Letters to the editor
Posted on Tuesday, May 13, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/Editorial/65149/
Property purchase is the wrong move
At the April 24 school board meeting, Associate Superintendent Randy Willison proposed that the school enter negotiations to buy 9. 57 additional acres at Deane Solomon Road. The school board approved this proposal with two dissenting votes. The acreage in question is for sale by The Barber Group.
Mr. Willison stated that this property would provide more access to the land already owned at Deane Solomon in case the district ever did decide to build a school there. Also, the addition would make that land easier to sell in case the district ever wanted to do that, and, he said, “ It’s a bargain. ”
I want to address those arguments. The first completely brushes aside the sentiments of the many Fayetteville citizens, I believe a majority, in fact, who have made it clear that we will not support building a school at the Deane Solomon site. As for the second rationale, Kim Peters of Metropolitan Bank (and a member of the site search committee ) recognizes the problems inherent in regarding Deane Solomon as an investment. In her letter to this paper (published May 7 ) she says in reference to the D. S. property: “ If sold, trying to recoup that investment could take years and most likely will result in a loss. ” This “ bargain” sounds more like an albatross, even should Mr. Barber offer it up at a fire-sale price. So who really benefits here, and why would our school board choose to divert funds away from the huge project of building a new high school, not to mention from other school needs ? I totally oppose this purchase.
Patty Besom / Fayetteville
Lovely improvements indeed
I agree with Rob Merry-Ship’s letter on May 12 regarding John Lewis ’ approval of the improvements to the Square gardens. John found so much peace and joy in those gardens and was able to enjoy them each day when he went to work at the Bank of Fayetteville. On the weekends when he would ride his bike around town, he’d often stop and sit at the gardens to rest and soak in the beauty of the lovely flowers. They seemed to sustain him. Hats off to Dan Coody and his dedicated, tireless crew who worked day and night to get them ready for the Farmers’ Market opening. I wish John were here to see how beautiful everything is. He would be so proud and would definitely approve.
Helen Lewis / Fayetteville
Ignorant, simply put
This letter is in response to John Terry’s comments inciting Americans to fight against the religion of Islam. Mr. Terry offers a dangerous and immature analysis of our nation’s problems. It is dangerous to suggest a course of action to your community that involves fighting other members of that community, namely our Muslim citizens. Secondly, the argument that terrorism is our nation’s biggest problem is simply ignorant. There are a vast host of other hazards that claim more American lives and dollars than terrorism. As a fellow religious leader and a licensed mental health counselor, I invite Mr. Terry and those that share his beliefs to increase your empathy for your neighbors of other faiths and other nationalities. After all, our country — both great and troubled — strives toward the manifestation of inclusion and religious freedom.
Joshua Newman / Fayetteville