<h4>I’m voting ‘yes’ for school referendum and you should too</h4>
My children have attended Beaufort County public schools for eight years. During that time, I have seen much to criticize about the school system, and I have not been afraid to be vocal about the things that are wrong.

However, the school system is also doing plenty of things right. Every day, more than 22,000 children arrive at their respective schools. Regardless of the classroom conditions, more than 1,600 teachers welcome them in and teach.

BCSD teachers instruct almost 13,000 students that are living in poverty, more than half the students in the district. They educate more than 3,500 students for whom English is a second language; that is about 1 out of every 6 children.

It is well documented that those factors are major obstacles toward normal measures of academic achievement, i.e. standardized testing. In addition, the schools across the district have buildings in need of major repairs or renovations, outdated safety and security measures, unsafe recreational facilities, and overcrowded classrooms.

As a community, we have a duty to promote the education of our youth in healthy, safe environments. I am willing to spend about $100 a year so that my children do not have to attend classes in trailers, under leaking roofs, or with unsafe air to breathe. What is it worth to you?

– Barbara Mancini, Bluffton
<h4>
Ruby Tuesday’s makes marine, service dog feel welcome</h4>
After eight months and 29,000 miles on the road, I pulled the Roadrunner RV with my full medal service dog, Marine Girl, and myself into Beaufort, S.C. to visit my son, a member of the Beaufort Police Department.

“Let’s go out to dinner,” I said. “Tell you what, I’ll pay.”<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

“Okay,” my boy said, “I know a good place to eat. Ruby Tuesday’s near Walmart.”<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

Well, when we got there Sara, the manager on duty, and Courtney, the server, came over smiling and gave my service dog some fresh water and made my son, his wife and myself feel right at home. They even said to take our time while the gave the dog something to eat.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

We were given five-star treatment and, for a while, I even forgot my pain. We would all like to thank Ruby Tuesday’s for a welcome night of good food and good company. I didn’t even have to let Marine Girl clean my plate for me, … I did that all by myself.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

Ruby Tuesday’s was a real gem to us, and I want to thank them again.

– John McIntire, USMC, Ret.
<h4>
Eckstrom is right: Canceling Republican primary is dumb</h4>
I want to thank you for printing the op-ed by our S.C. Comptroller, Richard Eckstrom, a couple of weeks ago entitled “Canceling SC’s Republican Primary a Dumb Thing To Do.” I totally agree with all the reasons he gave for believing it was the wrong thing to do.

I do NOT believe for one minute that our Republican State Executive Committee is authorized to determine whether an incumbent in ANY election has a “viable challenger.” That is the prerogative of the registered voters, and they express their opinion at the ballot box.

At the time this vote was taken to dispense with the Presidential Primary, there were two opponents who had legitimately filed as candidates and another one giving every indication that he intended to file. Had there been no opponents for the President and none indicating an interest, I might not be so incensed about this action.

I’ve talked with many of my conservative activists in the Republican Party and haven’t found a single person who felt this was the thing to do, so on behalf of all the “Old Guard” and the new activists who’ve seen the light, I ask that the State Executive Committee of the Republican Party reconsider this issue and reverse their decision.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>

This is America and we don’t choose our leaders by canceling the right to vote.

– Edie Rogers, Beaufort