Reader's Forum

Piscitelli the right choice for schools

To the Editor:

A vote for Debbie Piscitelli is a vote for fairness and compassion.

Over her tenure on the Orange County School Board of Education, I have witnessed that Debbie is a voice of fairness and compassion. The issue of education and our children is often a very emotional one. Debbie believes we have to remain cognizant of that humanity. It is not just about politics and agendas.

While her own children attend two of the schools within the system, Debbie’s focus has always been first and foremost what is best for the child...each child. Not one to get caught up in the politics, or have an agenda, Debbie’s desire is to do what is right. Period. Before making a decision, and careful not to get caught up in the moment of emotion, Debbie analyzes every side. She speaks to many people to hear how they might be impacted by her vote, or the overall decision of the SBOE. She seeks to be informed before making any decision. Debbie Piscitell brings a balanced view after researching an issue. Her advice to her children is one that she embodies: be a role model, always take the high road and be proud of the work you do. She herself has said that when she looks back in years to come on her involvement, she wants to be proud of the decisions made. Debbie’s thoughtfulness in the way she tackles her role on the School Board of Education is one I’d like to have again on our Orange County Board of Education. Won’t you join me in voting for Debbie Piscitelli?

Gayane Chambless

Hillsborough

McKee

understands us

To the Editor:

The reason I’m voting for Earl McKee for District 2 County Commissioners. Earl understands that many Orange County residents can’t continue to pay higher and higher property taxes. He understands that the commissioners must provide adequate funding for all our school children. Earl understands that we must continue to provide for our residents excellent police, fire and EMS protection. Earl also understands the need to provide human services for the citizens who can’t provide for themselves. In order to continue to provide these important services, the county must find ways to attract good clean businesses to Orange County. In order to do this we must find ways to get water and sewer to all our economic development zones. We must streamline the planning and permitting process so new developments take weeks and months not months and years to be approved. Earl McKee understands that for the future of Orange County and its residents the time is now, not 20 years from now, to get these things done.

Gee Coleman

Hillsborough

Cook the right choice

To the Editor:

I am writing in support of Keith Cook for Orange County School Board. I was thrilled to learn he has decided to seek a school board seat again. I firmly believe Mr. Cook has been and will continue to be a valuable asset to our school board. I have watched him as he has tirelessly advocated for improvements and fair play in all aspects of Orange County Schools, in spite of never having had a child in the system! As a member of the Northern Orange Educational Task Force, he has given of himself many more hours in support of the children and parents in our system who need assistance the most, but have the most limited resources at their disposal. Nobody is perfect for this honored seat on the board, but his experience and genuine concern for kids makes him the best and most qualified. While I am sure that all of the candidates are qualified to fill the seat, I am one hundred percent sure that we have no time to lose when it comes to closing the gaps that unfortunately exist between socio-economic groups in Orange County Schools. I personally have had five children and nine grandchildren that have either been enrolled in the past 34 years or will be enrolled in the next 3 years. I have seen a lot of positive changes in the schools, but it’s not enough. We need strong, effective school board members, and I believe Mr. Cook more than fits the bill, and I do not throw support around lightly, nor have I ever written a letter supporting a candidate. Education is an issue that is personal to me, as is encouraging those of you that know how much work needs to be done on behalf of our youngest citizens, to vote for Keith.

The Rev. Wanda Jones Crisp

Hillsborough

Calabria and Elmore fair, impartial

To the Editor:

I am writing this letter asking everyone to vote for Judge Ann Marie Calabria and Judge Rick Elmore for North Carolina Court of Appeals in this year’s primary. As a law clerk on the Court of Appeals in Raleigh, I have the honor and privilege of working with both judges.

Judge Calabria has served on the Court since 2003, and she was a district court judge for six years prior to that. She is fair, impartial, and experienced. No judicial opinion will leave her chambers unless it is thoroughly researched and correctly decided. Please return Judge Calabria to the Court of Appeals.

