November 2013 archives

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Saturday, November 30, 2013

Speak out, stat: In Blue Cross and hospital standoff, the time for leadership is now

There are only a couple days left until the deadline for an agreement between Wayne Memorial Hospital and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina passes. It has not been an easy road to get to this point. There...

Friday, November 29, 2013

Caveat emptor: Time to think about whom we want to decide our future

It won't be long before it is time to shop around for some new leaders. Election cycles never seem to stop cycling these days -- and we are about to begin another round of politics ad nauseam. But before...

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Perspective: Stories of faith, community remind us of what matters

Could there be a better story for the front of your newspaper's Thanksgiving edition than the journey of the congregation of First Baptist Church and its newest member, Patrick Albert? What a story of faith. What a story about...

Health care fix? Short-term solution nothing more than a cheap Band-Aid

There's good news today if you are a member of Blue Cross/Blue Shield of North Carolina and you have been wondering what you are going to do about the fact that you no longer have a health care plan....

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Keep out: Connect the dots and you will see why government doesn't work

As the campaign season nears, you will start to hear the siren calls as political hopefuls start telling you why they above all others should be the person who represents you in Washington. Some will say it is to protect...

Monday, November 25, 2013

They need you: Make children's season bright

Those trees that you will see around Wayne County hold the key to the fulfillment of a Christmas wish for a local needy child. And taking one of the tags off one of those Salvation Army Angel Trees will...

Friday, November 22, 2013

Historic: A moment that changed a nation

It was a different world then. People were a bit more sheltered, a bit more trusting. So when the news of President John F. Kennedy's assassination hit, it resonated like a nuclear bomb -- leaving people unsure, sad and...

Thursday, November 21, 2013

On the trail: Attorney General Roy Cooper is already campaigning

He wants to be your next governor -- and it is obvious. But even though he has no declared opponent yet (although it is likely to be incumbent Pat McCrory), Attorney General Roy Cooper has not shied away from...

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Public servant: Longtime volunteer should inspire others to get involved

Of course Ollie Toomey did not really want to be the center of attention at the social called in his honor this week by the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce. Of course he did not want to be credited...

Monday, November 18, 2013

Local stops: Don't wait for Small Business Saturday. Shop local now.

They are the businesses that donate when there is a benefit planned in town. They are the ones who sponsor the Little League teams and who write checks when there is a need. They give merchandise, gift certificates and...

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Still there: Obamacare might have distracted, but hospital dilemma still looms

It is not the first controversy that we are thinking of these days in the face of the continuing concerns about the president's new health care initiative -- but it should be. The deadline for Wayne Memorial Hospital and...

Friday, November 15, 2013

Not a solution: Apology is nice, but proposal likely not real solution

There are plenty of questions still unanswered about the failed kickoff of Obamacare -- specifically who knew what when. But those can be left for another time. President Barack Obama has apologized for not being up to speed on the...

Thursday, November 14, 2013

The results: Dancers, donors made classroom gifts possible

It is always nice to see that your effort has done some good. And that is exactly how those who contributed to the 2013 Dancing Stars of Wayne County and other Wayne Education Network fundraisers should feel. From dancers...

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Hagan watch: Funny how she's in the news as election worry looms

Told you so. Interesting how after months of silence and dewy-eyed support for the president's health care initiative -- even after her constituents expressed their vehement feelings against it -- Sen. Kay Hagan is now leading a charge to investigate...

Monday, November 11, 2013

Chance to give: On Veterans Day, let's take care of some needy base families

We hope that by the time you read this, there will be no more need to help round out the collections for the 350 base families who otherwise would struggle to provide a Thanksgiving dinner for their families. We...

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Our mission: Serviceman's request is the least we can do -- Monday and always

It was a simple request. Remember. Senior Airman Justin Beasley did not want a bunch of fanfare for receiving the Purple Heart. He really did not want the attention either. He just asked that we remember the men and...

Friday, November 8, 2013

95 years of faith: The Rev. Billy Graham is someone to be admired

Living to 95 is an achievement in itself. Having an impact on the world -- and still being someone to whom a nation can look for strength and direction in good times and bad -- that is a cause...

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Politics, politics: Democratic bloc faces Obamacare reality

Isn't it interesting that Sen. Kay Hagan was staunchly for Obamacare and refused to budge on delaying its implementation until Tuesday night/Wednesday morning? So what do you think the reason might be? Could it be that she had a...

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

To serve: Those who get the people's nod have heavy responsibility

There are some new names in charge in a couple of Wayne County municipalities today -- and in the future there might even be more people who will decide to throw their hats into the political ring. And a...

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Thanks-giving: Here's another perspective on holiday shopping early birds

They have a point, those who are saying that stores should stay closed on Thanksgiving Day. After all, in this nation of misplaced priorities, we certainly don't need any more excuses to pull us away from spending time together...

Monday, November 4, 2013

Court watch: Priorities might be askew in challenge before high court

Even as we speak, the Supreme Court of the United States is taking up a case that might seem, on the surface, like much ado about nothing. The court is going to decide if it is OK for a...

Friday, November 1, 2013

Helping others: Season is beginning when local need shows itself

Many local organizations have been discussing it for months now -- there is more need in Wayne County this year. The jump has been attributed to changes in the food stamp offerings as well as a backup that occurred...