Thanks For Making These Events Possible

Friday, March 5, 2010

Thanks for Making

These Events Possible

I recently I had the pleasure of attending the U.S. Navy Band Concert at Pinecrest High School, and I noticed that it was sponsored by The Pilot (as well as some other generous local groups).

I recalled that last week I attended the wonderful Spelling Bee for Literacy, and that was also sponsored by The Pilot. In looking at the plans for the upcoming Palustris Festival, I see that The Pilot is one of its prime sponsors. Indeed, it seems that a great many events in this community - events that educate us and inspire us and often benefit worthy charities - are sponsored by The Pilot. Those events probably would not be possible without your support.

Sometimes I don't think people fully appreciate what you do for this community. I do know that we wouldn't be the place we are without The Pilot.

John Dempsey

Southern Pines

Editor's Note: The writer is the president of Sandhills Community College.

A Case for Term Limits

The N.C. Department of Corrections is paying an exorbitant amount for prison inmate hospital care.

An N.C. General Assembly budget bill passed in August 2009 mandated prison inmates be billed by hospitals at the same rate as state workers and teachers. A legislative housekeeping bill removed the money-saving -mandate.

According to a Feb. 12 News & Observer article, we can thank Sen. Tony Rand for this change. The -article notes that one WakeMed inmate invoice for $482,000 included $133,000 for the cost of treatment and a markup of $350,000.

The "good old boy network" is alive and well in our state government. How else could Rand, the former Senate majority leader, vote to cost our state millions and then be -appointed by Gov. Perdue to head the three-member Parole Commission at an annual salary of $100,035? Rand would be there to help any fellow -legislators who need a parole, except the state's structural sentencing law in 1994 eliminated parole.

Rand, who resigned from the state Senate on Dec. 31, 2009, has close ties to the Easleys. Also, there are rumors of no-bid state contracts for security equipment purchased by state -agencies from Law Enforcement Associates (LEA), including a $7,000 baseball hat with a concealed -microphone. Rand has been chairman of the board at LEA since 2003.

It is time for term limits. Rand was appointed to the Senate in 1982 and served 22 years. The longer in office, the easier it is to be influenced by -special interests on a personal level and to forget the constituents whose interests should be represented. If our state and federal representatives are not willing to limit their terms in office, it is the voters' responsibility to do so. Remember that when it's time to vote in May and November.

L.E. Caudell

Pinehurst

Morgan's Point Misplaced

I read with interest your recent -article in which Richard Morgan explained why he is challenging Sen. Harris Blake in the Republican -primary.

From my reading, Morgan seemed to raise four issues: 1. He stated, "There's a lot to admire about Harris." 2. He stated, "He's honest." 3. He -validated that "there's never been a hint of scandal [with Harris]." 4. The primary reason motivating him to run is a supposed vote by Blake for a $25 million fishing pier at Nags Head.

Regarding the first three points, I wholeheartedly agree.

Regarding the fourth point, Morgan's concern is misplaced. Anyone need only contact Republican House Leader Paul Stam. What one would learn is that when House Bill 628, titled "Aquarium Satellite Areas Funding," was brought before the House on March 17, 2009, lawmakers were led to believe that the entire project would be paid for using gate receipts.

Accordingly, the bill passed the House unanimously by a 111 to 0 vote. From there it went before the Senate and was also passed unanimously by a 49 to 0 vote.

Once Republicans realized that the project would indeed cost taxpayer funds, they took at least two actions to stop the funding and were defeated along partisan lines by the Democrat-controlled legislature.

Accordingly, Blake's credentials as a common-sense fiscal conservative are impeccable and unspoiled. If Morgan has a problem with Blake on this issue, then he has a problem with the entire Republican Party. However, this is not the first time that Morgan has put his personal interest above that of the entire Republican Party.