Before joining the Court of Appeals since 2003, Judge Elmore practiced law in Greensboro for 20 years at both the state and federal levels. He is the embodiment of judicial temperament, thoughtfully and patiently considering every case. He is fair, impartial, and dedicated. Please keep Judge Elmore on the Court of Appeals.

Early voting begins April 15, and the primary is May 4. Since judicial races are non-partisan, all voters may vote for the judges. Please vote for Judge Ann Marie Calabria and Judge Rick Elmore for the Court of Appeals. Thank you.

Neil Oakley

Burlington

Thank local library staff

To the Editor:

April 11-17, 2010, is National Library Week, a time for celebration of libraries and library staff. This national observance is sponsored by the American Library Association each April. We, the Friends of the Library, encourage you to thank the staff for the many services they provide.

Libraries help our communities grow and thrive. People come to our local library for a variety of reasons: to do research, to apply for jobs, to check out a new bestseller, to do homework, to participate in children’s programs, or to make a purchase at the Friends Ongoing Book Sale.

Now that we have an attractive meeting room, patrons might be there for an event such as the upcoming launch of the new book, 27 Views of Hillsborough. The Friends and the Purple Crow Bookstore are sponsoring this program on April 24th at 3:00 p.m. at the Orange County Main Library.

For whatever reason you might be using our new library, please remember to thank our library staff for their dedication and competence in meeting your needs.

Janet L. Flowers , Co-Chair, Friends of the Orange County Public Library

Ann Burton, Co-Chair, Friends of the Orange County Public Library

Opposing ‘Obamacare’ not racist

To the Editor:

There’s a ridiculous, but alarming trend in America to label anyone who opposes ObamaCare a racist. My opposition to it has nothing to do with race but everything to do with out-of-control government expansion.

Star Parker, a black syndicated columnist, sums up ObamaCare as, “Americans are rebelling as the freedom we have enjoyed, freedom which defines life in this country, is being taken away and new ‘rules and impositions’ are being imposed.”

Bill Randall, also black, running for Congress in District 13, says, “…this is a free country and each individual should be responsible for his/her own decisions. The legislation under consideration in Congress will raise taxes, increase government spending and lower the quality of care, especially for elders on Medicare.”

Are these black Americans racists? When Clinton tried to pass healthcare and people were opposed, why wasn’t that racist? Is it just because Obama is black, so any decision that he makes that I disagree with makes me a racist?

It’s not about race or healthcare. It’s about power, money, and government forcing Americans to buy something. Once they have precedent, they will enact whatever other mandates they decide are in “our best interest.” This is not the America I grew up in, and it’s not the America I intend to leave for my children.

My name is Liz Smith, my husband Rick is running for State House District 50. When he wins this November, you can be assured he will be fighting against this law. Visit www.smithforhouse.com.

Liz Smith

Blanch

Keep Piscitelli on board

To the Editor:

I encourage voters to give much consideration for keeping Debbie Piscitelli on the Orange County Board of Education.

When I think of Piscitelli I think of two things: she is ‘visible’ and she is ‘approachable.’ She is a frequent visitor to the schools and is aware of all the great things happening and other aspects that need to be improved. Teachers, students, and parents find her very approachable and she truly listens to their concerns.

I feel very comforted knowing that when important issues need to be voted on that affect our students, she will put a lot of thought into what is really best for our students and schools. Her input is vital because it appears to me that there are other Board members who rarely, if ever, visit the schools who vote on crucial decisions. How can they vote when they really don’t know what is happening in the schools or without talking to teachers, students, and concerned parents?

Vote for Piscitelli on May 4.

Tom Carr

Hillsborough

Jacobs a

proven leader on BOCC

To the Editor:

I am writing to strongly encourage my fellow Democrats to vote for incumbent Barry Jacobs for Orange County Commissioner (At-Large). In his three terms, Barry, who lives in the Hillsborough area, has been very supportive of economic development and agricultural policies that benefit this part of the county. He started the annual county Agricultural Summit, now in its 12th year. He worked to obtain federal funding for the local farmers market and has championed the farm easement purchase program, which allows farmers to stay on their land instead of selling for development. He was instrumental in the creation of the new Piedmont Agricultural Processing Center, scheduled to open later this year in Hillsborough, results of a collaborative effort involving four counties, plus the state and federal governments. He is also a supporter of the proposed Buckhorn Village project, which will create hundreds of new jobs for northern Orange residents.

