WS Chronicle

B. Collins, B. Kimbrough deserve your votes

To the Editor:

I remember sitting in the stands at an East Forsyth football game, with Buddy Collins, talking about how to impact the youth of our community. At the time, Buddy was serving on the school board of WS/FCS [Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools].

I will never forget Buddy’s comment as it seemed so simple. He shared the importance of a father figure as well as engaging kids in reading. It really shocked me since reading is clearly taught in school. Ultimately, I think his point was the importance of community engagement with kids and helping them realize they are valued. Additionally, when they see someone investing their time in them, it motivates them to be successful.

Fast forward to about a month ago and I asked Buddy how he was going to drive impact as County Commissioner. He had many ideas, you can read on electbuddycollins.com, but I asked him how he is really going to be able to execute. His answer was community engagement. Buddy is very practical and knows that nothing happens without the community to help execute. It is clearly a partnership and Buddy can help bridge that gap to make these important community ideas a reality.

Given Buddy’s vast experience with the community in leadership roles, his God-fearing character, and personal observations of him engaging with the community, we endorse him for the County Commissioner position.

There is nothing like sports (basketball) to unite people! I had the privilege of meeting Bobby Kimbrough when I helped run and coach a local AAU basketball organization called the Triad Titans. I met Bobby and his family during this time and lived through a trying time in the Kimbroughs’ life with the loss of a wife and his kids’ mom. Bobby was such a steady man and clearly anchored by his faith. He helped his boys, and those around him, make a way forward during the crisis. He is someone of high character and someone you can count on. Our lives were so enriched working with and knowing the Kimbroughs as we all executed on this common vision. Bobby has a clear vision for the Sheriff’s office.

Bobby’s experience in law enforcement, his character and faith, my personal experience with the Triad Titans, and the fact that he impresses me as unifier and not a divider is why I endorse Bobby Kimbrough for Sheriff.

Ted Mead

Kernersville

Your vote for Terri LeGrand could be the difference

To the Editor:

I met Terri LeGrand earlier this year when she announced her first-time candidacy for N.C. House. I appreciated Terri’s authenticity immediately.

Terri has served this community tirelessly as a student and teacher advocate in the PTA, the co-founder of the Piedmont Earth Day Fair, and a financial aid counselor at Wake Forest.

I support Terri because of her values and character. I know that power or ego don’t play a role her in her desire to serve. Terri is driven by compassion, and she is committed to making sure our state government works for ALL of us. That includes North Carolinians who are marginalized by economic disadvantage, health problems, and limited access to education and job training programs. Terri prioritizes vocational programs for middle-income job creation and innovation within our state. She prioritizes better funding our local public schools, including raising teacher pay (ranked 37th in the nation) to at least the national average. She will advocate for today’s students to have the necessary public school resources to thrive in tomorrow’s workforce.

Terri LeGrand has pledged to hold several town hall meetings every year she is in office so that she can listen to her constituents and truly represent us. She will lead with integrity, and fulfill her promise to put “People before Politics.” This election is critical to the future of our state. Your vote for Terri LeGrand could be the difference.

Jennifer Ertl

Winston-Salem

Terri LeGrand consistently works for improvements

To the Editor:

With politics so negative it is surprising that anyone steps forward and takes the initiative to make government work. However, Terri LeGrand feels so strongly about making a difference for her community that she stepped into politics this year as a first-time candidate to run for the N.C. House in District 74.

I’ve known Terri for over 10 years, and she consistently works to make improvements to the communities where she works and lives. And in our conversations it’s clear that she believes government should work for everyone, not just a select few.

Terri and her children attended public schools, and she will work hard to be sure our schools are adequately funded and teachers are fairly paid. In addition she believes that everyone deserves to earn an education without accumulating debilitating debt.

Terri stepped up to run for this election and make government work for her constituents and the people of North Carolina. I strongly urge the voters in District 74 to also step up and elect Terri LeGrand.

Kathy Orms

Lewisville

Political awareness comes from within ourselves

To the Editor:

As American Muslims, we want to be welcomed into the civilized citizenry of the United States. Some people will say, “Well, we already have that. We are citizens. We have all our legal rights.” Yes, but our spirit and our attitude keeps us on the outside.

If we get it in our hearts and in our spirits to be concerned about the state of this nation, its future, its image in the eyes of other nations, its future for our children and generations to come, and let that concern be published, upright men in the circle of the rich and poor in America would be happy to know that we are part of the American citizenry.

We may think that we are politically aware, but political awareness means the awareness of the need within for economic dignity, for business development, for a sense of business, and not just in a few individuals, but in all of the people. African-American businesses fail in their community because their community has been disciplined against business development.

Most of us do not have business sense as a people, and that is why we are not represented business-wise in America. We are a deficient and extremely dependent people – dependent upon taxpayers who have establishment, who have an economic base, and are not dependent upon charity. We are dependent upon the Messiah, the Christ in the White House, or the Democratic Party that will treat us as their little children, and protect us, and pour out to us charity from the rich of this country for the poor black masses. That is pitiful.

The above is an excerpt from an article by Imam W. Deen Muhammad from 1985-October Progressions Magazine. To read the complete article, go to http://www.newafricaradio.com/articles/october-85-2.html

From Fleming El-Amin

Winston-Salem

Note: This article is being promoted by the ACGG (American Coalition For Good Government). Fleming El-Amin was recently elected to serve as the president/convenor of ACGG, a national non-partisan grassroots organization promoting civic responsibility and engagement.