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Letters

  • Puppy-mill problems trump profits

    To the editor:
    Our state has a problem. It is a problem that constituents in this state want you to solve: puppy mills.
    Our state does not have a law to crack down on these operations, but we need one. This year, there have been more puppy mill raids in North Carolina than any other state in the country.
    It is time for lawmakers to pass legislation that requires inspections of commercial dog breeding facilities and basic standards of care.

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  • Cat colonies questionable

    To the editor:
    I question the wisdom of establishing colonies of feral cats on Holden Beach.
    It is proposed to vaccinate these animals against rabies before releasing them in the wild. The first rabies vaccine a cat receives is effective for one year; subsequent vaccines for rabies are effective for three years.

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  • Two horse soldiers still in the race

    To the editor:
    I loved Laura Lewis’ story in [the Aug. 23] Beacon on boats and, of course, Weston Varnam.
    Early on the morning of Jan. 7, 1941, five young men met in front of R.D. White’s place in Shallotte. One was my first cousin; the other three I had never heard of until that day. One of them was Weston Varnam.
    We went from Shallotte straight to Fort Jackson. That same day, we all joined the U.S. Army except one, because of his hearing. He was sent back home.

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  • Who’s promoting Sunset Beach?

    To the editor:
    Councilwoman Karen Joseph has been critical of the mayor (of Sunset Beach) for not promoting how wonderful Sunset Beach is. What she doesn’t seem to understand is that God, nature and caring citizens created Sunset Beach.

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  • Beach is becoming unfriendly for bikes

    To the editor:
    I have a seasonal vacation home in Holden Beach and we love to ride our bicycles, however, the friendly family beach is becoming the not-so-friendly family beach.
    What is the matter with people who do not understand that bicycles have the right of traveling on the highway? We were almost blown off the road by a fishing rig that raced closely by us with screeching tires Labor Day weekend. They can wait two hours for a fish to bite; however, they do not have the patience to wait two minutes to ensure safety when passing bicycles.

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  • Puppy mills and feral cats

    To the editor:
    There were articles in the Beacon recently about a puppy mill case. One mentioned new laws for breeders to stop puppy mills. The other article was about the outcome of this recent case.
    What did they get for so many counts of animal abuse? A fine and probation. Not much of a message being sent to others in the business. Let’s not make new laws until we start enforcing current laws on animal abuse and cruelty.

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  • Scat to cat program

    To the editor:
    Two articles on feral cats in the Aug. 30 edition of the Beacon describe the romance of humans with domestic cats. Some try to justify release of feral cats and TNR (trap-neuter-release) programs as a way to rid areas of the pesky cotton rat, Sigmodon hispidus. Exterminating companies and TNR folks likely love the cotton rat’s relatively high numbers in the past year, what better way to help sell their respective causes?

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  • Billboard is disrespectful

    To the editor:
    Has anyone seen the billboard comparing our president to Osama bin Laden? This sign is a disgrace to all who pass it, whether they be Republican or Democrat.
    The billboard states, “The Seals took out one threat to the United States; vote to take out another.”

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  • Something is wrong with DSS dismissal

    To the editor:
    The poorest people in our county just became the victims of 20 employees who didn’t want to work harder to provide services to them in a timely, cost-effective manner.
    Their claim? The stress imposed on them after being asked to assume more roles as DSS director Patty Connelly “worked on streamlining processes at DSS to shorten client waiting times.”
    Three of the five members of the DSS Board opted to support the workers.
    Does anybody else see that there is something wrong with this picture?

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  • Writers reflect progress

    To the editor:
    The opinion article by John Heidke, “Some police and citizens do well without any guns,” and Dr. Ernie Ward’s column, “It’s time to ban North Carolina puppy mills,” show how much progress is being made here lately.
    Thanks to both writers for reminding us it is getting better every day.
    Carol Weaver
    Ocean Isle Beach
     

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