Letters to the Editor 02/28/2007

To the Editor:

Whatever drives people to support organizations that enhance the life of a non-profit organization or charity, the result is that communities benefit.

The donors' motives are as simple as tax deduction or charitable hearts. SOAR has a very small tax base, the lowest in our area, and depends on the generosity of citizens to maintain its programs and keep the doors open to all through scholarships and affordable pricing.

The five-figure donation from the Morgans has given us the flexibility to give our staff a raise, the first in two years, because it has freed up other areas of financial need and allowed very patient employees their basic cost-of-living increase in wages.

Before you choose to find fault with this enormous gift, please consider the results of that gift. It was a kind and breathtaking action.

Bonnie Malone, SOAR District Board

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To the Editor:

I want to thank you and all of the staff of The Nugget for putting out such a great paper. I always enjoy reading The Nugget each week, from the editorials to the advertisements and everything in between. The diversity of activities and opinions and life in general here in our community is published freely and without bias, and everyone has the right and opportunity to speak their minds in this forum.

This evening I had a long phone chat with my daughter-in-law Dana in Savannah. My son Jason is in the Army and is preparing to go back to Iraq for another tour. He was all set to get out of the service after proudly serving for six years of active duty.

He and his family were getting ready to move to this area so we could all be together. He had been applying for law enforcement jobs and had a few prospects. After all, protecting people is what he was trained to do, right?

But two weeks from his discharge date the military stop-loss order came down and not only was he NOT getting out he was going back overseas. What a blow! His family and I took the hit pretty hard, but we also understand that this is what he does, and we love him and support him in whatever happens.

So, after Dana and I ended our call, I was reading the paper when I came upon an ad for Dr. Bonnie Malone that had the most wonderful quote by Dr. Martin Luther King: "We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools."

"How nice!" I said to myself and sat with that thought for a minute or two before turning the page. Then, I saw the letter to the editor from Steve Coltin, and my thoughts turned from peaceful to somewhat sad as I read those hard, angry words.

After I finished the letter, I sat with it for a minute and shook my head and wondered why some people can't speak their minds in a good way. It isn't necessary to demean or degrade or spit venom just because someone doesn't agree with your politics or philosophy or whatever. Therefore, I may not agree with you Mr. Coltin but thanks for sharing.

Then, seven pages later, I stopped at the bottom of page 21 and looked at the 3,135 tiny little stars, each one standing for a military person who has lost their life in Iraq. I ran my fingers across the rows and thought of them, their families, their loss and sent up a little prayer to The Great Spirit to comfort all who are suffering as a result of this terrible conflict.

I pray for peace. I pray for my only son to return safe home. I pray for understanding and compassion for all peoples in all lands. I pray that we really CAN live together as brothers and sisters. It's not hard. So what do you say, shall we give peace a chance?

Sharon Sparrow

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To the Editor:

I had the opportunity to attend opening night of "The Crucible," and I would like to congratulate the cast and crew, the director and all parents with a connection to this wonderful production. Wow! It's great to have a theatre program back in the high school!

The young actors gave a very charged, authentic, sophisticated performance of Arthur Miller's dark classic, showing some impressive acting ability and crediting the director, Gary Bowne, for creating a real challenge and working hard with them to meet it.

Being taken seriously at a young age, having a place to put talent to work and being effectively mentored are the components of real education.

This production and the people who brought it about are a credit to the community, and I look forward to more from this group.

For now, I say, "Pack the house!" It will make you proud.

Melissa Ward