The Daily Dispatch - Saturday, August 15, 2009 by The Daily Dispatch

CMYK Dogs don’t care about dogma

KVA, Franklin tie on opening night

Mount Olive pastor’s prayers answered

Opinion, Page 6A

Sports, Page 1B

Faith, Page 1C SATURDAY, August 15, 2009

Volume XCV, No. 190

(252) 436-2700

www.hendersondispatch.com

50 cents

Man, 18, wanted in connection with Oxford shooting 2 others arrested in incident police calling gang related By WILLIAM F. WEST Daily Dispatch Writer

OXFORD — An 18-year-old man is wanted for assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and possession of a weapon of mass destruction in connection with an early Thursday afternoon shooting along Peace Street in the southeastern part of the city.

Governor eases up on spending restrictions

Tevon Jones, whose last known address was 114 Taylor St., was last seen armed with a sawed off shotgun, police said. Two others were arrested in connection with the shooting, which police said appears to X. Bobbitt Jones J. Bobbitt have been gang related. of possession of a stolen firearm The two are Xavier Bobbitt, and possession of a firearm by a 18, and Joshua Bobbitt, 21, both convicted felon. of 111 Summitt Ave. Xavier Bobbitt and Joshua Xavier Bobbitt, who is being Bobbitt are cousins, police said. held on $75,000 bond, is accused The shooting happened at apof discharging a firearm in the proximately 1:40 p.m. city limits, possession of a stolen Police said that, after arrivfirearm and possession of a fireing in the area, they were told arm by a convicted felon. persons in a white sport utility Joshua Bobbitt, who is being vehicle had an exchange of words held on $70,000 bond, is accused

T-storm High: 90 Low: 64

Sunday Humid

High: 92 Low: 69

Details, 3A

Deaths Henderson Gilbert L. Hawkins, 70 Oxford Robert T. Steed, 73 Walter Spencer Jr., 47

Obituaries, 4A

Contact the writer at bwest@hendersondispatch.com.

Superintendent sought to assure the audience of this at the New Teacher Breakfast By WILLIAM F. WEST Daily Dispatch Writer

Index

Today

vehicle was found at the rear of a yard at 111 Summit Ave., which is nearly parallel to Peace Street. Police said that a 9 mm handgun was recovered that was reported stolen from Granville County. And police said Xavier Bobbitt was the one who fired the weapon. Anyone with any information is urged to phone police at (919) 693-3161, phone Granville Crime Stoppers at (919) 6933100 or approach the nearest law enforcement officer.

‘Things will be fine’ in Granville schools

OXFORD — Granville County Schools Superintendent Tim Farley told the crowd gathered RALEIGH (AP) — Gov. Friday morning for the annual Beverly Perdue is easing up on countywide New Teacher Breakspending restrictions followfast not to worry as the school ing approval of a state budget, year approaches Aug. 25 in the but limits on purchases, travel and hiring for North Carolina’s midst of difficult economic times nationwide. government “We’ll do a terrific job,” Farley will continue. said at the event, which was held Perdue’s in the cafeteria of the Masonic budget director Home for Children. “Our youngon Friday sent sters will learn. Things will be a memo telling fine in Granville County.” state agencies The gathering provides incomto hold back ing educators with the chance to five percent of Perdue meet government and elected offiwhat the budcials, business owners and county get authorized. Chamber of Commerce members. Public schools are exempted. The incoming educators receive Agency heads must continue approving travel and pay raises, gifts from the businesses. but now have flexibility to deFarley gave the same message cide how to manage spending. to the audience he recently gave Since April, state agencies to the school district’s leadership have been authorized to spend team. The message was based on only for mandatory obligations Farley’s being a fan of the 1939 such as salaries, debt service big screen classic “The Wizard and utilities. of Oz” because, Farley said, A spokesman said the the story tells much about both governor is being cautious since troubles and success. tax increases used to balance Farley recalled the scene when the budget won’t be available Dorothy and her acquaintances for months. entered Emerald City. Dorothy wanted to go back home to Kansas, The Tin Man wanted a heart, The Scarecrow wanted a brain and The Cowardly Lion wanted Our Hometown . . . . . 2A courage. Business & Farm. . . . 5A The Wizard’s voice said he Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . 6A intended to grant their wishes, Light Side . . . . . . . . . 7A but wanted them to bring him the broomstick of The Wicked Witch Sports. . . . . . . . . . 1-4B of the West, which they did, only Faith. . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4C to discover The Wizard was a Comics . . . . . . . . . . . 5C sham. Classifieds. . . . . . . 6-8C

Weather

with several persons at the corner of Peace and Person streets. The vehicle turned onto Peace Street and began heading toward Raleigh Street, police said. A male in the crowd, later identified as Jones, allegedly pulled a shotgun and fired into the rear of the vehicle, police said. The vehicle stopped and a male, identified as Xavier Bobbitt, fired at least three rounds from a pistol in the direction of Jones, police said. All of the subjects fled the scene, police said. A white Chevrolet sport utility

The point, Farley said, was they did not need The Wizard because Dorothy could always go home, The Tin Man had a heart, The Scarecrow had a brain and The Lion had courage. “So, when I was asked this morning, ‘Are you prepared with all that’s going on to open school?’ The answer is certifiably yes.” “We’ve got everything that we need. We don’t need to depend on anybody else to do what we know how to do,” Farley said. “I can’t worry about what I do or don’t have,” Farley said. “I can’t worry about what may come or may not come. I know that those children will show up on the 25th, as sure as I’m standing here, and I know that we’re going to do a good job educating.” “That’s all I need to know,” Farley said. “I don’t need any help from a wizard.” Farley updated the message with the story behind the new movie G-Force, a comedy adventure in which guinea pigs are trained to work in government espionage. Farley told of the guinea pigs being told that they were genetically engineered and special, but that they later discovered that they were otherwise. The point, Farley said, is the guinea pig leader says, “I believe we can do this” and the human leader who crafted this looks at the guinea pigs and says, “I’ve always believed in you.” Farley said, “I will do the best job that I can with what I’ve got and know I’ve got good stuff. I don’t need to believe in myself. I simply need to believe in you and I do.” Please see GRANVILLE, page 3A

Daily Dispatch/William F. West

The license plate on Casey Flynn’s vehicle shows she is a long way from where she came from, but reflects the diversity of the new educators in Granville County. Flynn, a teacher at G.C. Hawley Middle School, was at Friday’s annual countywide New Teacher Breakfast.

