OP/ED i40\ ^Jf/eartt < ^*i?j|y to* Ernest H. Pitt T. Kevin Walker Elaine Pitt Blair Hitchinson Publisher/Co-Founder Managing Editor Business Manager Office Manager Fansler for School Board To the Editor: Other than parents, the most important individual in a child's life and development is an experienced, dedicated, and gifted teacher. Sadly, we have lawmakers in NC who currently lack respect and appreciation for public school educators. A sensible counterbalance for this negative attitude would be to elect a caring, seasoned teacher to our School Board. Katherine Fansler would be this person. What makes Katherine Fansler's twelve years in the classroom outstanding is the fact that she continues to find meaning and excitement in teaching. Being a member of the WS/FC School Board will provide her the opportunity to contribute her leader ship, perspective, and voice on behalf of students, parents and fellow teachers in an effort to achieve quality, equitable public education for all students. Forsyth County would be fortunate having her serve in such a capacity. intelligent, enthusiastic, creative, and hardworking best describe Katherine Fansler. Her expertise is needed. Vote Katherine Fansler for School Board. Anne Griffis Wilson To the Editor: As folks who make it their job to know the local community, the Chronicle endors es candidates. It once was a useful service that allowed citizens to take your thoughts along with others to make careful choices. Nowadays, in most general elections, we needn't really bother. In some districts the Republican is a shoe-in. in others the Democrat. Either way the election is more a coronation than a contest. But occasionally there is a real race. On Forsyth County ballots there is a con testable race waged between middle of the road people as well as inhabitants of the fringes. That is the ai-large school district race. There are 3 Republicans and 3 Democrats running for 3 seats. And the County as a whole is near enough balanced that none are shoe-ins. It is a race that won't be decided until the votes are counted. How quaint! Kathie Fansler is my favorite for one of these rare seats. She has taught many years in local public and charter schools. She knows firsthand the issues facing students, from students landing college scholarships to the poorest and those with special needs. She has a technical and analytical back ground that will help her hack through the jungle that is the district budget and policy. She is an advocate for transparency - for disclosures that make it possible for all to understand the Board's choices. She brings a quick wit, a ready smile and abundant energy. She understands that governing is about negotiation. Please join me (in) put ting a teacher on the Board. Steve Scroggin Support bonds! To the Editor: 4 On November 4th the citizens of Winston-Salem have the opportunity to vote on five bond issues: transportation; public safety; economic development; housing development; and recreation. The City has not had a bond referendum since 2000 and many capital needs have been placed "on hold" during this time of eco nomic turmoil. There are numerous proj ects/improvements that have been identi fied in the five bond issues. It is my hope that all Winston-Salem residents will take time to become informed about these needs. I am a supporter of the total bond pack age and, as a former City Recreation and Parks Department employee, 1 am most aware of the tremendous needs in the recre ation area. However, while attending the citizens' meetings on the five bond issues, 1 was able to obtain information and listen to City staff and elected councilmen on all the project proposals - not just recreation. It is my belief that we, as citizens, should vote "YES" and support all of Winston-Salem's capital needs in this bond package. Remember to vote November 4th for the bonds and for the candidates of your choice. Nick Jamison Kazakos To the Editor: Please join me in voting for Ted Kazakos for District Court Judge in November. As a criminal defense attorney I have worked with Ted since he began prosecuting cases. During his time as an assistant district attorney. Ted has proven himself to be a talented, dedicated, and extremely hard working lawyer. 1 have handled dozens of serious cases with Ted, and I have always appreciated and admired his professionalism, his thoughtfulness and his compassion. Above all, Ted is an hon orable person, and I am proud to call him my friend. I know Ted will bring his exem plary personal and professional virtues to the bench as our next district court judge. The citizens of Forsyth County will gain an excellent new judge when Ted Kazakos is elected on November 4th. Christopher A. Beechler Message for Ferguson ^ William Barber || Guest , Columnist r This message was read to the participants in Oct. 13 for the Moral Monday in Ferguson. Mo. My brothers and sisters. I bring you greetings and offer solidarity from the Forward Together Moral Monday Movement in North Carolina. 1 wanted so to be there as you take this bold step toward addressing injustice, racial profiling, and systemic inequality. We are in Ohio, helping to train the organizers of this state's Moral Movement, gearing up for the Long March to Justice here. I know that you know this but you are right to protest and to build a movement and not a moment. You must ensure that, as Jeremiah said, the cry of Rachel mourning over her children is heard throughout America. You must, like Jesus in the gospel of Luke, refuse to accept the untimely deaths and killing of our children and just as Jesus shook the casket, you must shake the conscience of this nation. We must declare that if t death by police and mass incarceration and econom ic exploitation are the con tinuing forms of crucifix ion, the crucifixion demands a witness against it and demands that some body exposes it for what it is and lifts up a vision of a better way and resurrec tion. You have said that your actions today are modeled after the Moral Monday events in North Carolina. Let me lift up just a few key elements that we have learned. 1. First, to make this a real movement, it must be led by indigenous leader ship. We can come in and offer support but the lead ership right there in Ferguson and St. Louis must give the guidance and framing and must lead. 2. Ensure that your agenda of protest is under girded by an agenda of promise: a clear agenda and demands that do not just curse the darkness but show a way forward. 3. Clergy and religious leaders must be willing to sacrifice and frame the cry of the people for justice as a moral issue. 