoke it in my home (hypothetically speaking, of course) as long as it doesn't do anyone any harm. Wrong.

We may not agree with all the laws our elected officials have enacted, but we are bound by law to obey them.

Donna Padgett
Summerfield

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Earle Bower

Charles Davenport's last two columns have been absolutely on the mark. Numerous studies have shown that the single greatest factor in predicting failure for a child is being born to a single parent. It is far more significant than race, nationality or socioeconomic standing. It only stands to reason that children from single-parent households are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than children from two-parent households.

I couldn't disagree more with Annette Kiesel's letter in which she calls Davenport's remarks hurtful and an attack on single mothers who need community, not criticism. The really hurtful thing is to ignore the plain documented truth for the sake of political correctness. Identifying the problem is not criticism; rather, it's intellectual honesty.

Like it or not, single-parent children have very high failure rates and represent a large percentage of prison inmates. Let's let Davenport's columns become the impetus for dealing with this problem here in Greensboro. Let's start a real dialogue based on honesty and reason.

It's been reported that some single mothers on public assistance encourage teenage daughters to get pregnant to receive additional benefits. Why not create ways to provide an incentive for young girls not to get pregnant? This could take the form of a cash incentive of $3,000 per year every year the girl doesn't get pregnant. Or, it could be a cash incentive to have a birth-control patch implanted in the arm of teenagers. No matter the cost, it would save enormous sums of money and a great deal of human suffering in the long run.

Teenage pregnancy almost always leads to single parenthood with its dismal rates of success for the children. Why not develop innovative solutions to reduce teen pregnancy and save those children from a miserable life of failure?

The writer lives in Greensboro.

It's evident that a criminal assault was committed in Jena, La. The problem is with the Louisiana legislature, not the district attorney. The law is what it is.

Also, school administrators should have done a better job. Suspensions should have been in order when the first noose was hung. Jena school officials were aware of the history of the tree that only white students socialized under.

Jena is like most small towns in America. It's unable to embrace diversity, unable to engage in dialogue with the disenfranchised and unable to think outside the box.

Let's make no mistake. This is not an MLK Jr. moment. The good doctor would never advocate a physical assault on a another human. I would like to see black leadership spend more time helping black people overcome economic hardships, creating business opportunities so we can become self-reliant; educating black youth about our history; and eradicating Jim Crow laws that some municipalities overtly and covertly practice.

It frustrates me when I see "Pimp Ph.Ds" and "Pimp Pastors" play on the emotions of the youthful and simple-minded. I hope all who took the drive to Jena, both black and white, realize that there's plenty of work to do.

Myron Johnson
Reidsville

At our 2007 campaign kickoff on Sept. 15, the fundamental spirit of caring, civic pride and giving that is a hallmark of the Greater High Point community was demonstrated by the 36 United Way "Pacesetter" companies that conducted their fund-raising efforts in advance of our general campaign. We are pleased to announce that these initial campaigns have already raised $1.7 million toward our total campaign goal of $4,370,029.

It is through the efforts of caring and concerned citizens such as these and many other dedicated volunteers and supporters that the United Way of Greater High Point and its 29 partner agencies are able to continue to provide life-changing and life-saving benefits to so many in our community.

On behalf of the United Way of Greater High Point, and particularly those served by its 29 partner agencies, we extend heartfelt thanks to all the generous citizens who support our United Way with their donations and volunteerism. Because of you, our 2007 campaign is off to a great start. And thanks to you, and your continued generous support, we can confidently say we will continue to do "what matters" in High Point, Archdale, Trinity and Jamestown.

Charles Cain
High Point

The writer is chairman of the 2007 Campaign of United Way of Greater High Point.

The following is a Counterpoint column.

By David C. Ribar

Defying the clear wishes of the American people and discarding the expert advice of the nonpartisan Iraq Study Group, President George Bush initiated a military surge in Iraq at the start of this year. Recently he came back to the American people to tout the many "successes" in his strategy and to announce that the surge would continue, as planned, through next June.

Bush conditioned his initial decision with a number of assertions and promises, in effect, defining the terms of success. Eight months later we can see that he has failed based on those terms.

Recall that the president indicated that the Iraqi government had responsibilities, telling us in his Jan. 10 speech that we would "hold the Iraqi government to the benchmarks it has announced" and that failure would cost them "the support of the American people." Now the president has reported that "the government has not met its own legislative benchmarks," yet he went on to commit us to more support.