New teachers arrive from beyond the South By WILLIAM F. WEST Daily Dispatch Writer

OXFORD — The list of new teachers in Granville County is quite a diverse one, with many of them having come from the North, the Midwest and the West. “It seems like a great place,” said Casey Flynn, 22, of Denver. “It’s just very friendly. It’s got a small town feel.” “I mean, everyone here is very genuine,” Flynn said. “So, it just doesn’t seem artificial at all.” Flynn, a graduate of the Uni-

versity of Colorado at Boulder, is a teacher at G.C. Hawley Middle School near Creedmoor. Flynn was commenting to the Dispatch on Friday morning moments after the annual countywide New Teacher Breakfast in which nearly 30 new educators introduced themselves. Many of the teachers joined the county schools after the 2008 breakfast. Elizabeth Day, 22, of Lafayette, Ind., and a graduate of Perdue University, is a teacher at CreedPlease see TEACHERS, page 3A

Residents on edge as 9 women vanish from N.C. city By ALYSIA PATTERSON Associated Press Writer

ROCKY MOUNT — They spent their nights jumping in and out of strange cars, trolling otherwise empty streets lined with decaying storefronts and boarded-up homes. Many sold sex to support drug habits or children left in the care of worried, hardworking grandmothers. Even when they were picked up for drugs or prostitution, nights in jail looming, they called home to let their families know they were OK. Then, one by one, the calls stopped. Since 2005, nine women who lived at the edges of the poor community in this small North Carolina city have disappeared. Six bodies were found along rural roads just a few miles outside town, most so decomposed that investigators could not tell how they died. At least one of the women was strangled, and all the deaths have been classified as homicides. Three women are still missing.

AP Photo/Gerry Broome

A billboard shows information about 9 women who are missing or dead in Rocky Mount. Police will not say whether they suspect a serial killer, but people in the community about 60 miles northeast of Raleigh do, and they’re impatient with law enforcement efforts to investigate the slayings. After the latest body — that of

31-year-old Jarneice Hargrove — was found in June behind a burntout house that was once a crack den, local law enforcement and state police formed a task force. In July, the FBI got involved. But friends and family say it didn’t happen soon enough.

“We got someone out here that’s snatching up females,” said Stephanie Jones, a 28-year-old nursing student. “I mean, next person could be your grandmother, it could be me, it could be my mother, it could be my daughter.” Jones, who knew two of the victims, has founded a group that is raising money to publicize the slayings and search for those still missing. She says the cases are being swept under the rug because of the victims’ lifestyles. The lead investigator, Sheriff James Knight, said he cannot comment. Rumors swirl about the identity of the killer, if there is just one. Some say he is an ex-military man or an ex-police officer because he leaves no evidence. Others believe he is exacting revenge on local women after contracting HIV from a prostitute. Forensic psychologist Dr. Michael Teague said the killings are probably the work of one person. Please see VANISH, page 3A

USE THIS ONE The Daily Dispatch

Mark It Down Today District Masons’ meeting — The 20th Masonic District meeting will be held at 8:30 a.m. at the Golden Corral in Henderson. Beacon Light Masonic Lodge #249 will be the host lodge. ACTS fundraiser — A fundraiser to benefit Area Christians Together in Service (ACTS) will be held in the old Winn Dixie parking lot on Dabney Drive from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event, sponsored by WIZS Radio, will include a pizza-eating contest, live music, a dunking booth, food and craft vendors, the Sports Mayhem rap team, a 50/50 raffle and more. Price of admission is canned goods or non-perishable food items that will go to the ACTS food pantry. Warren County Farmers’ Market — The Warren County Farmer’s Market is open from 8 a.m. to noon at the corner of Market and Main streets in historic downtown Warrenton. All produce is locally grown by the vendors. For more information or to receive a vendor application, contact the Warren County Extension Center at 257-3640. Vance County Farmers’ market — The Vance County Farmers’ Market is open from 7-11 a.m. The market is located at the intersection of Williams and Arch streets in downtown Henderson. Vendors interested in selling at the market should contact Wayne Rowland at 438-8188. Oxford Farmers’ Market — The Oxford Farmers’ Market, located on the corner of McClanahan and Lanier streets across from the police station in Oxford, is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Open house — The Kerr Lake Volunteer Fire Department, 5021 Satterwhite Point Road, will hold an open house from 2-5 p.m. Sparky the Fire Dog will be on hand and children’s activities will include face painting and balloon sculpting. Food and drinks will be provided. Dee’s Music Barn — Dee’s Music Barn, 3101 Walters Road, Creedmoor, will be featuring the Illegal Limits Band at 7 p.m. For more information, call (919) 528-5878. Henderson Rec Players — The Henderson Rec Players present “Collective Dating,” a collection of one-act comedies focused on the triumphs and woes of the dating world, at 8 p.m. at VanceGranville Community College’s small auditorium. The play will also be presented tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. Tickets cost $7 at the door. Call 431-6091 for more information.

Sunday Open house — A ribbon-cutting and open house will be held at the Afton-Elberon Volunteer Fire Department from 2-4 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend.

Monday Orientation — Ninth grade orientation will be held at Southern Vance High School for incoming freshmen and their parents from 1-3 p.m. for students whose last names begin with A through M. Orientation will be held tomorrow from 5-7 p.m. for students whose last names begin with N through Z. Anyone unable to attend the assigned session because of scheduling conflicts can participate in the alternate session if needed. For more information, contact Stephanie Ayscue, ninth grade principal, or Tannis Jenkins, counselor, at 4306000. Retired federal employees — The Henderson Chapter #2289 of the National Association of Federal Retired Employees will meet at the Dabney Drive Retaurant at 9 a.m. This will be a business meeting to elect new officers and vote on the recommendation for a dues increase. Current and retired federal employees are welcome. For more information, contact Richard Pulsifer at (919) 603-3744. Golden LEAF meeting — The Golden LEAF Foundation will hold a community meeting in the auditorium in Building 2 on the VGCC main campus. The meeting will continue the discussion on how $2 million in grant funds will be distributed to projects in Vance County.

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Extension-sponsored parenting and foods classes set for September Vance County Parenting Task Force partners are offering three different parenting classes in September. Also, cooperative extension’s Expanded Foods and Nutrition Program (EFNEP) is offering foods classes immediately after two of the parenting classes for the convenience of Mary Helen parJones ticipants. However, Cooperative individuExtension als may participate in the foods classes without attending the parenting sessions and vice versa. Anyone caring for children — parents, grandparents, neighbors, Sunday School teachers — may attend the parenting classes. All classes are free of charge. Contact the Vance County Cooperative Extension Center, 305

Young St., Henderson, at 438-8188, for more information or to register.

