Opinions
Small towns making a comeback
By W.B. Jenkins
N.C. Farm Bureau Federation
After decades of decline, Small
Town U.S.A., is making a come
back. This revival began in the
1970's with an abrupt reversal of
population patterns that had
prevailed for generations. Small
towns had been losing residents to
metropolitan areas for some time
but according to census figures,
millions of Americans are opting
for a more rural lifestyle these
days.
U.S. metropolitan areas grew by
9.8% during the 1970's but rural
and small town regions developed
much faster. With a growth rate of
15.8Vo, they gained more than 8.5
million people.
The U.S. Department of
Agriculture says samplings done in
the U.S. since 1980 show that rural
and small town areas are still draw
ing people though the growth may
not be as dramatic as it was in the
1970's.
The USDA also says that the
surprising thing about this exodus
to rural areas is that it's occuring
in all major geographic sections of
the nation with the south and west
seeing the greatest influx of new
citizens.
The experts say this rush for
rural America is caused more by
social factors than economic fluc
tuations. Which basically means
urban folks are just now discover
ing what rural folks have known
all along about the many advan
tages of rural and small town liv
ing.
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ATHLETICS
Assortment of joggers
and athletics for men,
boy 8 and ladies in
popular colors.
PriCM Good At All Family Dollar Storas m.l, e?
Through TWa Waafcand. Quantities Limltad " '
On Soma Itama. No 8a<ae To 0? loo. ? ?ford, N.C.
9-9 Daily
14 Sun.
? . . Letters continued
(Continued from page 2B)
up by our dog wardens are
ultimately put to sleep at our
pound. This tragedy need not hap
pen. The national average cost for
sheltering one dog or cat is $40.00.
By spaying just one female
animal, it will present ultimately
the birth of about 200 unwanted
animals, saving a tremendous
amount of money in shelter and
kill costs, not to mention how
much suffering it will prevent.
So, please, we urge you, have
your female pets spayed.
Spaying is the only alternative to
death for these animals.
Their only crime is being born
unloved and unwanted.
You can help put a stop to this.
You have helped us with our
bake sales, now it's our turn to
help you.
Thanks again for your con
tinued support.
Sincerely,
Sheryl McGinnis, Sec.
H/R Humane Society
Helping hand given
To the Editor:
On Friday evening, October 24,
1985, a friend and 1 were traveling
to Charlotte to attend the Annual
State Mathematics Conference.
Around 7:30 p.m. my car over
heated near Parks Grocery on
15-501.
When 1 called the Methodist
Church in Raeford, Boy Scout
Troop 0404 was holding its
monthly meeting and responded to
our call for help.
John Furmage, Frank Branch,
David Warren and others spent
over an hour working on my car
and leading us to safe lodgings in
Southern Pines.
Your community is indeed for
tunate to have such men willing to
share time and effort to help those
in distress.
Sincerely,
Jackie Elliott
New Bern
Letters Policy
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keep letters as short as possible. Names, addresses and telephone
numbers should be included and all letters must be signed. Names
will be printed, however, other information will be kept confiden
tial. We reserve the right to edit letters for good taste and brevity.
Letters should be received by The News-Journal by noon on the
Monday of the publication week.
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