No laurels deserved as Knox principal departs

Knox leadership changes again.  Why am I not surprised?

The very first question asked at the very first “meet and greet” with Dr. Dixon and with Dr. Waiknsis in the Knox Middle School library, and again and again at every meet and greet that followed was “ Are you moving to Rowan County and when do you plan to do that?” I know that because I asked it then and several more times throughout the big rollout of “two principals for Knox.”

The answers varied from time to time … when the school year was over, or when the house was sold or something like that … but, everyone knew, in their heart of hearts, that wasn’t going to happen. So, two years with Dr. Dixon and three years with Dr. Waiksnis (both with signed four-year contracts) does not deserve “laurels” from anyone.  Obligation and commitment deserve laurels, not “it’s such a long drive.” Both of them knew where Knox Middle School was located.

And, by the way, the unbelievable salaries they both received for an unfinished  job ….

That deserves another whole letter, but I won’t comment on that today.

— Lea Silverburg

Salisbury

Lea Silverburg is a former Knox teacher.

Cowardly politicians

At first, I thought our representatives (Hudson, Burr, Tills, Budd) didn’t believe we existed. Then I assumed they knew we existed and just hoped to outlast us. Now, it is quite obvious we are not going away and we are not paid protesters. So why are our requests for conversations with our representatives still being ignored?

Our North Carolina representatives are afraid of us. They hide behind their “tele” town halls and their Facebook forums. They send us form letters or newsletters spinning truth in an effort to quiet our voices. They have us meet with their 20-something new hires in an attempt to placate us. The truth is that they are scared of us. They can’t bring themselves to meet with constituents who may have a different opinion or who may ask them to justify the position they hold.

Our elected officials are cowards. People who seek only the approval of others are not worthy opponents, they are cowards. People who have dubious motives that can’t withstand scrutiny are cowards. People who won’t meet with the very people they are pledged to represent are cowards.

Together we seem to terrify our elected officials. That is quite an achievement. FYI … No longer am I addressing letters to the “honorable” representative. What an oxymoron!

— Gail Young

Concord

Give TrumpCare a chance

With the repeal of Obamacare back in the news, maybe it’s time all Americans join together to voice their support for the new health-care initiatives recently approved by a majority of Congress.

Although neither Democrats nor Republicans can claim a clear victory in the repeal of Obamacare, it appears that the major changes and improvements to the new bill will benefit the great majority of tax-paying American citizens. At least some of the disastrous provisions of Obamacare were properly addressed by this compromise vote.

For example, we no longer have the federal mandates for certain coverages such as maternity (for those who don’t need it) or the Obamacare penalties for those wishing to self-insure or opt out of Obamacare. In addition, the $2,000 tax credit, and $4,000 tax credit for those over 60, can provide basic coverage for most medical expenses. The pre-existing clause remains intact, and the $8 billion allocated to the states will help cover these expenses. Experience-related provisions in the new plan can also help to pay for the excessive insurance premiums previously charged under Obamacare.

TrumpCare is not perfect but it can be a reasonable compromise. Only time will tell. So, let’s give TrumpCare a fair chance and work together to make it successful.

— Ronald Smith

Salisbury