We suffer with their loss

By: Letters To the editor | Winston-Salem Journal
Published: October 17, 2009

I first met Sgt. Mickey Hutchens after another Winston-Salem Police Department tragedy, the shooting of Sgt. Howard Plouff, when I and Lesley Nash, my morning-show partner at WTHZ radio, Majic 94.1, conducted a marathon radio broadcast to raise money for Sgt. Plouff's family.

While I can't say I knew him well, we did run into each other on many occasions downtown and at city events. He was always pleasant, professional and a pleasure to be around. But since the show we did for Sgt. Plouff, both Lesley and I have felt a very close kinship with all who serve on the police department. We grieve with Sgt. Hutchens' family, friends and co-workers, and we suffer with their loss, and the loss to the good people of Winston-Salem.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and his law-enforcement family. We've lost another hero. Let us all hope it is many, many years before we lose another.

BOB CAMPBELL

FORMER RADIO HOST AND PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Winston-Salem

Housing the homeless

While at the Dixie Classic Fair last week, I noticed a booth on ending chronic homelessness. Considering that the Dell plant will soon be vacant, why don't we house the homeless there and use the surrounding property to grow food to feed them?

WAKE WAGNER

Winston-Salem

Triad Flight of Honor

I am 70 years old and lived in Washington during part of World War II. My father, four of my uncles and my aunt, who was a combat nurse, all served in World War II.

I have lived in Winston-Salem for over 27 years and have never experienced the lack of coverage by the Journal as I have concerning the Triad Flight of Honor on Oct. 3.

The medical volunteers, the Rotary clubs, and other community volunteer organizations that helped sponsor the trip came together because they recognized the importance of honoring World War II veterans. One of the volunteers, a medical professional in her early 40s, told me the day after the flight that it was one of the greatest experiences of her life and shared that her generation has no idea the sacrifice these people made.

I was particularly impressed with Cameron Kent and the entire WXII team for their outstanding coverage of this event honoring the sacrifice of these veterans.

I hope the Journal will follow WXII's lead and take the time to interview veterans, the families of the World War II veterans and the volunteers that participated in the Triad Flight of Honor.

BARRY SCHLINE

Winston-Salem

Financial disasters

Let's take a look at the financial disasters facing the citizens of Winston-Salem. The financial disaster at the baseball stadium would have no impact on the taxpayers had the Winston-Salem City Council not chosen to follow Mayor Allen Joines like sheep in approving the giveaway of tax money to developer Billy Prim.

The disaster being caused by the Dell plant closing would have no impact on the taxpayers had the city council not chosen, again, to follow Joines like sheep in the giveaway of tax money.

One of the sheep on city council who vigorously and enthusiastically followed Joines to the financial slaughter was Dan Besse, the council member from the Southwest Ward. The voters need to get rid of all these tired, worn-out sheep. We need new council members who are intelligent and creative; who can bring a fresh, wholesome perspective to our city; who are capable of thinking independently; who do not act like sheep.

I urge voters in the Southwest Ward to elect Ted Shipley to the city council.

CHARLES A. CARRIKER

Winston-Salem