In January, the president asserted that the Iraqis would "take responsibility for security in all of Iraq's provinces by November." That date is now less than two months away, but instead of making progress, the Iraqis are actually less capable now than they were at the start of the surge. A panel headed by retired Gen. James Jones reports that the Iraqi army is 12 to 18 months away from functioning independently and that the country's national police force should be disbanded and reformed. The president has stated that security is the most fundamental goal of all, repeating that as "Iraqis stand up, we'll stand down." Nevertheless, the day of the Iraqis actually standing up has drifted farther into the future.

Finally, the president said at the start of the surge "that America's commitment is not open-ended." But now he has revealed that the surge was only a down payment, saying that "success will require U.S. political, economic and security engagement that extends beyond my presidency" and that "Iraqi leaders have asked for an enduring relationship with America. And we are ready to begin building that relationship."

We ran out of good options in Iraq long ago. Congress and the American people must not allow the president to compound and extend his failures. A significant drawdown and redeployment of U.S. forces should begin immediately, and Congress should reject the president's open-ended commitment.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

Walter Sperko wrote (letter, Sept. 3) that people near the airport were whining because of the noise FedEx would generate. He needs to consider several things.

When most of the people bought their homes before the FedEx announcement, the planned expansion was for a 5,000-foot general aviation runway. We checked with the airport authority before we purchased our home in 1989 and were shown the proposed plan for this new runway. We have lived near other airports and felt this wasn't going to be an issue, as general aviation runways generally operate during the daylight hours only, which wouldn't present a future concern.

As part of the FedEx expansion, hundreds of acres of land have been leveled and thousands of trees have been removed. Doing this has allowed sound to travel greater distances. This will be a bigger issue when FedEx is operating during the late-night hours, when sound really carries. You can now regularly hear planes in the Summerfield and Brassfield areas, when you wouldn't have heard them in the past.

Lastly, my home's value decreased during the 11 years I lived in the Cardinal. I paid $325,000, put $35,000 into it and sold it for my original purchase price.

Jack Gale
Hampstead

Several years ago, six white men beat up one black man, Rodney King, and a nation of black protesters rushed to the support of the one.

Several months ago, six black men beat up one white man, whose name nobody knows, and a nation of black protesters have rushed to the support of the six.

How much more of a double standard can you get?

Adam Wilson
Browns Summit

Bennie Taylor (letter, June 17) feels that Democrats are not Christians. I am a Democrat. Politics is a choice that everyone is free to make.

I have never heard of anyone in my county going to an African American church to campaign. I think they are capable of deciding for themselves whom they will support.

I see Taylor is calling Democrats liberals. The man he voted for twice is the biggest liberal I have ever known. Look at the uncalled-for war. It has cost billions and billions of dollars and taken the lives of thousands of people.

I won't look for Taylor to open my door in heaven. Don't judge other people.
Christ is the final judge.

Willie Duncan
Siler City

True immigration debate has not yet occurred in Congress. Proposals were put forward to criminalize illegal immigrants, build a barrier along the 2,000-mile Mexican border, and to create another guest worker program. Few of these proposals have become law, though a partial border fence was approved.

The country demands more in-depth debate because we do not have real reform yet or a comprehensive solution to illegal immigration. It is impossible to support leaders or columnists who lack ideas and only offer argumentative opinions. Congress hasn't done its job. We need solutions, not reactive partiality.

H. Nolo Martinez
Winston Salem
The writer is an assistant director at the Center for New North Carolinians at UNCG.

The United States should try diplomacy for once. Look at where our egocentric views have gotten us with Iraq. We need to start looking beyond our own myopic self-interests. When the global economy is all grown up, how do you think it's going to look at the bully named America that used to steal its lunch money on the playground when it was a kid?

Matthew Busick
Greensboro

Recruiting money for PTI Airport development may help the Triad get better air service, yet I doubt whether the Airport Authority is effective. To question community interest is disingenuous.

We travel to Raleigh-Durham regularly because prices, even after parking, are a lot cheaper -- and because we fly on full-size aircraft instead of the cramped, puddle-jumper excuses for transport at PTI. We're certain that many people from the Triad also drive to RDU or to Charlotte to avoid the local indignities.

