This is in reference to the Saturday, May 14, 2020 article “Voter fraud adherents to speak” and letter to the editor “Reader decries political ‘histrionics’.”
Both items have the same theme – election integrity. Regardless of political affiliation, it has become apparent that state legislatures need to take action. Part of citizenship is the responsibility to select those who will govern their respective local, sate, U.S. congressional, and once every four years refer to the Electoral College who their preferred candidate is to govern the country. We the people cannot abrogate our duty on this; otherwise, there effectively is no vote – as clearly evidenced in undemocratically governed countries.
The question of integrity in all forms of elections; to wit: Stacey Abrams (gubernatorial), Hillary Clinton and Donald J. Trump (presidential), has been – regardless of political party affiliation – percolating to the boiling point. This alone should enjoin the state legislatures to remove the kettle from the heat and seriously investigate the unquelled perception of election fraud and/or hanky panky tactics.
Yes, it will cost money to do this; however, not to do so invites continued voter apathy, unrest, and ultimately federal government meddling in states’ constitutional responsibility under Article I, Section 4, Clause 1 pertaining to “governance of the people, by the people, for the people” (Abraham Lincoln, Nov. 19, 1863, Gettysburg).
It is time to resolve the issues of voter databases, voter identification at the polls/absentee ballots, and methodology plus procedures for gathering and counting the votes.
Polls open this morning for primaries
State railroad funding chugs toward Surry
Here we go again — the same old conspiracy theories of voter fraud and voting machines that Trump and his mafia have repeated over and over to brainwash his cult.
I am so discouraged that so many of our Surry County citizens do not believe truth and facts. I have been voting for more than 60 years and have voted for both Democrats and Republicans. I have always trusted our citizens who work so hard at the polls protecting and defending our right to vote.
Thank you Michella Huff for being an honest, hard-working and reliable citizen dedicating so much time to making sure we have rights and privileges to cast our vote, and also for standing up to such political histrionics.
We must all speak out against hate and deception.
This is in reference to the article by Ryan Kelly, “Federal injunction sole path to voting machine audit” in the Saturday, May 7, edition.
I, one among many, saw a presentation concerning 2020 voting in Surry County. Had Ms. Michella Huff (county board of elections chair) attended the meeting, I believe she would fully understand the purported “explosion” by Keith Senter (Republican party chair) during their meeting about voting concerns – primarily with voting machines.
There were actual photographs which showed a fingertip chip hidden on the motherboard of a machine. As stated in the referenced article, current communications technology makes the machine susceptible to surreptitious hacking which could then taint the results. Although the chip in the photographs was not purported to be from one of the machines within Surry County, the inference is that like-machines could be so “infected.” Hence, the request to have an audit of the machines. Unfortunately, it appears that no machine audit directed by Federal Court Order will ensue until a statistically, major loss occurs in the next presidential voting cycle.
Actually, voting machines are only one aspect of 2020 voting issues within Surry County. A statistical forensic investigation into voting data, showed that although reliably “red,” there were statistically too many “blue” votes for the number of registered democrats.
Additionally, during the presentation, actual voter registration data sets from Surry County were shown. Data input into registration rolls showed multiple voting ID numbers given to a single person. For example, I could have two ID’s, one for Harmon and another for Harman, depending on who inputted/updated the information into the database. Also, funeral homes are not required by law to notify the Election Board of deaths; ergo, the database doesn’t get scrubbed.
It appears the only solution to reinstate integrity for our democratic institution of voting is for each state to take on the gargantuan task to conduct in-dept audits of entire voting processes: tabulation, citizen voter databases, and collection of paper ballots.
I recently viewed an online recording of the Mount Airy city council meeting of April 21.
It felt a bit like watching the Academy Awards – with the slap!
As the meeting edged close to a scheduled discussion of the now well-known Uncorked drama, Commissioner Marie Wood spoke out of turn to inappropriately chastise Commissioner Jon Cawley for, among other council sins, having dared to mention Uncorked – which, until then, had apparently remained a secret known only to a few select individuals – including members of the planning committee, a few cherry-picked commissioners, and probably some others with council-approved top secret clearance that would entitle them to know how and why the local Uncorked business had become intrinsically linked to a requested change in a city ordinance. (Apparently, Wood forgot that the Business-Which-Cannot-Be-Named had initially been referenced, out loud, by a city employee – whose own name shall be withheld for fear that he, too, could be publicly censured.)
A bit later in the meeting, Wood’s verbal slap was bolstered by Commissioner Steve Yokeley, who said he resented the insinuation that board members don’t do their homework.
Once the Oscar-worthy feigned indignation performances by Wood and Yokeley were out of the way, Commissioner Cawley addressed the elephant in the room – which is the lack of transparency that seems to be consistently applied to council proceedings in order to guarantee a pre-determined vote on key issues. Clearly, in the case of “Uncorked-gate,” not every commissioner had been given all the same background information (including implications and relevant potential consequences) that is supposed to help inform their vote. Indeed, the limited information provided to Cawley made no mention of Uncorked — or the fact that that establishment stood to potentially benefit from the ordinance change that was being promulgated.
I believe the only reason such secret, underhanded shenanigans are permitted to plague our local governing body is so the council can continue its ‘hide and slide’ decision-making process – whereby bits and pieces of relevant information are conveniently hidden, omitted, or purposefully withheld from one or more commissioners so the others can easily slide their preferred outcome through the voting process. No vote should be taken unless and until all commissioners are working from the exact same script.
Kudos to Commissioner Cawley for once again standing up for truth and transparency. And shame on the mayor for not showing the leadership required to demand, effective immediately, that all background information and/or recommendations shared with all council members be exactly the same – with no seemingly calculated omissions of relevant factors.
Government does not get any bigger than when it controls what its citizens must do with their own body. That is not small government. That is not conservative government. That is totalitarian government.
Rebuke the Republican-sought totalitarian government!
Mount Airy is always in the paper with something about the Spencer’s property, Andy Griffin, or taking people’s property by some means. They worry about tourism and these people come to town on some of the roughest roads in the state .
I’ve driven on gravel roads that weren’t as rough as the ones in town. It’s pathetic that they spend all this money on ways to upfit the Spencer’s property when the roads around town aren’t much better than a pig path.
The sidewalks are just as bad as the roads. They need to spend some money on the roads and sidewalks instead of blowing it on senseless hopes and dreams.
I read with interest the article “Cawley concerned about beer, wine in rest area” in the April 20 edition of The Mount Airy News.
In principle, I have no problem with selling wine to folks who decide to rest their weary bones in the Loftis Plaza. Personally, though, I would not be interested in inadvertently smelling stale human waste from the public restrooms while sipping a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon. Perhaps, if structurally feasible, the owners of Uncorked would be better off thinking about building a small deck off the back of their delightful store or creating a snazzy Rooftop Lounge like the owners of the space-squeezed Horton Hotel, in Boone, have done.
That being said, the bigger issue highlighted in the article is the apparent lack of inclusion and transparency that continues to plague the current city council – which seems to be comprised of a majority of group-thinking puppets who feel their main job is to do the bidding of the downtown power elite rather than serve the interests of the entire city.
It’s distressing, but not surprising, that so many issues put forward for a vote are neither fully understood nor evaluated by all five commissioners and the mayor. Is there no executive summary or SWOT analysis developed and shared in advance with each member of the city council before an issue is brought to the floor for discussion and vote? If not, why not?
Hopefully, the upcoming election will be instrumental in helping to reframe the city council into a body of elected officials who will study issues carefully, think independently, and then base their decisions on the actual merits of proposals put forward.
As they say, all politics is local.
If, like me, you’re currently displeased with the shape our country’s in, then do not vote for candidates in the upcoming Mount Airy City Council election who are affiliated with the Democrat party – because local office-holders typically support and mirror the policies/activities of their same-party counterparts at the state and national levels.
