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Hickory Daily Record Editorial

Published: July 11, 2009

THUMBS UP to the General Assembly for working toward approving legislation that would restrict the ownership and prevent the escape of venomous and large constrictor snakes, as well other dangerous reptiles. Lawmakers recognize that there could be thousands of exotic, deadly snakes slithering loose in the state with the potential to harm, in addition to people and animals, entire ecosystems. This is not to mention the possibility of alligators. The bill adds provisions to a law that has not been updated since 1949, when large snakes, such as Burmese pythons that can grow up to 20 feet long, were less of a problem. Earlier this month, a 2-year-old in Florida was strangled to death in her crib by a 9-foot-long Burmese python. The animal escaped from its aquarium. The bill, which received preliminary approval in the House this week and has already passed the Senate, would require these reptiles to be housed and transported in escape-proof containers and would punish people for violating safety precautions. Seems like common sense to us.

THUMBS DOWN to Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-10th District) for opposing spending federal dollars to help North Carolina families, schools and businesses prepare for the potential outbreak of the H1N1 flu. The H1N1 Flu Preparedness Summit held this week was a reminder of McHenry's just say no approach to preparing for the pandemic. Despite 255 confirmed and probable cases in North Carolina of H1N1 flu already, and with many scientists predicting a second wave of the pandemic in the coming months, McHenry joined fellow Republicans in opposing money to prepare for the worst case. We think it is clear that early planning is the best weapon against an H1N1 flu outbreak. Earlier this year, McHenry opposed the Supplemental Appropriations Bill, which invests $2 billion to help the government fight the current H1N1 outbreak and to allow for further pandemic flu preparedness and response capacity. History tells us there will be another flu pandemic. It is already past due, according to many scientists. This is why we are perplexed by McHenry's no votes.

THUMBS DOWN to elected officials in Raleigh who are trying to create new taxes under the guise of calling them temporary. We do not trust Gov. Beverly Perdue in her proposal to raise sales taxes temporarily. After all, Perdue presided over the Democratic-led Senate as lieutenant governor when it approved a sales tax increase in 2001 that was supposed to last only two years. A quarter-penny of that tax is now permanent. Perdue suggested earlier this week that lawmakers approve a 1-cent sales tax increase that would last 13 months to help deal with a large budget gap and protect education and other vital services. Raising taxes is not the answer to solving the state's budget woes. Quit wasting our tax dollars and learn to live within a budget like the rest of us.

THUMBS UP to Catawba County for spending money on a new community alert system. Early warnings of emergency situations allow public officials to get the word out to residents faster and more efficiently. County officials say the new system is more user-friendlier than the old system and is asking all county municipalities to hook into it. Another benefit of the system is an increased number of lines, which allows officials to contact the entire county within an hour or two. Claremont, Newton, Hickory, Conover and Catawba have already signed on. The county purchased the new system for $2 million, which is a bargain if it helps prevent the loss of life or property.