To the editors:

President Obama’s proposed job creation plan - the third such “stimulus” in two years—will only add to the $12 trillion national debt while ineffectively handling the country’s double-digit unemployment rate (“JLF budget analyst explains why government stimulus doesn't solve jobs problem,” December 19). A better idea would be to revisit the burden Congress has placed on employers through a 40 percent increase in the minimum wage.

In 2007, when Congress passed the Fair Minimum Wage Act, we warned about the unintended consequences of forcing higher labor costs on employers. Research repeatedly shows that increasing the minimum wage triggers unemployment for vulnerable groups like African-American teens.

To-The-Editor:

The progress described in the article "Buncombe Early College Program Faces Challenges" published Dec. 8 is consistent with that of other innovative schools across North Carolina as communities launch new approaches to secondary education intended to graduate all students ready for college, work and life. The NC New Schools Project administers the early college high school initiative in cooperation with the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, and we are intimately involved in the work of Principal Meg Turner and her fine staff.

Early colleges are designed to serve students who may not have met with success in conventional high schools and who are the fist in their families to attend college. Teachers in these innovative schools are pioneers who are learning to challenge each student to reach high expectations while providing effective support to help them do so.

Letter to the Editor:

Many of you are aware that the prosecution of Monty Wood Poteat for the killing of Deputy LaWanna Morton in January of 2007 has resulted in his conviction by a Lincoln County jury for First Degree Murder.

Because I was the prosecutor, many people have approached me to congratulate me for my victory. Although I love a compliment as much as anyone, I want to set the record straight about this and every criminal case we have to handle. I feel particularly moved to express this in light of the current difficulties the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office is facing and the role my job responsibilities have compelled me to play in those difficulties.

Dear Editor:

We would like to ensure the ad indicating the higher taxes paid by Lincolnton taxpayers is clear. Yes, Davidson's home values are typically higher than Lincolnton. But the critical point is this, if a family can afford a home valued at $150,000 where will they choose to live?

The taxpayer of this family works in Charlotte. Will the taxpayer choose to live in Davidson or Lincolnton?

Both are very nice and beautiful towns. There is one major difference. Lincolnton’s property tax rate is $.56/$100 property value and Davidson’s is $.365/$100. This family could choose to live in Lincolnton and pay $840/year in taxes or live in Davidson and pay $547.50/year in taxes.

Letter-to-the-Editor
By Fred Jarrett, Chairman
Lincoln County Republican Party

Have you taken the time to question and compare Lincolnton’s cost of services to our surrounding cities’ cost of services?

Most of the surrounding cities’ cost of services is much lower than Lincolnton’s.

Lincolnton’s property tax rate is 16% to 52% higher than surrounding cities. Lincolnton’s property tax rate is $0.56/$100 property value while Davidson is $0.365, Statesville is $0.38, Conover is $0.40, Cherryville is $0.44, Morganton is $0.46, Belmont is $0.475, and Newton is $0.48.

Letter to the Editor:

I am writing as a concerned citizen of the East Lincoln area to clarify issues relating to the East Lincoln Rescue Squad. I was a charter member of the East Lincoln Rescue Squad and have been continuously involved as a squad member or a member of the Board of Directors during their thirty two years of service to our community.

Dear Editor:

The East Lincoln Area CROP Hunger Walk was a huge success this past Sunday, October 19th. More than $6,000.00 was contributed by our neighbors and friends to support the hunger-fighting efforts of Church World Service, both here at home and around the world. There were 113 walkers participating. Our local East Lincoln Christian Ministry will receive approximately $1,500.00 to aid fellow East Lincoln area residents in need, and some $4,500.00 will make possible the global work of Church World Service.

Just think, the funds raised here in East Lincoln and in CROP Hunger Walks across the U.S. will make a difference in the lives of people in some 80 countries around the world -- from working with AIDS orphans in Africa, to aiding farm families in Central America, and even assisting hurricane survivors here in the States as they continue to rebuild their homes and lives following Katrina's devastation and this summer’s weather damage on the Gulf coast.. CROP Walks truly are Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty.

To the Editor:

I keep hearing a lot of clamoring about the Hispanics coming here; and even some Christians on board with the loud, forward, complainers and trouble¬makers. Is the Holy Ghost leading in this; is he the author? No.

You say they're coming up here taking all of our jobs! After you pay your bills, what do you spend the rest of your check on: a wide screen TV, a radio, a CD player, a pair of shoes, clothes, a clock, a hammer, some dishes, a chainsaw?

All these things are made in China: you are providing jobs for China. Here are things you don't buy: another house, 3 or 4 more cars, some more furniture, an extra 50 pounds of green beans. These things - that you don't buy - are all things made in America. But you don't buy these things, you already have them. Who is going to buy them, so that Americans will have jobs?