If we’ve learned anything from Joe Biden’s radical-left administration about the Democrats’ view of finances, it’s that budgets don’t matter – because if there’s not enough money to pay for their pet projects, they simply print more Franklins or raise taxes on the middle class. For a left-leaning office-holder in Mount Airy, the only option would be to raise taxes.
Joe Zalescik, current candidate for South Ward Commissioner in our local election, is a registered Democrat (per the voter files of Surry County’s Board of Elections, as of April 18); and he was appointed commissioner-at-large seven months ago.
Last Sunday, I read in the Mount Airy News that Joe Zalescik said the city budget was $15 million more than it actually is … and then, when that error was brought to his attention, he casually brushed it off as a “minor mistake.” News flash: being $15 million off the mark is not a ‘minor mistake’ — it’s gross incompetence for a sitting commissioner to be so inexcusably clueless about the city’s budget; and it raises a red flag about his ability to be financially responsible with city taxpayer funds.
Zalescik then tried to deflect the significance of his blunder by noting that everyone makes mistakes and that certain detractors in town were “…looking for anything to criticize me.” Hmmm, sounds like another Joe (Biden, that is) when he blames Vladimir Putin for inflation.
It’s also noteworthy that, immediately prior to the kick-off of the current local election, Zalescik and Commissioner Steve Yokeley (who nominated Zalescik for the commissioner seat he now holds) engaged in a behind-the-scenes ‘switcheroo’ deal relating to territorial representation so that both could better pursue their personal political agenda.
Finally, a few weeks ago, Zalescik flooded the local voter market with a jam-packed direct-mail solicitation that included an ‘absentee ballot’ application. Talk about taking electioneering cues direct from the Democratic playbook.
By now you’ve probably guessed I’m a fiscally conservative Republican. What you may not know is that I’ve lived in Mount Airy, proudly and happily, for the past 10 years – having been born and raised in the City of Brotherly Love, where radical Democratic shenanigans is a highly-evolved art form and as culturally pervasive as soft pretzels, cheesesteaks, and the Philadelphia Eagles.
With the upcoming city council election in Mount Airy, we voters have an opportunity to clean house. Let’s rid the City Council of all those whose first allegiance is to themselves or possibly the radical left-leaning fringe of the Democrat party, which is rapidly ruining the nation. Let’s rid the city council of all those who lie, distort reality, and/or provide pathetic excuses to obscure their inability or unwillingness to manage our tax dollars wisely. And let’s rid the city council of all those who engage in secret backroom deals.
Please join me in the primary and general elections (May 17 and Nov. 8, respectively) to vote for candidates whose words and deeds demonstrate their honesty, transparency, fiscal responsibility, and commitment to building a better future for Mount Airy.
During a “Meet the Candidates” forum held April 11, Commissioner Joe Zalescik sought support for his current bid for the South Ward Commissioner seat. During his presentation to the audience, he said the City of Mount Airy’s budget is $30 million – with $15 million of that coming from property taxes.
Say what? Those numbers are off by about 100% — and that ain’t peanuts, Joe.
In fact, the current city budget is more like $15 million ($17.2M, to be exact, with amendments) — with $7.2 million coming from real, personal and vehicle taxes.
Fiscal responsibility by commissioners requires a basic knowledge of the city budget. I strongly urge the city council to require all new commissioners – whether appointed (as Zalescik was) or elected – to familiarize themselves with the budget and budget process.
I see the city continues to interfere with private enterprise to speculate on property development for the citizens of Mount Airy. What strategic purpose does the Mittman lot on Pine Street have for the City of Mount Airy?
This property is on 0.25 of an acre and is landlocked on all three sides. The council has decided to invest in what appears to be useless property, unless there are other plans (vision) the citizens are not aware of. Additionally, one of the property owners next to the property has purchased part of the property and I feel sure was prepared to purchase the balance until the city interfered (Big Government).
Last, common sense would say once the city was aware of the issues involved and would own 50% of 0.25 acre they would do the prudent thing and bow out. Thank goodness the auction was postponed. It will give them more time to come to their senses.
This is exactly why we need serious change in the city council. Based on this it appears there is no rational, pragmatic, thought process on the council. This type of reckless investment will continue to put the taxpayers of this city at risk. I hope the community is paying attention and also will vote in May and November to change this reckless behavior.
I agree with Mr. Hick’s letter (“Reader questions page 1 ad,” March 23, Mount Airy News) about the placement of the political advertisement above the fold in your March 20 edition.
Since it was not identified as an advertisement I assume it was a not-so-subtle endorsement. Even then I believe an endorsement should be identified as such. I believe you should provide an explanation or an apology or equal time to others.
Editor’s Note: The ad referenced in this letter did state clearly it was a paid ad, with the statement “Advertisement paid for by the Committee to Elect Teresa Lewis Mayor of Mount Airy.”
I was shocked that the Mount Airy News would place a political ad on the front page as part of the headline in your March 20 edition. While I understand that politicians can purchase political ads, it is very unethical to place the ad as part of the front page headline. It makes your publication look very biased and very unprofessional.
At the alumni meeting of the J J Jones Alumni, held on Feb. 14, the normal order of business was dispensed with in order to provide adequate time for a round table discussion of the proposed sale of the former J J Jones High School; currently housing the YVEDDI, a nonprofit providing a variety of services for all county residents.
During the round table discussion, a statement was made relative to the L.H. Jones Auditorium, currently owned and operated by the J J Jones Alumni. The purpose of this letter is to set the record straight. The statement made alluded to there being serious problems in the auditorium. That statement was inaccurate. I want to assure the alumni and all supporters, that the L. H. Jones Auditorium is very well maintained; there are no issues that are not being addressed and there is no danger of the auditorium being taken from the alumni, due to some unmet requirement.
The alumni is proud of the fact that, though lean, our resources are sufficient to keep the bills paid. There has never been an inspection that we have not passed; our insurance is current, and we are in good standing with IRS.
Yes, we do have some maintenance issues as expected with a building more than 50 years old. As these arise, they are corrected in the order of priority, and affordability. Of course, there is not enough money in the bank to do everything we want and need to do, immediately. But, we have a strong determination and are confident that everything on the to do list will be accomplished. Fund raising is ongoing and critical. A large portion of our income is from donations to our alumni, over and above our membership dues. We are eternally grateful for our supporters.
In closing, I’d like to reach out to the people that may not realize we consider them one of our own, graduate or not, if you walked through the doors as a student, for any length of time; were the beneficiary of the love, concern for your wellbeing and your future, from the teachers and administrators; we need you, your talent, energy and creative minds. We want you, your children and grandchildren, to take interest and pride in the building and keep it operational for the benefit of the community, for years to come.
You’re invited to attend our alumni meetings, held monthly on the second Monday of each month from 2-3 p.m. at the L.H. Jones Auditorium. Come see for yourself, what the alumni has accomplished.
Several years ago, University of Pennsylvania officials caved to the cancel culture crowd by swiftly sanctioning the unauthorized removal of an iconic portrait of William Shakespeare by students who replaced it with a photograph of a black lesbian poet. At the time, Penn administrators poo-pooed the student miscreants’ behavior by noting that Shakespeare was going to be ousted anyway “in order to represent a more diverse range of writers.” So much for the classics.
Several days ago, University of Pennsylvania officials quickly acquiesced to an NCAA policy revision that permitted a trans female swimmer to compete against biological female swimmers in the ivy League Women’s Swimming & Diving Championship games. As a result, Penn trans swimmer Lia Thomas (who had competed in prior years as a male) won three events and set five records – easily besting biological women teammates and competitors. So much for women’s sports.
