Opinion Letters
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In support of the Lumbee
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Published: November 2, 2009
I have read many editorials from the Journal in support of my people, the Lumbee, including the one on Oct. 19, "Recognize the Lumbee." I truly appreciate this, and I'm sure the rest of my people do, too. We have faced many obstacles; injustice and discrimination in schools and work places.
I receive strange looks from people who don't know what I am. I'd be proud to tell them what I am. I am the son of tenant farmers -- my proud father, a Lumbee warrior and World War II veteran (now deceased) and my beloved mother, approaching 88 years young, who has fought and worked every day of her life for survival.
So I will end with these words to all Indians and non-Indians: As long as the great pines whisper upon the wind, as long as the black water of our beloved Lumbee River flows, as long as the majestic eagle flies, I will live and die with a heritage and pride that the Great Spirit gave only a few; forever a Lumbee.
JOEL M. ROGERS
Dobson
No substitute
Having lived in the Southwest Ward for many years, I can say that we've never had better representation than that provided by Dan Besse. He is totally accessible, responsive and diligent in his follow-up with city departments. That is what every city resident should want in a councilman.
He keeps us informed with regular newsletters as well as special messages when something unexpected happens, such as the recent incident on Peters Creek Parkway and the subsequent death of Sgt. Mickey Hutchens. The numerous issues that he has mitigated for Southwest Ward residents are, I'm sure, too many to list.
There is absolutely no reason not to re-elect a man of integrity who has worked hard every day for his constituents and has a proven track record. There is no substitute for experience.
HAFFYE SEWELL
Winston-Salem
Dedicated public servant
The citizens of Winston-Salem are fortunate to have a dedicated, knowledgeable, honest and forthright public servant to serve on the city council in Dan Besse.
His service to the neighborhoods has improved safety by supporting the hiring of more police officers to allow increased neighborhood patrols. He has helped citizens organize neighborhood watch groups to deter crime. He had led the passage of tougher pawnshop rules to make it harder to dispose of stolen property and easier to catch the thieves. Now every person who pawns an item in our city must present a photo ID that is copied and kept on file.
He has worked with neighborhoods on planning and zoning issues to help avoid poorly planned and poorly designed or sited development. He has helped neighbors and developers to work out conflicts in a constructive manner, so that well-designed projects can move forward with out delay. He works for more sidewalks and bike lanes to provide our citizens with safer opportunities for healthful exercise.
Dan Besse deserves to be re-elected.
PAUL MEIS
Winston-Salem
Facing a conundrum
What a conundrum we are facing. Memories of Sgt. Mickey Hutchens' funeral and prayers for Officer Danny Clark's recovery are still quite fresh in our minds and the North Carolina Supreme Court is telling us that it wants to release 20 or more convicted killers, child molesters and rapists back into our community ("Early release," Oct. 26). These convicts were given "life" sentences in the 1970s when life expectancy was lower. I believe that a life sentence was intended to mean the life of the person convicted.
How many more police officers will we mourn? How many more Danny Clarks will "recover" but carry emotional wounds for the rest of their lives (not to be freed by the order of any court)? How many victims of these criminals or their still-living loved ones will forever suffer from the actions of these soon-to-be-released criminals? How many victims fear further harm from them?
As the mother of a police officer, I may feel more strongly than many that these offenders should serve their life sentence until the day of their death. Please let common sense prevail.
Police officers risk their lives daily. We have many intelligent people in this state. Surely someone can devise a legal way to keep these lifers in prison so we do not mourn any more deaths of law-enforcement officers or innocent civilians; or attempt to comfort the still-living but forever-scarred victims of other violent crimes committed by these lifers freed into our communities.
ELIZABETH C. KISER
Winston-Salem
Dedication and devotion
As a longtime resident of the Southwest Ward, I have been extremely pleased with Dan Besse's attention to my neighborhood's concerns. He has been instrumental in helping set up more neighborhood watches, getting signs to help slow traffic and getting cleaner air.
Whatever our concerns may be, we can always count on Dan Besse. When we invite him to our homes for meetings, he comes. When we call him, he listens and gets answers for us. His knowledge of city government has helped us better understand it.
With our neighborhood facing many changes, we need someone like Dan Besse to continue his dedication and devotion to being one of the best council members we have ever had. I plan to fully support his re-election on Nov. 3.
MARJORIE J. NORTHUP
Winston-Salem
Neighborhood was affected
The Forsyth County Republican candidates' "contract with the city" would attempt to void government regulations and zoning laws ("Republican candidates sign pledge on 5 points," Oct. 13). We have lived through this kind of "good-old-boy" impact. Our neighborhood, Stratford Manor, was impacted with Hanes Mall. Our neighborhood was impacted by the I-40 bypass. Our neighborhood was impacted by Healy Plaza and Westgate Plaza.
Thanks, but no thanks. We have had enough of their impacting us. We are for Dan Besse because of his way of preserving neighborhoods. We need regulations and zoning laws.
DALE AND DAVID L. BEAVERS JR.
Winston-Salem
A neighborhood advocate
This is a letter to support a very experienced and dedicated councilman: Dan Besse. He is truly a neighborhood advocate, working to keep our neighborhoods safe by supporting the increase in police hires and police presence and working toward traffic safety efforts, just to name a few of his accomplishments for neighborhoods.
Dan has been a leader in the improvements in air quality and he's worked diligently to protect and improve our parks.
Our ward couldn't ask for or get a harder-working councilman than Dan. He has worked to improve our quality of life here in the Southwest Ward. He is always responsive to questions or complaints.
In short, there is no valid reason for replacing this dedicated public servant.
GAIL McNEILL
Winston-Salem
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