Great trip to D.C. for Knox bands
On Friday, April 27, my wife, Carolyn, and I had the privilege of being in Washington, D.C., with the Knox Middle School Pride of Troy seventh and eighth grade bands. The 66 students performed at the Lincoln Memorial for many tourists from the United States and around the world. They did a great job and did Salisbury and Knox Middle School proud. A special visitor, Capt. Jim Loeblein, U.S. Navy and Knox alumnus, came to watch the performance and spoke briefly to the band members. Captain Loeblein is the liaison from the Navy to the U.S. Senate.
Some of the sites visited on the trip were the White House, FDR Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Air and Space Museum, Iwo Jima Memorial, Vietnam Memorial Wall, World War II Memorial, Korean War Memorial and Museum of American History. On Saturday night the group enjoyed a dinner cruise on the Potomac River, and Sunday morning they visited Arlington National Cemetery where they observed the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns.
Accompanying the band were Sam Kyzer, director, and 12 chaperones.
We, as well as the chaperones, heard many nice compliments on how well behaved and courteous the band members were.
Thank you, Mr. Kyzer, for giving these students the opportunity of seeing and performing in our great nation’s capital.
— Perry Hood
Salisbury
Tillis and taxes
Thank you for your May 5 article “Tillis calls for tax reform,” reporting on Speaker Tillis’ vision for tax reform during his visit to Cabarrus County. Speaker Tillis is right to call for lawmakers to comprehensively address the current problems with our revenue system, but his proposals will only worsen, rather than repair, our outdated state tax system.
Eliminating the personal income tax alone will cost the state $10 billion — approximately half the state’s total tax revenue in any given year. Such a loss will require further cuts to schools, health services and public safety, all of which will directly and negatively impact the health and economic competitiveness of communities and businesses across North Carolina. Additionally, increasing the state’s reliance on consumption-based taxes — by doubling or tripling the current sales tax rate, for example — would fail to improve the adequacy of our state’s revenue collections while asking low- and moderate-income people to pay much more of their income in taxes than their wealthier neighbors.
Modernizing North Carolina’s outdated revenue system to better fit today’s economy is certainly an urgent policy goal, but a better tax system requires a more thoughtful and comprehensive approach that considers the long-term and immediate impacts on all North Carolinians.
— Alexandra Sirota
Raleigh
Sirota is director of the N.C. Budget and Tax Center, an anti-poverty organization that is part of the N.C. Justice Center.
TRU is in need of funding
Letter: Recently, I’ve had many of my friends come to me and tell me they want to stop smoking. As a TRU (tobacco.reality.unfiltered) member, this truly touches me. Since the TRU movement began, teen cigarette smoking has dropped to historic lows with approximately 53,000 fewer teens smoking. That’s 53,000 lives that have been saved by one decision. That’s 53,000 families that won’t have to go through the pain of losing their loved one due to tobacco related causes. That’s 53,000 people who will be able to speak out against tobacco.
Unfortunately, TRU’s funding is at risk. As of June 2012, there is no more guaranteed funding.If there’s no more funding, there’s no more TRU, and no more TRU means the possibility of a spike in smoking rates again because there will be no awareness being spread.
When my friends come to me and tell me they really want to stop smoking, I want them to have something to turn to. I want them to have a spark of hope to end their addiction. I want them to have TRU. Call the governor and your elected House and Senate members today!
— Kaitlyn Allen
Salisbury