Penn’s consistent cowardly submission to the nation’s cancel-culture bullies mirrors that of most universities and major corporations – whose fear of being labeled racist, homophobic or transphobic transcends their ability to do the right thing. In their decision to help advance the ruination of women’s sports, Penn officials ignored the truth and sound reasoning included in a letter sent to them on behalf of 16 of Lia Thomas’s teammates who chose to remain anonymous. In that letter, the young women athletes said, “We fully support Lia Thomas in her decision to affirm her gender identity and to transition from a man to a woman. Lia has every right to live her life authentically. However, we also recognize that the biology of sex is a separate issue from someone’s gender identity. Biologically, Lia holds an unfair advantage over competition in the women’s category, as evidenced by her rankings from #462 as a male to #1 as a female.”
The letter was delivered to Penn officials by Nancy Hogshead-Makar, a 1984 Olympic swimming gold medalist and well-respected advocate for women’s sports. Ms. Hogshead-Makar emphasized that anonymity was necessary for the teammates because they had been warned they would be “removed from the team” or “never get a job offer” if they spoke out against Thomas’s inclusion in the women’s competition.
How very sad it is when even the most elite academic institutions in the country are afraid of facing the truth. It’s really quite simple: males (including hormonally altered ones) are not females; so they should not be competing in women’s sports. Even Caitlyn Jenner, Olympic Gold Medal winner prior to her own transition, noted the unfairness of trans females competing in women’s sports. “We cannot have biological boys competing against women,” said Jenner.
Hopefully, universities, corporations, and the nation as a whole will once again begin to display more common sense than cowardice. Until then, and as long as Biden and his administration continue to prioritize weakness and wokeness as our national goals, America and the world can expect to experience much more global turmoil than the recent Russian invasion of the Ukraine.
This is in reference to the Their View article by Rob Schofield (Yes to books, science, diversity — and discomfort) in the Feb. 18 edition concerning public school book banning.
I beg to differ with Mr. Schofield’s assertion, “The truth is that CRT is not taught in K-12 Schools…”; rather, it most certainly is being taught as attested to by the recent resignation of NC education board member (as reported Feb. 9, Mount Airy News article) over that very issue. Please check the facts, Mr. Schofield.
Furthermore, the issue of sexual-preference identity has gone too far by having books in Pre-K through eighth grade public schools which graphically depict oral/anal sex methods used by alphabet soup (LGBTQ) adherents. This is not warranted for pre-pubescent children or minors. Those who choose (not coerced into) this lifestyle and are able to handle such crass, graphic depictions can certainly go to their public library or order books of this nature online. They have no place in our public schools.
“Fear of change…’the other’…’discomfort’… can serve as powerful roadblocks to societal progress” as envisioned by Mr. Schofield, and the Marxist/Socialists (progressive democrats) as well. The complete removal of these roadblocks can only lead to societal Sodom and Gomorrah where there is moral degeneration and ultimate destruction – not by Putin, China, North Korea, or Iran, but by God himself.
There are dilapidated buildings all over town and most of us would like them gone, but that’s not practical. It’s beyond suspicious that Koozies, Mittmans, and the Red Building have been targeted while so many others are ignored. (See Mount Airy News, Feb. 18 ). Sure looks like the old disgraced and supposedly disbanded Redevelopment Committee (RDC) still at work behind the scenes. This letter is not to defend dilapidated buildings, but to show the misleading way it’s being done.
The danger of starting a condemnation process was clearly laid out by Commissioner Jon Cawley at the Feb. 17 meeting. Right now, should anyone be injured around those buildings, the liability is on the owners. Once the city starts the process which was approved at that meeting, the city becomes liable for any injury claimed.
Citizens were told at the meeting that the city could delay as long as they wanted before the huge expense of demolition. Don’t fall for that. The RDC’s favorite trick is the old “sky is falling ” scare card, recently used just a year or two ago for $300,000 to $400,000 to demo part of Spencers they wanted gone. They’ve used it often before and are using it now to condemn these properties. They’ll then claim they can’t delay the demo as they promised because of city liability danger. The same scare was tried years ago to try to take the buildings. It didn’t work , the buildings remain, and no injuries
My prediction: The 90-day warning to owners runs out and the city uses scare tactics to justify the demos. The expense becomes a lien on the property and the city forecloses. That means an auction and the city buys the properties. It’s like the hated eminent domain but just more sneaky. Then it’ll be for sale to “private developers.” Just like Spencers, any developers will demand all kinds of spending by the city, starting with property being given to developers for little or nothing, huge city spending on infrastructure, luxury paving/lighting/landscaping, parking lots, etc. It’s not hard to predict because that’s exactly how Spencers has worked and this will be no different.
The truth of the downtown gang wanting to take those three buildings is an old story dating back to 2014. It started when we bought Spencers and our board appointed a committee known as RDC to oversee development. The public was assured it would be done only by private investors, but that was never going to happen. RDC quickly showed they had plans for far more than Spencers and also showed they would not go by the rules set by the board.
Even back then they planned to take over the properties now mentioned. RDC’s use of eminent domain was even hinted. That attracted attention from a legal non-profit in Washington, D.C. that opposes improper uses of eminent domain. They visited here and there was a real possibility of them bringing lawsuits if the RDC kept going. The board then wisely disbanded the RDC.
That should have ended it but RDC simply went behind the scenes. RDC supporters have been pushing the original RDC plan ever since and that’s been eight years and millions of taxpayer dollars ago. A lot of what RDC wanted has already been done (at great expense) but lots more remains like the “mini-park” soon to be built, the acquisition of the three buildings listed above, and much more to come; all of which will demand large amounts of taxpayer money.
This is in reference to the article, “NC education board member leaves, citing social studies row” in the Feb. 9 edition of The Mount Airy News.
On several occasions, letters have been written concerning the officially, state-sponsored indoctrination of Critical Race Theory (CRT) in the NC public schools; particularly within the social studies curriculum. Links to publications to that effect were even provided; for example, https://legalinsurrection.com/2021/03/north-carolinas-new-k-12-standards-push-critical-race-theory-deep-into-curriculum/ .
Parents were further enjoined in those previous letters to the editor to “see for themselves” and to thereafter express their displeasure at their tax dollars being spent indoctrination our youth that:
Their country is systemically racist,
The “correct” color is paramount, contrary to Dr. Martin Luther King’s concept that all people should be judged not “by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character” (https://shre.america.gov/life-legacy-martin-luther-king-jr/),
“Equity” (banal outcome) is more critical than equality of access to succeed in one’s endeavors to achieve life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.
Obviously since activism is more important than education within North Carolina public schools, even a State Board of Education member – Todd Chasteen – has seen the light. The question is, will you, the parent, grandparent, or other relative of a child also see the light and Speak Up at school board meetings?
Voter suppression is devised to control the vote of minorities in the South. You can rest assured of that whether it is Republicans or Democrats when they yell “state’s rights.”
A minority group’s rights will cause a loss to exercise a right promised to every American. State’s rights means oppression. State’s right means keep those minorities under control.
This is in reference to “Their View” article titled “Roe v. Wade protections still important” in the Jan. 23, 2022 edition of The Mount Airy News.
While the landmark Supreme Court decision concerning abortion was necessary 49 years ago, it was based on the science of fetal gestation known at that time and social reproductive issues of that time. Since then, it has become quite apparent that counseling and medical, procedural, abortion protocols have not kept pace with scientific discoveries during the span of fetal gestation.
Counseling has primarily been the mainstay of Planned Parenthood which was established by Margaret Sanger, a known associate of supremacist groups and eugenics (www.lifenews.com). Incidentally, most of their facilities were/are placed within walking distance of minority communities.
With the removal of all moral aspects of abortion within our current societal “norm,” abortions have become the de facto “birth control pill” du jour as a result of instant gratification and deleterious sexual interactions.
