December 2005 archives

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Saturday, December 31, 2005

2005 brought accomplishments and created new challenges

2005 was a year of ups and downs. It began with the loss of a downtown Goldsboro landmark — the Paramount Theater — and ended with a tremendous show of compassion for neighbors and others in need as Wayne County...

Friday, December 30, 2005

‘Protection’: Rights and safety must be balanced

No one wants this country to be turned into a “police state.” And we certainly can’t afford to compromise efforts to protect our citizens and great institutions from terrorist attacks. Are the two concerns incompatible? They shouldnot be. But from...

Thursday, December 29, 2005

Dilapidated: City must be methodical about condemnation process

There are 76 properties waiting for Goldsboro City Council to do the paperwork before they are through the condemnation process and ready for demolition. And there are 60-plus waiting in the wings to head into the process. And that is...

Wednesday, December 28, 2005

Under repair: National Red Cross deserves chance to mend its problems

When you read about a scandal involving a national organization like the Red Cross, it is easy to draw negative conclusions about every chapter of that charity in every state. It is only natural to wonder if maybe this is...

Tuesday, December 27, 2005

It’s simple: If you drink, don’t drive

Sometimes a message does not need a lot of space. Its importance becomes clear simply through a few well-chosen words. That is why the phrase “Don’t Drink and Drive” is so effective. Every year, thousands of Americans across the country...

Monday, December 26, 2005

Remember why: Many gave all in mission of freedom

It isn’t easy hearing reports that American soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines are still dying in Iraq, especially during the holidays. No matter how righteous the mission, or how much of a commitment we have made to support the efforts...

Saturday, December 24, 2005

Best gifts of Christmas evoke season’s blessings

There is something about Christmas that warms the heart and makes troubles and strife melt into love and understanding. And although today will be mostly about the excitement of opening presents, spending time with family and a big Christmas dinner,...

Friday, December 23, 2005

Salvation Army: It’s always there in time of need

Associated Press religion writer Richard N. Ostling had an interesting article recently about the Salvation Army. It was enlightening, encouraging — and in some respects disheartening. The Salvation Army probably is second to none in public respect for its service...

Thursday, December 22, 2005

No surprise: Ramsey Clark on Saddam’ side

It should have been a surprise to no one that Ramsey Clark showed up wanting to help represent mass murderer Saddam Hussein. Clark was appointed U.S. attorney general by Jimmy Carter. Many citizens subsequently must have wondered why. Perhaps it...

Wednesday, December 21, 2005

Still time to help: United Way needs just a little bit more help to meet its annual goal

There were a lot of people who volunteered their time this past Saturday to make sure that the more than 600 needy children who crowded the Dillard Middle School auditorium had something to enjoy under their tree this Christmas. The...

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Unforgettable: Gifts to Empty Stocking Fund create memories to last a lifetime

There were a lot of people who volunteered their time this past Saturday to make sure that the more than 600 needy children who crowded the Dillard Middle School auditorium had something to enjoy under their tree this Christmas. The...

Monday, December 19, 2005

Clips, comments — On some recent press articles

A recent Raleigh News & Observer article noted that some Democrats planned a fund-raiser at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville with Speaker Black and other House members as featured guests. But an Asheville local TV figure made an effort to...

Saturday, December 17, 2005

Partnership bodes well for economic development

Unified toward the common purpose of bringing more economic development to Wayne County. That is the goal of the newly created partnership between the Goldsboro and Mount Olive Committees of 100 and the Wayne County commissioners. The announcement, made last...

Friday, December 16, 2005

Empathy: Injured students’ classmates show what it means to care

After weeks of waiting and worrying, students and staff at Greenwood Middle School have something to cheer about — their classmate is improving. Carson Thomas has not had an easy month. The young man has been fighting for his life...

Thursday, December 15, 2005

The Paramount: There is responsible way to rebuild landmark

There is going to be a lot of talk about the Paramount Theater reconstruction during the next few months. As the planning continues, more and more people are going to start asking about the logistics — how much, how big...

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

There’s still time: ESF donation will make child’s Christmas brighter

There are only a few more days left to make a child’s Christmas a little brighter. The Empty Stocking Fund party is just a few days away. While the donations that have been collected so far have made a big...

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Replenishment: Don’t let blood supply ebb during holidays

For the next couple of weeks, the American Red Cross is going to be asking Wayne County residents to have a little fun and possibly save a life at the same time. The Red Cross is beginning a couple of...

Monday, December 12, 2005

From 50% to 58%: Severe hazard periods are close

The U.S. Navy last week called off test flights of an F-18 Super Hornet over a potential landing field site in Hyde County after a single approach by one of the aircraft. The pilot had radioed that large numbers of...

Saturday, December 10, 2005

Schools are waiting: Eventually some decisions on facilities must be made

The Wayne County Commission and the Board of Education are moving forward a bit on a plan to come up with a solution to the county’s school building needs without strapping too much of a burden on the county’s budget....

Friday, December 9, 2005

Unfortunate: Air marshals’ first victim was harmless

The investigation has not been completed, at this writing, in the shooting of a threatening passenger at a Miami airport. What is apparent, however, is that it was a tragic incident involving an emotionally disturbed man who, as it turned,...

Thursday, December 8, 2005

Tradition of joy: Annual Christmas parade enhances the season

There is a lot of work that goes into a parade. Handling registrations, creating lineups and making sure everyone knows where to stand on parade day are just a few of the chores that members of the Goldsboro Jaycees have...

Wednesday, December 7, 2005

Away from home: Many will spend holidays protecting our freedom

The message on the card was simple: “Thank you for protecting me and my country,” the Wayne County elementary school child wrote. “You are very brave to fight for us.” The drawing that accompanied the heartfelt words depicted a Christmas...

Tuesday, December 6, 2005

Kettle call: Annual charity drive needs volunteers, donations

The Salvation Army needs you. The request is simple — an hour or so out of one of your busy pre-holiday days or a couple of dollars from your pocket. And all in the name of needy families, lonely seniors...

Monday, December 5, 2005

But with pay: Chief justice suspends an embarrassing judge

Our judicial system has a neat way of handling incorrigible big time law violators. It’s the “habitual felon” approach: “Three strikes and you’re out.” Make that three strikes and you’re IN — for life! Superior Court Judge Evelyn Hill of...

Saturday, December 3, 2005

Joy of giving brightens the season

Christmas is a magical time. For many children, there is the lure of knowing that soon, an ever-vigilant Santa will make checkmarks on his naughty or nice list, and then pack his bag for a Christmas Eve trip. Then, Christmas...

Friday, December 2, 2005

Christmas? Let non-believers ignore it, but —

Congratulations to first lady Laura Bush. In recent days she conducted a tour of the White House for network television crews. Throughout her comments on the origins andsignificance of various decorations she repeatedly used the word “Christmas.” That included references...

Thursday, December 1, 2005

Choose safety: Success of ATV law depends on parental cooperation

Today is the first day of the new all-terrain vehicle restrictions. The idea is to make sure the vehicles are used properly and safely. And its goal is to stop people from killing themselves — or allowing their children to...