| Scots do not want to end the Union, merely modify it
IT'S time. Time for a change. Time to move on. This is the last column from this writer which will appear in this position in this paper. A new and extremely challenging role on the business desk awaits.Sadly, it means no time for the glorious self-indulgence of expressing a weekly opinion on the affairs of the nation.The world of politics is a continuously fascinating one. There is always something new. Political parties take power and always, in the end, lose it. Politicians' fortunes ebb and flow. Plots and conspiracies abound. Policies evolve and change.Over time, the decisions made by our elected representatives really do "make a difference", a phrase politicians use frequently, to the lives of the poor, long-suffering voters whose interests they are supposed to represent. Politics matters.And having spent many years at both Westminster and Holyrood as a reporter – and worked, albeit for only a year, on the "dark side" as a special adviser to former First Minister Henry McLeish – politics had become like a drug.
What's up in Currituck 02/15
Athletic Boosters Winter Festival. The Currituck County Middle School Athletic Boosters will hold its annual Winter Festival fund-raiser at the school Saturday. Tables available for $25. For more info or an application, call Sheryl Lovitt at 207-4854. Currituck commissioners to meet. The Currituck County Board of Commissioners will meet Monday at 7 p.m. Currituck Library Toddler Time. The Currituck County Public Library's Toddler Time programs will be "What is That Sound" Monday and Thursday. Lighthouse Keepers' House tour. The Currituck Beach Lighthouse will sponsor a rare tour of the 1876 Lighthouse Keepers' duplex Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost is $15 per person; includes lunch. Call 453-8152 ext. 2 or info@currituckbeachlight.com. Currituck crime prevention funds.
Online Opinion Poll
Northern Beef Packers, a locally financed packing plant which says it will employ 200 initially with a potential of reaching 600 employees. Voters approved a TIF district for $8.6 in bonds. While construction is underway, the project has had problems sticking to its announced plans and schedule. It has vacillated on project managers, marketing contracts, and arrangements for disposing of its wastewater. Many community leaders who have supported the project express concern about whether the plant will become operational. Molded Fiberglass Companies, an Ohio-based firm, will manufacture the huge blades that drive wind turbines. It was approved a TIF district at $3.5 million. When it became apparent that the developers miscalculated some infrastructure costs, they asked the city council for an additional $1 million, and were granted TIF bonds for $4.5 million.
Thinking of spring training, Francoeur’s future
It was good to see him focus on being more patient at the plate and he had a lot more quality ABs as a result last year. It would have been nice if he had been a little more aggressive at the plate in some situations last year, especially since Andruw Jones wasn't picking up the slack. Singles to right are good, but sometimes the #5 guy needs to pick a spot to drive pitches when runners are on. My guess is that's part of the learning process and he's gonna have a monster season this year. .
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