Scientifically, one can argue that life begins at conception (www.justthefacts.org and www.intellectualtakeout.org ) or one can socially argue that life is based on “personhood” – body part, acorn or egg simile, and captive arguments (www.hil.org) .
The fine line between scientific and social arguments, now being addressed by states and the Supreme Court, is at what point does it become “murder” to abort a fetus?
I grew up in Mount Airy my whole life. One of the most famous things around, and stories I’ve heard my whole life, were about “The Strip.”
If you’re not familiar with it, its the road down Lebanon Street. Back around the 70s, every teen and young adult would drive their car up and down the road hence the name, “The Strip.” Before it could get to new generations, the city put a stop to it.
I believe it should make a comeback. I believe it would be an amazing opportunity for the new generation to make new friends, and to hear the stories from the people who used to drive it up and down. Not only would it make an attraction spot for new age people, it would help restaurants like Porky’s and others get more business.
It’s a great idea for teens in the 1980s-1990s who didn’t get to experience it, and for the new crowd of this generation to have something fun to do, and experience something their parents got to in their youth.
I am writing you to say this about Jones School sale: Why not just give it to the group of community action leaders that want it? I was raised in Mount Airy from 58-86 then moved to Newberry, South Carolina. I still read the Mount Airy News and my family is still present in Mount Airy.
Recently, the same situation happened here in Newberry. Gallman School, the old Black school, has been replaced and now we have another new state of the art school.
The city, county, and school board graciously donated it to the local community African-American group that wants it to restore and use it for various program needs. It will have a great value for the community by adding this building and playgrounds to continue to use for their needs for years to come.
I think the community needs to do this. The programs will help kids and adults alike in many ways. It will also help to right many wrongs that our previous generations have done to our African-American friends and neighbors.
This is in reference to “Reader questions voting bill” in the Jan. 23 opinion page.
Currently there are multiple resolutions and bills working their way through the 117th Congressional (2021-2022) process. Bear in mind, only a Joint Resolution (J.R.) affects the Constitution; whereas, Resolutions and Bills become Law.
a. H. R. 105 introduced by Rep. Gibbs (R-OH) is in House Judiciary Committee which referred the resolution to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties. This resolution reaffirms that voting is a fundamental right of all eligible United States citizens and recognizing that allowing illegal immigrants the right to vote devalues the franchise and diminishes the voting power of United States citizens;
b. H. R. 866 introduced by Rep. Davis (R-IL) is in House Judiciary. This resolution recognizes that allowing illegal immigrants the right to vote devalues the franchise and diminishes the voting power of United States citizens;
c. H.R. 4959 aka “Right to Vote Act” introduced by Rep. Jones (D-NY) is in House Judiciary. This bill concerns federal elections. The bill prohibits federal, state, and local governments from substantially impairing the ability to vote in federal elections unless the government action furthers an important and particularized governmental interest. This bill, in my opinion, essentially revokes state’s rights to establish voting processes for federal elections.
d. S. 2615 aka “Right to Vote Act” introduced by Sen. Ossoff (D-GA) has been read twice and referred to the rules and Administration Committee. This bill mirrors the specifications and has the same deleterious effect on state’s rights as of H.R. 4959.
e. H.R. 640 “Expanding Access to Early Voting Act of 2021” introduced by Rep. Brown (D-MD) has been referred to House Committee on House Administration. This resolution: expands early in-person voting, requires each state during federal elections 15 days early voting, requires polling places accessible by public transportation, establishes a Federal Election Assistance Commission to issue standards for early voting, and states must process and scan ballots during early voting period at least 14 days prior to election day (cannot tabulate ballots before polls close on election day). Again, state’s rights to establish election processes are superseded by the federal government.
f. H.R. 4 “John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021” introduced by Rep. Sewell (D-AL) has passed the House (9/14/21) and was received in the Senate where it has had two roll call votes. In essence, this bill is an outright removal of state right’s to determine voting processes and establishes the Department of Justice as the enforcement arm for voting processes within the United States.
The Resolutions/Bills enumerated above, except for H.R. 105 and 866, are multiple avenues by which the Marxist/socialist (aka democratic) party is attempting to establish one party rule within the United States, in my opinion.
People who will not get the COVID-19 shot should keep to themselves and not expect their friends, relatives and coworkers to socialize with them. It puts everyone in danger for the awful virus raging the world.
I had the virus in 2020, it is very rough and scary. Since then I’ve had two original shots and the third booster. I still wear a mask when out of my home, trying to protect the general public as well as myself.
This vaccine is no more dangerous than any shot we’ve all had at some time in our lifetime.
Please protect the frontline workers, your loved ones and yourself. God gave us the knowledge to do better than his people are doing. The Bible says that our bodies are a temple and to treat it well. Science helps us do that.
I read with great interest the article on Betty Lynn’s estate auction (Betty Lynn’s estate being auctioned, Dec. 22 Mount Airy news). Having shared a meal or two with Betty Lynn at Ridgecrest, while my parents were also residing there, I cannot agree more with Mark Rodgers’ assessment that “…if you spent time with her (Betty Lynn) she made you feel like you were her best friend for life.”
Betty Lynn indeed was a star, but she made you feel like you were also a star and treasured friend. My family members miss Betty so much, but we all are left with the great memories of the time we were able to spend with this wonderful, gracious and kind lady during her lifetime.
Filing for the 2022 General Election begins Dec. 6. Since Board of Education seats are no longer nonpartisan, those interested in running for a board of education must file between Dec. 6 – Dec. 17 for the March Primary. While citizens will cast their votes for numerous candidates please be aware of what members of school boards are allowed to oversee and what they have no control over.
The local boards of education do not set or select the curriculum for their school systems. The curriculum is selected by the State Board of Education, whose members are appointed by the General Assembly. The North Carolina State Board of Education consists of the lieutenant governor, state treasurer, and 11 members appointed by the governor and confirmed by the General Assembly for eight-year terms (three at-large, eight from designated educational districts across the state) and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI).
What is the role of the Board of Education?
The role of the school board can be summarized in the following areas:
– To provide vision and direction for the school system
– To create policies in accordance with state law to establish standards, accountability, and evaluation of essential operations of the school district.
– To prepare the budget for presentation to the county commissioners
– To hire, support, and evaluate the Superintendent.
– To perform judicial functions by conducting hearings as appropriate.
– To advocate for the school district, staff, and especially the students in all interactions with other governmental entities and the public.
There is a Board Member Code of Ethics and each board member must fulfill the legal requirement to receive a minimum of 12 hours of training annually. The training includes but is not limited to, public school law, public school finance, and duties and responsibilities of local boards of education as well as the state-required ethics training.
If you are truly interested in serving on the Mount Airy City Schools Board of Education and have a passion for our schools and community, I urge you to let your interests be known. Serving as an advocate for the students of our school system can be very rewarding. Contact a current board member, attend the monthly board meetings and be knowledgeable in the current issues and concerns facing education in North Carolina.
You do have to live in the city school district, and in the district in which are filing to run:
– District B (Mount Airy #2, #3 Voting Precincts), one seat
– District C (Mount Airy #4, #5 Voting Precincts), one seat
– District D (Mount Airy #6, #7 Voting Precincts), one seat
– At Large (All Mount Airy Voting Precincts), one seat
If you are sincerely interested in serving the students of Mount Airy City Schools, reach out to an existing board member and research the responsibilities and importance of the position.
As I read the article for city funds for a variety of projects downtown, (“City designates $295,000 for downtown projects,” Nov. 21, Mount Airy News),I wonder if other businesses have any value to the city.
