Your Voice

From December 16

Loose dogs may be a risk to kids, other dogs

I am concerned about any pets or children left unattended in Long View.

Recently around 1:30 a.m., my husband and I awoke to the sound of our three dogs barking. He went to the back door and turned on the flood light. Two of the dogs were at the back steps and the third could be heard barking in the distance near the woods.

We have an invisible fence, so our dogs are limited to our property.

His barking stopped, and we drove our car to the edge of the woods so we could see what was going on. Two pit bulls had attacked and killed our dog. We yelled and honked the horn and they would not budge. Our dog was already dead but the male pit bull was clamped onto our dog's front leg and the female pit bull was clamped onto our dog's ear. We did not have a way to subdue them.

We called the police department, and the officer who came was able to pepper spray them to get them to let go of our dog.

The pit bulls were not allowed to be shot and were allowed to wander off, so they are still out there.

The male dog had a red collar and no tags, and the female dog had a brownish collar with no tags. They looked to be brindle pit bulls with light brown coloring. The female looked as if she had puppies.

I wanted to let people in the area know to be cautious because those two pit bulls are not afraid of people, and although it is sad we lost our 10-month old lab, it would be devastating if they attacked a child or an adult.

C.L. VanHorn
Hickory

Girls on the Run an overwhelming success

Once again, the Girls on the Run program showed magical results when more that 600 girls ran in the New Balance GOTR 5K race through Hickory last Saturday. Even though the temperature was very cold, the girls' enthusiasm warmed each person's heart. Every girl is a winner on this day.

Over the past 12 weeks, girls in the three school systems have been meeting to learn skills that will take them successfully through adulthood. Lessons included community service, developing healthy habits, how to handle bullies and physical fitness.

The program is provided in the Newton-Conover schools by dedicated teachers twice each week after school. Students and teachers enjoy the opportunity to learn and run together.

This semester, Thornton Elementary and Shuford Elementary participated in this life changing program.

Newton-Conover also would like to thank Cissy Fish and the Hickory YMCA for providing and supporting GOTR.
Without Mrs. Fish or the YMCA, many girls would never get to experience a program that not only builds confidence, but also guides these girls into healthy lifestyles. Your support truly changes lives.

Girls on the Run is an excellent way for all girls to learn and have fun with great role models.

Melanie Elrod
Student Services Director
Newton-Conover City Schools
Newton

GOP should protect, not give away, jobs

The Republican Party was once labeled "The Stupid Party" by the late Dr. Sam Francis for its ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory and miss the obvious.

They earned the nickname once again this week when the Republican congressional leadership collectively urged President Barack Obama to pass free trade deals with Colombia, South Korea and Panama.

The 15 years since NAFTA's passage and subsequent trade deals have seen the manufacturing base of western North Carolina and the nation as a whole head for the door.

As a conservative it pains me to see the party of Jesse Helms and Ronald Reagan abandon the voters of Middle America who gave them seven presidential elections since 1968 and control of Congress. To throw the furniture, textile and other workers of this area into competition with the people of the Third World, who are paid a fraction of the wages, is a great betrayal that the Republican Party has been complicit in.

It is a legacy the Republican leadership in Congress should attempt to make up for and undo, not perpetuate.

It is my sincere hope that Congressman Patrick McHenry will stand up for the voters and workers of this area by telling the leadership that we want no part in further free trade deals that will only outsource the few jobs we have left here.

Carlton Huffman
Granite Falls

From December 15

Christians should take back rights, the nation

I have read Your Voice about what is right and wrong with our great nation. Most are trying to blame someone specifically for the failing of the American economy and everything else. I'm of the opinion that we all have dropped the ball. Yes, there are those who strongly protest the Christian faith and ways, but we, the Christians, have stood idly by and let it happen.

This nation was founded for the purpose of free religion and as a nation where the standards set for us to live by was the Holy Bible. Our nation flourished like no other nation. Can you remember a time when people didn't even think of locking a door, a time when neighbors knew neighbors, a time when most everyone was in church on Sunday morning? Can you remember a time when kids were taught respect and reverence?

We grew in technology, wealth and every other way. At one time we were the greatest power in the world. We had God behind us. It doesn't take an overly smart person to deduce from history that the nations that were in obedience to God and his word flourished and those against him were doomed.

That's where we are heading. We are letting those against the Christian way, those who are against living by the standards given to us in the Bible, have their way and at the same time taking away our rights (including) our right to worship the one true God.

We have allowed our greed to dictate our behavior. We continue to reject God's way, and we continue to fall.

Get up, church! Stand up for the cross. We need a revival, one led by the Christian community, demanding our rights. We need to be as loud as our opponents and demanding the leaders of our country be held accountable for their sinful actions.

We need to get back to basics as "One nation under God."

Phil Bunton
Hickory

From December 13

Love your neighbor, share the good news

It is the time of year when Christians and many others, unknowingly, celebrate the birth of Christ. We remember when God stepped across the dimension of eternity and down into time. But why?

