Columns

IN MY PERFECT WORLD

Auto Mechanics and Such

By Kathy Jeffers Smith

“Found rodents had been chewing on wiring . . . (and had to) replace mass air flow sensor and connector . . . $499.61.”

This is what my car’s service bill said, unfortunately. Apparently the modern car won’t run without an air flow sensor and, just in general, doesn’t take kindly to invading rodents.

   At last week’s county commission meeting Mayor William Baird announced citizens would no longer be given time to address the commission at its meetings. He did say citizens could continue to address the commission at its workshop the week before the meeting.

Those who want to talk will be given five minutes. Baird initially proposed three but commissioners voted to allow constituents five minutes at the microphone.

Seems fair enough.

A Teacher Affects Eternity

One of my favorite quotes about educators is by the late historian, Henry B. Adams, who once said, “A teacher affects eternity - he can never tell where his influence stops.”  Of course, “he” and “his” are gender-neutral.

April is Child Abuse Awareness month and to honor child abuse victims, blue ribbons are currently being displayed all around our community. But, have you ever wondered what the meaning of the blue ribbon really is?

The Blue Ribbon Campaign began in Virginia in 1989 when a grandmother, Bonnie W. Finney, tied a blue ribbon to the antenna of her van “to make people wonder.”  The story she told to inquisitive community members was a tragic story about the abuse of her grandchildren, which ultimately led to the brutal death of her grandson.