Businesses on Main Street will benefit from this large amount of money, also funded by the group, Mount Airy Downtown Inc.. I understand Main Street businesses have paid an additional tax for which they should benefit from. However, it seems our city commissioners seem to spend more time and money on Main Street, while others just have to look after themselves. The money will come from the municipality’s fund balance, with “hope” that they can recoup their money from the federal Rescue Plan Act.
So the city operates on hope. Must be an easy job to just spend money on hope that they can get it back. The city has been hoping for years on taxpayers money.
Donna’s Barber Shop has been hoping for help just to survive for years. And, yes, the city has helped when backed in a corner. However, when true support is needed to get the state DOT to address a problem of city and state water from flooding her business, we get nothing. The only thing they say is to spend her money to fix city and state water runoff problems, which could cost thousands of dollars.
Since the first day she opened she has paid out thousands of dollars, lost income and still has the same problem. I do need to mention that the city did do what the state requested, which helped but more work is needed by the state to eliminate the problem. Several years ago the state added drains to help, but put the drains in front of her business.
Collecting runoff water in front of the business instead of before it gets there is pure stupidity. Commonsense, which clearly they don’t have, will tell you to stop the problem before it gets there, not afterwards. The city needs to get some backbone and stand behind its businesses. Donna’s Barber Shop is not trying to benefit from the city or state, only to survive. The state and city water runoff should be controlled by the “state and city.” Not by private citizens.
We — when I say we, I mean Donna and her family, because we stand together as family — have been told that we are not the only ones with water runoff problems. Then why haven’t they fixed the other problems instead of spending enormous amounts of money on the Spencer’s property? Maybe it is about big money, not long standing businesses that support our city and draw countless people from many other states just to come to get a hair cut at her shop.
We need a complete board of commissioners that are concerned about every citizen and business.
Our family has had an ongoing business in Mount Airy since 1965. We don’t want special treatment, just equal treatment.
Americans love their cars, and buy lots of them (816 per 1,000 people). Europeans also love cars, but buy lots fewer (France 482, UK 475), probably because they pay so much tax they can’t afford cars. Those in Europe earning $40,000 a year pay $6,000 more tax than Americans earning the same; those who earn $100,000 pay $16,000 more in tax. That heavy taxation pays for a generous European Welfare State.
Mr. Biden is offering a similar welfare state in return for your vote, and is lying when he says taxing ‘the rich’ and wealthy corporations will pay for it. Eventually, everybody will pay more tax, probably payroll and VAT (value added tax). So if you support Mr. Biden’s plan, and then decide you want a newer and more expensive car, you might not be able to afford it; you will have already traded it for a more generous U.S. welfare program. Oh, and you probably won’t be able to afford that bigger house you’ve always wanted.
It seems that some of our county commissioners have little to do but to pass resolutions.
First there was the “Coca Cola machine” debacle. Now it seems they think there is another battle to fight with yet another resolution. According to the Nov. 3 Mount Airy News article “FBI told to stay out of Surry County Schools,” the commissioner’s latest resolution protests against the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s plan “to hold meetings to assist in developing strategies for addressing threats against public school administrators, board members, teachers and staff.”
Back in the early 2000s, public schools nationwide dealt with the issue of bomb threats. As a principal, I attended training sessions sponsored by the SBI and the FBI. Many of the strategies learned in these sessions led to the development of protocols that are likely still in place today in our school and school district level emergency action plans. My advice is to at least listen to what the FBI professionals may advise. It’s possible that local officials could learn something that better protects a child or a school employee.
Some time ago, the county commissioners declared war on roadside litter in our county. I’m not sure if there was a resolution enacted by the commissioners to support the anti-littering efforts. If there wasn’t, there should have been. I applaud their efforts and agree with them 100% on this issue. But these days, we are exposed to a different kind of litter.
I have a suggestion for the next Surry County commissioner’s resolution. It should deal with individuals who are driving around Surry County polluting the environment with a different kind of trash. It is not the physical trash like is mentioned above. It is the verbal and visual trash displayed on vehicles spewing hate and profanity for all eyes to see, including our small children or grandchildren. This graphic sexual language and profanity is very hard to look at and even harder to explain to a child. While this trash may be “legal” under the first amendment, it is wrong and it needs to stop.
Evidently, the people who display this offensive language on their vehicles crave attention. Perhaps we could find a constructive way to meet their need for attention. I think the next county commissioner’s resolution should direct our sheriff’s department staff to assist these folks by giving them their utmost attention. We could also seek the help of the local city and town police officials as well. Who knows? Maybe these folks are just lost and need directions. Quite possibly, they could need counseling on ways to operate their vehicle in a safer manner. By all means, let’s give them the attention they deserve on a consistent basis every single day.
I volunteer to help the Surry County commissioners draft this resolution.
In reference to the article “FBI Told To Stay Out of Surry Schools,” published Nov. 3, I feel the county commissioners missed the point. To me, the reason Attorney General Garland issued this statement was to protect those associated with public schools, not to prevent parents from speaking out at school board meetings.
Also, in response to G.J. Harmon’s letter in yesterday’s paper, I am curious about his question that he posed to parents: “Are Surry County and Mount Airy City Schools indoctrinating our children with this toxic and vitriolic anti-Martin Luther, anti-Civil Rights, anti-equality, anti-American venom?” Does he seriously think schools teach this? Has he visited a school classroom? The website he listed is invalid, shows “Page Not Found.”
Parents definitely have the right to voice their opinions at school board meetings so long as it’s done in a civil manner. What Attorney General Garland is concerned about is groups who want to do harm, disrupt meetings, and spread their own agenda.
This is in reference to the article, “FBI told to stay out of Surry schools”by Ryan Kelly in the in the Nov. 3 issue of The Mount Airy News.
I applaud Commissioners (Eddie) Harris and Van Tucker for their stance regarding the intrusion of FBI agents in the business of parents voicing their opinions/objections regarding critical race theory (CRT) in our local schools.
You all do know that CRT is buried deep in the 2021-2022 NC K-12 Standards approved by the NC Board of Education, right? (https://legalinsurrection.com/2021/03/north-carolinas-new-k-12-standards-push-critical-race-theory-deep-into-curriculum/) – in particular, the Social Studies curriculum.
As stated in the reference, “Members of the State Board of Education—most of whom were selected by Democratic governor Roy Cooper—voted to adopt the updated curriculum despite opposition from Republican Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson, who said the new standards reflect the board’s political agenda and “indoctrinate our students against our great country.”
The question: Are Surry County and Mount Airy City schools indoctrinating our children with this toxic and vitriolic anti-Martin Luther, anti-Civil Rights, anti-equality, anti-American venom? Have any parents investigated? If it is, have any parents shared their concerns with either of the school boards?
Just repeating the current euphemism, “Let’s Go Brandon,” isn’t enough to remove this hatred. As Mark Levin suggests in his book, “American Marxism” in Chapter 7, take action. How? Run for school board. Write letters to North Carolina, Surry and Mount Airy school boards. Respectfully speak at school board meetings. Get involved. Join our county commissioners (and hopefully the city commissioners as well) to push back.
The Wednesday, Oct. 13 edition of the Mount Airy News contained three outstanding issues:
1. A political cartoon relative to social networks;
2. Their View, “Yes, government can be shrunk”, and
3. Article, “House returns to stave off default with debt limit vote.”
Social networks (1) prey on the insecurities of our youth and only exist to promote the narratives of Marxist-Socialism, aka Democrat-Progressive-Socialists. The cartoon is spot-on.
Yes, government can be shrunk (2) and the final comment encouraging voters to support candidates who advocate a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution is absolutely germane. Government is funded by the people, who incidentally, must maintain balanced household budgets. Why should the federal government have unfettered, irresponsible, money spending without representative consent?
