Columns

Voters overwhelmingly reject local tax hikes
[May 9, 2008] Sixty-six percent of North Carolina voters rejected local tax increases Tuesday, sending 22 of 24 proposed tax hikes to defeat. Those results send a message that local governments should avoid pursuing sales and land-transfer tax increases in the future, said John Locke Foundation President John Hood.

A great teacher
[Apr. 7, 2008] A Great Teacher is one who has the disposition that can teach every child to reach their potential and believes that every child has interests and talents that can be developed to reach greatness. By Margaret Evans Gayle

Elon University Poll: Land transfer taxes lack support
[Oct. 3, 2007] Sixty-seven percent of North Carolinians oppose proposals for land transfer taxes as a way for local governments to raise money, according to results from the latest Elon University Poll, which comes as voters in more than a dozen counties across the state consider such a measure on ballots this fall.

Biodiesel damnfoolery
[Jul. 19, 2007] I watched the news last night and the greed and stupidity of some people never fails to amaze me especially on a city level. I am referring to the idiots in High Point that effectively shut down a biodiesel refinery and distribution business the ran safely and profitably since 2004 supplying good economical and environmentally safe fuel till last week. I feel someone responsible for the mess needs a size 14 boot stuck up their, umm, neither regions. By Mark Stinson

Townsends workers focus on wage and hour irregularities
[Apr. 30, 2007] Townsends workers fighting for better conditions at Siler City and Pittsboro plants have begun investigating widespread worker claims of underpayment for time worked and other violations of federal wage and hour laws. Townsends workers have been working to organize a union with the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW).
Also: UFCW

The lottery lunacy continues
[Apr. 19, 2007] The lottery lunacy continues this week. First comes the announcement that lottery tickets will be sold in vending machines, mostly in grocery stores. That’s a good idea, making the tickets available to anyone with a dollar to throw away, regardless of their age. By Chris Fitzsimon

"We are Virginia Tech"
[Apr. 18, 2007] A poet's words silenced the room on a topic that silenced the nation. Famous poet Nikki Giovanni was at Tuesday’s Virginia Tech memorial service helping soothe the hearts of a university community and a nation coming to grips with the deadliest mass shooting in modern history.
Also: "We are Virginia Tech" video

BOE member responds about Northwood track concerns
[Mar. 30, 2007] Both my daughters ran track at Jordan-Matthews and I have argued for new tracks since my oldest was a freshman (she is now a senior at UNC). All three high schools have tracks that are pretty much in the same condition and none can host conference meets. No other schools in either conference still have asphalt tracks and they aren't used in conference meets because they lead to more injuries to runners.

My husband, my hero, the flying squirrel catcher - Part II
[Mar. 23, 2007] Does anyone have an owl I can borrow or possibly a really hungry feral cat? Five just wasn't my lucky number. There had to be additional varmints for only one evening of mayhem in my household didn't hold true to my previous fate with unwanted critters, and I knew it. By Monica Howell

4-H changed my life
[Mar. 23, 2007] I want to chime in about 4-H. My participation in 4-H, from elementary school age into college, quite literally changed my life, and also brought my family closer together. My sister was just as involved, and both my parents were leaders. I had dozens of projects and, as a suburban kid, not a single animal except for our dog. By Duncan Murrell

Metal detectors to be placed at Perry Harrison?
[Mar. 16, 2007] Unfortunately, it seems that even in our one rural community we can not protect our elementary school children from potential violence. Is the school administration's lax attitude towards handing out punishment going to lead to more unfortunate events in the future?
Also: Chatham Online Bulletin Board

Power me up
[Mar. 12, 2007] I have started back on making the house more energy efficient and my truck . The shop truck made it to a sustained mileage of 22.4 from 13 . I feel I got all I could from a 35 year old 4000 truck with 250,000 miles on the engine . By Mark Stinson

Blogs and dogs - what’s the protest?
[Mar. 9, 2007] Someone who is already convinced of the merits of public relations engaging in blogosphere is my dad - not by any means a PR expert. In fact, everything he knows is gained from my Green Banana blog. As a result, he emailed me a link identifying a good example of an organization practising poor online PR. By Heather Yaxley
Also: Green Banana Blog

Governor Easley wants lottery money diverted
[Mar. 2, 2007] One year after the passage of North Carolina’s lottery, Governor Easley wants to reduce the percentage of lottery proceeds going to education. Now he has announced plans to redirect lottery funds for school construction and need based scholarships to his pet pre-school program, More at Four. School construction statewide would receive $43 million less than anticipated and, although no lottery scholarships have been handed out yet, $10 million would be diverted from the scholarship program.