Parenting classes “The Incredible Years” Basic Parenting Program, a 15-week series, will be offered to parents of children ages two through five years. Two series are scheduled to begin in midSeptember in Henderson. One will meet on Wednesday mornings, from 10 am until noon, and will be repeated on Tuesday evenings from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Parents completing this program will learn effective discipline strategies, using praise and encouragement, and how to play with their young child. In addition, parents will be introduced to techniques on coaching their children during difficult times and setting limits. “The Incredible Years” program is funded by Franklin, Granville, Vance Smart Start Inc., and will be taught by cooperative extension parent educators, Vickie

Health department offers tips on healthy children’s teeth Some people think that baby teeth are not important because they will eventually fall out. Even though it is true that baby teeth fall out, baby teeth are very important to a child’s growth and well being (such as eating, smiling and talking). Baby teeth are placeholders for permanent teeth. If these permanent teeth develop in a mouth that is unhealthy, they are likely to become decayed as well. Here are some tips for healthy teeth: • Before birth, moms should eat right and take vitamins while pregnant. Milk and milk products help form strong teeth. • Birth to age 2 — Whether breast or bottle feeding, gently clean baby’s mouth and teeth with a clean, soft cloth or baby toothbrush at least once a day (near bedtime). Breastfeeding is best. • Age 2+ — Start brushing child’s teeth with a small drop of fluoride toothpaste. Even though a child may brush on his/her own, a caregiver still needs to follow up by re-brushing the child’s teeth until about age 7. • Don’t put a baby or child to bed with a bottle. Milk, formula, juice, and sweet drinks (like soda or punch) have sugar in them and can decay teeth.

• Fluoride protects teeth. City water has fluoride; well water may or may not. For a $5 fee, the health department can test water. • Eat healthy foods. Choose foods and drinks that are low in sugar. Some other words for sugar are corn syrup, honey, molasses, and words ending in –ose (fructose, lactose, etc). Watch out for hidden sugar (peanut butter, pickles, spaghetti sauce, some medicines, etc.). Brush teeth within five minutes after eating. Chewy or gooey sweets tend to be the worst! • If you don’t have access to a toothbrush when eating, rinse mouth with water until you can brush. • Go to the dentist every six months (unless told otherwise), starting between age 1-2. To find out more, call the Granville-Vance District Health Department at (919) 693-2141 or 492-7915.

Email: NSE@vance.net • Website: www.NorthsideElectronics.com

Creating a fire escape plan When a fire breaks out, families should have an escape plan. • Plan two escape routes from every room in your home. • Set a designated meeting spot for all family members outside the home. • If a door feels hot, never try to open it. • In the event of a fire, immediately leave the home. Don’t stop to collect belongings. • Never go back inside

HOME DELIVERY

a home in which there’s a fire. • Practice escape plans every month. Source: www.firesafety.gov By Vickie Jones, N.C. Cooperative Extension

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Tips from the Vance Co. Parenting Task Force

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until noon, Sept. 2 through Oct. 21 at the cooperative extension center. “Families Eating Smart, Moving More” will be offered on Tuesdays, Sept. 1-Oct. 20, and repeated on Wednesdays, Sept. 2-Oct. 21, from noon until 1 p.m., following by the parenting classes. Participants will learn skills such as planning menus; smart use of ads, coupons and sales; preparing quick, healthy meals; and incorporating more movement in their day. Those attending will also enjoy preparing and tasting a new recipe each week. Employees who work nearby may bring their lunch and eat during the instructional portion of the class. Class instructor will be Arnetta Wilson, Expanded Food and Nutrition Program (EFNEP) assistant in Vance and Warren counties. New parents searching for reliable parenting information may now find it at “Just In Time Parenting” at http://www. parentinginfo.org/

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Jones and Jean Bell. “Parenting Matters” is an eight-week series designed for parents of any age children, or even expectant parents. These classes will be taught by Anne Williams from the Five County Mental Health Authority on Tuesday mornings, Sept. 1 through Oct. 20, from 10 a.m. until noon at the Vance County Cooperative Extension Center at 305 Young St. This series focuses on understanding and guiding your child’s behavior, building a healthy relationship, coping with stress and building support. “Parent to Parent “provides help for caregivers of older children, stressing keeping communication open, setting consequences, establishing goals and recognizing problem behaviors such as possible drug use and gang involvement. This class series will also be taught by Williams, and will be held on Wednesday mornings from 10:30 a.m.

Williamsburg Brass

The “Mark It Down” calendar announces events happening in the community that are sponsored by civic organizations, nonprofit groups, government organizations and similar groups. The Daily Dispatch staff asks that items intended for inclusion in the calendar be submitted in writing at least five days in advance of the event. Please include a contact person’s name and phone number in case there are questions. Items for this listing can be e-mailed to communitynews@hendersondispatch.com. Due to the overwhelming number of churches served by the Dispatch, church events cannot be listed in the “Mark It Down” calendar.

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From Page One

The Daily Dispatch

NATIONAL WEATHER

Shown are noon positions of weather systems and precipitation. Temperature bands are highs for the day. Seattle 71/54 Billings 66/49

Minneapolis 89/68

Detroit 90/67

New York 86/74

Chicago 86/69 Denver 89/50

San Francisco 71/56

Washington 90/70

Kansas City 87/73

Los Angeles 78/62

Atlanta 90/71 El Paso 96/72 Houston 97/76

Fairbanks 63/50

-10s

-0s

Miami 87/80

Honolulu 89/76

Anchorage 61/54

Juneau 58/54

Hilo 85/71

10s

20s

30s

40s

Showers Rain T-storms Snow Flurries

50s

60s

70s

Ice

80s

90s

100s

110s

Stationary front

Cold front

Warm front

FIVE-DAY FORECAST FOR HENDERSON TODAY

TONIGHT

SUNDAY

92°

64°

90°

69°

A thunderstorm this afternoon

A t-storm around this evening

Humid with variable cloudiness

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

95°

93°

68° Mostly sunny and warm

91°

68°

71°

An afternoon t-storm possible

ALMANAC

SUN AND MOON

Temperature

Sunrise today ........................... 6:32 a.m. Sunset today ............................ 8:04 p.m. Moonrise today ...................... 12:48 a.m. Moonset today ......................... 4:14 p.m. Sunrise tomorrow ..................... 6:32 a.m. Sunset tomorrow ...................... 8:03 p.m. Moonrise tomorrow .................. 1:48 a.m. Moonset tomorrow ................... 5:14 p.m.

Raleigh-Durham through 6 p.m. yest. High .................................................... 85° Low ..................................................... 71° Normal high ........................................ 88° Normal low ......................................... 68° Record high .......................... 100° in 1995 Record low .............................. 55° in 1964

Moon Phases

Precipitation 24 hours through 6 p.m. yest. ......... 0.00” Month to date .................................. 0.74” Normal month to date ..................... 1.70” Year to date ................................... 22.07” Normal year to date ...................... 27.52”

New

First

Full

Last

Aug 20

Aug 27

Sep 4

Sep 11

REGIONAL WEATHER Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows

WinstonSalem

Asheville

Henderson

Greensboro

87/68

84/60

90/64

Rocky Mt.

90/66

88/67

Durham

Raleigh

91/66

Charlotte

90/67

88/69

Cape Hatteras

Fayetteville

86/72

92/67

LAKE LEVELS

Wilmington 24-Hr. Capacity Yest. Change 240 214.05 -0.07 264 249.69 -0.05

Lake Jordan Neuse Falls

REGIONAL CITIES

Sun.