The assertion in the last article (3) that “Routine payments to Social Security beneficiaries, disabled veterans and active-duty military personnel would also be called into question” is incorrect. Those are all covered by “debt services,” which are paid regardless of the debt ceiling. As provided in the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, public debt service (~$44 billion per month) is paid from the approximate $230 billion monthly income collected from taxpayers. There is no default on debt services.
The debt ceiling, however, concerns interest on debts incurred for future spending on social engineering projects or other pork barrel items such as those contained in the $1.5 trillion and $3.5 trillion bills currently being brokered by the Marxist-Socialist party.
This is in reference to “Their View” commentary, “We all win when we argue” in the Oct. 6 edition of the Mount Airy News.
How timely in light of Attorney General Merrick Garland’s letter of Oct. 4 to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which was instigated at the behest of the National School Board Association (NSBA). In that letter, he authorizes the FBI to use their legal power to criminalize parental 1st Amendment Rights to speak at school board meetings in order to advocate for their children’s education; not indoctrination (i.e., CRT).
I submit that, in the mien, parents are able to conduct themselves with civil discourse. As the author of the cited article writes, by exercising their 1st Amendment Rights, parents “seek to model and promote…constructive engagement across political differences.”
The heavy hand of federal bureaucrats, under the guise of unsubstantiated threats and auspices of domestic terrorism, into a community’s business of holding elected school board members accountable is not warranted.
Reporter Tom Joyce sure loves the word “mulling” as evidenced by his second use in the Oct. 3 edition of Mount Airy News regarding a major technology upgrade.
I personally believe any upgrade to the council chambers (not the entire building) in the Mount Airy Municipal Building will be an asset to the citizens of the city. I have attended two meetings there and was astounded at how far behind technology the city currently is. No one can hear anything that any commissioner says! Only when public comments are invited, can a speaker be heard. So, yes, mull is the correct word for Mr. Joyce to use since the only thing participants hear is unintelligible mumbling. Even going online to view the proceedings is fraught with an inability to see or hear clearly what is transpiring at the meeting.
My little, itty, bitty church has better technology than the commissioners chambers to aid in participatory worship. Let’s get with the program, and have participatory city council meetings.
Most US presidents have wished the American people well. They have generally worked to improve the US economy, and unite the country whenever possible. Mr. Biden, to the contrary, seems to wish us ill. How else to explain the following Biden policies?
(1) Closed pipelines, making us dependent on foreign oil;
(2) Continued pandemic unemployment payments, $300-600/week, which persuaded some to stop working, destroying many businesses;
(3) Promised to raise taxes once again, further restricting investment and job-creation;
(4) Spent in unprecedented amounts, raising inflation expectations to 5%, more than twice the usual target, as zero interest-rates continue;
(5) Hoped to extend the national debt limit once again, as it approaches $28 trillion;
(6) Opened our southern border to hundreds of thousands of unvetted and unvaccinated immigrants, who will be eligible for welfare, free medical care, and free education paid for with US taxes;
(7) Handed $80 billion in armaments to the Afghan Taliban, and a $10 billion air-force base, probably to our Chinese enemies;
(8) Proclaimed confidence in Gen. Mark Milley, whose treasonous behavior will encourage still further military sedition;
(9) Refused to comment on credible charges that he and his family are paid by Ukrainian, Russian, and Chinese governments for the president’s influence;
(10) Promoted critical race theory, which teaches that Whites hate Blacks, are responsible for their relative poverty, and that only violent revolution will restore equality; and watched as BLM further encouraged racial division and defunding of police;
(11) Watched without comment as his party elects district attorneys and prosecutors who refuse to punish street crime, permitting criminal chaos in many US cities;
(12) Lockdowns and moratoria on eviction for non-payment of rent permanently destroyed many US small businesses, reminding us that one major Marxist goal is destruction of the middle class;
We recall Mr. Obama’s hope to ‘fundamentally transform’ the US, and wonder if Mr. Biden isn’t simply Mr. Obama’s assistant, exchanging America’s democratic capitalism for something closer to socialism?
I have just read the article on the proposed Andy Griffith Mural (“Andy Griffith mural eyed downtown,” Sept. 22, Mount Airy News). I have a few comments.
The photo-mural-collage as depicted in the article is identified as a sketches. That is not a sketch. It is a photo collage.
The proposed artist is not, in my opinion, an artist, but a technician who simply reproduces photo images in blocks of shaded colors, as in ‘paint by numbers.’
Lizzie Morrison has led the team to believe you are hiring a true artist who creates an image. I believe this is false. In essence, Mount Airy Downtown and the Tourist Development Authority are paying $50,000 for an oversized paint by number illustration.
Again, this illustration, this photo montage, is not art as defined throughout history.
I urge the members of the current Mount Airy city council to select John Pritchard to fill the vacant commissioner-at-large seat (see “Council candidates make pitches for vacancy” in the Sept. 3 issue of The Mount Airy News).
For purposes of full disclosure, I consider John a friend.
That being said, John is one of the very few people I know who is not afraid to speak truth to power; and he does so by using relevant facts to support his positions. As many local citizens know, John has a greater than 12-year history of attending city council meetings and planning sessions, so he is well-informed about past and present council activities as well as board policies and procedures. In addition, his extensive banking and financial-management work experience ensures that he has the knowledge and ability to accurately assess the fiscal advantages/disadvantages of economic-development proposals and other issues that are put forward to the city council for review.
It is also no secret that John has been an outspoken and consistent champion of honesty and transparency in city government.
I believe John Pritchard is extraordinarily well-positioned to responsibly and seamlessly fulfill the duties and responsibilities of a commissioner. His courage, integrity, business know-how, and commitment to Mount Airy will help frame council discussions about how best to advance the city’s economic-development initiatives while strengthening and maintaining its history and traditions.
Over the past couple of days, granite markers for a time capsule have been installed on the former courthouse square in Dobson.
It appears that no one involved in creating the marker knew that Surry County was created through various acts of the Colonial Assembly in 1770 and 1771. The creators believe that “Surry County applied to become a county in 1770 and was approved by the state in 1771.”
How could a county that did not exist “apply” to have itself created? Members of the Colonial Assembly created the county.
How could a “state” that did not exist approve such an application? North Carolina was a British colony in 1771?
This example of ignorance by the county manager’s office and by the county commissioners is literally carved in stone.Sadly, it is an addition to our “Jim Crow WWI Monument,” our “Jeff Davis WWII & Other Wars Monument,” and our “Robert E. Lee Civil War Monument.”
It seems they are a contender in the race for the bottom with their choice to go with the GoPilot online customer servicing system. Citizens will be able to contact the town just like Duke Energy or Shentel — which, by the way, is virtually impossible.
If you look around our fair city now and recall how things were 5, 10, 15 or more years ago it’s hard to see much improvement. I’ll call it planned mediocrity. Give ‘em a break, my guess is that a large percentage of taxpayers in Pilot Mountain weren’t born with a USB port instead of a navel. Pilot Mountain is too small a town for granny to have to email New Jersey for a water service problem.
Are they planning on saving money by eliminating another employee? Why not start with that CPD stealth Tahoe police wagon? (Maybe a Humvee would be less economical). No fire department. No snow removal. No garbage pickup. Surry County could probably cover law enforcement a lot cheaper.
Remember the Mount Airy News article of 16 July 2021 where the “City [is] to ponder use of federal COVID funds” was printed?
I actually read the entire American Rescue Plan Act. There is no provision for “economic development and improvements;” especially not for a “permanent farmers market facility and splash pad for recreation.”
If I understand the English language, there is no provision in the Act for expenditures for the above stated uses. However, under Title IX – Committee on Finance, Subtitle M – Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, Sec. 9901, expenditures under the auspices of the Act for “make(ing) necessary investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure” is approved under the Act.