In the world of chicken and egg, our local authorities seem to lay a lot of eggs.

Peter Guthmann
Greensboro

I am consistently amazed at how the need for early foreign language instruction continues to be questioned, for any reason, by the State Board of Education. It is critical that our children be equipped with the necessary tools to compete in this ever-expanding global economy.
Anyone with eyes and ears can see and hear how much the demographics in North Carolina have changed in just the last 10 years. China is the largest English-speaking country in the world and has more honor students than America has students.
This is proof that early cultural and language acquisition needs to be actively promoted and rewarded to position our children for success in the global marketplace.

Rhonda Frazier
Greensboro
The writer is PTA president, Jones Spanish Immersion Elementary School.

After reading Charles Davenport's column on ADD/ADHD (Sept. 16) and the resulting letters to the editor, I have a few things to say:

First, does he have any kids in public school? In fact, does he have any kids at all? If so, did they ever struggle in school like my son and many others? After all, if he's speaking from experience, that's one thing. If he's talking just to hear himself talk and is not invested in the issue, his opinion doesn't count for anything.

Second, has he ever said anything constructive? Does he have any ideas to make the situation he's ranting about better?

Last, to all those parents of ADD/ADHD kids: Hang in there and fight! Use every resource you have and never give up. Ignore people like Davenport, never miss an opportunity to educate yourself and others, and if a technique, medication or strategy works, then use it.

Susie Barnes
Greensboro

I read with interest the article, "Time to get your children back outside. "What a sad time it is that we as parents must be reminded to take our children outside.

Last week was the kickoff to the national Take a Child Outside week that was started in our own great state of North Carolina. I can't think of a better opportunity to remind our county commissioners that we have the perfect natural resource right here in Guilford and Rockingham counties at the Haw River State Park.

The Haw River State Park/Summit Environmental Education Center welcomes thousands of people each year to experience what nature has to offer. From wetlands ecology classes to orienteering, it is the perfect place to have hands-on experiences outside.

However, if the rezoning is allowed and the development of the neighboring property is approved, the natural resources currently at our fingertips will be greatly compromised.

Please join me in support of the Haw River State Park. Once the trees and natural areas are cleared for development, there is no turning back.

Mary Myers
Greensboro

America is a free country. Here, anyone who wants to make an ass of himself can do so. Lee Bollinger, the president of Columbia University, gave a perfect example of that by introducing Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as a "petty and cruel dictator with a fanatical mind-set." Bollinger not only insulted the president of Iran, a country not at war with us, but he also insulted the chief guest of his university and the American hospitality.

Apparently, Bollinger's mother never taught him any manners or etiquette. Nor does he appear to be a very knowledgeable person.

Ahmadinejad is not a dictator. The "bossman" in Iran is Ali Khamaini, and even though Iran is a sickly democracy, it is a democracy. I believe Ahmadinejad did say that there was no holocaust. But why get excited? People do make foolish statements. Ahmadinejad has called for the elimination of Israel. So many other people have said that before. Bollinger should realize that Ahmadinejad is not responsible for the death of a single Jewish person.

Here was an opportunity to open dialogue with Iran -- an opportunity we needed badly. That was most foolishly squandered away.

N.M. Chopra
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Mike Clark

A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on suicides prompted an Associated Press article that appeared in the Sept. 7 News & Record. The report indicated a suicide trend among youths and young adults, ages 10-24, particularly in "tween" girls, ages 10-14.

I believe that the data pulled from this report could be better understood if other information is provided. An editorial note in the CDC's online newsletter says youth suicide statistics are potentially skewed because 1) research on suicide deaths in youths, ages 10-19, has focused on males, and 2) research on females has primarily examined suicidal thoughts and nonfatal suicide injuries.

The AP article also noted an overall trend toward hanging and suffocation as suicide methods. Again, the CDC offers further explanation: Unintended death due to a practice of self-asphyxiation, the "choking game,” is likely to have been misclassified as intentional suicide in adolescent boys.

This is not to downplay the incidence or tragedy of youth suicide. I am simply attempting to put
the CDC research into the proper perspective. As a child psychiatrist in Guilford County, I have not noticed a substantial increase in thoughts of suicide among tweens or teens. However, I would suggest that our concern, as parents and as a community, should be prevention, early intervention and treatment for adolescent and teen depression.