Today

Sun.

City

Hi Lo W Hi Lo W

City

Hi Lo W Hi Lo W

Asheville Boone Burlington Chapel Hill Chattanooga Danville Durham Elizabeth City Elizabethton Fayetteville Goldsboro Greensboro Greenville Havelock Hendersonville

84 83 90 90 88 86 91 84 89 92 92 88 88 85 85

High Point Jacksonville Kinston Lumberton Myrtle Beach Morehead City Nags Head New Bern Raleigh Richmond Roanoke Rapids Rocky Mount Sanford Wilmington Winston-Salem

87 86 90 92 84 86 83 86 88 90 90 90 92 86 87

60 t 60 t 65 t 66 t 69 pc 63 t 66 t 68 t 62 c 67 t 67 t 67 t 67 t 69 t 60 t

83 82 91 91 90 92 91 88 88 91 91 88 87 89 84

62 t 58 t 64 t 64 t 70 t 65 c 66 t 66 pc 63 t 68 t 66 t 69 t 68 t 68 t 63 t

66 70 68 67 71 74 73 69 69 65 65 66 67 69 68

t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t

89 88 91 91 87 85 85 90 90 93 92 91 91 90 88

68 t 68 t 67 t 67 t 71 t 71 t 73 pc 67 t 69 t 68 pc 66 c 68 t 68 t 68 t 68 t

Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sf-snow flurries, sn-snow, i-ice

even from jail. “We knew something wasn’t right because she hadn’t called,” James said. A month later, a man putting up a wire fence around his property down a rural stretch of road outside town found a badly decomposed body. The bodies of two other victims were found in the same area in 2007 and 2009. In May, a DNA test identified the remains as Battle’s. She was wearing only her underwear and police told James she was probably strangled, but they couldn’t be sure because animals had dragged away a small throat bone that typically breaks when someone is killed that way. “I’m still frustrated,” James said. “I didn’t really feel like they were doing

“You’re talking about a man who didn’t finish high school, probably doesn’t have a regular job, probably not married or in a stable relationship,” he said. Vivian Lord, chairwoman of the criminal justice department at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, said that if one killer is responsible, he is likely trying to cleanse the world of prostitutes or deliberately picking victims he knows won’t be missed. If it’s the latter, he chose wrong when he killed Ernestine Battle. Her sister, Tynatta James, 64, remembers the February 2008 day the family reported Battle missing. It had been less than 48 hours since they last heard from the 50-year-old, but she always checked in,

per month The Daily Dispatch

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moor Elementary School. “It’s really pretty,” she said of the terrain, noting she is accustomed to flat land instead of the area’s rolling hills. Additionally, Day is in the Teach for America Program, which seeks to build the movement to eliminate educational inequity by enlisting the nation’s most promising future leaders in the effort. Christine Dodaro, 42, who is from Long Island, N.Y., is a teacher at Wilton Elementary School. Dodaro, when asked

whether she believed Friday’s gathering was Southern hospitality, replied, “Definitely.” Day “And I found that ever since I moved down,” Dodaro said. “Everyone is really genuinely happy and friendly — helpful. I’ve found it everywhere I’ve gone in North Carolina.” Dodaro is in a second career, with her first one having been as a dental of-

Teacher with gun replicas prompts school lockdown SAN DIEGO (AP) — A teacher who brought plastic replica rifles to his class prompted a lockdown of two San Diego schools when a staff member thought he was a gunman. Police spokeswoman Monica Munoz says officers responded to a report Friday from Marston Middle School that a man had two rifles on campus. About 125 students and staff members were kept in classrooms as police locked down and searched

the campus for two hours. Nearby Clairemont High School and a recreation center were also placed on lockdown. School district spokesman Jack Brandais says officers ended the lockdown after a history teacher was found in a classroom with plastic rifles he brought for a Revolutionary War lesson. Brandais says he was not arrested but placed on leave while the district investigates.

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Est. Aug. 12, 1914 304 S. Chestnut St. P.O. Box 908 Henderson, N.C. 27536

Contact the writer at bwest@ hendersondispatch.com.

How to reach us

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It’s your opportunity to make an impact within the schools system that you work,” Balmer said. County Commission Chairman Hubert Gooch, a retired longtime educator, quoted the late Gen. George Patton in telling the new educators, “Always do more than is required of you.”

Other speakers offered messages, with the Chamber of Commerce’s Johnny Balmer saying, “Everybody in this county wants the very best. We want this county to be the very best. And guess what? We want the schools system to be the very best, too. “And, so, it would be unfair for us to offer you the opportunity to work in the schools system in this county and not give you support to be successful,” Balmer said. “You will receive support in this county. “It is our home, but it’s also your opportunity.

ay yd r e Ev

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Patrick, who teaches business and marketing on the campus of the South Granville high schools, Patrick said, “I had a lot of trials and tribulations in it, but it came out pretty good and I’m looking forward.” Of Friday’s gathering, Patrick said, “It’s a nice morale booster.”

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fice manager. Additionally in a second career as an educator is Larry Patrick, 56, who is from Dodaro Kentucky. Patrick worked in the furniture industry for 28 years, starting out in Lenoir and with his last stop being in Warrenton. “I felt like I was way too young for that and not ready for it,” Patrick said of retiring, noting his wife was a longtime teacher.

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on one hand, she added, “There’s probably five or six girls left around here that will jump in and out of cars. He really did kill the whole neighborhood.” Jones’ group has raised enough money to post billboards with the faces of the missing and slain women. Now she is raising more to organize search teams for those whose bodies have not been found. Juray Tucker, the mother of 37-year-old Yolanda Lancaster, missing since February, said she wants to help with fundraising but doesn’t get much time now that she has to care for her daughter’s children. “Every day, every minute, every hour, I’m worried,” she said. “It’s constant on my mind and there ain’t nothing I can do, ain’t nothing I can do.”

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all they could. I just feel like they recently started to get involved in the cases after the last lady.” For Alecia Johnson, the killings were a wake-up call. She knew most of the women: They all walked the streets of Rocky Mount together. She said she didn’t wait for police to catch a killer. She stopped after the body of the first woman, 29-year-old Melody Wiggins, was found dumped in the woods in 2005. “I used to walk these streets and jump in and out of cars. But then when that first girl Melody got killed I stopped that because I knew he would kill another,” said Johnson, 41. “I hate for that to happen to her, but it probably saved my life. I have five babies.” Counting the names

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Elevation in feet above sea level. Data as of 7 a.m. yesterday. 24-Hr. Lake Capacity Yest. Change Gaston 203 199.68 none Kerr 320 296.98 +0.04

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Son arrested in 1999 killing of WWII vet

Controller didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t warn pilot before Hudson River crash

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (AP) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; U.S. marshals in Las Vegas have arrested a 54-year-old man suspected of killing his father in California and cashing his veteransâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; checks for nearly a decade. Mark Christian remained jailed Friday after being arrested Wednesday. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s charged in San Bernardino County with killing 74-year-old James Christian. The body of the World War II fighter pilot was found in an unmarked grave in the San Bernardino Mountains two years ago. Sheriffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Detective Ryan Ford says the son obtained more than $79,000 from his fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pension between 1999 and 2007. He pleaded guilty in Las Vegas to federal fraud charges earlier this year and had been released pending sentencing. Ford says itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unclear when Christian will return to California to face the murder charge.

