Today’s Forum for Nov. 8

Published 3:01 pm Wednesday, November 7, 2018

“America will not be great until people stop seeing everyone who looks, speaks or believes differently as an enemy. Fear and hate are for the ignorant.”

“As a graduate of Southeast Whitfield High School and a former Raider band member, I’m totally disgusted that the new band director and current principal took it upon themselves to disgracefully dispose of all previous year band trophies into the dumpsters. If they had no place to store them, they should have offered them to the Raider band alumni. Oh, and the current principal was an athlete when she attended Southeast. Yep, athletics always wins out!”

“On the subject of Southeast Whitfield High School’s situation with the band trophies, it was very uncalled for. That history that was almost trashed is the history that gave the Raider band the reputation that it had. That was a slap in the face to the legacy set in place by Ronnie Gaddis. Was a slap in the face to the band alumni, which includes myself who graduated in 2003, who worked so hard to earn those trophies.”

“I’m happy that the powers that be at Southeast High didn’t trash all of the school’s state football championship trophies.”

“Watched President Trump’s news conference on Wednesday after the elections. I was amazed at the lack of manners, disrespect and outright hostility shown towards President Trump by the news reporters. Mr. Editor, I hate that things have reached the point where I feel the need to verify any news reports that you don’t originate. I am confident that you don’t write or pass along inaccurate made up (fake) news stories. Sadly, many of your news brethren don’t have your ethics and integrity.”

“I agree with the person who said to leave your pet dogs at home. I was eating in the Oakwood a few days ago. Two women sat down in a booth across from me, and one had her pet dog with her that she just plopped down next to her. The server saw it but did nothing. Gross. I have not been back to the restaurant since. When will owners and managers ask people with pets to leave? The person who used that booth after these women had no idea it had just been used by a dog.”

“Seen one mad because city school tax was 57 percent of the tax bill. That is coming out pretty good. Got my tax bill in the county and my school tax is 73 percent of the tax bill. And yet no one complains about that but stays mad at the county commissioners for their spending when they get only 27 percent of the tax dollars. But too many here do not realize commissioners have zero control over school tax dollars. They think property tax equals commissioners’ spending. People need to better educate themselves.”

“For the first time in all the years we have lived here and paid our property tax, which went up every year, we get break. When you reach 70 you no longer have to pay school taxes. Our bill this year is less than $600. Yeah! In the past it was around $2,000. I think the qualifying age for property tax breaks should be lowered to 65.”