Thanks to police officers for all that you do

To our law enforcement family:

I grew up being taught that we were to respect police officers because they protected us from harm and helped us feel safe. I still live in that way. So I just want to thank you for all you do for me and the city of Salisbury.

I want to thank you for calling me to see if everything is OK when I accidentally dial 911 instead of the area code 919. Once several officers actually came to my home because there was no answer when the original call was made. I felt bad that my mistake could have taken them away from something or someone who was in need of their services but I felt really safe knowing that if there had been a problem the officers were there to protect me.

I want to thank you for the times that some legal information had the be delivered and I wasn’t home. When I called the officer who had left information as to how I could reach him, he was most understanding and was very pleasant when he had to make a second trip to my home. When I apologized and thanked him for understanding, he said “that was the nicest thing anyone had said to him all day.”

I want to thank you of the time my car stalled and you were there to help me get out of a bad traffic situation.

I want to thank you for helping me not to be so frightened when I was involved in a fender bender.

I want to thank you for directing traffic when the traffic lights are out.

Most of all I want to thank you for putting on your uniform every day,walking out your door, leaving your family not knowing what you will be asked to do to protect the citizens of Salisbury and Rowan County.

I think you are doing a great job and we as residents of this city and county are lucky to have you protecting us.

— Carolyn Ross

Salisbury

Alternative realities

It is not surprising that there are large staff turnovers at many alternative schools. Think about it. The students there haven’t been successful in traditional school programs, and they haven’t been successful for many reasons. We put all of these students who have been unsuccessful together in a school with the goal of having them achieve success.

Where are the role models? They don’t come from the other students who all have issues that caused them to be unsuccessful in a traditional school. They have to come from the people who work at the alternative school, and they must be caring and concerned people who are considered specialists in their field whether they are a teacher, an administrator, a counselor, a resource officer or a maintenance worker.

Are these people really specialists? How successful have they been in their profession? How much experience do they have? Are they really concerned about these young people who have issues? Are they really prepared to work in this type of environment?

Employees in an alternative school must be specialists in their field, and they deserve to be paid as specialists. In addition, they should receive more than one year of retirement credit for one year of employment in an alternative school.

If the state and Rowan County schools are not willing to put the necessary resources into this school, I question whether your alternative school will ever be really effective in meeting its primary goal.

Unfortunately, I have seen alternative schools staffed with young inexperienced teachers and teachers that were not effective in traditional schools. I am not saying this is the case in Rowan, but it has been done in other places. If we are going to have an alternative school, it needs to be staffed with the right people with resources above and beyond traditional schools in order to meet a very difficult goal. Is Rowan willing and able to do this? If not, you are just spinning your wheels.

— Gordon Correll

Salisbury

Up against the wall

The wall, the wall, the wall!  If you listen to Donald Trump’s double-talk on Muslims, immigration etc., you will realize how far off-the-wall he is.

Never heard anyone rant, rave and rage about current events and say nothing!  His “new-found” lackeys (Rubio, Christie, Gingrich et al) can’t do anything to enhance Mr. Trump’s “stature” in this presidential race.

How can anyone support this shallow, inarticulate imbecile? Both party candidates leave a lot to be desired and at this point a write-in vote seems mighty tempting.

Finally, in his acceptance speech Mr. Trump promised to solve this nation’s ills fast.  If he accomplishes one tenth of his promises, I would apologize for doubting his ability to lead. This, of course is predicated on his becoming president.

— Herb Stark

Mooresville