An advocate for neighbors

By: Letters To the editor | Winston-Salem Journal
Published: October 19, 2009

It was my fortune on Oct. 7 to attend a Stratford Manor Neighborhood Association meeting in which our Winston-Salem City Council member, Dan Besse, came to answer questions for us in the neighborhood. As a member of this neighborhood, I am well aware of the great support he has given us on issues that involve our neighborhood and from this support I know that he is an advocate for all the neighbors whom he represents.

However, what really impressed me about him at this meeting was his extensive knowledge on all the issues concerning our city. He was able to thoroughly address all questions concerning Dell, the ballpark, property taxes, traffic problems (speed bumps), the tree conservation and planting rules (finally in place) and sidewalks in neighborhoods.

The Southwest Ward is very fortunate to have such a councilman. I look forward to voting for him in the Nov. 3 election, as I believe his reelection will be a great gain for all the citizens in this ward.

SARA B. SKINNER

Winston-Salem

Padlock it

I am really sorry that so many Dell employees have lost their jobs. But I don't think that Winston-Salem, Forsyth County or the state will ever get a thin dime back from Dell. I think the law-enforcement agencies should be instructed to padlock the Dell facility now. Stop all shipments from the facility until the payback is satisfied.

When we the taxpayers get our money, then Dell can have what profits it can get from what is left.

RICHARD G. HIGH

Pfafftown

Don't rely on second-hand view

Steven F. Hayward's Oct 11 Insight column, "the absence of intellectual conservatism," stimulated my purportedly absent "conservative brain."

I don't rely on the second-hand view of "intellectuals" like Hayward. I read for myself the writings of conservatives such as Michelle Malkin, Glenn Beck, Dick Morris and Ann Coulter. As I do with the writings of liberal authors, I sort the wheat from the chaff and draw my own conclusions.

My "conservative brain" has also pondered why Fox News Channel is denigrated by many on the left, and now also by the White House. Yet Fox's skyrocketing ratings represent a broad appeal across key demographics. Could it be that Fox really does offer "fair and balanced" coverage -- at least compared to the other national cable and broadcast news programs?

Although my news coverage is not limited to Fox, I frequently watch its hard news programs, as well as its commentary programs, such as The O'Reilly Factor, Hannity, On the Record, Glenn Beck and even Mike Huckabee's weekend show, Huckabee.

Often spuriously labeled an "arm of the Republican Party," Fox regularly shines a spotlight on important issues that either go unreported or are poorly reported by the broader news media.

I'm interested in ideas and truth, and in their consequences. Even if I were a liberal, I hope I'd have the "liberal brains" not to rely on second-hand viewpoints. The stakes for our families and our nation are simply too high to allow others to do our thinking for us.

DEBORAH S. PHILLIPS

Lewisville

Focused on fringe issues

Despite all his "green" talk, it is apparent that Winston-Salem City Councilman Dan Besse can't see the forest for the trees. From what I have heard, Besse's crowning achievements for his entire last four years in office have been to back a tree ordinance that was conceived and supported by others and to favor the purchase of "fuel-efficient" city vehicles. While both of those things may or may not be beneficial on some level, neither is a central issue to the economic survival of our city.

While Besse focused inordinately on these fringe issues, he ignored the big issues, recklessly doling out millions of taxpayer dollars to building a baseball stadium and to a Fortune 500 company that is now skipping town. Being right on the little issues doesn't matter much if you're completely wrong on the big issues that concern everyone.

We desperately need someone on the city council who can focus on the issues that really affect all of us. Because I believe that Winston-Salem deserves better leadership than Dan Besse, I am supporting Ted Shipley for the Southwest Ward city council seat.

PENN BROYHILL

SECRETARY, FORSYTH COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY

Winston-Salem