Wednesday, Aug. 04, 2010

Your Letters

Leaders are doing a good job

I an writing in defense of the Johnston County Commissioners. I felt like they were shredded in the paper recently.

I feel that our commissioners are doing a fantastic job. They are trying to do what is best for our community and save money. They work within a budget and haven't raised county taxes.

I think it is important to hear what the neighbors of a property have to say when you are considering rezoning. Recently, a developer wanted to rezone the tract of land behind my house from residential to commercial. I bought my home with the intent of being away from commercial property and checked the zoning of the land behind me before I bought it. The gentleman who wanted to rezone is responsible for the eyesore on N.C. 42, Peddler's Village. You can imagine my concern when I discovered his intentions.

I think you should be able to do what you want with your land. However, we have zoning for a reason. If you want commercial or industrial land, then buy it already zoned for your uses. Don't force it upon others who were there before you.

I live near the location of the cell phone tower mentioned on the front page. Once again, I moved here for a reason. I love the trees, fields, cows and blue open sky. I am glad that our commissioners are attempting to maintain the beauty of our county by limiting the size of these towers. If they don't think ahead about the development going on in Johnston County and plan wisely, we are going to end up with a pockmarked mishmash and lose the character that brings people here and makes them fall in love with our area.

Our commissioners were painted as control freaks or even tyrants in the paper. This is a huge misrepresentation. I have been happy with their performance, and I hope they continue to be fiscally responsible and put the citizens of Johnston County first.

Denise Rentz

Cleveland

GOP has been shut out

I am writing to rebut a statement made by one of your readers, who wrote "the Republican Party is the party that has tried to block any effort to solve the problems that face this nation." Either naively or disingenuously, Democrats repeat this statement hoping the everyday person will believe it, since most do not closely follow the day-to-day legislative actions by our government.

Over the past two years, while Democrats have controlled both houses of Congress, the House and Senate majority leaders, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Ried, have repeatedly snubbed Republican proposals without considering them or voting on them. Thus the majority of the public never gets to hear them and voice either support or opposition.

Some prominent examples are the proposals put forth by Republican Congressman Paul Ryan, ranking member on the budget committee, who has put forth specific solutions to address tax reform, health care and entitlement programs. Details of these proposals can be found at americanroadmap.org.

Since 2009, the legislative bills that ultimately make it to a vote are ones put forth solely by the Democrats, created unilaterally behind closed doors and only after several special deals with Blue Dog Democrats. Many of these Blue Dogs are looking at losing their seat in the fall midterm elections or have decided to not seek reelection after seeing their poll numbers drop in their districts.

Republicans were effectively shut out of committee meetings that ultimately produced the Democrats' health-care bill and their so-called stimulus bill, which was supposed to create 3 million jobs, keep unemployment below 8 percent and stimulate the economy, none of which materialized. So when it came time to vote on these partisan bills, Republicans stood firm and voted against them, which, by the way, the polls showed the majority of citizens were and still are against.

Not surprisingly, Congressman Bob Etheridge of North Carolina voted for these bills. And this November, North Carolina voters will get to cast a vote on whether they support his decision.

Steve Goodwin

Clayton

She's an Etheridge fan

I am wholeheartedly in support of our 2nd District congressman, Bob Etheridge. I have known him for many years, since he was superintendent of public instruction. He has always been an upright, honest person. He is admired and respected because he believes in doing the right thing for all of the people of the district.

I have worked diligently in all of his campaigns and ask all who follow the Golden Rule to keep our dedicated, honorable congressman in Washington to keep looking out for the best interests of the 2nd District.

Louise Penny-Sewell

Smithfield