OPINIONS/EDITORIALS

A gentle spring rain was just beginning as work on this column began Monday morning -- although the forecasts were for much heavier rain between now and when you're reading this.
I'm certainly not complaining about the rain because we're drier than dust out Mapleville way -- and I suspect that holds true for much of the county.
It was almost to the point where we were ready to start recruiting "rain dancers" to see if we could influence Mother Nature!

I know what you're thinking: The best spectator sport in all of Franklin County is covering our governments ... because, no matter what's on the agenda, there's always gonna be something that comes out of left field.
I don't know how many times I've looked at a barren agenda and told my boss that I have no idea what I'm going to write about, only to leave that meeting with an above-the-fold, front page story, a sidebar and a column.

Dear editor: There is a reason, a concept, behind any work of art, or architecture, or public space which speaks both to history and to new potential uses and functions of these objects and places.
In our community of Louisburg, these objects and places range from being grand gestures such as the stalwart columns which rise heavenward supporting the portico of the Main Building at Louisburg College. Standing in front of that structure you are bathed in her pre-Civil War story.

Dear editor: I found the following four consecutive MSNBC headlines quite interesting, informative, nauseating and infuriating:
•"Trump is finally getting his parade -- and its only going to cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars."
Followed by:
•"House Republicans unveil Medicaid cuts proposal."

Dear editor: A few comments based on recent issues of the Times' April 17.
The school budget passed with a 6-1 vote. The paper indicated that Tom Harris voted no and did not explain his vote. Did the meeting format offer an opportunity for that explanation? Did the newspaper contact Harris to schedule a time to get his feedback and maybe dive into any concerns over the budget?
April 17, 24 and May 1. All three editions include information regarding an aquatic center.

Dear editor: I want to say how dumb it sounds to be even considering putting four swimming pools in Franklin County.
I just rode down South Main Street Wednesday and the river was so low you could see the bottom.
Houses and subdivisions are going up every day.
Franklin County is already worried about the water for residents' use.