Depression is a problem for all populations and age groups. If left untreated, 15 percent of individuals with depression will kill themselves.

Healthy adolescents and teens are well-adjusted and on task. It is not normal for young people to dwell on topics like death and suicide. Other symptoms to watch for include difficulty sleeping, withdrawal, altered eating habits and a lack of interest in activities that were previously enjoyed.

Depression screenings are simple and painless. If you suspect that your child may be suffering from depression, please talk to your pediatrician or school counselor, or call Guilford County toll-free at 1-800-853-5163 (for TTY users, 1-866-518-6778).

Remember, untreated depression can be fatal. Early detection and treatment save lives.

The writer is a psychiatrist with The Guilford Center.

As a relatively new (three years) transplant from the West Coast via Raleigh, I find Greensboro to be a fascinating study of feebleminded attempts to "beautify" the city. Or perhaps more to the point, making Greensboro a more modern and attractive city.

An example that proves my point is putting in a green median along Friendly Avenue with no thought or effort to install bike lanes. This street runs between four colleges!

Now the street will be even more difficult for bikers to ride with the traffic as the cars will have no "move around" space when passing bicycles. No, bicyclists cannot safely run on the new sidewalks that few, if any, pedestrians will use -- let alone have bike lanes to our wonderful parks.

But maybe the city planners have a baby Newark in mind for our future. It's cars or nothin', baby!

Brandon Martin
Greensboro

Concerning the Supreme Court's examination of lethal injection to determine if it hurts the prisoner too much, I would think they would examine the way their victims were killed and how much that hurt, and how much the family still grieves.

Our country has the best justice system in the world -- if only we had the courage to enforce it.

G.L. Herbin
Greensboro

The Jena 6 case offers a textbook example of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Had they been in a Guilford County school, they could've beat their classmates' "brains out" (a Northeast teacher's words, not mine) with relative impunity.

Steve Schorr
Browns Summit

Some people interested in business and profits might favor a gated golf-course community on the Haw River. Actually the cost of infrastructure is more than the tax revenue from 775 units.

How will our citizens exercise their stewardship of land that has on it wetlands, hardwoods, grasses and openness? Will the Guilford County commissioners have the concern to make a decision that is more about good land and people than about a development that is better than usually proposed?

The present state park conference center was sold to the state by the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina. I serve on the Diocesan Committee for Environmental Ministry. A housing development was not part of the vision when the sale took place.

Such a development will seriously limit the park's area and its need to expand its lands, offerings and investment in our counties and state for all people to connect to creation.

More information can be obtained from www.CitizensForHawRiverSP.org so that people can witness to the importance of land preserved and made available. The commissioners have the chance to favor the people of our counties and the land of the Haw River.

Thomas Droppers
Greensboro

Thank you, Rockingham County, for your wonderful giving response. After the article describing the bare food pantry at the Rockingham County Chapter of the Red Cross, caring people went into action. Boxes were placed in workplaces, schools, homes and were soon being delivered to the Red Cross.

The United Way of Rockingham County delivered a check for $1,000 from its Emergency Fund within 24 hours. This is the cost of food for one week. This allowed Jana Nowell, director, to purchase food and reopen the doors until the donated goods began arriving.

The Red Cross not only provides blood services, but also disaster services, support for military families, health and safety training along with the food pantry. The demand for the food pantry has increased from 670 family members per month last year to 892 family members this year. So you see the critical need that is ever-present.

Let me again express my heartfelt appreciation to all of you who responded so generously.

Jim Burnette
Eden

The writer is a member, board of directors, Rockingham County Chapter of American Red Cross; vice president, United Way of Rockingham County.

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Maureen Parker

With global warming, climate change, melting glacial ice, dying polar bears, hybrid and hydrogen cars, cool cities, vanishing species, bee colony collapses, declining bird populations, deforestation, recycling, green energy, green awareness, water pollution, air pollution and draught so constantly in the news these days, it seems inconceivable that the Guilford Country commissioners would rezone land next to the protected Haw River State Park in favor of a golf course and a gated community.

If this happens, it suggests our elected officials are living in the past when trees were cut with impunity and no one thought much about it. Earth was lush and green then, and filled with life. There were so many trees that a few didn't matter one way or the other.

The point is that they did matter. We just didn't realize it.

