Each month, The Pilot reprints the letters judged to be the best from the previous month.

We Must Not Leave Education Behind

FROM JUNE 10: A few weeks ago, I went to visit our state’s capital as a member of the Pinecrest student government. While I was there, I talked with one of our local leaders about the then-planned cuts to education spending.

Rep. Boles informed me that because education is not mentioned in the U.S. Constitution, it should not be a top priority when determining the North Carolina budget for the upcoming fiscal year. This statement greatly concerned me, especially since while the U.S. Constitution does not mention education, the N.C. Constitution that Boles abides by clearly does.

I decided to do some research to find out the impact such a misunderstanding could have on the education system in the state. The information I learned is frightening. The budget introduced by Senate Republicans cuts $700 million from North Carolina’s public schools, the largest cut in the state’s history. It means layoffs for more than 20,000 teachers, teacher assistants and education support workers. There is not a single classroom that won’t feel the blistering effects of this new budget.

I think it would be to our benefit as a society if the state’s representatives re-evaluated their priorities and put a greater emphasis on education. Our state must once again look toward the future. We must fight ignorance, fund intellect and focus on improving education in North Carolina today. It is education that creates informed citizens who are prepared to participate in a democracy. The future of our state and our nation depends on us. Please don’t leave us behind.

Auden Laurence

Southern Pines

The Simple Answer: Just Obey the Law

FROM JUNE 24: The Pilot article and the interview with Capt. Floyd Thomas regarding the enforcement activities of the Pinehurst Police Department (June 19) deserve further comment.

A few months ago, a citizen cited the rationale and rather alarming statistical results of check points for the year 2010 in a letter to The Pilot. The violation record was downright scary if you care about life safety on the road. Mind you, these check points were a total of 16 hours for the entire year!

For the current year, DWI arrests are down: six in 2010, two through May 2011, and some reduction has been seen with other offenses. The system appears to be working as far as cracking down on irresponsible driving is concerned. So-called “hidden observations” are done to inhibit drivers from believing that they can violate the law with impunity if no police cruiser is in sight. Complaints about police attitude (rudeness, etc.) have been few in number, and at least two were proven to be false when the video of the stop was reviewed. (Apparently many people are unaware that video cams record the stops.)

The answer to the complaints is very simple: Obey the law!

No one has the right to endanger others with inappropriate driving behavior.

One further comment is in order. The court system does not inhibit bad habits. One only needs to read The Pilot’s “Police Blotter” to appreciate this. I refer to the farce of “improper equipment.” When queried, the answer given is specious at best (don’t want the insurance companies to “profit” from law violation through the point system).

This practice has created a virtual annuity plan for attorneys and is where we should be complaining loudly.

Strict law enforcement benefits law-abiding citizens.

Dick White

Pinehurst