Group asks commissioners to pay county employees equally To the Editor,
Citizens for Integrity in Government is asking the county commissioners to re-direct Tony Normand’s efforts and study the compensation of county employee across all levels. If pay and benefits of our county employees are not the fourth highest in the state as compared with their counterparts across the state, the CIG requests the county commissioners authorize pay increases in the upcoming budget to increase their compensatio...
Accountability, integrity absent in board’s decsion on transfers To the Editor,
Tanglewood words of the week: “Accountability and Integrity.” The decision made by seven Robeson County school board members to transfer third-graders to Carroll Middle School lacks both.
Admittedly, it’s been quite a while since my last math course, but for seven board members, their math just doesn’t add up. After months of secrecy regarding possible transfers, this decision was made at a private retreat. I’m not sure wha...
Presenter corrects errors in story on Orange Ribbon event To the Editor,
I would like to correct three errors that were in a story that was published concerning the Orange Ribbon luncheon by Palmer Prevention, during which I made a presentation.
I am a clinical therapist who holds a master’s degree in social work along with credentials from the North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board and the North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board.
I never stated that ba...
Poll’s numbers on leadership in Robeson Co. are powerful To the Editor,
Although The Robesonian understandably places a disclaimer that its polls are not scientific, no one can ignore the recent overwhelming one-sided response to the question of whether the county was headed in the right direction under its current leadership.
For those interested in scientific polling, you can really make accurate predictions based on small sample sizes of large populations. Big swings like the last poll make ...
Beware of the bouncing red ball If you are driving along and suddenly see a big red rubber ball come bouncing out into the street, you might want to put your foot on the brake pedal, because a small child may well come running out into the street after it.
We all understand that an inexperienced young child who has his mind fixed on one thing may ignore other things that are too dangerous to be ignored. Unfortunately, too much of what is said and done in politics is based...
Pilot thankful for help during Lumberton stop To the Editor,
On March 27, I had the pleasure of coming to the Lumberton airport on a trip to Florida with my daughter, a teacher in Philadelphia. I was greeted by a very pleasant person who fueled our airplane, afforded us the use of a crew car, and directed us to a fine restaurant.
On our return to the airport, we discovered that the battery had failed on our airplane, which would have most likely left us stranded until the next day wh...
Protecting our children is cheaper than incarceration To the Editor, There was a time when constituents held their leaders accountable for their decisions. Ideally, leadership reflects individuals that display attributes such as preparation and integrity. What does our leadership reflect? Community values? Trust and credibility? If not, then why are those persons in leadership? Which of our leaders are responsible for the non-voting, non-taxpaying children? Is it the church? Local government, e...
It is time for the Lumbee people to be ‘idle no more” To the Editor,
If you asked the man on the street, he might say that the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina is controlled by roughly 300 of its 57,000 members. These numbers mean that almost zero percent of our enrolled tribal population is doing everything for themselves and nothing for 100 percent of our tribe.
I estimate that 99 percent of all Lumbee people are not interested or concerned with our tribal government. We feel our government ...
Moving fourth graders wrong answer to Tanglewook crowding To the Editor,
I understand that during the next meeting of the Robeson County’s Board of Education, a vote will be taken over a suggestion to transfer Tanglewood’s fourth graders to Gilbert Carroll Middle. The rational behind the suggestion is because Tanglewood is overcrowded. I find this proposal almost corrupt.
It is true that Tanglewood Elementary (K-4) is crowded, and it probably has reached its capacity. The reason for that is beca...
Sand mining operation would pose a cancer risk To the Editor,
A building worth $22 million does not disguise the fact nor will it contain the cancer-causing substance known as crystalline silica. Silica is in sand.
When silica sand grains are broken, tiny particles of crystalline silica “dust” are produced. These particles are so small they can’t be seen with the naked eye, so light they can stay in the air and can travel long distances. These very tiny, sharp silica particles are sma...
Old City Hall should have a place in city’s historic future To the Editor,
I support the petition of Blake Tyner to save one of Lumberton’s most historic buildings. Since 1917, this building has served as the City Hall, the fire station and the town library. It should be the centerpiece of “Historic Downtown Lumberton” — a status the city trumpets in numerous signs along Interstate 95. If we choose to destroy this landmark, how can we in good faith assert that a “Historic Downtown” has meaning?
Th...
New Pope offers a lesson to our public school officials To the Editor,
The new leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics is Pope Francis the First.
Pope Francis prefers to ride the bus or take a taxi rather than be chauffeured in a limo. The Holy Father tells time on an ordinary black wrist watch. He is known for cooking his own meals and living in simplicity and necessity, rather than in luxury. I doubt Pope Francis will wear a ring bearing his image outlined in diamonds.
Pope Francis, in...
Rowland resident explains her objection on animal shelter fee To the Editor,
My name is Kay Turner and it was stated in a story about the Rowland Board of Commissioners meeting in Wednesday’s The Robesonian that I thought the price I had to pay to feed my dog at the town’s shelter was too high. I agree that I didn’t believe the price was appropriate.
However, that was not the reason I was there. I was there because my dog had been caught in a trap and was retained for approximately two days. However...
Hunt as CEO doesn’t deserve bonus as school system fails To the Editor,
As a parent of a student of the Public Schools of Robeson County, I would like to address Superintendent Johnny Hunt’s performance. Last year during the budget crisis, Dr. Hunt and the Board of Education’s solution was to reduce the number of teacher assistants although Raleigh insisted there was enough money to retain all the teacher assistants. Not once did Dr. Hunt offer to cut administrative positions. There are mentoring...
Bills hurt state residents but at least we get a possum drop To the Editor,
On the same day Gov. Pat McCrory signed a bill that blocked Medicaid expansion and allowed for the possum drop to occur on New Year’s Eve. Previously, he signed a bill that reduced the amounts received and the length of duration for unemployment benefits.
So let us tally up the figures: 70,000 people adversely affected by unemployment reductions; 500,000 adversely affected by having no health insurance; and a couple hundred...
Tribal Council only hurting efforts for tribal recognition To the Editor,
Well, it looks like the children on the Tribal Council are at it again. I am referring to the article in The Robesonian on March 6 about the Lumbee Tribal Council turning down Chairman Paul Brooks’ nomination of Steven Hunt for the position of tribal administrator. When Mr. Brooks first announced that he chose Mr. Hunt for the position of tribal administrator, I would have bet $100 that the Tribal Council would not vote him i...
