Gaston Forum

Beth Saine a friend any time of the year

Lincoln County voters should not miss an opportunity to elect Beth Saine as register of deeds. I came to know Beth Saine and her husband, Larry, when they were chaperones for the Lincolnton High School Band. Beth is one of the friendliest people I know. Her leadership over the years as one of our county commissioners has been very needed and appreciated.

Sometimes political candidates get extremely friendly around election time. Beth Saine has been, and always will be, a friendly and consistent public servant. We need people like Beth Saine to serve in our public offices.

Rhett Heglar

Lincolnton

Joe Kiser not the man to represent county

In the past session of the N.C. House of Representatives, Rep. Joe Kiser of Lincoln County voted against a very important bill to reduce harmful, toxic air emissions from coal generating steam plants. He was one of only four out of 120 to vote against the bill. Another Lincoln representative, Rep. Dan Barefoot, was one of the sponsors.

Lincoln County is surrounded by coal generating plants: Cliffside plant to the southwest, Allen Plant to the south, Riverbend Plant to the southeast and Marshall Plant to the northeast. Whichever way the wind blows, Lincoln County air is affected.

We work from an environmental standpoint concerning the water on Lake Norman, but air is just as important to the environment as water. We need better representation for all of Lincoln County in Raleigh.

Jay S. Bunzey

Selah B. Bunzey

Lake Norman Lakekeepers

Denver

David Phillips backed for school board

I urge you all to vote for David Phillips for school board on Nov. 5. I believe him to be a person of integrity and dedication. He would be concerned about the education of Gaston County’s children. As he is an attorney, Gaston County would have the benefit of another legal opinion at its disposal, not as a source of conflict but rather as someone with a different perspective to offer.

Burnett Lynch

Gastonia

Knights of Columbus grateful for support

The Knights of Columbus thanks Gastonia.

We have just completed our 29th annual Tootsie Roll campaign and want to thank all the merchants who allowed us to make our program available to the people of this area.

Thanks, also, to all the volunteers, the Civitan organization, the teachers at Webb Street School, the members of Structured Athletics for Challenged Children and the Gaston Comprehensive Day Care Center.

We especially thank all the generous citizens of Gastonia who really made it successful. We can assure you, we are helping our fellow citizens in a joyful way in all the many programs that are a part of this great community.

Jim Kennedy

Gastonia

The greatest danger is the politician

A news item in the Oct. 23 Gaston section said: “Lincoln County commissioners have accepted a $127,150 grant from the Governor’s Highway Safety Program to reduce speeding along U.S. 321. The county will match the grant with $15,637 over three years.”

In this time of tight state budgets and shortfalls, is this really money well spent? I hardly think so.

Is the accident rate on U.S. 321 in Lincoln, or any of the other rural sections of that highway (which is most of it) so high that it begs for immediate intervention by law enforcement? Or is traffic moving at a safe pace for the conditions and general unlimited visibility the road generally offers in good weather?

It’s downright irritating to think the state legislature just approved toll roads because of a shortfall of funds in the highway gas tax trust fund. Now the governor is throwing it away like some big beneficent brother. Is there money for highways or isn’t there?

I think the politicians are getting more dangerous than any speeding trucker or motorist in this state.

Tom Stocker

Gastonia

Michael Harrington failed to take a stand

Issues faced by the N.C. General Assembly are increasingly complex and often divide constituents from the same legislative districts. Some legislators “take a walk” on key votes to avoid the criticism that comes from taking a stand. Michael Harrington’s no show on the local-option sales tax vote in the N.C. House seems to fit that mold. He was in Gastonia while his colleagues were voting on the sales tax bill in Raleigh.

Gaston County needs a state senator who understands the importance of standing up for what he believes and backing those beliefs with his vote. Michael Harrington doesn’t seem to understand that concept. Sen. David Hoyle does, and that’s why I intend to vote on Nov. 5 to return him to Raleigh.

Rick Coleman

Dallas

Craig Collins lauded for record of fairness

Judges should be chosen according to ability, fairness and work ethic. That’s why I’m supporting Craig Collins for district court judge. His record demands this support. He has a reputation for treating every case equally, regardless of what lawyers are involved or what time of day it is.

Craig Collins has experience in just about every kind of law and has shown the ability to work in different fields. From his days making duct work for a general contractor while in college through his employment in a civil law firm and his current position of convicting drug dealers as an assistant district attorney, he has demonstrated his ability to be a hard worker who doesn’t know how to settle for second best.

Janice Quinn

Gastonia

Attitude of economy sorely needed in N.C.

Michael Harrington is a sincere, thoughtful, well-informed, experienced senatorial candidate. He served two years in the N.C. House of Representatives after defeating John Bridgeman, a formidable Democratic opponent.

In the N.C. House, Harrington sponsored a Taxpayer Protection Act, a bill requiring a two-thirds vote to levy taxes, and a Taxpayer Bill of Rights.

He will bring an attitude of economy to the N.C. Senate, which is sorely needed in state government. Wasteful spending and unnecessary programs have created the financial mess in which North Carolina finds itself.

Jonathan App

Gastonia

Efficiency goes with experience

I believe in preventive maintenance, but I believe more in the adage, “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.”

Our former clerk of Lincoln County Superior Court told me once that her office was self-supporting, something unusual in government. To keep it that way, we need to keep Teresa Peeler in that office. Others may do a good job, but they are not proven and experienced. In keeping with that idea, we also need to consider the register of deeds office, which is continuing its modernization under Elaine Harmon.

I’m afraid if we change the people who hold these offices, our county commissioners may have to increase taxes 22 percent again as they did in 2001.

Guy McIntosh

Lowesville

Reject Andy Dedmon, who voted for tax hike

In September 2001, Rep. Andy Dedmon voted to increase the state sales tax, putting more burden on families in Cleveland County. On July 29, 2002, he voted to postpone the increase in the child tax credit and elimination of the marriage penalty. In 1999, he co-sponsored legislation that would have added a prescription drug surcharge in North Carolina, a plan the AARP and N.C. Citizens for Business and Industry called outrageous. Yet, in 2000, he sent out mail to people in his district stating he has opposed raising the state sales tax and income tax.

We now have someone – Tim Moore – running for N.C. House District 111 who has signed the Citizens For A Sound Economy “no tax increase pledge.” I have known Tim Moore for a long time and have found that he does not waiver on these issues. He understands that a lot of jobs have been lost to layoffs. That’s why his platform supports more jobs and lower taxes. I encourage everyone to join me in voting for him on Nov. 5.

J. Wayne King II

Kings Mountain