Some e-mail holdovers from a heavy February. These didn’t really fit a category. Some are observations. A few complaints and a word of praise or two.
Here goes.
Not the center of the universe
I got this from a reader a few weeks back after the opening of the new Hospice store in the former Winn-Dixie store in Haw River. Our staff goofed in the editorial page Ups and Dowss section that appears each Saturday. This reader called us on it but good. We deserved it.
“I always look forward to reading the Ups and Downs in Saturday’s paper. Imagine my dismay when I read the Hospice Flea Market “located on the outskirts of Burlington” was mentioned – the dismay being that the store is located in the former Winn-Dixie store in Haw River. Now, I know there is not much going on here on the “east” side of town, but when Winn-Dixie was here and I placed a call, I do not recall the location being “outskirts of Burlington” but Haw River. Everything is not about Burlington – we are part of this community as well. Thank you.”
MY TAKE: This reader is absolutely right and I apologize. It won’t happen again on my watch. That’s a promise. As someone from a town with a population of 170, I realize how important community can be. Haw River is Haw River and Burlington is Burlington.
By the way, I also had another reader a few days later question whether there’s a Waffle House in Haw River. The issue came up in a court story by Michael Abernethy. We determined that there is — and that we need to get to Haw River and Mebane more often.
Where’s the stuff?
Got this a couple of weeks ago from reader Kenneth Olson of Burlington.
“Last Sunday no Parade Magazine and this Sunday the crossword puzzle published is the same one as was in the paper last week. These little gaffes are disappointing to say the least. Yours for better future performance.”
MY TAKE: I hate it when this happens. Our Sunday crossword is placed by the ad staff in the classified section and normally they do a tremendous job. We all try to avoid mistakes lke this one.
The Parade magazine is another question. Our mailroom assembles the weekly Sunday packages of inserts, comics and Parade. Carriers, in many cases, then place the packages with the newspaper. On that slope there is lots of room for slippage. But like Mr. Olson, I hope and expect our performance to be better.
Nice job
My friend Glenn Scott, a professor at Elon, sent along a note saying he liked a column I wrote about helping shovel the driveway of a neighbors. Seems Joy Branson is a neighbor for both us. Glenn lives a couple of streets from my own. I see him sometimes when I’m out taking a walk.
Nice piece on Joy, our neighbor. She is an effusive one. Nice thought to clean her driveway. Good for you. (Reminds me to check on her sometimes, too.
MY TAKE: Good karma continues to flow. Thanks to Glenn as well, whose journalism students continue to help the Times-News in numerous ways.
A thought to ponder
Got this short message from Warren Pegram, who is a regular contributor to the Open Forum.
“After excercise class this morning I got into a discussion with someone complaining ‘that schools just teach memorizing stuff and not how to think’. Way back in the last century we were taught critical thinking was comparing memorized accurate information and locations memorized where pertinent information could be found with a propostion to decise a result. Nowdays critical thinking appears to be intuitive, that is critical thinking is arriving at a result that ‘feels right’. I wonder if thats a topic that needs reader input ?”
Go Steelers.
Warren Pegram
MY TAKE: As a fan of the Green Bay Packers I was deeply offended. We got the last laugh, though.
In terms of Mr. Pegram’s other question, I have no idea. Any thoughts out there?
Keep it up
I got two notes last month from R.S. Cline, a retired doctor who lives in Burlington. Dr. Cline writes every so often — and also sends letters to the Open Forum. I thank him for both.
“Good articles in paper you are writing. Thanks for putting in the bills voted on by our Senator and Representative in each Saturday’s paper. I want to know what they are doing. ”
And then he sent this one.
“Thanks for pushing all for open govt. meetings and data. Our tax money pays for all this and it is only right that we have access to it all.I think the Republicans did a BAD when they met behind closed doors in Raleigh recently.
“Keep up the pressure and the good works. ”
MY TAKE: The report on how lawmakers vote in Raleigh is pretty important to publish. I also hope to do the same for Congress this year.
And if people are looking for more information about what goes on in Raleigh, check out our website devoted to state politics: m2mpolitics.com
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