Thanks to all who donated to Christmas Happiness fund
On behalf of the staff of the Rowan County Department of Social Services and the families we serve, I want to express our deep gratitude to all those who donated to this yearís Christmas Happiness program.
Christmas Happiness donations began flowing in at Thanksgiving, and at the end of the workday on Friday, Dec. 23, more than $68,000 had been collected. The DSS staff had the privilege of turning these donations into shopping vouchers earmarked to be used only for childrenís toys and clothes. The vouchers were given to parents, enabling them to shop for gifts that will help make their childrenís dreams come true.
There are gifts that we give gladly to family members and friends, and there may be a few gifts that we give obligingly to others. But giving a gift out of compassion and with no expectation of something in return is giving in the true spirit of Christmas. Making a donation to the Christmas Happiness fund is giving a gift to the poor, the hungry, the homeless, the fatherless, the unemployed, the downtrodden and many others who are unable to help themselves. This year, more than 2,000 needy children in our community were served by the Christmas Happiness program. These children opened gifts and saw the toys that Santa left.
As we celebrate the birth of Christ, may those who give and those who receive experience peace, happiness and joy in this Christmas season and throughout the New Year.
ó Sandra M. Wilkes
Salisbury
Sandra Wilkes is director of the Rowan County DSS.
Why Webb Road location?
While I understand the need for a new and improved school central office, what I donít understand is the office possibly being located at 315 Webb Road (Cornerstone Church property). This location will only benefit a few, the ones who are trying to sell it.
What about the families that may need to travel to this ěnewî location. Does the city bus travel to and from this location? County commissioners, I challenge each one of you to really evaluate this offer and settle on a location that will serve all Rowan County citizens. The selling price for 315 Webb Road sounds just too good to be true. Does the seller really have our interest at heart?
ó Tangy H. Roseborough
Salisbury
School office site theatrics
When I found myself agreeing with something Jim Sides said about not putting the school office building in downtown Salisbury, he did his thing again. He said he and Carl Ford went to Cornerstone Church as ěcitizensî and not commissioners. If I remember correctly, he criticized another commissioner some time ago for doing the same thing. The only ones who really want the school office in downtown are the city fathers who want a building to occupy space in downtown to make it appear there is something to go downtown for except for a few stores. But do this the right way and not by using Sidesí usual theatrics.
And while we are talking commissioners, why has no one asked why more than $4,200 was spent on a camera system at the personal request of a commissioner to the county manager? One of the last times this type of request came to light, a county manager paid with his job and it created a great furor. The citizens deserve a reason by the commissioner involved why he asked for $4,200 of our tax money to be spent.
ó Ralph Walton
Salisbury
Editorís note: Look for a future Salisbury Post article relating to the types of county expenditures cited above, which were discussed at a commission meeting earlier this month.
Correction
A Dec. 26 My Turn column cited the wrong first name for Joseph Smith Jr., founding prophet of the Mormon Church.