Freedom For all
Dear Editor,
One Beep caller seemed to be lamenting the results of the “Brunch Bill,” which makes provision for alcohol sales earlier on Sunday than had previously been the case. Contrary to the caller’s lament, it has nothing at all to do with the Sabbath, since Sunday is not the Sabbath, never was the Sabbath and never will be the Sabbath.
Having said that, may I add that there is a much more serious issue to the caller’s complaint, namely, the idea that we can and should use the force of law to coerce others into behaving in the manner we think is appropriate. I neither drink “adult” beverages nor condone drunkenness, but the idea of telling someone else what hours he can’t buy alcohol based on my religious beliefs is abhorrent to me. If the law can prohibit liquor sales while a church service is going on, what’s to keep the same fools in Raleigh from restricting what hours a church service can be held? Or maybe they could keep you from shopping at Wal-Mart during the hours of a synagogue service on Saturday. Would you be happy with that?
It comes down to a basic, fundamental idea called freedom. If you like the idea of freedom for yourself, you should extend that same courtesy to the person purchasing alcohol, or doing whatever else isn’t inherently immoral or harmful to others.
The creator of heaven and earth has not seen fit to force his will on any of us. Can we at least cut each other a bit of slack in things that really don’t amount to a hill of beans?
Wayne Hinson
Thurm Support
Dear Editor,
I try to keep politics out of my business, Revolution Hot Yoga. We live in difficult times, and although I have strong opinions, it’s important to have neutral spaces.
Today, I’m breaking my “no politics” rule and endorsing Tammi Thurm for Greensboro City Council District 5.
Tammi is more than a friend and a member of our community, she is my trusted mentor and business advisor, without whom my business would not be celebrating our fourth anniversary; we would not have even made it to our first. Tammi holds my feet to the fire, listens to all sides and consistently offers suggestions, even when they are not what I want to hear.
Tammi has not nurtured an ambition for politics. She is someone who, rather than complaining, has taken the bold and brave step to run for office. This hasn’t been easy; her humbleness, strength, courage and compassion for everyone she meets is evident. She earned the endorsement of Equality NC, Replacements Ltd. PAC and the Triad Central Labor Council.
Tammi is one of the best people I have had the privilege of knowing. I’d trust her with my life. I do trust her with my business. I absolutely trust her with my city.
Rebecca Jordan-Turner
Condemned to repeat it?
Dear Editor,
Concerning the efficacy of professional minor and independent league baseball to impact municipal economies, we have nearly 30 years of historical evidence to draw from. Thus the eventual outcome of High Point’s dalliance with an independent league team and taxpayer funded stadium is not hard to predict.
In it’s first year the novelty factor will draw enough attendees to provide reasonable encouragement that things are on the right track. Enough residual private development will take place to further bolster the idea that “revitalization” is indeed occurring. This honeymoon period will last into perhaps a third year before the reality of the long-term situation begins to set in.
By the fourth year, game attendance will fall to levels that are insufficient to sustain the venture and the team’s nonprofit ownership group will renegotiate their stadium lease at a lower rate, and even request funding for itself from the city’s taxpayers. The children’s museum, cinema, event center and park, built more as a small token to make good on an initial promise rather than as a self-supporting tourist attraction, will prove unable to sustain itself and the nonprofit group operating it will also request funding from the city’s taxpayers.
The stadium will host the occasional concert, car show, festival, etc., but will be unable to offset its operating expenses and will require yearly funding by the city’s taxpayers in order to continue operations.
At this point many High Pointers will grudgingly admit that the so-called “catalyst” project failed to bring new money into the city, instead simply redistributing what was already there. With little to no profit being derived from the stadium and no other way to pay the debt service, citizens will receive larger and larger tax, fee and utility rate increases to pay for the stadium and related operating costs. At this point the High Point City Council will launch a new revitalization effort. One they promise is absolutely sure to work.
Why no one has bothered to study the pages and pages of historical data from other cities that have made the same mistake as High Point is about to make is beyond me.
Frank Swanson
Inspired by Wils
Dear Editor,
I am pleased to write this letter on behalf of Dave Wils, candidate for City Council at large. Mr. Wils was my grandson’s social studies teacher for two years at Lincoln Academy. He has now moved to Grimsley High where he currently teaches my very fortunate granddaughter.
Over the years, I have heard so much about Mr. Wils and his classes that I feel as if I know him. Dave Wills excites his students. He brings out the best in them.
Based upon the way he has inspired my grandchildren, I plan to vote for Dave Wils for City Council at large in the primary on Oct 10. I am confident that he will guide our city with intelligence, energy, effort, dedication and goodwill toward all.