Perhaps past commissioners didn't know what they were doing, but unless current commissioners exist in a fantasy world, they must be aware that environmental stewardship is crucial to Earth's life and future. Many drops of water make an ocean; many trees help make a healthy environment. The 700 acres of land earmarked for Haw River State Park should remain so.

Long ago, John Muir said, "When one tugs on any single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world."

When money is involved, nature almost always loses. Even when "balance" is sought between conservation and development, the natural world is gradually chipped away. A little beauty disappears here, a few trees there, and after a while we notice that much of what used to be lovely is gone.

Concrete does not soothe the soul. Wilderness does that. Mountains and trees do that. Deer and rivers do that -- and wild geese flying south in long vees.

A News and Record editorial (Aug. 2) stated that North Carolina's 1999 goal of preserving one million acres of land from development by 2009 is more than 50 percent behind schedule.

Guilford commissioners will decide if the Haw River land will become part of the state park system or if it will be sacrificed on the altar of development.

That North Carolina has funds available to purchase the land for the park makes Haw River State Park a hopeful possibility. Apparently, even trees now require money for survival.

The writer lives in Greensboro.

Hate crime legislation -- HR 1592. The title of this legislation previously passed by the House of Representatives and pending in the Senate is a classical misnomer. Very few moral individuals would be in favor of hatred or mistreatment of any individual. My concern and what needs to get the attention of those who value freedom of speech are the underlying ramifications of this legislation.

When questions like that of Congressman Louis Gohmert of Texas are answered "Yes" while discussing legislation, we need to be concerned. He asked, "If a minister gives a sermon, or Bible study of any kind, stating that homosexuality is a sin, and a person in the room goes out and commits a crime against a homosexual, can the minister be charged with the crime of incitement?"

Our nation has seen prayer taken out of our schools, we have seen many of our freedoms oppressed, but when attempts are made to take the word of God out of our spiritual leaders' mouths, it is time to stand up. If those who value their freedom of worship don't speak now, may God have mercy on our nation.

John J. Oakes
McLeansville

This week I saw it -- or really looked at it for the first time: an area once called "Twin Oaks Golf" on Hilltop Road in Jamestown. For many years a rolling par 3 course for our community's enjoyment, today it has been re-engineered into a treeless, flattened mass of clay dirt waiting to be paved over and filled with still more condos, town homes and apartments.

On its Web site, the captains of this enterprise, Blue Ridge Development, make it clear how fortunate we are to have had them there to solve our "problem" of what to do with this land. Perhaps.

But would it have hurt their profits too much to have left just a few of those beautiful trees ... like, say, the magnificent "twin oaks" that became the namesake of this course? Or to work with the contours of that plot of earth instead of leveling them?

Rachel Carlson wrote, "I believe that whenever we destroy beauty, whenever we substitute something man made and artificial for a natural feature of this earth, we have retarded some part of man's spiritual growth."

Maybe that's what so many of us feel is happening to our Triad and to our growth.

Bill Yaner
Jamestown

Donald Miller could not have been more wrong if he tried (Counterpoint, "Don't waste school time on Spanish," Sept. 26). There is not a second language that would be more useful to have than Spanish for a young person coming out of school.

Companies will need employees who speak both Spanish and English to target their fast-growing Spanish-speaking customer base — not to mention the possibilities to move into management positions based on their abilities to communicate with the growing number of Spanish-speaking employees.

If I'm deciding between two otherwise equally qualified candidates for a job, I will hire the one who can speak Spanish as well as English. It has nothing to do with making minorities feel good about themselves. It has everything to do with preparing our young people to face reality.

The only point on which I will agree with Miller is that we had better start training our young people to speak Chinese. Other than that, I suspect his motives may be less than educationally driven.

Kevin Murray
Summerfield

This is in response to Elizabeth Smigel's letter (Sept. 18). It's the motorists who need to learn how to share the road. Motorists must yield to cyclists because cars are stronger, more powerful and more lethal. Bicycles cannot kill as easily as a car can.

Let's go back to the reasons why many communities are now having bike lanes to promote bicycle riding, not only for recreational purposes but also practical purposes such as commuting (less than five percent of our nation commutes on a bike). Bicycling is better for our environment, health and wallets, not to mention one less car during the morning commute.
It's totally anachronistic and backward to put a damper on this positive movement called cycling. By making it difficult to ride bikes, you are encouraging this bad habit of driving anywhere in this country even if it's around the corner for milk. No wonder 60 percent of our population is overweight.

