Literacy volunteers help
others learn English
As an organization whose function it is to provide language acquisition skills to both English speaking and non-English speaking adults, I have been reading with great interest the letters of Patsy Duncan, Nan Lund, and Jonathan Clark expressing the many challenges Rowan County residents are facing as people from other countries choose our area as their new home.
For 31 years, dedicated volunteers of the Rowan County Literacy Council have been helping adults with their reading, writing and life skills. For 19 of those years, they also have been teaching English to our foreign-born neighbors, many of whom are now United States citizens. There is help for those who wish to learn English. All it takes is a call to our office.
Nan Lund finished her letter by saying, “It isn’t that hard to be helpful.” We provide workshops for those who are willing to give their time to ensure that our neighbors in Rowan County have the necessary tools to improve their lives. We invite you to attend our orientation session on Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. in the Stanback Room of the Rowan Public Library. At the end of that meeting, those who wish will have the opportunity to sign up for the tutor training workshop to be held Monday, Jan. 28, Thursday, Jan. 31, and Saturday, Feb. 2.
For more detailed information, call the Rowan County Literacy Council at 704-216-8266.
ó Phyllis A. Martin
Salisbury
Phyllis Martin is president of the Rowan County Literacy Council.
Sides has right to appeal
In the Post’s Jan. 3rd article, “Sides says $1 not enough for damages,” Mark Wineka’s unbiased reporting of the matter gave enough accurate and factual background information for Jim Sides’ supporters and detractors alike to understand there are two sides to the issue. Under our Constitution, the rule of law applies equally to both governmental entities and elected officials in our justice system ó to which Mr. Sides rightfully appealed, instead of attempting to abuse his elected office to extract demands from Salisbury.
But the Jan. 4 edition included the opinion of an unknown person, presumably from the Post’s editorial department. Juxtaposed to the unbiased report of the reporter who was confident enough to sign his name to his work, the title of the editorial, “Serving county or serving self,” only implied that Mr. Sides’ actions raise questions about his motives. But the content of the editorial lambasted Mr. Sides for acting in a less than good-faith manner to achieve electoral self-serving goals ó something that both friends and foes of Mr. Sides understand is not his modus operandi.
The anonymous author of the editorial writes that Sides appears “ready to go further out on a limb by seeking a jury trial in Civil District Court.” The implication is that Jim Sides somehow gave up his Sixth Amendment right to a trial by jury the day he became an elected official. No surprise, then, that the author chose to hide behind the veil of anonymity: the media trial by insinuation, innuendo and a clear attempt to sway voters against a declared candidate in an election year is irresponsible journalism at best.
The anonymous author of this editorial would make more productive use of his or her time sending unsigned letters to local officials and staff. Just don’t borrow the moniker “Common Sense.”
ó Ted Boykin
Salisbury
Highlighting animal abuse
Thank you so much for publishing the front page article on the recent animal cruelty case in Cabarrus County. (“Man in dog abuse case found not guilty,” Jan. 12). If it weren’t for your newspaper and the work of local animal advocates, this case would have simply been “swept under the rug.” That is exactly what the judge and assistant D.A. in this case wanted. Research has shown that people who abuse animals are very likely to commit violent crimes against other people. Here is a case that proves that connection, as Sylvester Conyers is also charged with assault on a female. Unfortunately, the judicial system in Cabarrus County did not see the opportunity to hit that point home. It seems they just wanted to wash their hands of the whole situation as easily as possible.
ó Jody Neill- Shaughnessy
Charlotte
Our first Be a Santa to a Senior program in Salisbury was a huge success. We at Home Instead Senior Care were overwhelmed by the tremendous support of this caring community. Not only did you respond with wonderful gifts for needy seniors, but also with offers to volunteer to help with the wrapping, delivering and more. The outpouring of support was incredible and folks truly went above and beyond.
We provided gifts to over 70 needy seniors in three different locations here in Salisbury, and they were most grateful. Your efforts truly mattered.
We want to especially thank the youth group from Community Baptist Church which created beautiful Christmas cards for all the seniors and came caroling at Brightmoor Nursing Center; all three Walgreens stores for displaying the trees with ornaments for each senior; WSTP, the Salisbury Post and Senior Savvy for helping us get the word out about BASTAS.
We look forward to an even bigger and better Be a Santa to a Senior program next year!
ó Jena Hare