Many thanks to amazing community (07/01/08)

To the editor:

This letter is in regards to the amazing community of Portland and the surrounding areas. During the sorrowful days that followed the death of my brother, Lance Cpl. Andrew Whitacre, the community displayed a sense of remorse and respect matched by no other. Entire factories had shut down to pay their respects.

You can place a monetary value on the production lost during that time, but not on the dignity gained.

If my family and I were to pick up and move, the Portland area would be our one and only choice.

I know that the community has made Lance Cpl. Andrew Whitacre and his entire family proud.

Thank you.

Proud Brother of Lance Cpl. Whitacre,

Justin Miller

Huntington

Proud Hoosier

To the editor:

To the family and friends of Lance Corporal Andrew F. Whitacre, my sincere thoughts and prayers to your loss of a loved one.

To all of the residents of Jay County and especially Bryant, Indiana.

The support and respect that has poured out from your area is outstanding. I am proud to say I that I grew up in Bryant, Indiana.

May we always think about how we became a country on the sacrifices that have been given. Families sending their sons to foreign soil insuring terror is defeated. Like Andrew says "it sure as hell beats fighting them at home".

I am also a U.S. Marine, retired now but still patriotic as ever each day. It is great to know that you would have taken care of me as you did Andrew.

Until that day I will be a proud Hoosier in N.C.

James Lee Butcher

USMC Master Sergeant (Retired) 1984-2005

Havelock, N.C.

Ray of sunshine

To the editor:

During a time of "Doom and Gloom" reporting from the media, what a wonderful ray of sunshine we have received for the city of Portland!

In case you missed the accounting of the city council meeting in The CR a week or so ago, please read on.

The city budget is one of the most important things required of the mayor and the city council.

Everyone complains when the tax rate goes up. This year the tax rate went down. This was in part due to an increase in assessed valuation of over $8.5 million. The other part was due to fiscal responsibility.

Mayor Hosier and the council could have rubbed their hands together and said, "Wow, we have more money to spend." Instead they held the line on spending and the tax rate went down.

In 2007 the tax rate per $100 of assessed value was $1.2417. The 2008 tax rate is $1.1897!

How about a pat on the back for Mayor Hosier and the members of the city council!

Lola Joy

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