Additionally, Subtitle M “provide[s] funding for payments to states, territories, and tribal governments to carry out critical capital projects directly enabling work, education, and health monitoring…”
So, I again ask why are we even contemplating dipping into what is thought to be “free” money? Beware a wolf in sheep’s clothing; that is, the democratic socialist/Marxist federal government.
I have just finished reading the final draft of the development agreement dated July 29, 2021, between Sunhouse Hospitality LLC and the City of Mount Airy. This is in regards to the responsibilities of both parties in the development of the proposed hotel and other amenities of the former Spencer’s property located in downtown Mount Airy. This plan will have a significant effect on the revitalization of the downtown and there will be additional financial responsibilities for both parties.
After reading all of the details, I am in full support of this plan and will be supporting the project at the public hearing before the Mount Airy City Commissioners. Some people have said this is a waste of taxpayers money and that the developer should take all of the risk and just fund the project themselves. On the contrary, a public private partnership for this project is the best way to go.
Redeveloping an old factory with environmental issues and broken infrastructure has its challenges but in the long run it is the responsible thing to do. Many industrial cities across our nation have repurposed old factories and steel mills into housing and entertainment hubs. Just look at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Maryland, where an old power plant was turned into an arts and entertainment district.
Look at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania where a steel mill was turned into “Steel Stacks” entertainment venue.
Look to my old hometown area of Trenton. New Jersey. where the John A. Roebling Steel and Wire Works factories were turned into office buildings, market rate housing, and retail shopping spaces.
Redevelopment and repurposing old buildings that have good bones is better than just knocking everything down and building new. It is more expensive to redevelop these properties but it also preserves the history of our industrial revolution.
The City of Mount Airy made a commitment to redevelop the former Spencer’s property and future commitments will be made to see this project to completion. This is a public private partnership that will work, I look forward to seeing the development agreement approved.
The Mount Airy News published an article on July 18, 2021 (Seeking stronger friendship ties) concerning the annual reunion of the Eng and Chang Bunker descendants. However, the article did not mention that Eng and Chang Bunker were slave owners, as well as slave traders.
On Sept. 29, 1845, the Bunkers bought two children from Thomas F. Prather, ages 7-1/2 and 5-1/2, for $450. They were only two of a large number of slaves bought and sold by the Bunkers.
Thailand’s ambassador to the United States, Manasvi Srisodapo, who attended the reunion was cited as saying, “When thinking of the twins, “We see in them the pioneering spirit,” Ambassador Srisodapo told Saturday’s noontime gathering. “They symbolize hard work, an entrepreneurial spirit.”
Does Ambassador Srisodapo know their history?
Under the misguided ruse of symbols of slavery, statues of Confederate military leaders are being removed across the South. But we must never choose between “what we like” and “what we don’t want to talk about.”
An online resource for verifying the Bunker’s slave ownership and slave trading is the UNC Chapel Hill Library, Southern Historical Collection. This is the address: https://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/bunkers/id/494/rec/1
Martha Truskolaski, a local gift-shop operator, made a compelling argument recently to the city council about the need for public restrooms at the ‘forgotten end’ of downtown Main Street. [See “Downtown merchant urges ‘uptown’ restrooms” in the July 25 issue of The Mount Airy News.]
With all due respect to Mayor Niland (a great guy!), there’s really no need to pass along Ms. Truskolaski’s reasonable request to one of the commissioner-led Vision Committees – which most people know were created to advocate for funding for each commissioner’s pet project/s without the commissioner having to slap his or her name on it.
Instead of creating unnecessary delay in responding to Ms. Truskolaski’s request, why not expedite the issue by using a bit of common sense and the city’s existing resources (i.e., knowledgeable personnel) to gather financial-impact information?
As for common sense, it’s fairly standard knowledge that – in cases of dire emergency – men (biological men, that is … with respect to our overly woke members of society) have the ability to implement a nasty, albeit very effective, “open air” solution to an urgent need; whereas women (again — biological) cannot comfortably engage in that same problem-solving solution. (If the preceding statement does not make sense to the male members of the city council, I implore them to ask the women in their lives to explain it.) So, on the basis of serving the fundamental needs of at least 50% of the tourist population, it makes sense to erect a public restroom at both ends of Main Street.
To get the relevant data needed to make a fiscally sound decision, the council should simply ask the city manager to assign a responsible member of her staff – someone well-versed in building/construction issues as well as city codes/requirements – to speak with several contractors to get estimates of the cost and associated timeline for building a modest, modern public restroom that would help meet the needs of shoppers and browsers at the northern end of the central shopping district.
Surely, any amount of money spent on such an important “Relief Project” would be a better use of funds than the millions already wasted on Spencers — and the millions more that are destined to become corporate-welfare ‘hand-outs’ to the city’s favored-status organizations.
The US is almost $30 trillion in debt, but Mr Biden insists on expanding our already bloated Welfare state. Paying for it means printing lots more paper money and risks serious inflation.
So much worthless money was printed in 1920s Germany that people burned it for heat; it was cheaper than wallpaper, so they lined their walls with it. The value of money fell quickly, and a cup of coffee cost more at noon than it had at 9 a.m. Farmers refused to sell produce for worthless currency, bartering replaced money, and hoarding raised prices still further. Lifetime savings were destroyed, political disorder brought Hitler’s Nazis to power, and WWII soon followed. In 1948 barter remained common, usually coffee or cigarettes as a unit of value.
Excess printing of dollars keeps the Democrats in power, but threatens civic stability in the U.S.
This is in reference to July 16 article “City to ponder use of federal COVID funds.”
I urge the Commissioners while “pondering” over the $2.9 million to ask themselves if it comes with caveat(s) – strings attached. For example, does it mandate critical race theory (Marxism) shoved down our children’s throats who attend public or charter schools? Do you really want your children or grandchildren being indoctrinated with Marxist dogma?
Nothing is free; especially when it comes from Biden’s administration (or whoever is really running the federal government right now). What are all the strings? Can Mount Airy’s citizens afford the strings financially or intrinsically?
It is with great sadness that I read of the passing of Coach Alex Gibbs. I was a teacher/assistant principal (J.D. Bartley was the principal) at Mount Airy High School for several years when Coach Gibbs came as football coach in 1966.
The Mount Airy High School football team had experienced little notable success since the retirement of Coach Wallace Shelton in the late 1950s. Coach Gibbs was transparent about his intentions as a coach when he publicly promised that the Mount Airy High School football team would win a state championship in three years. He did better than that. Mount Airy High School’s football team won the State 3-A Football Championship in two years – 1968.
For several years Mount Airy High School athletic teams played at the 3-A level against schools with much larger enrollments. The enrollment at Mount Airy High School in the 1960’s was at the 1-A level, as it is currently.
The state 3-A Football Championship game was played at Mount Airy High School’s Wallace Shelton Stadium against Winston-Salem’s Mount Tabor High School on Thanksgiving Day 1968. Mount Airy defeated Mount Tabor for the state championship, the second time to defeat Mount Tabor that fall. It was Coach Gibbs who brought Coach Jerry Hollingsworth to Mount Airy High School as his assistant coach. When Coach Gibbs left to become an assistant coach at Duke University, Coach Hollingsworth replaced him as head coach. He continued the remarkable winning success begun by Coach Gibbs.
Under Coach Gibbs in 1966, Mount Airy’s football team won their first conference title in eighteen years. In 1967, the football team won the conference title again with a record of 8-2 and then lost 13-6 to Elkin in the playoffs. In 1968 Mount Airy’s record was 7 wins, 2 ties, and 1 loss, to Pisgah, in the last regular season game. The football team swept the playoffs by huge scores, 47-7 over South Alamance, 13-0 over Brevard, and 19-0 over Mt Tabor (The score of the earlier Mt Tabor game was 20-0). The assistant coaches of the state championship team were Jerry Hollingsworth, David Diamont, and Tom Harger. All three became highly successful head coaches in future years.
