Voice of the People - October 9, 2007
Money could have been used for buses
I've loved Rock Hill ever since I was born on Wilson Street over 65 years ago, but in the past few weeks I have been ashamed of some of the things our city leaders and school board have done.
Really now, was the jaywalking law necessary? And that artificial turf?
In my opinion, some of that school money surplus could have been used for our leaders' making wiser choices, such as improving Rock Hill's fleet of aging buses, especially the special needs ones. Think how it must feel to a student in a wheelchair in an un-air-conditioned bus on a hot afternoon.
About 16 years ago, some residents of Catawba Terrace (Rock Hill Homes) asked if there could be a three-way stop sign put at the intersection of McDow Drive and Bose Avenue to slow traffic down and also because there were many students in this area who ride school buses. This request was turned down. It wasn't too long after that time that there was a three-way stop sign on the corner of Myrtle Drive and Evergreen Circle. Situations like this keep me reminded that it's all about who you know.
James A. Puckett
Rock Hill
Tega Cay needs its own schools
I think it is a great thing that Tega cay wants the Fort Mill school district to build Tega Cay Elementary and annex Gold Hill Middle and Elementary School into Tega Cay city limits. Tega Cay needs its own identity with its own schools.
I think Gold Hill Middle should be renamed Tega Cay Gold Hill Middle School, and I think Fort Mill School District should also consider building Tega Cay Area High School. Fort Mill has it all. Indian Land has it all. Tega Cay should have it all. Let's plan for it.
Ray A. Reeser
Tega Cay
Taxes have been paid
Recently, the York County delinquent tax collector listed The Lake Club Homeowners Association with four counts of delinquent taxes in The Herald. As president of the association I called the delinquent tax collector's office only to discover that common property is being taxed in 2007. We were informed that a notice of this tax was not mailed to our management group's office because they did not have our address. It's funny that we have received every other tax notice for 18 years and have always paid them on time. Wouldn't you think somebody should have called before embarrassing 47 homeowners in The Herald?
The York County delinquent tax collector's office waived the fines but refused to print a retraction, while listing our property yet a second time after the $80 tax was paid. We have been assured that all maps now have our correct address.
Rest assured that all of The Lake Club Homeowners Association taxes have been paid and will be paid in the future provided the York County delinquent tax collectors office mails the notice.
Steve Garland
Rock Hill
Children need better guidance
James O'Neal Boulware died a little over a month ago, and life goes on. Another life wasted for no good reason, and we, as a community, look on with no emotion. Another one bites the dust! I knew O'Neal since he was in kindergarten at St. Anne Catholic School with my daughter Charity. They were and continued to be lifelong friends. He was a good kid and a respectful young man who had a bright smile and a mild disposition.
As I write this with a tear rolling down my cheek, I have to wondered what could this young man have done to anyone to be violently executed in such a fashion. It is a blessing the young woman who was shot along with him survived. I wonder about a community that creates such a heartless person. I also wonder about how this event is commonplace and we accept it!
I was a big brother a few years back to two young men. It was very demanding and required more time than I could give, having to raise two children of my own. During that short time, I found that a child longs for leadership and direction. They want someone to show them how to make the right choices in life and what they do is important to you.
This is where we, as a community, are failing our youth. We are not helping them make the right choices. I don't know where in our society that violence became the first option. Our young men believe that manhood is in the barrel of a gun.
The truth is, the measure of any man is in his heart. How he can stand up to adversity and overcome any obstacle by using his mind. It is about making the right choices and choosing not to follow what is popular but to do what is right.
I believe our young people don't see the many options available to them in life. Our challenge as a community is to find a way to educate these young people early on the many options they have in life and what it takes to make their dreams real. How many teachers ask a doctor, lawyer, accountant, auto mechanic, a trade specialist, policeman or fireman to come and speak to their classes instead of some athlete. Doesn't anyone see the it would be better for our children to aspire to be one of these professionals instead of needing one at some other time in their life?
Their are 25 percent more African-American males between the ages of 18 and 24 in prison than in college. We need to raise the level of expectations our children have of life after high school by exposing them to all the wonderful things they could be if they are willing to work for it. We have too many churches, fraternities, sororities and other community organizations to allow this challenge to go unanswered. We have wasted too many tears over too many lives. I'm going to commit to my part in this struggle. Let's stand up together!
Vincent Blackwell
Rock Hill
Developers should share their plan
The recent Herald editorial praising Newland Communities and the Dave Lyle Boulevard extension is troubling.
How does The Herald know that Newland's development plan and Dave Lyle extension would be good for the people of Rock Hill and York County? In the almost two years that Newland has been pushing its proposed sprawl, it has offered nothing in writing. Newland's plans are visible only to Newland and are driven by Newland's anticipated profits, and not by benefits to the people of York County and Rock Hill.
The fact that Newland has never presented a written proposal to York County and/or the city of Rock Hill means that the elected officials, staff and citizens have never been involved in the zoning process. That is a process that protects all of us. It is a process in which the council, staff and citizens participate with an applicant to ensure that balanced growth occurs and that concerns are addressed. None of us, including our elected officials, know what Newland may or may not propose to build or to provide as parkland and services. The numbers being tossed around are 2,000 to 3,000 houses, apartments, condos plus retail and industrial, and would mean at least 30,000 vehicle trips per day and an edge city of about 12,000 people.
Dave Lyle extension has again raised its ugly head. Little consideration has been given to an environmental impact study that cited a number of problems years ago. Given the economic and growth patterns of the last five years, surely new studies would be wise. Why fast track what appears to be a developers' dream road? Just because it was an idea that became a line on a map almost 20 years ago does not mean it is a good idea now.
Hurrah for the elected officials of York County and the city of Rock Hill for standing by the comprehensive land-use plan and the Urban Services Boundary Agreements! We should all be glad that they are working hard to make sure our future growth is based on long range planning and not a developer's wish list!
Betty Hill Rankin
Rock Hill
Use surplus for 'Smart Boards'
Recently, there has been a great deal of criticism of the decision to install artificial turf in the District Three Stadium. One of the issues that I have not heard much about is the effect it will have on the athletes who play on the field.
Throughout the nation, artificial turf fields have been ripped up and replaced by natural turfs because of the dramatic increase of sports-related injuries. I think the school board should consider this before they push ahead with the implementation.
Also, the allocated funds could be used to purchase a large quantity of "Smart Boards," which I would consider one of the best teaching tools to become available in quite a while. As I understand it, there are many teachers waiting in line for a "Smart Board" to be installed in their classrooms. Isn't it time we give the teachers the tools they feel would improve the education process?
Patrick Russell
Rock Hill
This story was originally published October 9, 2007 at 12:32 AM with the headline "Voice of the People - October 9, 2007."