There have been many changes in the 20+ years I have been here. It is, and always will be, a beautiful area, especially if you get off the beaten path. Let's hope that future changes, brought on by increasing population, will continue to be done with careful planning and an eye to protect our envionment.
Hopefully part of the curriculum is to teach all students how to structure a sentence, using proper grammar and punctuation. It is a skill that I have noticed to be sorely lacking. Let's make sure the basics are being taken care of.
In the 20+ years I have been here I have seen tremendous change. The biggest is poplulation increase that for a long time was fueled by retirees coming from the north. While our poplulation has continued to grow, the demographics have changed. The influx of retirees has slowed, due mainly to the inability to sell homes up north. The aveage age of new people coming in to our area has decreased signgificantly. There are many more younger professionals, including military, with families, who have buying power. These are the people who will drive our local economy in the future. When companies look to move in to an area where they have never been they do their due diligence. They look at current and future growth potential, demographics, infrastructure and many other things before they decide to invest their money. We are fortunate to have seen this kind of investment in our community and we should only hope that it continues. We have only scratched the surface, but before companies who will pay good wages will come here, we have to show them we can offer their employees the lifestyle they are looking for.
I would call it gouging. The local stations have a captive audience here. It's not always smart, or feasible, to drive 25 miles to buy cheaper gas. I don't buy the argument that the "market will bear a higher price as long as individuals are willing to pay for it" in this case. There are many, many financially disadvantaged people living in our communities. They are not WILLING to pay higher prices for gas than they should. Is there anything we can do about it? I doubt it. The locally owned oil companies that run gas stations, as well as the national chains that operate here, know they have the opportunity, because of our geographical location, to charge higher prices to the detriment of their local, loyal customers.
Webb used to come in to my shop on the weekends with his parents, in the late 1990s, to get milkshakes. He was always a polite, well mannered young man. It's great to see him doing so well.
Well Mr. Danison certainly sparked a "healthy" debate. My Three Kids makes very good points. It is a shame that the regular Pilot posters on both the left and the right have to turn it in to mud slinging and then expand their vitriol beyond the original discussion. I have been at and around the park many times and never seen anything "ugly" happen. It is a great venue for young and old to get together and participate in healthy activities. It is not about black or white, because there are equal number of fools who act up no matter the skin color. Move on.
ricksarno 3 months, 2 weeks ago
A Tree-Hugger's Lament
There have been many changes in the 20+ years I have been here. It is, and always will be, a beautiful area, especially if you get off the beaten path. Let's hope that future changes, brought on by increasing population, will continue to be done with careful planning and an eye to protect our envionment.
ricksarno 3 months, 2 weeks ago
A Platform for Lifelong Learning
Hopefully part of the curriculum is to teach all students how to structure a sentence, using proper grammar and punctuation. It is a skill that I have noticed to be sorely lacking. Let's make sure the basics are being taken care of.
ricksarno 3 months, 3 weeks ago
Popular Eatery to Close: Owner Plans a New Place for 2014
Such a nice man, wonderful chef. He deserves a break.
ricksarno 4 months, 1 week ago
So Many Empty Buildings
In the 20+ years I have been here I have seen tremendous change. The biggest is poplulation increase that for a long time was fueled by retirees coming from the north. While our poplulation has continued to grow, the demographics have changed. The influx of retirees has slowed, due mainly to the inability to sell homes up north. The aveage age of new people coming in to our area has decreased signgificantly. There are many more younger professionals, including military, with families, who have buying power. These are the people who will drive our local economy in the future. When companies look to move in to an area where they have never been they do their due diligence. They look at current and future growth potential, demographics, infrastructure and many other things before they decide to invest their money. We are fortunate to have seen this kind of investment in our community and we should only hope that it continues. We have only scratched the surface, but before companies who will pay good wages will come here, we have to show them we can offer their employees the lifestyle they are looking for.
ricksarno 6 months, 1 week ago
Southern Pines Council Approves Major Rezoning
Reading the comments/letters in response to articles such as this is one of the most funny, entertaining things you can do.
ricksarno 6 months, 3 weeks ago
The Little Temple That Could Beth Shalom - House of Peace - Celebrates 10th Anniversary
This is a great story. I am sure their congregation will continue to grow.
ricksarno 10 months ago
Those Gas Prices
I would call it gouging. The local stations have a captive audience here. It's not always smart, or feasible, to drive 25 miles to buy cheaper gas. I don't buy the argument that the "market will bear a higher price as long as individuals are willing to pay for it" in this case. There are many, many financially disadvantaged people living in our communities. They are not WILLING to pay higher prices for gas than they should. Is there anything we can do about it? I doubt it. The locally owned oil companies that run gas stations, as well as the national chains that operate here, know they have the opportunity, because of our geographical location, to charge higher prices to the detriment of their local, loyal customers.
ricksarno 11 months, 1 week ago
Simpson Wins U.S. Open to Claim First Major Title
Webb used to come in to my shop on the weekends with his parents, in the late 1990s, to get milkshakes. He was always a polite, well mannered young man. It's great to see him doing so well.
ricksarno 11 months, 3 weeks ago
Recycling $aves Taxpayer's $$$
It is so easy to do. Less than one quarter of our "trash" goes to the landfill. The rest gets recycled.
ricksarno 1 year, 1 month ago
Breeding Ground for Bad Conduct
Well Mr. Danison certainly sparked a "healthy" debate. My Three Kids makes very good points. It is a shame that the regular Pilot posters on both the left and the right have to turn it in to mud slinging and then expand their vitriol beyond the original discussion. I have been at and around the park many times and never seen anything "ugly" happen. It is a great venue for young and old to get together and participate in healthy activities. It is not about black or white, because there are equal number of fools who act up no matter the skin color. Move on.