Coach Gibbs was successful because of his winning attitude, his intense concentration to his goal, his enthusiasm, and his devotion to his fellow coaches and players. He had the ability to demand the best from players and yet respect them for their abilities and dignity. He set an example for his players and they admired him for his leadership.
On Friday game nights Coach Gibbs would assign assistant coaches to scout future opponents. There was a meeting of Coach Gibbs and his assistant coaches with the future game scouts on Friday nights after the game when preparation was begun for the game on the next Friday. Such intense devotion along with his other leadership qualities resulted in a state championship win over much larger schools.
Coach Gibbs, in addition to his ability as a coach, was also a good classroom teacher. He demonstrated the same skills and attitude in the classroom as he did on the football field.
Mount Airy High School was fortunate to have Alex Gibbs as a coach and faculty member. His leadership ability, his character, along with his personality enabled him to be as successful at college level division 1 schools and with NFL teams as he was at Mount Airy High School.
Joe Biden is doing as instructed by his handlers in the Democrat party.
At their direction, he is buying more votes with your tax money and mine. His expansion of the U.S. welfare state may cost several trillion dollars, but those receiving its new benefits (pre-school, free college, cash handouts) will, he hopes, become increasingly government-dependent and vote reliably Democrat.
In the same way, he has been instructed to open the Southern border to thousands of unvetted illegal immigrants, some sick, others criminal, and to furtively replant them in several states unwilling to receive them, most recently Tennessee.
Pretending compassion, the Democrats are enlarging their voting base once again, ignoring the risk of increased infection and crime in Tennessee and elsewhere.
Please don’t blame me, I voted for Trump.
Personal political commentary has no place in sports. Period. If athletes want to express their political perspectives, they should do so on their own time … and on their own dime.
Gwen Berry, third-place winner in the hammer-throwing contest of the U.S. trials for the Olympics, disrespectfully turned her back and covered her head with an “Activist Athlete” shirt as the American flag was raised and national anthem played while she and her two teammates (who earned the Gold and Silver Medals, respectively) stood on the medal-podium to be recognized for their Olympic-qualifying performances.
Given Ms. Berry’s prior and most recent behavior to demonstrate her disgust with American values and the songs/symbols that express those values, and given her total lack of respect for her teammates (who deserved to fully enjoy their collective moment of recognition), Ms. Berry should be removed from the American team.
The millions of proud Americans who do not share Ms. Berry’s Marxist-fueled views should not be subjected to her political antics during any sporting event – especially one designed to determine the composition of the U.S. Olympic team. So, Ms. Berry, either turn in your team shirt to represent America in the Olympics or turn off your histrionics!
I am writing in response to the letter regarding the car show downtown (“Reader concerned over downtown events,” June 20).
It’s disappointing to hear a business attack personally people who work very hard to organize and work this event. I cannot believe a retailer is complaining about too many people downtown. Sure, it creates challenges and even may inconvenience some, but it generates a lot more for other businesses as well.
I noticed the writer did not mention about retailers reserving spots on Main Street illegally (I witnessed this), or telling people they had to move (I witnessed this). The last time I checked, the streets were not owned by the retailers but the taxpayer.
I see the writer mentions the blocking of storefronts as a huge disadvantage. How do they feel about Autumn Leaves, if a car blocks their storefront? At least during the car shows you can walk on the sidewalk.
As for a blatant disregard for people’s livelihoods, if one day a month is going to make or break your business, you may want to rethink your profession.
Everything has its pros and cons but the DBA and Phil Marsh has done a good job with these car shows and they continue to grow. This helps promote downtown and Mount Airy. I thought that is what tourism is all about. My guess is this has more to do with personalities (or issues) and not with the car shows.
I was in Mount Airy for business, and took the opportunity to run and walk on the Granite City Greenway. It was a most enjoyable experience. The greenway is very well maintained and is extremely clean. There are plenty of opportunities for people to use exercise equipment, and if they want to, have easy access to the Ararat River.
I would like to thank the Parks and Recreation Department for doing an outstanding job of keeping the greenway mowed and in such good condition. Also, I would like to thank the citizens of Mount Airy, and the governing body, for making it happen.
I am concerned about how these events are run. The event does not start until 4 p.m. yet they block parking starting at least 6 a.m. The event runner Phil Marsh was asking people to move and holding spots for his friends in their cars. The blocking of the storefronts is also a huge disadvantage to all the business owners whose revenue is taking a huge hit because everything is blocked. He blocked the road at 1:30 — why two-and-a-half hours early?
This event is manageable if it was conducted to the conditions they say but they shut Main Street down and everyone is supposed to be appreciative of losing our regular business because this draws in a lot of people. A lot of people just sit and block businesses and walk around without any sales but it looks like there is a lot of business going on when it is only lookie-loos.
We need events but we need events that will not hinder regular business from being done. This blatant disregard for people’s livelihoods only happens because most of the people here are just small business owners who know their voices will not be heard nor listened to when going up against people like Marsh and Morrison. This would not be tolerated if it was done near the big corporations — they would put a stop to it and would be thanked for doing it.
Will everyone be satisfied when Main Street businesses close up and stop doing business? When can these small business owners who are just trying to support themselves and family get a break? Please make the event organizers follow the rules and stop shutting down the street unnecessarily. Thank you for your time.
For years city officials have claimed our town’s financial results match well with state averages. For years we’ve said hogwash and the State Treasurer reports agree. We show very poorly, both in our peer group of 40+ as well as state average of all towns. City officials try to “say it ain’t so” but the state says it is. (That famous quote comes from the 1919 World Series scandal). This has been the case in our town for many years, and continues.
The state shows more than90 line items with per capita comparisons which make it “apples to apples.” Per capital shows how much per each man, woman, child in the town; much like the grocery stores show how much per ounce. These summary line items tell all that’s needed:
1. Total revenue: We take in 25% more total money than average.
2. Total expenditures: We spend 27% more money than average
3. Total cost wages and salaries: Our costs are 58% more than average.
4. Capital expenditures: We are average even though city leaders have claimed we’ve not been spending enough on major items. The state says this is one of the few areas where we are average, yet some officials (plus our Charlotte consultant) are pushing to borrow millions more to spend on questionable things
We’re in the 10,000 to 50,000 population group but just barely, so we also looked at the next smaller group, 5,000 to 10,000. That group has almost 100 towns but we looked bad there also. Past years show just as poorly.
For those who say our personnel costs are satisfactory, we question the studies they quote. Are they biased like the previous one from the League of Municipalities? Are they only measuring salary ranges, while the state measures total costs? Those are two very different things. If salary ranges are normal yet we’re spending 158% of average it must mean we have we have a lot more employees. We’re not just picking on this item even though it’s egregious; we’re out of line on most other spending areas as well.
The state report is complex but the summary line items of total revenue and total spending show the shameful truth. These comparisons have been brought to city forums numerous times without results. Mostly they’ve been ignored. One official thinks the difference is because that some towns use outside contractors and/or charge extra fees. Some do but the metrics of total revenue and total expenditures includes those dollars, so that’s no explanation. Another official said tourism requires more spending. We say maybe a little but not the huge differences.
Our comparisons include 140 towns and you can bet a lot of them attract many visitors. The bottom line is we take in a good deal more than others but also spend it all and then some. Officials using that old baseball quote of “say it ain’t so” are just denial, or worse. Remember the figures come from the state.
Our city population is declining yet city taxes keep going up, and some commissioners want a sales tax hike, a new prepared meal tax, and extra fees for some city services. City government is almost the only thing growing in town. Something very fundamental is broken and it’s way past time to fix it.
© 2018 The Mount Airy News