4. Youth in Ferguson, youth on the ground MUST be at the forefront of taking on this Goliath. A young David took on his Goliath. Fifty years ago. youth took on America dur ing Freedom Summer. When the moral voice and power of clergy and the energy and imagination of youth are joined with the tears and authenticity of mothers and fathers, united with a diverse coalition of justice loving people, it is a force that is unstoppable. That is why you must remember, forward togeth er, it is your duty to fight and it is your duty to win. 5. Though Michael Brown was African American, your coalition must be diverse. White men and Black men and Latino men must speak out! Black women and White women and Latino women must speak out! 6. Finally, with a deep commitment to the princi ples of Dr. King, nonvio lent civil disobedience is fully in order when it is deeply rooted with a moral commitment to challenge and stop, "...oppressive laws that rob the poor of their rights." As you begin this moral campaign, remember what Paul said. "We are not of those who shrink back unto destruction but we are those who persevere unto the salvation of the soul. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evi dence of things not seen." Yours in the struggle and fight for justice. Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II President of the NC NAACP \ Young and Thriving NCt U Phmo City Council member James Taylor receives his N.C. Central University "40 Under 40" alumni excellence award from Chancellor Debra Saunders-White on Friday, Sept. 12 at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel in Research Triangle Park. Taylor, who is in his second term as the Southeast Ward representative, gradu ated from NCCU in 2003. Dome from page A6 show the series had a direct in-state spend of more $33.3 million while employing a total of 1500 individuals. Audit figures for 2014 are not avail able at this time. "We are thrilled that Under the Dome will be staying in North Carolina," said Secretary Decker. "Our state's beauty and strong film industry infrastruc ture definitely were a key in helping us keep this series home in North Carolina." Season two of the series is one of more than 60 productions that have filmed in North Carolina so far in 2014. Combined, these productions are estimated to have a direct in-state spend in excess of $300 million, according to the N.C. Film Office. Filming of the*third season is sched I uled for the first quarter of 2015. The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) officially began operations this week. The EDPNC works with the N.C. Department of Commerce to operate as the sales and marketing arm of tk.? ctafa racnnneiKla f/*r knci 11iv jiuvv, ivapv/uaiL/iv iui uu.ti ness recruitment, existing industry and small business support, import and export assistance, marketing, tourism, film and sports development. "This is a great win for the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina," said John Lassiter, chairman of the EDPNC. "The series will continue to have a positive financial impact on North v. TL ? . - Herg r> 1: voiuima n ciunumy. 1 nis is great news ior the film industry and communities in our state. These are the kind of long running productions we hope to continue to attract to North Carolina." ALS from page AS So, what can African Americans do to help take us toward a cure for ALS? Here are a few steps to consider: Enroll in a genetics research study if you are suffering from ALS or a disease like ALS, Donating DNA is quick and simple. It can be a blood donation. If you are scared of needles, you can donate saliva. If you are not suffer ing from ALS, educate yourself about the disease so that you can dissemi nate the information to help others make UNCG from pane A4 their family members bring to our community," Tarrant said. "That is why we have developed academic pro grams and support services designed specifically with these students in mind." Tarrant points to pro grams and services such as the Yellow Ribbon Program, the School of Nursing's Veterans Access Program, and the recently established Veterans Resource Center that are designed to support UNCG's growing military affiliated student popula tion. UNCG opted to join the VA's Yellow Ribbon pro gram. where universities offset educational expenses beyond what is allotted through the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The VA matches the university's contribution. The School of Nursing's Veteran's Access Program offers an acceler ated bachelor's in nursing degree (BSN) for medical ly trained military veterans. The program allows veter ans credit for their valuable hands-on medical experi ence. For Elizabeth Cranford. UNCG's veteran services coordinator, supporting veterans and their families on campus is a way to thank them for their mili tary service. "The price of freedom is not free, and many of our student veterans have made great sacrifices," she said. "Additionally, our students who are dependents of vet erans have seen great sacri fice and experienced a lot of difficulty. Therefore, to have the opportunity to informed decisions about study enrollment. Volunteer with non profit organizations on outreach initiatives. The last several months have shown that the spread of information and action can allow us to bond as human beings and have a profound impact on others. The ALS community is grate ful to have seen a range of people?from our sisters and brothers, to our neighbors, to athletes like Lebron James, entertain ers such as Lady Gaga, and political leaders such as President George W. Bush, take up the Ice Bucket Challenge and take notice of ALS. serve our student veterans and dependents is truly an honor and joy, both person ally and institutionally. UNCG's military friendly recognition is a community award, and I'm so thankful to be a part of a team that makes this endeavor such a high priority. These stu dents are dedicated and goal-driven. It's an honor to help them meet their goals and to see them excel." I'm now challenging African Americans to help us continue on the path to a cure by doing what it takes to make sure we are included in genet ics study of ALS. My research team is conduct ing a study. If you or a family member are affect ed with ALS or a related disorder, we hope to hear from you. You can e-mail us at cclOOh@nih.gov to find out more. Dr. Janel Johnson works in the Laboratory of Neurogenetics at the National Institute on Aging, a division of the National Institutes o) Health. Brady CALLNOW to Find Out How ? Affordable Styles For Every Budget! ? Includes Lifetime Written Warranty! ? Senior Discount And Financing! Call Now For FREE Details! 800-770-3576 ( Donate A Boat or Car Today! Boai^Xngel "2-Nlght Free Vacation!" MOO-CAK-ANM , www.boatahgel.com \ nvonawaua

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