By JOAN LOWY Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON â&#x20AC;&#x201D; An air traffic controller making a personal phone call initially failed to warn a small plane of other aircraft in its path and then tried unsuccessfully to contact the pilot, federal safety officials said Friday. Moments later, the plane collided with a tour helicopter over the Hudson River, killing nine people. The controller handling the plane and his supervisor at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey at the time of last Saturdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s accident have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration. The National Transportation Safety Board said in a report that the controller â&#x20AC;&#x201D; who has not been identified â&#x20AC;&#x201D; cleared the single-engine Piper for takeoff at 11:48 a.m. EDT, and then made a telephone call. He remained on the phone, including while further instructing the planeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pilot, until the accident occurred. After takeoff, the plane flew southbound until the controller directed it to turn left toward the MIAMI (AP) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Authori- river, the report said. At 11:52 and 20 seconds, the ties say an American has controller instructed the pleaded guilty to smuggling more than 27 million plane to contact air traffic control at nearby Newark cigarettes from the U.S. into some European Union Liberty International Airport, which monitors countries. Authorities in Miami say low-flying traffic over the river, but doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t attempt 57-year-old Roman Vidal to separate aircraft. pleaded guilty Friday to The pilot apparently did conspiring to commit wire not contact Newark, the and mail fraud. report said. They say he was trying Radar data show there to avoid paying more than were several aircraft im$6.5 million in customs and mediately ahead of the tax duties. plane, including the tour They say he arranged helicopter, â&#x20AC;&#x153;all of which to buy cases of cigarettes were potential traffic confrom Panama along with flicts for the airplane,â&#x20AC;? but other cargo such as yarn the Teterboro controller and wood flooring to cover didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t warn the pilot, the them up. Authorities say he directed the preparation of documents that declared only the cover materials, not the cigarettes. 60 Zeb Robinson Rd. Sentencing is set for Nov. 10. Henderson

Guilty plea to cigarette smuggling

report said. It wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t until controllers at the Newark airport alerted the Teterboro controller to the potential collision that he twice tried unsuccessfully to contact the pilot, the report said. The collision occurred at 11:53 and 14 seconds. At the time the Newark controllers were alerting the Teterboro controller to the danger, they also recommended the plane turn southwest. The planeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pilot apparently overhead that and acknowledged the instruction, the report said. Video of the crash taken by a tourist sightseeing near the Statute of Liberty show the Piper changing direction seconds before its wing was clipped by the helicopterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rotors. The plane then broke apart in the air and both aircraft plunged into the Hudson. Also, 20 seconds before the crash, a radar data processing system set off audible alarms and a â&#x20AC;&#x153;conflict alertâ&#x20AC;? warning of the impending crash appeared on radar displays in Teterboro and Newark, but controllers at both airports told NTSB they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t recall hearing or seeing the warnings. FAA said in a statement late Thursday there is no reason to believe that the controllerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s actions contributed to the accident. However, the agency said the phone conversation was inappropriate and such conduct is unacceptable. The supervisorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s conduct also is being investigated because he was out of the building at the time. Controllers, including supervisors, are expected to be available throughout their work shift in case they are needed, even if they are taking a break. The NTSB report said two other Teterboro controllers were taking a break at the time of the

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accident. The only controllers on duty were the controller who was talking on the phone and another controller who was handling arriving planes and ground traffic. The phone call by the Teterboro controller was to a female employee of Baltimore-based AvPORTS, a contractor for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which manages the airport, according to port authority officials. The two were discussing a dead cat that had been removed from airport grounds, said a former union official and other sources familiar with the contents of the call. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He was talking to the Port Authority about a dead cat on the taxiway. It was a work-related call, and it turned into a silly conversation. There was a little banter,â&#x20AC;? said Barrett Byrnes, a recently retired air traffic controller and former National Air Traffic Controllers Association representative who stays in touch with New York and New Jersey controllers. The port authority said in a statement Friday that the agency would wait before deciding whether to discipline the female employee who took the phone call from the controller. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are coordinating with the NTSB on this ongoing investigation. Based on the findings when the investigation is completed, we will take whatever appropriate action is necessary regarding this contract employee and contractor,â&#x20AC;? the statement said. AvPORTS is a private aviation management contractor that handles many of Teterboroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ground operations. Associated Press Writer David B. Caruso in New York contributed to this report.

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Deaths Gilbert L. Hawkins HENDERSON â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Gilbert Lee â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hawkâ&#x20AC;? Hawkins, 70, of 695 Carver School Road, died Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009, at Maria Parham Medical Center. He was born in Vance County and was the son of the late Mark and Pantheria Davis Hawkins. He attended the Vance County public schools and was a graduate of the former Henderson Institute High School. He joined Brookston Baptist Church at an early age and worked for Blanch Construction Company in the early years and also Taylorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Masonry as a brick mason for many years. Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Sunday at Brookston Baptist Church by the Rev. Walter P. Young. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Survivors include his wife, Glinder Richardson Hawkins of the home; two daughters, Pantheria Hawkins and Cheryl Hawkins, both of Henderson; four sons, Brian Hawkins, Duane Hawkins and Charles Hawkins, all of Henderson, and Master Sgt. James Anthony Richardson of Jacksonville; a sister, Demerest Bullock of Henderson; three brothers, Willis Hawkins and Louis Hawkins, both of Henderson, and Nathaniel Hawkins of Sanford; and seven grandchildren. The body will be on view until taken to the church one hour before the service. The family will receive friends at the residence. Arrangements are by Davis-Royster Funeral Service of Henderson.

Robert T. Steed OXFORD â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Robert Theodore â&#x20AC;&#x153;Teeâ&#x20AC;? Steed, 73, died Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009, at Hock Facility in Durham. He was the son of

the late Richard Steed and Cora Branch Steed. He received his education in the Granville County school system and was retired from Bandag. Survivors include his wife, Ruby Mae Cozart Steed of the home; three sons, Roy Lee Steed of the home, Robert Steed Jr. of Oxford and the Rev. Roy Thomas Steed of Littlerock, Ark.; a daughter, Shirley Steed of Henderson; a sister, Alberta Praileau of New York; three brothers, William Thomas Steed of New York, Frank Steed of Philadelphia, Pa., and Samuel Steed of Oxford; 11 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. today at Betts and Son Chapel by the Rev. Roy Thomas Steed. Burial will follow in New Light Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Monday from 7-8 p.m. at the Betts and Son Funeral Home in Oxford. Arrangements are by Betts and Son Funeral Home of Oxford.

