Opinions for week ending: Sunday, September 07 2008

(9.05.08) Striving to Use the Full Capacity
I love techno gadgets. Cell phones, iPods, surround-sound systems, laptops, even the integration of technology in my car. It is all fascinating. Ironically, most of us rarely use such technology to its full capacity. We use our microwaves to reheat things or pop popcorn. We use our cell phones to call and text, and we use our computers to check e-mail, cruise the net and write. We rarely program our microwaves to cook a meal two hours before we get home. We don't synch up our cell phones to our computers with scheduling reminders. And many folks even struggle to set up their DVR to record their favorite shows.

(9.05.08) Affordable housing must remain a regional top priority
WAYNESVILLE-It’s likely no one will ever know if the vote against providing water and sewer to a proposed Highlands housing project for low-income workers was about keeping certain people out of town, namely those who don’t make much money. That’s what some townspeople told a reporter for this newspaper, but the truth is that it doesn’t really matter why the town board turned down the project. More important by far is the need to continue trying to resolve a problem facing working families throughout this region and the entire country.

(9.05.08) Lexington school board should conduct search for a superintendent in the open
LEXINGTON-Members of the Lexington City Board of Education are about to make perhaps the most important decision they'll face during their tenure: the selection of a new superintendent. Dr. Becky Bloxam, who has led the system for the past 10 years, will retire at the end of this school year. Her successor will be charged with continuing to reduce the dropout rate, increase test scores and the graduation rate, retain teachers and lead a system that faces many challenges due to the income level and language proficiency of its students and parents.

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