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Letters to the Editor

Animal hoarding can lead to tragedies

There are animal hoarders in virtually every community. Their compulsions often lead to horrific consequences for animals, as allegedly happened in Randolph County, where authorities reportedly discovered 11 dogs and 40 cats in deplorable, unlivable conditions, as well as 41 deceased cats. Studies show that nearly 100 percent of animal hoarders relapse, which is why proper sentencing and follow-ups are essential. If convicted of cruelty to animals, the woman responsible for this alleged horror must be given a sentence that includes a lifetime ban on contact with animals; regular, ...

Parent: BOE must think of the children

Dear Randolph County Board of Education, My name is Jessica Pennington. I have a 5-year-old daughter at Harman School. When I informed her that one of her teacher assistants might get RIF-fed, she was devastated and heartbroken. She asked me, “I love Miss Melanie, why does she have to go?” That question I could not answer. I told her she has every right to ask questions and have an opinion because this affects her. Even though my daughter may be small, she has a right to voice her opinion. I explained to her that her tiny voice can make ripples in the water that will be ...

Carbon footprints can easily be reduced

On Monday, March 20, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) issued its latest assessment on climate change, drawing on the findings of hundreds of scientists throughout the world. The assessment details the devastating impacts of rising greenhouse gas emissions, including destruction of homes, loss of crops, and fragmentation of communities. Animal agriculture is responsible for at least 15% of man-made greenhouse gas emissions, including nitrous oxide from animal waste piles, methane from ruminant digestion, and carbon dioxide from burning forests to create ...

Corridor H petition is still standing

In response to Davis Mayor Alan Tomson’s letter to the editor, I’ll address what he conveniently left out. I admire Mayor Tomson; he’s dedicated to his community. He’s working to address the housing crisis being caused by second homeowners who drive Corridor H often. It is commendable. I appreciated his article about the short-term rentals debacle…right up until it became a re-election pitch. His current LTE feels like another pitch. I brought up valid concerns about Corridor H in 2019... I know how sticky this issue is. I simply disagree with Al on some things. The ...

TIF taxes causing confusion for some

There have been questions regarding the TIF (Tax Increment Financing) application that the city has applied for. 1. Current base county tax revenue from inside the new TIF area and outside the TIF area still goes to the county. 2. Only new property taxes from tax revenue from inside the TIF area will go to the city. Existing base level property taxes still go to the county. 3. These new potential property taxes will come from any new businesses (that currently do not exist yet) that would want to build in the TIF area. The current base level of property taxes in the TIF area ...

RCHS volunteer lists her concerns

I attended my first Randolph County Commission meeting (recently). Some of the Randolph County Humane Society volunteers went to support our shelter. After the meeting, we spoke to the commissioners. Mr. Siler reiterated that his proposal would not be a kill shelter. Then why do we need to spend tax dollars on a duplication of services? His answer is the present shelter refused some animals. There is an agreement between the shelter and the county to take in a certain number. Conversation and discussion leads to understanding. Why not try it? I was also accused of twisting ...