Walter Spencer Jr. OXFORD â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Walter Spencer Jr., 47, died Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009, at Duke University Medical Center. He was the son of Walter Spencer Sr. and the late Dorothy Mae Amis. He was a 1981 graduate of J.F. Webb High School. Survivors include a son, Walter Robert Spencer I; a daughter, Crystal Spencer; and three sisters, Donna, Willette and Dennotte Spencer. Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Monday at Betts and Son Chapel by Chaplain Bullock. Burial will follow in Meadowview Memorial Park. The viewing will be Sunday from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. at Betts and Son Funeral Home in Oxford. Arrangements are by Betts and Son Funeral Home of Oxford.

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FDIC chief says parts of regulatory plan won’t fly By DANIEL WAGNER AP Business Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Chairman Sheila Bair is pushing back against key elements of the Obama administration’s financial overhaul plan, saying they wouldn’t survive in Congress and calling her own alternatives more viable. In an interview with The Associ- Bair ated Press, Bair said Congress won’t approve two major parts of the package: Expanding the Federal Reserve’s authority to regulate the largest financial companies and giving a proposed new consumer protection agency examination and enforcement powers over banks. Such authority now belongs to her agency and other bank regulators. “There’s a lot of resistance from a lot of different quarters to a lot of the things the administration has submitted,” Bair told

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There have been numerous missed deadlines. But the goal of Democratic leaders is to pass a health care bill in time for President Barack Obama to sign it this year. Murtha says members are telling Pelosi not to rush passage.

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Lawmaker predicts no health overhaul this year

man said the snacks were for another inmate, but that defense was rejected. He sued, claiming his suspension from kosher meals was a burden on his religious liberties. The appeals court this week said Michigan has a legitimate interest in maintaining discipline and ensuring that only inmates with “sincere beliefs” participate in the kosher program. Berryman, who is serv-

Deadline Is Mon., Aug. 17 5:00 p.m.

parts of the plan, in what 2,000 August 14, 2009 some Obama officials have 1,900 Nasdaq dismissed as efforts to 1,800 composite protect their turf. 1,700 Bair says she’s rais-23.83 1,600 ing legitimate policy A M J J A 1,985.52 questions. As head of an High 2,006.73 Low 1,969.68 Pct. change from previous: -1.19% independent regulatory 1,000 agency, she said she has a August 14, 2009 950 duty to tell Congress her Standard & 900 opinion. Poor’s 500 850 Amid concerns the plan -8.64 800 is faltering, top Treasury A M J J A 1,004.09 officials have defended it High 1,012.60 Pct. change from previous: -0.85% Low 994.60 in a series of interviews SOURCE: SunGard AP this week. They have inMARKET ROUNDUP 081409: Market sisted the plan is on track Currencies & etals charts show Dow,M S&P 500, and and have played down difNasdaq; stand-alone; 2c x 4 1/2 inches; ferences among regulators. 96 mm x 114 mm; staff NEW YORK (AP) — Key currency ex Aluminum -$0.8800 per lb., N.Y. Merc spot “What’s important is, Editors: 5:25:02 PM EST change rates Friday: All figures as of: Fri. NOTE: Figures reflect market fluctuations after not match other AP content close; Coppermay -$2.9580 Cathode full plate, U.S. at the end of the day, destinations. Dollar vs: ExchgRate PvsDay that we all keep our eyes Copper $2.8340 N.Y. Merc spot Fri. Yen 94.87 95.13 on the prize, make sure Lead - $1897.00 metric ton, London Metal Euro $1.4170 $1.4265 Exch. Pound $1.6506 $1.6556 we’re all pointed toward Zinc - $0.8878 per lb., delivered. Swiss franc 1.0747 1.0709 comprehensive reform Gold - $953.50 Handy & Harman (only daily Canadian dollar 1.1015 1.0894 of the financial services quote). Mexican peso 12.8945 12.8955 Gold - $947.00 troy oz., NY Merc spot Fri. sector,” Deputy Treasury Metal Price PvsDay Silver - $14.710 Handy & Harman (only Secretary Neal Wolin NY Merc Gold $947.00 $954.70 daily quote). told the AP in a separate Silver - $14.715 troy oz., N.-. Merc spot Fri. NY HSBC Bank US $947.00 $954.50 NY Merc Silver $14.715 $14.980 Mercury - $640.00 per 76 lb flask, N.Y. interview. Platinum -$1268.00 troy oz., N.Y. (contract). He said it’s not surpris- Nonferrous Platinum -$1261.70 troy oz., N.Y. Merc spot NEW YORK (AP) — Spot nonferrous metal Fri. ing “that in understandn.q.-not quoted, n.a.-not available r-revised prices Friday: able Washington style, (regulators) defend their own institutions.” Wolin said he worries that Bair’s view that WASHINGTON (AP) — Radio in western Pennthe administration plan A Pennsylvania lawmaker sylvania that Congress can’t pass Congress could who is a close ally of House is going to “do it right” become “a self-fulfilling Speaker Nancy Pelosi says when it comes to passing it’s looking unlikely that health care legislation. Congress will pass health But Murtha says it’s not care overhaul legislation clear it will get done before this year. January. ing a life sentence, now is Democratic Rep. John And he says it may not at a Michigan prison in Murtha tells WJPA-AM get done then. Jackson.

Court: Mich. prison OK to stop man’s kosher meals ST. LOUIS, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan prison inmate who says his kosher meals were illegally suspended isn’t getting any relief at a federal appeals court. In 2005, convicted killer Phillip Berryman stopped receiving costly kosher meals at St. Louis Correctional Facility after he was caught buying non-kosher munchies at the prison store. The 66-year-old Berry-

Stocks

9,000

Pct. change from previous: -0.82%

the AP Thursday. “That is a reality the administration needs to deal with.” Bair said alternatives she has backed would “provide a framework that can actually get through Congress.” Her ideas include empowering a new agency to protect consumers from abusive mortgage and credit card products — but having bank supervisors enforce those rules. Her statements highlight Treasury’s uphill struggle to sell the administration’s proposed financial overhaul to Congress and the public. Since the plan was rolled out in June, industry groups have balked at rules they say will burden companies and raise borrowers’ costs. Bank industry lobbyists are leading the charge against major parts of the plan. Congress has objected to concentrating more power in the Fed. Critics note that the central bank failed to properly use its consumer protection authority before the crisis erupted. Bair and other federal regulators have voiced their own opposition to

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Saturday, August 15, 2009

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Daily Meditation And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O Lord: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints. For who in the heaven can be compared unto the Lord? Who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord? God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him. Psalm 89:5-7

