Andy Griffith once made a recording called “what it was, was football.” What I see with our Board of County Commissioners is a “dictatorship without leadership.” It’s their way or the highway. How long must we put up with their pet ideas?
We don’t need for the county to buy Salisbury Mall. Why take property off the tax books? Buy it, then throw more tax money at it to remodel.
Our commissioners are always talking about jobs. Where are they? Surrounding counties have left us behind in growth. Just look at sales tax reports to see how far behind we are.
It is now time to build a new central office for our school personnel. Our teachers need a raise. If the state won’t do it, let us step up. We have mobile classrooms because we have been too cheap in the past. We need good teachers in the classroom.
There has to be some citizen who can lead better than our present board. Leadership, not dictatorship, must be our goal. Let us join together to make it happen.
— Harry L. Agner
Salisbury

With all respect to the families involved in the recent school bus tragedy in Rowan County, something needs to be added to the conversation — now, while the shock is fresh.
We were taught in the 1960s that we were ultimately responsible for our own safety as pedestrians. Lights, bells and prison sentences cannot repair broken lives, nor can they cause every driver to notice or care.
Teach your children, now, that until a car is stopped in the road, DO NOT CROSS; it is not safe. The bells, crossing arms and flashing lights will not save the child. The child, knowing that drivers do not always see everything, may and must see to his own safety.
Please teach children to pay attention to their surroundings and all the vehicles in their vicinity until they are completely on the bus.
This is a hard lesson at a tragic time. Please learn it. Enough tragedy, already.
— David L Reed
Kannapolis

Kannapolis is going through trying times. What we need right now to make our city great are fresh ideas and commitment from proven leaders.
Darrell Jackson, candidate for Kannapolis City Council, has over 26 years of experience in retail sales, and owns two successful clothing stores. His clothing outlet in Kannapolis has weathered the closing of Pillowtex and the bad economy. Mr. Jackson has strong connections in the business community. He has served as vice president of Downtown Kannapolis, Inc. and is currently president-elect for 2014. He has also served on the Center City Master Plan committee.
Tom Kincaid, candidate for mayor, is also a successful business owner, with over 20 years experience owning assisted living facilities. He has served as chairman and vice chairman of the board of Cabarrus Health Alliance, and is active in his church, the local Rotary Club and other civic organizations.
Their track records speak for themselves. Both are willing to work hard for Kannapolis, and they have involved themselves in economic development to revitalize our city. I encourage all Kannapolis residents to join me in voting for Tom Kincaid for mayor of Kannapolis, and Darrell Jackson for Kannapolis City Council.
— J.A. Fisher
Kannapolis

Tom Kincaid has shown in several ways that he has the ability, desire, and leadership skills to be the man we need for mayor of Kannapolis.
As a businessman, he has successfully operated Caremore Retirement Center where he and his staff provide a caring and loving atmosphere to our most vulnerable citizens. I speak with firsthand knowledge of this as he cared for my mother, mother-in-law, uncle and very dear friend for a period of over 10 years.
As a member of Rotary, he used his leadership skills to secure, refurbish and supply equipment for a medical assistance trailer to be used to provide aid to victims of natural disasters. As a member of Bethpage Presbyterian Church, he has been faithful to the congregation as an elder and on a mission team. As a friend of over 20 years, he is the one who can be counted on in times of crisis as well as celebration.
I can see through these examples of his leadership and faithfulness that as the mayor, Tom Kincaid will help Kannapolis to grow to become a vivacious and prosperous city. Please cast your vote for Tom Kincaid as mayor on Nov. 5.
— Linda VanPelt
Kannapolis

Letters endorsing candidates in the Nov. 5 municipal elections must be received in the Salisbury Post newsroom by 5 p.m., Oct. 30.