My advice to motorists is slow down and pay attention. If you commute through the Battleground area, there is a very good chance that a bicyclist is commuting. What's your hurry? That bicycle is going to slow you down 30 seconds.

Carl Peltzer
Colfax

In the editorial, "Battle crime using a strategy that's creative and long term" (Sept. 28), it is suggested that Greensboro should do away with its academy in order to fill vacancies. Although this may be out-of-the-box thinking, it hardly seems logical.

Using community colleges as feeders is a great idea, but if the primary concern is filling vacancies, shouldn't we keep as many training options open as possible? If the primary problem is a limited pool of new officers, we should be hiring both from the community college and from the academy, which trains officers in a fourth of the time.

We should also learn from other industries: hire recruiters, offer incentives for officers to relocate to Greensboro, offer sign-on bonuses and have recruiters speak to graduating high school seniors. Law enforcement could even go the way of nursing and offer to pay tuition in exchange for a commitment to serve in Greensboro.

As a Greensboro resident, Guilford County schoolteacher and soon-to-be parent, I understand the importance of having a well-stocked police force, and that is why I think cutting the academy is too shortsighted.

Mike Albert
Greensboro

I watched "The War" on PBS. I have always been very patriotic and proud of the American soldiers, Marines and sailors.

After watching this series, I realize what a great effort these men and women gave. As they are all into their 70s and 80s, we need to tell them how much they did for their country and honor them as often as possible. I know that all soldiers and their families sacrifice, sometimes with their lives.

I am proud of all these men and women and even go out of my way to let them know. Not long ago, I stopped at a traffic light and noticed the tag on the car was the Medal of Honor tag. The car was being driven by an elderly gentleman, and he had a lady passenger. As I pulled up beside him, I motioned for him to roll down his window. When he did, I simply thanked him for his service.

Again, tell them all, every day, how proud we are for their service.

Roy Riggs
Greensboro

In response to the Sept. 9 article, "How can we help our nation's caregivers?" (featured in Parade magazine), I am writing to educate local caregivers (individuals providing informal and unpaid assistance to someone 60-plus) about a valuable resource Gail Sheehy neglected: the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP).

The NFCSP calls for states to offer services to caregivers under the following categories: information about services; assistance in accessing services; individual counseling, support groups and training; respite care; and supplemental services to complement care.
In North Carolina, where families supply the national average of 80 percent of all long-term care, NFCSP services boost the physical and emotional well-being of caregivers through supportive services and programs. Caregivers of adults 60 and older are eligible for NFCSP services.
In addition, adults caring for individuals of any age with Alzheimer's disease (and disorders with neurological and organic brain dysfunction) and grandparents age 55-plus raising grandchildren also qualify for services.

For an overview of the NFCSP, visit www.dhhs.state.nc.us/aging/fcaregr/fcspsum3.htm. To obtain information about services in the Triad, contact the Area Agency on Aging at (336) 294-4950.

Catharine Sutherland
Greensboro

The writer is family caregiver support program specialist for the Piedmont Triad Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging.

I am a Moses Cone Health System employee who has been working with seniors in the community for the past nine years. We are hearing a lot of concerns and questions voiced by seniors who have Blue Cross Medicare insurance coverage and are worried about the impact of the contract dispute between Moses Cone and Blue Cross.

We would like to let all seniors with a Blue Cross Medicare supplement or HMO product know that they will not be affected in any way by the contract issue. They will receive the same benefits as usual and have full access to all Moses Cone facilities and services.

Elizabeth Westwater
Greensboro

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Robert Hudson

Salim Muwakkil (column, Sept. 12) tries to explain why fewer blacks are joining the military these days, but none of his arguments holds water. For Muwakkil, the answer is simple: It's all George Bush's fault. If Bush hadn't started this war, the problem wouldn't exist.

But is that really the problem? Let's ask ourselves what the reason should be for joining the military. To me, a Vietnam artillery vet who enlisted, the answer is simple. You join the military to defend your country from enemies. That's what the military does.

It has a job to do, and an important one. If it fails, your economic situation just may be one of your lesser worries. The military needs men, and women, who can do that job, do it well and do it without complaint.

