Newspapers / The News-Journal (Raeford, N.C.) / Jan. 17, 1985, edition 1 / Page 3
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A WEINBERGER DEFENSE CUT American farm land vanishing By John Sledge N.C. Finn Bureau Federation Millions of Americans have grown concerned about the nation's vanishing farmland. Ac cording to some environmentalists, 3 million acres of cropland are be ing paved over every year in this country and a good portion of the topsoil on the rest of it is eroding away. Some people aren't satisfied with reality. It doesn't suit their goals of influencing public policy. It started in the summer of 1980 with a rash of articles in leading newspapers and magazines and \yas echoed by the radio and televi-' sion networks, with scare headlines and lead stories that painted a drastic annual loss of farmland. The figures cited came from Presi dent Carter's Global 2000 report, issued by the National Agricultural Land Study at the Department of Agriculture. But the facts have now been re examined. The Department of Agriculture had actually overstated the extent of urbaniza tion in 1977 by nearly 50 percent. Instead of reducing the acreage of farmland, we were actually in creasing it. As costly agricultural surpluses cleary indicate, there is no shortage of farmland. The problem is too much production on too many acres?not a shortage. There are some problem areas with erosion, but nothing to get alarmed about. Administrators should show more concern for employees I will readily admit the folks I should understand more than any other groufJ, I understand the least. School administrators' and school boards' reasoning behind their insensitivity toward those who work with and for them is something which puzzles me. This is never more evident than when a death occurs. No one in Hoke County has at tended more funerals than Don Steed and me. In the early seven ties over a five-day period we at tended seven. Every conceivable situation has occurred at some of those funerals. Ministers dashing from the pulpits down through the au dience, dancing in the aisles and even jumping in the grave on one occasion became commonplace. Our reason for being thete was not to witness the sights. Showing con cern for the family was our only purpose. Most of the time we were alone, except for teachers. Prin cipals were in short supply. Only on rare occasion have I seen a school board member. Recently I traveled to Shallotte in Brunswick County on a Sunday afternoon for the funeral of Mildred Mitchell. Mildred was a co-worker of mine for 10 years when I was the superintendent. She had worked in the county for 13 years. Mrs. Mitchell was a dedicated teacher and a first class human being. Needless to say, very few school folks were in attendance. Floyd Caldwell, the principal of J.W. McLauchlin School and. Dont Put Off An IRA. Rdr All The Wrong Reascm. An Individual Retirement Account at United Carolina Bank Can be one of the best investments anybody can make. That's because aUCB IRA does more than ensure your future financial security. It can also save you hundreds on taxes every year So you'll profit from a UCB IRA long before you retire. We give you several IRA options to choose from. AH offering steady growth potential. The UCB Fixed Rale IRA guarantees your interest t remain at a constant level. B Floating Rale IRA earns current money t fstcs mmm And the UCB Self-Directed IRA is perfect for the individual who wants complete control over his investments. It's the one plan that gives you the flexibility to buy common stocks, corporate bonds and government bonds. Plus earn money market rates. We'll be glad to help you select the IRA that best meets your needs. Just contact your United Carolina Banker We'll show you all the right reasons to open an IRA at UCB. Looking On Raz Autry some of Mrs. Mitchell's co workers were present. Floyd Caldwell is the exception, rather than the rule, among ad ministrators. He is highly sensitive toward the needs of those with whom he works in their time of trouble. It is unreasonable for school board members to make demands on their employees, when they are as insensitive in moments of sor row as they appear to be. In this fast moving world the concern and love which was taken for granted in the past may be old fashioned. Those who suffer would welcome the return of old fashioned values. Concern from those who should show concern and do not only adds to the grief. Growing up in a home blessed with love prepares one for their outlook on life. I know of nothing which compensates for a gentle, "I am sorry." To touch those who work for and with you by caring is the greatest of Christian acts. If an administrator doesn't have an ounce of love or concern in his soul, it is his responsibility to represent his organization or school at all events. I am sure those who suffer would prefer not to have people with them who see it only as a duty to be there. However, many people in the organization or school care and they should be represented. School board candidates run with noble ideas. When the woman's club and other organiza tions have political forum, they should ask those seeking office a direct question. How do you feel about the emotional well being of your employees? For a school board to furnish mental health ser vice to an employee and not show concern for them in their time of need is as useless as a milkless cow. No one expects them to occupy a front seat in the church. Standing under a tree in the church yard would be better than an attitude of indifference. Many of the citizens of Hoke County can remember when we walked a straight line in dealing with the race issue. 