Recent Editorial - March 2003

Extend pay for assistant principals

March 3, 2003 - We already know Lincoln County has to do a better job of recruiting teachers and good pay is essential to that task. The issue of local supplements to teacher salaries is an obvious concern, but special attention should be given to the salaries of the assistant principals....

State of State address raises critical questions

March 5, 2003 - Gov. Mike Easley’s upbeat State of the State address is a bright beacon during these dark and gloomy times. It is refreshing to hear him say things like “we are making the right choices” and “we are getting the state turned around.” He raises some important issues and challenges to a legislature that is likely to snub him on many of them. They probably shouldn’t. In the long run, they could look like the bad guys, as pointed out in the column appearing on this page by John Campbell of NC Spin.

Schools’ long-term needs must be met

March 14, 2003 - The ever-growing needs of Lincoln County’s schools present a huge challenge to the administration and to Lincoln County Commissioners who will be called upon to help shoulder that burden. Lincoln County must provide good schools for a growing population, but today those financial resources are limited.

A time for patriotism

If ever there is a time for patriotism, it is when our service men and women face sacrificing their lives on the battlefield. That is the ultimate act of allegiance. Whatever we think about President Bush’s decision to go to war in Iraq, we should support the hundreds of thousands of troops who must carry out that decision. We can show that support by offering our comfort and encouragement to their families and friends who face the long and difficult wait during a time of war. Many here in Lincoln County are spouses, mothers, fathers, children, grandparents, siblings, uncles and aunts of these soldiers who are performing the ultimate service for their country.

Listen to ELBA

March 21, 2003 - Eastern Lincoln County needs all the help it can get to accomplish order out of chaos during a time of  unprecedented growth. Thank goodness for the East Lincoln Betterment Association, an organization of citizen leaders that has monitored growth problems in the area for the past 27 years. ELBA recently revamped its strategic goals in a series of planning sessions and is writing a new road map for the future. The organization hopes to have more influence over county government, set aside areas for recreation and improve the aesthetic look and feel of the region. Who can argue with that?

Land use plan sets worthy goals

March 28, 2003 - A committee of citizens saw a year’s worth of their hard work on display Tuesday before a rather small audience at the Lincoln Cultural Center. Don’t worry about the small audience. The entire population of the city of Lincolnton will be the benefactors of this panel’s work on a land use plan that goes 10 to 15 years into the future. The depth and detail contained in the plan will be appreciated for years by those who seek a high quality of life while living and working in the city of Lincolnton.