Opinions for week ending: Sunday, June 07 2009

(6.02.09) Lessons in respect needed in Yadkin County
Respect appears to have lost its meaning and its rightful place in Yadkin County. Never has this been more evident than during recent county commissioners meetings. The situation has advanced well beyond shocking and surprising and has apparently become the accepted form of behavior by some county leaders. There is no evidence that Chairman Wagoner seeks to control this behavior, but disgracefully joins in with condescending and weak attempts at humor that only serve to increase his arrogant persona.

(6.02.09) Nature plays a role in economy
The next time somebody starts talking about economic development, remember that the face of the economy is changing. Once upon a time in the south, a town’s worth was measured in the number of textile mills it had. The economy and politics drove those jobs off shore and left us looking for something, anything, to replace them. What we might have forgotten is the role our natural resources play in our future.

(6.02.09) The long view - Economic health hinges on tax reform
As North Carolina nears the end of the 2008-09 fiscal year, the pressure on lawmakers to reach agreement on the new budget increases by the day. Many crucial decisions will be made this week, particularly in regard to the state's system of taxation, prompting several protests scheduled in Raleigh this week.

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