Hope Mills voters have something to think about at the ballot boxes
Meg Larson did not file for a second term as a Hope Mills town commissioner because Larson said she could not tolerate serving with Mayor Jackie Warner or fellow commissioner Pat Edwards. But Larson says if she wins a write-in campaign imitated by a political action committee, she will serve. But there's a caveat. Mike Mitchell, the current pro-tem, has to win in his bid to oust Warner and assume the mayor's gavel. Folks in Hope Mills are going to have plenty to think about when they head to the ballot boxes between now and Nov. 5. Lordy, lordy, seems like it's always something when it comes to Hope Mills politics.
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“Law enforcement officers put themselves in harm’s way every day and we should never forget the sacrifice of those who have fallen in the line of duty,” Gov. Roy Cooper says about House Bill 283, aka Conners Law, that he recently signed into law in the wake of the Oct. 17, 2018, fatal shooting of state patrolman Kevin Conner, 38, a Bladenboro native who died while conducting a traffic stop in Columbus County. “I have spoken to Trooper Kevin Conner’s family and know how much he meant to them and to his community and our state. I hope that in his honor and memory, Conner’s Law will help prevent future violence against the brave men and women who keep our communities safe.” Good for the governor.
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“I just got around to reading your column titled 'Bill Kirby Jr.: Imagine, if only you can, when Billy Graham saw the face of God,” Karl W. Merritt writes about our Oct. 2 column about the late evangelist who died at age 99 on Feb. 21, 2018. “Absolutely outstanding. Brought back my memories of watching Billy Graham with my father. Thanks for the vivid reminder of a wonderful time.” Thank you, Mr. Merritt, for reading. There was just no one quite like the Rev. Billy Graham in my book.
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Most folks in Moore County know Sam Stout as gifted auctioneer, and he can preach the gospel, too.
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You just have to love the autumn with its crisp and clean air and colorful changing leaves.
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“This has been a long time coming,” Jason Williams, the fire chief of Spring Lake, says about construction of a second Spring Lake Fire Department No. 11 at 2355 Lillington Highway. “It really means a lot for us to have our own station here, which is really going to help with this community.” The 7,487-square-foot facility will be built on 1.58 acres and will serve parts of Spring Lake, as well as the Manchester fire district in unincorporated areas of Cumberland County.
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“The flu virus changes each year, so manufacturers identify and produce vaccine that works against the most prevalent types,” says Dr. James Liffrig, medical director of the FirstHealth of the Carolinas Convenient Care program and who practices family medicine at First Health Family Medicine in Seven Lakes in Moore County. “While the vaccine is not perfect, it is safe and offers very good protection. Even if you do get the flu after vaccination, it will likely be much less severe than if you haven’t had the vaccine. Your risk of severe complications and even death are significantly less.” Take it from the good doctor, be sure to get your flu shot.
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John Misiaszek of Moore County is perplexed. “Moore County is in the process of building or adding to nearly $200,000,000 worth of schools,” he writes. "During the construction process, they get progress billings from vendors and contractors, and these billings include charges for sales taxes. The vendor-contractor then presumably remits these monies to the state. Then, the county must make application for a refund from the state for these monies. Then, once a year, the state reimburses the county for the monies previously paid representing sales taxes on these various projects. This is ridiculous. Why isn't the county allowed to issue an exemption certificate for these purchases, which would leave these monies with the county? Remember, the money used to pay those contractor-vendor bills come from monies, which result from local borrowing, local property taxes, local sales taxes levied on taxable purchases and other primarily local revenues. The state is using taxpayer money, interest free, for extended periods of time and probably even earning interest on it. Moore County will probably have more than $1,000,000 tied with this nonsense.” Misiaszek says he has sent emails to Sen. Tom McInnis, who represents Moore County in the state legislature; Wayne Vest, the county manager; and commissioners Frank Quis and Catherine Graham, and not one has responded. Well, Mr. Misiaszek, I don't know the county manager or Mr. Quis. I do know Commissioner Graham and Sen. McInnis. And I know that elected officials should always respond to the people they represent, and when they don't, it is not acceptable.
Columnist Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at bkirby@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3571
