Goodwill helps put people to work
Newspaper headlines this Labor Day tell of a troubled U.S. economy and Americans nationwide are struggling to make ends meet. At Goodwill Industries, we, too, are feeling an impact: more people are coming to Goodwill for help finding a job.
Goodwill’s job training programs are helping people most impacted by economic challenges: people with disabilities, low-wage workers, or people who lack education and work experience. We help them by selling your donations of clothing and household items in Goodwill stores and using the revenue to fund job training programs.
Since January 2008, Goodwill has served more than 19,000 people in its workforce development programs. We are on pace to serve over 32,000 people by the end of the year, representing a 44 percent increase over 2007.
We are reminded this Labor Day that a good paying job not only creates opportunity in life, but also drives our nation’s economy. When you donate to Goodwill or shop in Goodwill stores, you are investing in the American worker and contributing to the economic health of our country.
ó Art Gibel
Gibel is president of Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina.
Congress needs to expand drilling
Paying higher prices for gas, food and other necessities is taking its toll on North Carolina families. It’s time Congress finally did something to bring about lower prices and greater supply. The obvious answer is to lift restrictions on offshore drilling.
Yet even more members of Congress change their positions. Speaker Nancy Pelosi is still blocking action in the House. In the Senate, majority leader Harry Reid backs legislation to open areas off Alaska to study for drilling and allow leases in the Gulf of Mexico. What’s important now is that Sen. Elizabeth Dole and the rest of our congressional delegation support the push so our domestic energy companies can begin harvesting the resources we need.
If there’s any doubt Americans support this action, look at the most recent Fox News/Opinion Dynamics poll, which indicates 76 percent of registered voters favor increased drilling for oil in the United States immediately, while 77 percent were in favor of drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.
Americans are sick of paying outrageous gas prices and watching prices for consumer goods climb. It’s time for Congress to put aside its differences and allow new drilling operations to begin.
ó Shakira Humble
Salisbury
Let’s give animals better treatment
I have been reading the concerns about motorists not slowing down when seeing animals along the roads. I live in Woodleaf and have seen it too many times here also. I have actually stopped to get animals off of the road so they wouldn’t get hit, only to have people speed by me. Are we in such a hurry that we cannot slow down to keep from hitting a dog, cat or other animal? Can we not hang up our cell phones and drive within the speed limit?
And if by chance we do hit an animal, are we so heartless as to not even stop to assist or at least pull the dead animal from the road?
I actually stopped to assist a poor dog lying injured in the road and witnessed a passing motorist straddle it instead of going around. I pulled it to the side of the road because I knew it wasn’t going to make it and held it in my arms until it took its last breath. It was a very skinny pit bull that weighed about 40 pounds.
This brings me to another issue, the dumping of unwanted animals. Please call the Humane Society if you no long want or can no longer afford your pets. Even if they have to be put down, it’s better than them getting hit by speeding cars, getting sick or starving to death. We have spay/neuter clinics that owners can locate through the Humane Society. They will work with you if given a chance. I have made many sacrifices in order to care for my pets and in return they give me unconditional love.
I pray every day for the poor animals that don’t know a loving home. They deserve better. No chains!
ó Joni Smith
Woodleaf
Fisher puts people before politics When asked what I could do to help elect Dr. Ada M. Fisher to the N.C. House District 77 seat, it was suggested that if I felt moved, I could writer a letter to the editor on her behalf. I met Dr. Fisher at the Workforce Investment Act Program, where I work and where she volunteers at least three days a week. Given her direct and forceful manner, I thought she would be a snob but have come to learn that she isn’t.
She cares and can help in so many ways that people may not understand.
Dr. Fisher constantly inquires about my children and encourages them and me. Less than a year ago, my family was in crisis because we were having problems completing funeral arrangements for my beloved deceased father, a Filipino war veteran who had resided in California.
We had consulted the VA, our congressional office, etc. only to be put on hold, and the delay in his burial was more than a week. I was told to ask Dr. Fisher what to do, as she had quietly helped dozens of veterans who have honorably served their county get what they are entitled to.
When Dr. Fisher was told of his, she called the office of President Bush’s chief of staff at the White House and discussed the matter. Surprisingly, we had clearance for my father’s burial in a California VA cemetery in less than 48 hours.
I know Dr. Fisher always puts people before politics. This woman whom I mistakenly thought was a snob is my friend, and she often teasingly reminds me that my first impression of her was so wrong.
I plan to vote for Dr. Ada M. Fisher for N.C. House District 77 and hope that you will do the same.
ó Lucy Ancheta
Salisbury