1 know of no one single act which helped ease racial tension any more than the concern shown by individuals of each race for each other. These concerns were most visible during the death of a loved one. It is easy once a candidate becomes an elected official to forget the small things which mean so much to people. Worrying about attendance areas, school calendars and bus routes will become child's play if those in power continue to be insensitive to the emotional needs of their employees. . . . Letters continued (Continued from page 2) Again, I look and you've given us a serene contented Mother Time who is leaving the old year behind, having become ragged and tattered through a year of trials and tears she shows the ever satisfied coun tinance of a mother with a job well .done and leaving us a happy, f *v botMBy: 'tra*y'*W *ith V smiling ? eagerness to begin her task of tak ing on the rigors as well as the joys of the new year. As for the complaint of the way Mother is carrying her scythe; looks like a gentle willingness and confidence to allow the youngster to use her trusty scythe to carry on as she gracefully gives in to a time of retirement. Let's hope at the end of the year 198S his rendition of Father and Mother Time will bring us a pic ture of contentment for a job 'well done' by both parents. Sincerely, Louise S. McDiarmid Teachers not silenced To the Editor: In the past months much has been written in newspaper articles and Letters to the Editor about Hoke County Schools and prin cipals. We, the undersigned members of the Upchurch Faculty, would like to take this opportunity to tell the Board of Education, Mr. Ed wards, and the citizens of Hoke County that we do not feel that we , work in a '"yassuh massuh' syn drome," afraid to express our opi nions as quoted from an article in the Fayettevllle Observer on November 21, 1984. We have never publicly said anything about all the unfavorable newspaper articles or Letters to the Editor because we did not feel it affected us personally. We have even had some very good laughs over some of the articles and letters at other people's expense. We decided it is time to let the public know that not all teachers in Hoke County share the views expressed in the above article and letters that have been written to the editor. We feel that by remaining silient, we have given you, the public, the im pression that these opinions are shared by all Hoke County Teachers. We do not share these opinions. This is not a personal attack on the educators who have been inter viewed or who have written letters. We just do not agree with their views when it comes to o?r school, and we feel that it is time to speak up. We are very proud that Mr. Ed wards was chosen one of thirty five principals from the state of North Carolina to participate in the Principals Executive Program at Chapel Hill. We enjoy working with Mr. Edwards, and we are not afraid to express our opinions and concerns to him. Linda Fisher, Susan Phillips, Sheryle Malone, Teresa Mills, Brenda Ramsey, Edward Hen drickson, Donna Kennedy, Pat Scott, Ann Ross, Steve Chason, Deborah D. Salzer, Stan Callender, Ellen Jfleident^ich, Jane "Cttlbr^h^*^ora"^Chavi?, -Esther Hollingsworth, Joyce E. Simpson, Vernetta Bridges, Carolyn Custard, Terri Frahm, Sandra C. Locklear, Jeff Moss, George K. McNeill, T. Gilchrist Sr., Vicky Woodell, Carroll Coley, Harold Currie, Marsha Currin, Ginny Phillips, Gil Clark, B.R. Evans, Tommy Williams, L.K. Salzer III, Eloise Carter, Billy D. Graham and Dwan S. Upchurch. Raeford Jaycees are commended To the Editor: A group of young persons in our community believe in the philosophy that "Service to Humanity is the Best Work of Life." The Jaycees are to be con gratulated for their contributions to our community and the oppor tunities they offer their members. The Raeford Jaycee Women would like to say thank you to the Raeford Jaycees during U.S. Jaycee Week, January 13-19. This dynamic group of young persons has been active in Raeford for many years. Major projects that the organization has completed recent ly have been: sponsorship of the Hoke County Girl Scouts and holding the Haunted House for TMH. In addition, monetary con tributions have been made to the Boys Home. The Raeford Jaycees also held turkey shoots and sold Christmas trees to provide 26 of Hoke Coun ty's needy children with clothes and toys for Christmas. The children were taken shop ping and were fed hot dogs, ham burgers and ice cream. They also played video games and were treated to a visit from Santa Claus. We, the Raeford Jaycee Women, proudly hail our Jaycees for the many accomplishments they have contributed to Raeford and Hoke County. Keep up the good work! Jennifer Manning, President Raeford Jaycee Women Letter* Policy Letters to the editor are encouraged and welcomed. Writers should keep letters as short as possible. Names, irtrtrmn and telephone numbers should be la eluded and all letters must be signed. Names will be printed; however, other information will be kept confidential. We reserve the right to edit letters for good uste and brevity. Letters sho?M be received by TV News-Jourm! by noon <m the Monday of the ptibicMlou / *ctk. /
The News-Journal (Raeford, N.C.)
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Jan. 17, 1985, edition 1
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