Our Opinion

Picking favorites Lesson 1 about the economy for the Obama administration: Even though you and Congress may be borrowing heavily against our grandchildren’s incomes, there’s still only so much money to go around. On Thursday, a “bleak report” on retail sales showed that consumers aren’t spending enough to sustain an economic recovery. Despite auto sales figures bloated by the rush on dealerships created by the ill-conceived Cash for Clunkers program, retail sales in the United States actually fell 0.1 percent in July after two months of modest gains. Economists had expected a 0.7 percent increase in sales — not a regression. But other than car-buying, consumers actually cut back their spending by 0.6 percent, rather than being a bit more free with their money as they had in May and June. It’s actually a predictable response. Spurred by giveaway government funds (that is, government giving away your tax dollars and ours in the form of rebates at dealerships) consumers gladly purchased automobiles. But that splurge in the family budget — signing on the bottom line for four to even seven years of car payments — caused consumers to cut back elsewhere. If you’ve just bought a new car, you probably aren’t also buying a new TV this month. Or washer and dryer. Or bedroom suite. July’s economy is the perfect example of one complaint Republicans have lodged against President Obama’s stimulus plans — the administration is hand-picking the relative winners and losers in this recession. Wanting to buoy the car industry — remember, the government now owns a significant percentage of the biggest U.S. automaker, General Motors — Congress forks over up to $3 billion in rebates to new car buyers, $3,500 to $4,500 at a time. Imagine how many sofas and dinette sets would be sold if the government handed out checks for $500 toward a $1,500 furniture purchase? Or, thinking of our own ailing industry, how many media companies could stave off future job losses or hire back laid-off workers if Congress sent every household a $500 voucher redeemable at the local newspaper’s front desk for a two-year subscription and $200 in cash? This is why — other than writing laws such as those that prevent fraud and protect consumers — we’re better off if the government stays out of the economy. After two months of modest overall growth, July was a meddled-in, hit or miss proposition for the economy. A hit if you run a new car dealership. A miss if you’re in any other business.

Quotable “In the intelligence business, we always used to categorize information in two ways, secrets and mysteries. Mysteries were those where there were too many variables to predict. And I think that how long U.S. forces will be in Afghanistan is in that area.” — Defense Secretary Robert Gates, speaking at a Pentagon news conference. “I picked on doughnuts because those things are ubiquitous in this county. Everywhere I went, there were two dozen doughnuts on the back table.” — Dr. Jason Newsom, former head of the Bay County Health Department in Pensacola, Fla., who was forced out of his job after he parodied Dunkin’ Donuts’ slogan with an electronic sign that said “America Dies on Dunkin’.”

My wife and I took our dog to the neurologist the other day. Yes, the neurologist. For a dog. I’m sure it sounds extravagant, but Cosmo had been having unexplained seizures, so we took him in for an MRI and a spinal tap after a batch of the normal, cheaper tests. He’s a handsome dog, but he’s built like an old East German car. When he was barely a year old, he came up lame in his front right leg. The vets had to cut the bone in two, insert a long metal pin and then snap it all back in place. At the time, the surgeon suggested that we might avoid the expense by simply “returning” him to the animal shelter, which in canine terms would be like returning a dissident to North Korea. Since then, Coz has had surgeries on both of his back legs and a bunch of other, lesser procedures stemming from the rough-and-tumble of doggy life. We’ve stopped counting, but I’m sure we’ve spent more than the trade-in value of several cash-for-clunker Buicks. But despite all the hassle and expense, we never regret the expenditures. Now, given the debate in Washington, it’s at this point where I might be expected to pivot to some incisive — or perhaps insipid — argument about human-versus-animal medical care. After all, I understand why insurers wouldn’t cover Cosmo, given his many pre-existing conditions. And while I firmly believe reformers could learn a lot from the world of animal medicine, where timely and effective services are provided without benefit of giant bureaucracies, that’s another column.

More interesting to me is the reaction from liberals. As one friend put it: How does a staunch conservative end up taking his dog to the neurologist? Liberal bleeding hearts are supposed to do this sort of thing, not the hardhearted Scrooges of the right. We like war Jonah shooting Goldberg and fur-bearing Tribune Media creatures Services and cutting budgets for agencies that remove thorns from kittens’ paws. I understand the stereotype, and it surely exists for a reason. But the truth is that ideology has little to do with it. The wonderful thing about dogs — and yes, cats too, I suppose — is that they are beyond the reach of ideology. Not only does affection for dogs have no significant correlation to politics, but politics holds no interest whatsoever to dogs. Talk about health-care reform to Cosmo and he’ll tilt his head, yawn and walk away just as quickly as he would if you opted to discuss the assassination of Trotsky or the defenestration of Prague. But if you say the words “tennis ball” or “squirrel,” he will be utterly fascinated. And that’s what I love about dogs. They just don’t care about such things, and they encourage you not to care either — at least while you’re with them. You can’t say the same thing

about children, because they grow up and inherit the society we leave behind. Being a good parent requires caring about politics. Dogs, meanwhile, keep their innocent doggy goodness from kennel to grave, obviating the need to explain to them why tax cuts are awesome. Dogs give us any number of amusements and comforts, but their greatest gift is to remind us that love and loyalty exist outside the ephemeral pieties of contemporary life. This is true for free marketers and Fabian socialists alike. Cosmo the Wonderdog is no stranger to mystery. Allegedly half-Australian cattle dog, half Labrador, the truth is that we don’t know what he is. I simply say he’s a rich ethnic cocktail in the American tradition. We suspect he was abused as a puppy, because when we first got him, Cosmo saw me roll up a magazine to kill a bug and immediately ran out of the room in fear. To this day, if he sees a rolled up newspaper or magazine, he has the same response. And to this day, I routinely daydream about finding the jerk who hit my dog. The spinal tap required shaving a patch of fur from the back of Coz’s head; now he looks a bit like a furry Trappist monk. The results were good in that he doesn’t have a brain tumor and has no obvious infections, but we still don’t know what’s wrong with him. So how did a hard-core rightwinger like me end up taking my dog to the neurologist? Because my dog needed one. You can write to Jonah Goldberg by e-mail at JonahsColumn@aol.com.

