While large-scale to-the-letter enforcement of a youth curfew may not be possible, some would argue that it would certainly give law enforcement another tool with which to combat a wealth of youth issues, such as graffiti and gang activity. What are your thoughts? Let us know what’s on your mind on today’s open line.
Category: Opinion
To the editor: An alternative to a curfew
Editor’s Note: This letter was edited somewhat by request of the author. Dear Editor, I have an idea I would like to submit.
On the passing of James Green
We mourn the loss of Attorney James Green which we learned of yesterday. We knew him through our work with the Boys and Girls Clubs of North Central North Carolina, and were it not for his efforts for that fledgling organization, it would not be where it is today. He will be sorely missed for all of his good work.
Tuesday’s open line
The idea of a juvenile curfew has been mentioned several times below. I grew up with such a curfew that was vigorously enforced, and our little borough did not have the problems of bordering Pittsburgh. Would a curfew help the Coble Boulevard situation, or would it simply be one more ordinance that doesn’t get enforced? Let your thoughts on this or anything else be known on today’s open line.
Friday’s open line
We’re still intrigued by the idea of the The Kalamazoo Promise, a pledge backed by private donations to send every graduate of the Kalamazoo, Michigan public school system to a Michigan state post-secondary school with a scholarship. With our first headed for college in less than two years, being reborn as a Michigander is looking pretty good right now. If we can cobble together investments in our community for a building, could we do the same for our children? Imagine …
To the editor: Position change on zoning
There are some people that may wonder why I would change my mind on a topic as hot as zoning, especially during an election.
Monday’s open line
It probably won’t surprise anyone to learn that when a police officer is killed, it tends to get my attention. I call it the “nightmare scenario”. One of our readers decided to investigate one of the people accused of the crime. It was discovered that one of the accused, Quante Seward is currently on probation for possession of a firearm. Our reader asks a very valid question: why was this person not in jail for the firearm charge? Let your …
Overstressed at six?
Here’s a link to an article on testing and stress in the early grades sent to us by a former colleague. It highlights what many perceive as a problem developing in education: over-testing and over-working children in the lower grades. Give it a read and let us know what you think.
Wednesday’s open line
My grandfather used to say “We’re poor, but we’re proud,” to my mother and my aunts and uncle. That was 50 years ago. Everyone in the family has moved on from poverty since then, except those of us who went into teaching and blogging. Today, there’s still plenty of poverty to go around, but not much of Grandpa’s spunk. How can we instill real pride, rather than bluster and bravado, in our citizenry, no matter what, or perhaps in spite …
To the editor: Thoughts about zoning
First, let me relay to you all that I am no professional planner, nor do I profess to be. I am merely attempting to give ALL of us a comparison that I was involved in to enable us to better understand how and why zoning is needed.
Wednesday’s open line
North Carolina Senator Marc Basnight will be meeting with Senator Doug Berger in Henderson this morning for a fact-finding tour of our city. What items or areas would you most like Senator Basnight to see? You be the tour guide on today’s open line.
Email from Anthony Butler
Editor’s Note: The following email was received from Anthony Butler yesterday. Although we do not believe that we have violated any campaign or election laws, readers may judge for themselves whether or not Home in Henderson is in violation of the general statute that Butler cites. As readers are aware, Home in Henderson has a policy of removing posts that are illegal, libelous, or not in keeping with the general character of the site.
Weekend open line
Now that the unthinkable has happened and school has started on a Friday, one begins to wonder if the General Assembly is exercising just a little too much control over local school boards. Let your opinion be known this weekend on our open line.
A personal note
Some readers have asked why I did not report on the loss of Renee Jones Carter of E.M. Rollins Elementary School this week. Simply put, for personal reasons, I prefer at some appropriate future time to write a tribute to her life and work rather than a report of her death. However, I am deeply affected by the loss of a gifted and dedicated teacher, as are we all at the school, and I trust that all readers will keep …
Tuesday’s open line
The Vance County Board of Elections is scheduled to meet at 10:00 a.m. A decision regarding the complaint against the petition of George Hoyle to be placed on the November ballot for the office of Sheriff of Vance County is anticipated soon, if not today. No matter what the outcome, our crack team of political analysts are speculating that this is not the end of the legal wrangling. Once the lawyers are unleashed, the genie is out of the bottle, …
To the editor: Become a child advocate
I’ve been living in this area for almost ten years now.
To the editor: Four letters on zoning
Editor’s Note: What follows are four letters to the editor submitted in response to Rick Brand’s
Milestones: The makings of a chief
Dateline Metropolis, Gotham City, New York, Atlantis, Valhalla, and Las Vegas: Superheroes from across America have been reporting a string of gruesome crimes over the last several days.
To the editor: Thanks to the Rec Players
Just a short letter to say thanks to the individuals who have given their time and energy for so many years to keep the Henderson Rec Players going.
Thursday’s open line
Ethics is defined by answers.com as follows: The science of human duty; the body of rules of duty drawn from this science; a particular system of principles and rules concerting duty, whether true or false [emphasis mine]; rules of practice in respect to a single class of human actions; as, political or social ethics; medical ethics. Note that the words “good”, “bad”, “evil”, and other morally-charged terms are not used in the definition. Why? Because an ethics policy can only …