Maureen Parker
Dogs and cats aren’t only pets
Dear Editor,
Although requiring all cat and dog owners to spay and neuter their animals would certainly be an apparently much-needed source of revenue for the county animal shelter, how exactly would it hold accountable owners who neglect to maintain control of their animals? Unlike requiring fencing or even rabies vaccinations, which serve to protect the general public, requiring irresponsible owners to spay/neuter their existing animals will not prevent those same animals from biting anyone, particularly if those animals have already been spayed/neutered.
Furthermore, the unintended consequences would include prohibiting dog/cat owners from responsibly choosing to breed their beloved pets sometime after maturity (which so many people do because it’s natural human/animal instinct to want to have multiple generations within the same family), eventually force people who want to have a cat or dog to have to rely solely on expensive breeders (including those who may exhibit inhumane practices) or, worse, lead to the extinction of certain breeds (especially non-pure-breds) or at least be faced with population shortage like the Republic of China is experiencing due to their one-child rule. (North Carolina is still attempting reconciliation from its own enforced sterilization program for humans, isn’t it?)
Lastly, why target only cats and dogs when the shelter/county animal control also expends money/resources on pet hamsters, rabbits, reptiles, horses, etc.?
Kim Anderson
Voting Hoffmann
Dear Editor,
I want to encourage all my Republican friends living in District 4 to please support Nancy Hoffmann for City Council. Yes, Nancy is a Democrat and I am a Republican, but the City Council race is non-partisan.
Nancy’s track record has proven her business sense and understanding of the issues in District 4. She does her research, she asks the questions and makes decisions based on the answers and information she receives, not the leanings of the loudest speakers from the floor. She is always willing to sit down with neighbors to discuss problems. She holds coffee and conversation gatherings in local coffee shops to interact with her constituents and keep her finger on the pulse of the district. I have been impressed with her dedication to this city and the job of being the District 4 representative.
Nancy should be given the opportunity to continue to represent District 4 and our city.
Mary Skenes
High Point Needs Davis
Dear Editor,
We all deserve to live in a community where we are all respected as valuable parts of the discussions of the day. We should all hope that those who cannot directly participate due to work obligations or other obstacles are represented equally by their City Council and that the majority rules.
I know in dealing with issues that High Point faces, from food insecurity, gun violence, the opioid epidemic or whether to spend tax dollars on a baseball stadium, Cindy Davis has always been available for my questions, concerns and discussion. I have asked for her time and input after NAACP meetings, county commissioner meetings, City Council meetings and sometimes in the parking lot of Carolina Diner. I support her reelection bid for High Point City Council because she is a representative, not a person who comes to the job with preconceived votes or alliances. I do not want to be represented by someone who tells me what to think and that I am wrong if I disagree with them. I want someone representing me who asks what I think, not votes their own agenda. I have spent lots of time talking, emailing and in touch with many of our elected officials, seeking answers and participation. I want my voice heard and my questions respected and the best chance of that is with Cynthia Davis continuing to represent me on City Council.
Donna Lewis
Supporting Brown
Dear Editor,
I think it’s important for the city to understand that we’re in real trouble, financially and tax wise. We’re grossly overtaxed and the spending for non-essentials has gone wild. This is due principally to having a City Council during the last decade-and-a-half that is virtually devoid of any real ability to govern.
When I came here 43 years ago, the city was stable and strong and most of the council was seated by business people or, at the very least, people who had real jobs. This is no longer the case and hasn’t been for too long a time. With only one exception, there is only one person on the council that’s actually in business.
That’s why I encourage everyone to take a hard look at John Brown, currently a candidate for mayor. This is a man who has operated a business in Greensboro for over 30 years, successfully. And one of the things he understands is that government is a business, a business established for the service of the citizens. One of his firm beliefs is that the function of taxes is to provide services and infrastructure to all citizens, not just a chosen few.
Unfortunately, this is not a widely held opinion with the present council that has been inclined to throw millions of dollars into ridiculous, unnecessary projects that are supposed to have “public benefit.”
Brown’s interest in developing the local economy far outweighs his concerns for the multitude of nonprofits constantly underway or in the planning stage. It is his feeling that taxes should be reduced and allowed to flow back into the private sector where they can be invested in small and medium sized businesses, rather than concentration on large industries unlikely to appear. He believes that an upswing in the economy will solve many of the problems that we face today.
There are others on the ballot that would enhance this effort. Among them are Tony Wilkins, James Ingram, Dan Jackson and M.A. Bakie. These candidates, combined with Brown as mayor, could go a long way to keep people on the payroll and off the dole.
J.W. Forster