Letters to the Editor Where are we headed? To the editor: What is happening to our nation? Have you asked yourself that question? If not, then “Why Not”? Washington is determined to change the very fundamental truths found in the Constitution. These documents aren’t old pieces of parchment kept behind glass in a museum. They are the foundation stones upon which our Republic stands or falls. In Psalm 11:1-7, David speaks of his need as he faces his enemies and the circumstances they have created. His first words are a declaration of his faith and trust in God. David knows he can’t run away. There is no place to hide. His enemies will pursue him and they will continue there assault on the “upright in heart.” Who are the upright in heart? They are those who put their trust in the Lord. The enemy shoots words like arrows. They attack from darkness under the cover of secrecy. In Verse 3 there is a question we must all ask ourselves. “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” Who are the righteous? Davids words speak to us through the ages in verses four and five. The Lords throne is in heaven, but His eyes behold the sons of man and He tests the righteous. The “righteous” are those of us who have put our trust in the Lord and find our righteousness comes from Him alone. Perhaps we should ask ourselves what will we do? Verse 7: For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright. Barbara Parker, Macon

What’s your opinion? The Daily Dispatch welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must be signed, include the author’s city of residence, and should be limited to 300 words. Please include a telephone number for verification. We reserve the right to edit comments for length, clarity, libelous material, personal attacks and poor taste. We do not publish anonymous letters, form letters, or letters where we cannot verify the writer’s identity.

Let’s be fair: Share the hair It’s not that Americans are against President Obama’s efforts to redistribute our wealth more than the government had already been doing. It’s that he’s going about it all wrong. Sure, he was masterful during the campaign. He promised the majority of taxpayers that they wouldn’t see a tax increase — that only rich folks earning more than $250,000 a year would. It was a winning strategy. In America, the bottom 50 percent of income earners pay virtually no federal income taxes, whereas the top 20 percent pay about 85 percent. Who can blame a silvertongued politician for promising government goodies to the bottom 50 percent — while promising to make the top 20 percent pay for them? Well, such promises helped Obama win the presidency by a healthy margin. He and his team continued the theme as they began governing. First, they gave us the $787 billion stimulus bill. It had little to do with stimulating anything, but since the “rich” would bear the costs, many folks didn’t care. Then they gave us a nearly $4 trillion budget that was packed with waste and goodies of every kind. Since the

“rich” would pay for that, too, many folks didn’t care. Then they began pushing legislation to “cap” carbon emissions — a version of the bill already passed in the House. We’re told that rich manufacturing firms and utilities will bear the increased costs (when, Tom in fact, these costs Purcell will be Distributed by passed on to Cagle Cartoons us), but the concept is too abstract for many to follow and most folks don’t care. To be sure, Obama’s strategy — bait-and-switch-and-taxthe-rich — has been politically fruitful. At least it was until he tried to ram his health care program through. Unfortunately for Obama, most people — 70 to 80 percent — are happy with their health-care plans. They’re not dumb enough to believe that massive government intervention could ever reduce costs and improve care. Worse for Obama: It has dawned on folks who are not “rich” that, with our deficits

running into the trillions, it’s just a matter of time before their taxes go up to pay for it all. And, they wonder, wouldn’t it be way cheaper to just give the uninsured dough to buy their own policies? All of a sudden, people who are smart enough to enjoy government goodies so long as somebody else pays for them — can you say “clunker bill”? — are not dumb enough to have their own bit of wealth redistributed. As clever a politician as Obama is, I’m surprised he missed that nuance. That’s probably why he wanted to ram through health care “reform” before anybody had time to notice. But it isn’t too late for him to succeed. He just needs to hand out more goodies to buy more support. Look, the premise of his political philosophy is fairness — that government is the great leveler of inequality. If one fellow works hard and attains a high income, it is only fair that Obama seizes more of that fellow’s dough and spreads it around — after the government takes a lion’s share — to those who don’t earn as much. But there is lots of unfairness in life. Some people are smarter than others. Some are wittier.

Some are better-looking. Some have better hair. Is it fair that Johnny Depp has a full head of hair while my hairline is beginning to recede? If Obama and the Democrats want my support of their monstrosity of a health care plan, all they need to do is pony up. Draft another bill and borrow more dough to fund a national hair-transfer program. Isn’t it Depp’s patriotic duty to give up some of his hair so that I and others shall have more? Obama and Congress can draft similar bills to help the dull become witty, the dumb become smart, the ugly become beautiful ... Sure, French philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville warned long ago that “once Americans discover they can vote themselves money from the public till, the experiment will be over.” Well, Americans discovered long ago they can vote themselves money. So where is my hair? Tom Purcell, a humor columnist for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, is nationally syndicated exclusively by Cagle Cartoons newspaper syndicate. Visit Tom on the Web at www. TomPurcell.com or e-mail him at Purcell@caglecartoons.com.

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Dear Abby

News From The Light Side SATURDAY Morning / Early Afternoon 8/15/09

Today’s Highlight: On Aug. 15, 1945, Japanese Emperor Hirohito announced to his subjects in a prerecorded radio address that Japan had accepted terms of surrender for ending World War II. On this date: In 1859, Chicago White Sox founder Charles Comiskey was born in Chicago. In 1914, the Panama Canal opened to traffic. In 1935, humorist Will Rogers and aviator Wiley Post were killed when their airplane crashed near Point Barrow in the Alaska Territory. In 1969, the Woodstock Music and Art Fair opened in upstate New York. In 1971, President Richard Nixon announced a 90-day freeze on wages, prices and rents. In 1979, Andrew Young resigned as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations after coming under fire for an unauthorized meeting with the U.N. observer for the Palestine Liberation Organization. Ten years ago: Tiger Woods won the PGA Championship, becoming at age 23 the youngest player to win two majors since Seve Ballesteros. Five years ago: Residents left homeless by Hurricane Charley dug through their ravaged homes, rescuing what they could as President George W.

One year ago: Record producer Jerry Wexler, who coined the term “rhythm and blues,” died in Sarasota, Fla. at age 91. National Public Radio commentator Leroy Sievers, who shared his struggle with cancer, died at his Maryland home at age 53. Today’s Birthdays: Actress Rose Marie is 86. Political activist Phyllis Schlafly is 85. Actor Mike Connors is 84. Actress Lori Nelson is 76. Civil rights activist Vernon Jordan is 74. Actor Jim Dale is 74. Actress Pat Priest is 73. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer is 71. U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., is 71. Musician Pete York (Spencer Davis Group) is 67. Authorjournalist Linda Ellerbee is 65. Songwriter Jimmy Webb is 63. Rock singer-musician Tom Johnston (The Doobie Brothers) is 61. Britain’s Princess Anne is 59. Actress Tess Harper is 59. Actor Larry Mathews is 54. Actor Zeljko Ivanek is 52. Actorcomedian Rondell Sheridan is 51. Rock singer-musician Matt Johnson (The The) is 48. Movie director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (“Babel”) is 46. Actress Debi Mazar is 45. Country singer Angela Rae (Wild Horses) is 43. Actor Peter Hermann is 42. Actress Debra Messing is 41. Actor Anthony Anderson is 39. Actor Ben Affleck is 37. Singer Mikey Graham (Boyzone) is 37. Actress Natasha Henstridge is 35. Actress Nicole Paggi is 32. Figure skater Jennifer Kirk is 25. Latin pop singer Belinda (Film: “The Cheetah Girls 2”) is 20. Rock singer Joe Jonas (The Jonas Brothers) is 20.

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