If you are "opposed to war for moral reasons," as the column says, guess what, Sport? You do not belong in the military. If you joined the Army just to get an education, you don't belong in the military. That's just a perk, like having a company car or employer-provided medical insurance.

If you are hoping, as Muwakkil seems to be saying, to get through three or four years without having to go to combat, that is a good sign that you are probably a sane person. At the same time, a soldier has to realize that he may be called upon to give all, up to and including his life, at any time. My God, man, we've been at war with the same people for more than 20 years, even though it has just been of late that someone decided that their side would no longer be the only one doing the fighting.

Muwakkil also cites "... the negative attitude that blacks have of George Bush." That's another thing; a soldier has to follow orders, or unnecessary loss of life can happen. War is dangerous, nasty business, and if you don't do your job because you don't happen to like the boss, from squad leader to commander-in-chief, someone may die. If you can't understand that, you don't belong in the military.

The military is for the man or woman who is willing to stand between the wolves and the sheep. And, if you believe that the United States is the wolf, you really, really don't belong in the military.

The writer lives in Pelham.

Regarding the article, "Runner sues to get back on the team" (Sept. 28), I think not allowing this young lady to run cross country for her school is horrible and insensitive.

The article states that she has passed her classes but is still academically ineligible. This does not make any sense. Student involvement in school sports is a very important part of their development. When students who wish to and are academically qualified to participate in sports, they learn valuable knowledge about themselves and others that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Lauren Stange is co-captain of the Page High cross country team. Running is very important to her. If she is denied the opportunity to represent her school, this is unforgiveable. A lot of heart goes into a sport like cross country. When this heart, spirit and talent is turned away, it is as if you took that heart, spirit and talent into your hand and squeezed the life out of it.

We must encourage not only the young, like Lauren, but everyone in our society to pursue positive ways of expression. Lauren has passed her classes. Let her run with her teammates and represent her school.

John Rahenkamp
Greensboro

Jim Schlosser celebrated our congregation's most lovable curmudgeon, Alex Stoesen, in his Oct. 1 column.

Jim captures the fascination and pleasure that Alex elicits from folk as he recounts his many around-the-world travels in support of Habitat for Humanity. Jim's article hit our front lawns on the same day Slam the Door on Poverty Housing (www.slamthedoor.org) began its national campaign for World Habitat Day 2007.

Part of its proclamation reads, "we ... declare that the lack of decent, affordable housing is unacceptable."

Knowing Alex Stoesen, I'm certain he'd appreciate all of Jim's readers checking out this proclamation to see if they, too, might like to support Habitat for Humanity.

Alex L. Richardson
High Point

The writer is pastor of Unitarian Universalist Church of Greensboro.

On Tuesday, Greensboro's voters will have an opportunity to select the top several candidates for City Council at-large positions, as well as for their own particular districts.

Before voters go to the polls, I urge them to look carefully at the qualifications, the occupations and the financial backers of each candidate. This information has been printed in the News & Record and is available through the Internet. In addition, both political parties, the League of Women Voters, and the Greensboro Public Library should be able to provide current information on each person.

Please do not go blindly into the voting booth making a choice based only on name recognition. That is not always a good decision. Do go to the polls Tuesday as well-informed as you can be.

Lynn Bennett
Greensboro

Your editorial on Sept. 27 states, "City managers don't get fired by petitions. The effort to force out Greensboro City Manager Mitchell Johnson might gather hundreds or even thousands of signatures, but decisions can't be made that way." I beg to differ.

Americans, North Carolinians and Greensburgers have the right to petition representatives for "redress of grievances." This appears, much like the recall petition for Dianne Bellamy-Small, to be the voice of ordinary citizens attempting to do as much.

While Johnson is not an elected official, he reports to those who are elected. It will be interesting to see if this petition is ignored (possibly at the expense of the elected officials), or if they address the concerns of the electorate in a public forum. Either way, they cannot ignore the people's right to redress.

Jerry Liles
Greensboro

If the Guilford County school board were serious -- I mean, really serious -- about combating gangs, it could just put its money where its mouth is. If the board awarded even a third of its current million-dollar construction projects to minority-owned businesses, this would create jobs, training and paychecks for thousands of Greensboro's unemployed minority youths.
In the words of the old song, "When you ain't got nuthin,' you got nuthin' to lose."

Terry Austin
Jamestown