| Together, we can make a better place to live |
The mission of the Lincoln County, NC Meeting Grounds website is a simple
one; to provide an electronic meeting place for the citizens and relatives of
citizens of Lincoln County, North Carolina.
On a simply local level, message boards will be provided for various
functions, both private and sponsored by organizations. There will be a
Classified page, a Lincoln County Sights Photo Page, and a Yardsale page.
There will also be a section dedicated to the businesses of Lincoln County
offering an absolutely free business listing, along with links to your
business' web site. And, best of all the users of the site will always be
listened to, their ideas will always be given full merit and full recognition.
On a political level, the meeting grounds will hopefully hit its stride. In todays
climate, there is little enough of a bi-partisan spirit. Especially on a local
level, this does not have to be. This site will be dedicated to creating a
conversation between all people, republican, democrat or independent and
finding solutions to local problems which we can all agree on.
No matter which party holds office, when people speak together we can
make sure our elected leaders are carrying out the responsibilities of their
oaths of office; together we can make sure that our elected officials, both
county and city, remain true to the idea that the people of this county are
their constituents, and no one else.
Lincoln County is at a crossroads; as Charlotte expands, it will be up to the
citizens of this county to provide a counterbalance to the forces of business
and commerce; it will be up to us to make sure our politicians are fostering
a strong business community, while ensuring that growth is approached
with all viewpoints in mind. Roads will be a major concern as more and
more houses and subdivisions are built, as well as greenspaces, school
size and budget, water concerns and many others.
It will be up to us, as the citizens of Lincoln County, to make sure these
issues are approached in a way which is best for the people who live here,
and approached on a bipartisan basis of sensible, real world regulations
one; to provide an electronic meeting place for the citizens and relatives of
citizens of Lincoln County, North Carolina.
On a simply local level, message boards will be provided for various
functions, both private and sponsored by organizations. There will be a
Classified page, a Lincoln County Sights Photo Page, and a Yardsale page.
There will also be a section dedicated to the businesses of Lincoln County
offering an absolutely free business listing, along with links to your
business' web site. And, best of all the users of the site will always be
listened to, their ideas will always be given full merit and full recognition.
On a political level, the meeting grounds will hopefully hit its stride. In todays
climate, there is little enough of a bi-partisan spirit. Especially on a local
level, this does not have to be. This site will be dedicated to creating a
conversation between all people, republican, democrat or independent and
finding solutions to local problems which we can all agree on.
No matter which party holds office, when people speak together we can
make sure our elected leaders are carrying out the responsibilities of their
oaths of office; together we can make sure that our elected officials, both
county and city, remain true to the idea that the people of this county are
their constituents, and no one else.
Lincoln County is at a crossroads; as Charlotte expands, it will be up to the
citizens of this county to provide a counterbalance to the forces of business
and commerce; it will be up to us to make sure our politicians are fostering
a strong business community, while ensuring that growth is approached
with all viewpoints in mind. Roads will be a major concern as more and
more houses and subdivisions are built, as well as greenspaces, school
size and budget, water concerns and many others.
It will be up to us, as the citizens of Lincoln County, to make sure these
issues are approached in a way which is best for the people who live here,
and approached on a bipartisan basis of sensible, real world regulations
County Meeting Grounds - Lincoln
County, NC
County, NC
| Dear President Obama; I know there is a lot of discussion about education - I am neither a teacher nor a student, but I do have Grandchildren - so this is an important subject to me. I will be the first to admit, I do not know a lot about the technical aspects of education - what I do know is what is apparent to many people - things seem to have gone awry, even in 'good' schools. There has been a gradual drift from what schools were and did in the past, but as with all of our problems we need to concentrate on what the actual problem is, and not think that some of the symptoms are the problems. So what should our schools concentrate on? Facts and statistics learned by rote, to be regurgitated in an end of year test, or things which teach children sciences, history and sociology and actual critical thinking. I have two suggestions that are just tangential to teaching but seem to me to be rather important. The first is the elimination of as much sugar from the drinks and food our children are given in school, and making snacks brought from home, unless whole fruit of vegetables, outlawed (or, against the school regulations). The second is at least two periods of exercise for every student every day, maybe even only ten to fifteen minutes, in the morning and in the afternoon. Twenty minutes would be best, I think. There is a start; what do we really want to teach our kids? Simple rote of facts, or a full, rounded life which includes arts of all types and critical thinking and logic? And then, once we figure out exactly what to teach our kids, we can figure out the best ways to do that. OK, here is a thought - instead of art, how about a creative thoughts class, where it could be art, poetry, cooking - the subjects could be varied by school and the local children's interest (and funding) - this would organize in a rather natural method I would think. But at least an hour a day; what other things could we teach children that would have a positive outcome in their adult lives? And how do we twine those things with technical knowledge? There is a difference - in my mind, the religious education of a child should be left up to the parents and the church or mosque or temple that they attend. But what makes a good life? Is it money, or is it love of family and friends? The desire to be fair in all your dealings? To make a profit, but not to take advantage? Such things can be taught in art, and sociology, and philosophy - and even history if it is approached in the right manner. Is an hour a day to much to ask for that portion of the education? For a land based on freedom, and compassion and fairness? I think that that is an old fashioned value - read the founding fathers, if you have not, and see what they think. Look how John Adams educated his sons - look at how Ben Franklin educated himself, with the help and guidance of others. They did not leave out things which we casually toss aside today; they knew they were almost more important than the mere technical aspects of learning. What point have we come to, when we think that critical, logical thinking combined with the thirst for fairness and beauty has been suppressed? Think of the world through your great grandchildren's eyes, not in a partisan sense, as you hope things will turn out, but in a survival sense - will my great grandchildren be smart enough to overcome what the world throws at them? That is the question - but what is the answer? |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| An Open Letter to President Obama |