Early voting starts this Thursday at the County Board of Elections. Vote Barry Jacobs, For Orange.

Paul Falduto

Efland

Medenblik experienced, professional

To the Editor:

It is with great enthusiasm that I recommend Anne Medenblik for re-election to the Orange County Board of Education. I have worked with Anne for many years on a variety of educational opportunities for our children in our community.

During this time I have been impressed with her proactive approach to anything she tackles. She truly puts the needs of our children first. When there was limited funding for a program, she took a realistic approach and effectively utilized our resources to the maximum benefit. I appreciated it when she presented her school’s very successful fundraising techniques to the PTA members of my children’s school. In matters of curriculum development, she combined her experience as an educator with her true love for the child’s educational growth. When she teaches, this skilled educator effectively draws the children in and keeps them wanting to learn more.

Anne’s leadership skills are impeccable. Her polished leadership skills ensure she gets the job done. She shows a tremendous amount of respect for all those around her and truly listens to everyone’s opinions and applies them to her decision making process. Her demeanor is reflective of her strong commitment to her passion for education and her professionalism.

Anne Medenblik is one of the finest people I know. I believe she has the experience, leadership skills and professionalism to continue leading Orange County Schools. Please join me in supporting the re-election of Anne Medenblik to the Orange County Board of Education.

Anna Jones

Hillsborough

Jacobs the best choice for county

To the Editor:

I’ve voted for Barry Jacobs in every election, and each time there has been more reasons to do so. Mr. Jacobs has done more than any other Commissioner to preserve the special beauty and lifestyle of Orange County that makes it the best place in the State to live and raise a family. He understands that we are a County of established neighborhoods; when these neighborhoods are threatened by profit-driven developers, he hears the concerns of local residents and has done what he can to assure that any new development is done with proper care and respect.

If this is the kind of County leader you appreciate, make sure to vote in the primary on May 4th or we could see Mr. Jacobs ousted by a candidate whose values could not be more different. Joe Phelps’ primary objective seems to be to make it easier for developers (of which he is one) to turn us into another version of Wake or Durham Counties. Mr. Phelps was at best a disappointment as mayor of Hillsborough, and there is no reason to believe he would function any better as a county commissioner.

There is no question that Orange could use a better balance between its residential and commercial tax base. To get this right, however, will require leaders with Barry Jacobs’ experience, sensitivity and good judgment, or we will soon find ourselves living in a place we don’t recognize.

Steve Henry Herman

Chapel Hill

McKee has right experience for BOCC

To the Editor:

There are few times when we have the opportunity to really make a difference. I feel the upcoming election is one of those opportunities. I would like to invite all to support Earl McKee for the District 2 seat in the Orange County Board of Commissioners election.

I have known Earl all my life. Earl went to Orange County Schools and NC State University. Since leaving school, he has been successful in farming and in agribusiness. Earl found out early that in order to survive he had to endure not only the good times but also the bad times. Experiencing failing crops, drought, and the many perils that face farmers, Earl made good decisions, based not only on his knowledge and experience but also by researching and learning new technologies. Earl is a good steward of the environment, protecting it even before it was considered the “cool” thing to do, by practicing good soil and water conservation techniques.

I feel Earl will take that same approach in leading Orange County. We currently have leaders who do not have the business experience to pull Orange County out of the financial hole that it’s in. Spending more money than the taxpayers have is not the solution. One way to get this county back on the right track is to elect leaders that can make good decisions for the county and its citizens. We can elect leaders that can lead Orange County into the future, and I feel Earl McKee is one of those leaders.

A vote for Earl McKee in May will also be a vote for Orange County’s future.

Phillip Walker

Hillsborough