News-Record.com

Tomorrow's editorials will lead with a piece by Elma on proposed changes in North Carolina to deal with the burgeoning numbers of older drivers.

For us Baby Boomers, who are determined never to grow old, this is sobering stuff. But neither our eyesight nor our reflexes are what they used to be.

Among ideas being considered:

1. Signs that are easier to read, particularly after dark.

2. Upgrades to intersections that are deemed especially challenging for older drivers.

3. Possible legislation that would require older drivers to renew their licenses more often than younger drivers, possibly as frequently as once a year. Current laws require renewals every five years for all drivers.

A recent News & Observer story (registration required) notes that Texas already has such a law.

At first blush, we like these ideas, even with the inconvenience more frequent license renewals would bring. What do you think?

Also on tap tomorrow, a piece on the remarkable Appalachian State victory in college football over the perennial heavyweight Michigan Wolverines, who still don't know what hit 'em.

For the uninitiated, Appalachian State plays in the FCS, the second tier of college football competition -- the same level as N.C. A&T, Elon and Wofford. That means, theoretically, that it's not supposed to be as good as Michigan. Not even close.

If this thing had gone according to (Michigan's) script, the Wolverines wound have scratched out a rout, cleared their bench and looked forward to a real game.

And Appalachian would have been content for the exposure and the chance to be on the same field as the No. 5 team in the country and national championship contender.

What actually happened was the biggest upset in college football history, as the Mountaineers forged a dramatic, 34-32 victory that stunned more than 100,000 fans in Ann Arbor, Mich.and shook the whole sports world.

For Michigan fans, this was an absolute embarrassment, a disaster that renders the rest of the season moot. Something to have to live down for a long, long time. Grounds to fire the coach. Apollo Creed getting his head handed to him by Rocky.

The Wolverines fell in the college football polls from No, 5 in the country to, well, out of sight.

But lost in all the news over Michigan losing is that fact that Appalachian won, coming back to retake the lead after Michigan surged ahead late in the game and then blocking a Michigan field goal try as time expired to keep the lead.

Appalachian State, remember, is a national champion on its level for the second straight year, winner of 15 straight games.

These guys are good.

And now they're famous, the cover boys for this week's Sports Illustrated. They've made Jay Leno's monologue.

Can't wait for the movie.

U.S. Rep. Sue Myrick from Charlotte and N.C. Department of Correction Secretary Theodis Beck disagree about the methods the state uses to determine the immigration status of new prisoners, The Charlotte Observer reports today.

Myrick wants the state to adopt the Immigration and Customs Enforcement 287(g) program, used by sheriff's departments in Mecklenburg, Alamance and some other counties. The state says it has its own system which works just fine.

Ken Irons' question in our Editorial Board meeting this morning cut right to the heart of the matter:

Shouldn't they know before the criminal gets to prison?

Exactly. Is the state telling us that someone can be charged with a crime, arrested, maybe held in jail or, if not, released on bond, tried and convicted without the state determining whether that person might be an illegal immigrant?

Sounds like a good reason to implement a statewide effort to find out at the point of arrest or as soon thereafter as possible.

More immediately on our agenda is the legislative session under way since yesterday in Raleigh to decide the fate of that big, fat incentives deal vetoed by Gov. Mike Easley. We hope it's not somehow going to turn into a bigger, fatter incentives deal with the governor's blessing.

Also, we'll write about the embezzling charge filed against a Greensboro police officer, which comes on the heels of disciplinary actions against three state troopers. We've got to expect better from our law-enforcement officers.

We haven't been able to have a full Editorial Board discussion yet about the week's Iraq-related developments.

It seems pretty clear to me, though, that reports to Congress by Gen. David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker didn't change opinions in Washington. We're still stuck between two views: Get out, whatever the consequences; or, Stay in, whatever the consequences.

What do you think is the right course to take?

Blackwater and other private security firms aren't helping improve U.S.-Iraqi relations or America's image in the Middle East.

The latest incident is very troubling and calls for a re-evaluation of the contractor's role in Iraq and its relationship with the U.S. government.

Do we need a "shadow army" in Iraq? If so, shouldn't there be much stricter rules governing its operations and real accountability for its mistakes?

We'll start our primary endorsements this week, on this schedule:

District 1, Thursday

District 3, Friday

District 5, Saturday

At-Large, Sunday.

They are not going to be easy.

Attending last night's forum for at-large candidates sponsored by the League of Women Voters gave me a little more clarity, but trying to pick three out of the 13 is a real challenge.

The good news for voters, though, is that they can select among quite a few well-qualified candidates.

Anyone want to weigh in with their favorites? We haven't made our decisions yet.

Our endorsement today of Tonya Clinkscale in District 1, with a nod to Luther Falls Jr. as well.

Tomorrow: District 3, another close call.

Today's endorsement: Zack Matheny in District 3, with recognition of Cyndy Hayworth and Joe Wilson.

District 5 tomorrow.

Does RF Micro Devices' announcement today of a major expansion in Greensboro mean that Greensboro City Council or Guilford County commissioners were right in their incentives decisions?

Yes.

You have to judge by the outcome, and the outcome is excellent.

The homegrown designer and manufacturer of circuitry for wireless communications gadgets will invest $103 million to expand local operations, adding 300 jobs -- most of them in skilled manufacturing positions. Total local employment will increase to more than 2,200. This company is one of the Triad's finest gems.

Greensboro City Council gladly approved a request for more than $1 million in performance-based incentives. Good call!

The commissioners turned down a similar request. Was that also a good call?

You have to say so because it didn't drive RF Micro to another location -- and others apparently were bidding.

Still, denial was risky. In this case, Greensboro had inherent advantages. In other instances, saying no might kill a deal. The commissioners are gambling, and this time they came up winners.

The thing is, with incentives you pay nothing if you don't get the company. If you do get it, your payback should more than make up for the cost of a reasonable incentives package.

Unless you go overboard, as in recent deals for Goodyear and Google.

Tough issues. This time, the result couldn't be better.

Today's endorsement. We expect this to be a lively race between Sandy Carmany and Trudy Wade all the way through Election Day.

We endorse Sandra Anderson-Groat, Robbie Perkins and Joel Landau from a strong field of at-large candidates.