Letters to the Editor

Voucher program

I'm glad the April 13 editorial outlining the successful school voucher program in Washington, D.C., was on the same page as Linda Ketner's alarmist words about trying a similar program locally.

Her "the sky is falling" attitude is just what has kept South Carolina at the bottom of the heap in education for so long.

Bravo to Sen. Robert Ford for backing a tax credit bill to help bring some much needed and much delayed competition to the gargantuan, expensive monopoly that is our school system. The public schools in D.C. and other areas in our nation have not been "dismantled" when real school options were offered.

As our friends in Europe can attest, when the money is tied to the student, schools get creative and everyone wins. It's time to quit crying wolf and bring some real change to our schools and support parents in their quest for quality education. Our children need visionaries leading the way, not educrats and fearmongerers.

GRETCHEN MARKER

Alligator Road

Cordesville

Misjudgment

What our new president has grossly misjudged when he called Americans "arrogant" is actually patriotic pride, absolute resolve to freedom, and relentless determination to crush anyone who threatens that.

Has he not read the slogan at our Pentagon? I dare say, not.

MIKE MOORE

Pimpernel Street

Summerville

Folly's atmosphere

In response to the April 5 letter titled "No 'Folly World,'" I would like to point out some things the writer may not know. His interpretation of the March 30 article is totally incorrect. Center Street has always been a commercial street, since before the time I was born.

In fact, in the 1940s, '50s, and '60s, it was even more commercial with all the activity on the pier. I have been a part of Folly Beach for a long time, and I can promise that above all, I only want what is best for this community.

If we were to shut down all businesses and make Folly Beach totally a bedroom or residential community, property tax bills would increase substantially and a majority of city services would be drastically reduced. You see, only 40 percent of our yearly budget is paid for by property taxes.

And what is Folly World? I have no clue.

The council and I want to maintain the "Folly" atmosphere that makes our community unique. We do not encourage growth but we have to accept reality that change is inevitable and "growth happens;" therefore, we have to be proactive and make sure that the growth on Folly is smart and controlled.

Also, Folly Beach's business area is relatively small compared to most communities, so in order to have a strong economic base, which is essential for a viable city, we have to make our business area "all it can be." This is a win-win situation for businesses and residents alike because smart business growth helps pay for city services. It also helps ensure our city will never have to file bankruptcy, a state a lot of municipalities could face if the economy continues to decline.

I welcome any constituents who would like to come in and talk. My door is open for all constituents' convenience.

CARL B. BECKMANN Jr.

Mayor

City of Folly Beach

Act of kindness

I admire Gov. Mark Sanford's economic principles in paying down South Carolina's debt. However, it is most unfortunate that the only funds over which he has such discretion are those that impact education and public safety.

I would far rather he have discretion over funding for highways and thus leave me to worry about my children on congested highways, potholes and shaky bridges.

If they were assured of public safety and educational opportunities so needed in this state, then perhaps we would generate a whole group of well-educated young people who could solve the problems we're facing now — in the future he is ripping from them.

How about a random act of kindness here, Gov. Sanford?

Let's at least give our children that chance.

KRISTY WALKER

McCormick Street

Mount Pleasant

Voice of the people

The Town of James Island Council on April 7 voted unanimously to oppose the extension of I-526. In doing so, it aligned itself with the James Island Public Service District Commission, which on several previous occasions had taken similar positions. Thus, both governmental bodies composed exclusively of, and elected by, residents of James Island have made clear the majority sentiment of our community.

All the arguments for and against the extension of I-526 have been well publicized. There is no need to repeat them here. Let it suffice to say, if the American tradition of representative democracy is honored in this instance, then the April 7 vote should eventually prove to be a watershed event, a turning point in a long, arduous, often frustrating struggle to preserve what precious little is left of our heritage.

One of the 10 key values the Green Party endorses is the concept of "grassroots democracy." (See gp.org.) Accordingly, we salute both the James Island Town Council and Public Service District Commission, as well as all the citizens who made their preferences, both pro and con, known to their elected representatives. The people have spoken; long live the people.

EUGENE PLATT

Spokesman

Charleston Green Party

Member, James Island PSD

Gilmore Court

Charleston

Delightful movie

On April 5 my wife and I decided to see a movie at the local Regal Theater. We chose "C Me Dance," a movie with a PG rating and no write-up in The Post and Courier. It was showing in one of the larger theaters so we supposed that it must be pretty good.

Its run had begun two days prior, and we surmised that theater management anticipated a crowd.

To our surprise we were the only two in attendance for that particular showing. But, the movie was delightful. No nudity and no bad language. Just a nice little story about a teen-age female dancer who was dying from cancer and how she chose to spend her remaining time on earth. (Warning, it has religious connotations.)

We were pleasantly entertained and I'll bet that you will be too if you choose to see it.

HARRY S. GRAY Jr.

Barrington Lane

Charleston

'Guilt inflictors'

The April 11 editorial titled "Mt. Pleasant's short memory" quotes Thomasena Stokes-Marshall as saying that Mount Pleasant is mostly a white town that is "less than welcoming to minorities and lower-income people."

That comes as a big surprise to this Hispanic reader who lives in the town of Mount Pleasant.

My street alone has people from Greece, Thailand, Palestine, Jordan, Israel, Puerto Rico, Denmark, India and Germany and also African Americans. Sounds pretty diverse to me.

It is expensive to live here, but to say that the town's residents don't "want you here" because you are a minority is at best disingenuous. Drive, inner strength and hard work are traits found in all ethnic groups.

I prayed that with the election of an African-American president, people would finally believe the truth that in this great country anything is possible and that those who would find excuses for failure would no longer manipulate those who would not accept defeat.

Unfortunately, the guilt inflictors never miss a chance to strike. Politicians who peddle in the "race victim" industry will have to find some other strategy to stay in business because most of us are not buying this.

MARISA ALDRICH

Riverwood Drive

Mount Pleasant