The Bible says humanity was cursed by sin; that out of the heart of man comes lies, murder, fornication and deceit. (Is there anything more verifiable than this statement about mankind? Certainly not the claims of vice-presidents turned scientist, or anthropologist turned psychologist.) Is the idea of God's love pouring out such a precious gift for a part of his creation so strange to us?

Are there any other gifts that if we take a closer look might come from a source we cannot explain? Take food, a pure materialist follows it from seed to ground to pan to plate; but many bow their head and give thanks for this same need. Are we to learn a bigger lesson from this process?

What if the pain in these physical bodies called hunger brings us to a point of need; then, we seek and find this gift called food. A variety of tastes, colors and smells that we did not create. Who chose the banana to be yellow or the lemon to taste sour? We get no closer to an explanation by following it back to the ground or tree. Any farmer knows, man may sow and water, but we cannot "bring forth the increase!" What is behind the change, the rain and the sun?

Behind every meal is a lesson that we are dependent and that we cannot repay the One who provides.

Many today slip back into old ideas. They know to thank someone for a gift, so who do we thank? What if this incredible source of love introduced Himself to us? And then gives us an even more remarkable gift; a more abundant life free from the slavery of sin? How would we thank Him for this gift? The source of all good manners would command us to "Love Him with all our hearts, soul, mind and strength."

If you really love your neighbor, share the good news that the deep hunger they feel in loneliness and shame has an answer like the pain in their belly or thirst in their throat. Introduce them to the answer to this need.

May we shout as the angels once did over the flocks of Bethlehem. "Fear not, we bring good tidings... Unto us is born a Saviour in the city of David; who is Christ the Lord." Thank you Father for this unspeakable gift, Jesus.

Merry Christmas.
jamie d. clements
Newton

Neighborhood College a learning experience

Thanks to the city of Hickory for giving citizens an inside look at the different departments and what is involved in making this city happen.

All departments were well represented with knowledge and a sincere desire to do their jobs well and answering our questions.

A special thanks to all the employees. We did not know how big these jobs are. Just Hickory's leaf pile would be a big job to maintain.

And thanks to Mandy Pitts, who organizes these classes.

If you have a chance to attend Neighborhood College, I would encourage you to do so. Get involved in your neighborhood and your city because you are involved whether you want to be or not.

Gloria Hubbard
Hickory

Hospice gives quality, compassionate care

The family of Nellie Sue Kilby would like to thank the administrators, doctors, nurses and staff of Palliative CareCenter and Hospice of Catawba County for the quality of care they gave our mother during her recent illness and death. Their comfort and support provided us with the assurance that she was in no pain and greatly aided the family in making informed decisions about the last days of her life.

With judgment and compassion, the Kilby family and their mother were provided with empathy, kindness and utmost consideration during her stay. Many people in Catawba County are unaware of this modern and beautiful facility and the quality of the staff and their support as they watch over patients day and night.

As a family that has benefited from this service, we would like to encourage your financial support of this facility and the services it offers. We are indeed fortunate for having them serve us during this time of need.

Thank you.

Joe Hester
For the family of Nellie Sue Kilby
Hickory

From December 12

Let kids play ball, keep them off the street

I thought the purpose of a parks and recreation department was to keep kids off the streets, not off the courts.

In the latest foulup by the Hickory Parks and Recreation Department, they want to keep a child from playing recreation basketball even though he fulfilled all the requirements to be on the team.

I think it's funny that several of the facilities seem to be closed on Mondays. I know this is a time of economic crisis, but if kids aren't in the gyms playing basketball, what do you think they are doing? They are running our streets and falling into activities that are not good for them.

We need to be more proactive in our attempts to keep our community strong, and that starts with our young people.

Let's keep them off the streets and let them play.

Ashley Morettie
Hickory

Obama administration doesn't seem to care

The cap and trade bill (better described as cap and tax) is a job killer and by all accounts would dramatically raise the price of energy, that in turn raises the price of everything we do and buy.

This bill would cost every American household thousands of dollars in taxes and hidden costs that businesses would have to pass along to us. This formula would obviously further prolong our high unemployment rate. Most Americans know this to be the case.

A McClatchy-Iposos poll released this week revealed that if household prices increase more than $25 a month as a result of cap and tax, then opposition is overwhelming.

However, the Obama administration doesn't seem to care. In fact, Obama's desire to impose controls is so great he has once again returned to his Chicago-style threats and intimidation tactics.

The administration declared this week that if Congress refuses to pass cap and tax, Obama will allow the EPA to impose controls even more draconian than those outlined in cap and tax legislation. An EPA spokesperson was actually quoted as saying that its controls would harm the economy even more.

I don't recall electing EPA officials. I don't recall the American people (or the Constitution) giving to appointed EPA bureaucrats authority of this magnitude.

I continue to be amazed and appalled at the arrogance of this administration.

What does Obama care about? Despite his rhetoric, it's increasingly clear he wants higher taxes, more out-of-control spending, less scrutiny of his actions and even more federal government control over our lives.

The folks are opposed, but he doesn't care.

James McCall
Taylorsville