Last Sunday afternoon was a beautiful day, and at 3 o’clock I joined friends in Pickens to ride the Doodle Trail. It was pretty exciting, because the trail had just opened on Saturday and who knew what lay ahead? There were a lot of other folks with the same idea, and as we rode along on our bikes we came across hikers and other bikers, joggers and strollers enjoying the day.

We even passed two wounded warriors in motorized wheelchairs with American flags, one a double amputee, who took advantage of a safe route on a perfect afternoon to enjoy

We hear a lot of talk about our education system, testing and teacher evaluation and how to fix problems.

Here’s a suggestion. Instead of listening to so-called experts who haven’t set foot in a classroom in years, go to the horse’s mouth. Ask teachers why they leave.

According to national data on the subject, about 50 percent of teachers leave the profession after five years.

Well, here’s what some of them have to say. Low pay is not first

In response to Saitta

Dear Editor,

I want to respond to the hundreds of letters written by Pickens County School Board member Alex Saitta attacking teachers, public education and the School District of Pickens County.

In just his last letter published in the Pickens County Courier, Saitta is trying to convince the good people of Pickens County

Sarah Darlene Clark

Easley — Mrs. Sarah Darlene Norris Clark, 62, wife of the late David Wayne Clark Sr., passed away Monday, May 18, 2015, at her home.

Mrs. Clark was born in Laurens County, a daughter of the late John Henry and Sarah Elizabeth Pearson Norris. Mrs. Clark graduated from the University of South Carolina and was a

Last night I was outside in the front yard with the dog and looked up at the sky, which had cleared. It was dark except for starlight. The night sky was beautiful. I could see the big dipper. And then I heard the call of a whippoorwill coming from somewhere in the woods.

So I sat on the front porch and listened. From what I’ve read, it appears that the whippoorwill population is on the decline. I’m sorry to know that, and not just because of their beautiful call.

They’re interesting birds, as instead of rising at the crack of dawn to sing their special song, they call at night when they are active and feeding.

You can walk in the woods and almost step on a nesting whippoorwill, as they nest on

OK, boys and girls. What do we know from reading Ben’s column for the past year? That I am looking forward to making yet another trip to Kentucky this year as part of the Kentucky Missions team?

Well, change that. I’m not going again this year.

I had hoped to go with the group from the Pickens Twelve Mile Baptist Association. We’ve had several meetings, and I am pleased with the spirit of the team, though we are doing fewer churches this year, and all teams look to be full.

As for me, I continue to have stomach problems (and not just the one where my stomach sticks out in front of my body). I am getting better, but slowly. And the last thing this team needs is a sickly member

Saitta talks pay raises

Dear Editor,

I am responding to the letter written by the senior living in Liberty on Social Security who supports raising school taxes again.

Usually the state requires school districts to give teachers an annual pay increase. In 2010 and 2011, the state gave districts the option to freeze teacher pay to deal with budget deficits. Our district cut 30 classroom teaching positions in 2009 and raised class sizes (I voted against that, by the way). In 2010, the administration proposed eliminating another 22 classroom teaching positions. The board opted instead to freeze teacher pay per the state option and protect all classroom teaching positions, keeping

Enough is enough. Using a seat on the school board as a platform to shove a politically based agenda down the throats of the citizens of Pickens County is not in the best interest of anyone.

A school board member apparently takes the following position: “We want our children to be fat and unhealthy, because we dislike Michelle Obama and she wants our children to be fit and healthy. Since this is her idea, we oppose it no matter how it affects anybody.”

Not only was this incident embarrassing, it was inappropriate. Why expose us to the kind of attention this is attracting? That’s not supposed

In the coming weeks leading up to July 1, the Pickens County School Board will be discussing the FY 2015-16 operating budget. If history is a good predictor, then we are sure to see this debate turn toward the discussion of whether or not to raise taxes. For the last 13 years, the Pickens County School Board has voted not to raise taxes for operational purposes, while other school districts have continued to raise theirs to keep pace with increased costs. Much of the hesitation to raise taxes in Pickens County was a direct result of the school district’s

Why not help schools?

Dear Editor,

Briefly but seriously, I would like to make a plea for more funds to be raised to support our Pickens County schools. After reading the various local newspaper articles citing the pros and cons of raising real estate taxes to support our schools (teachers’ salaries, building maintenance and updating our computer labs), I am baffled as to just why our taxing system for schools has not kept up to date with higher food costs, goods and services increases and various other cost increases on day-to-day purchases.

Recently, board member Judy Edwards raised the possibility of a tax increase of 2.8 mills, which she called a compromise from the maximum of 4.6 mills allowed.

I am a senior living on a limited budget in a modest home in Liberty with one car. I probably can’t afford higher real estate taxes, but for the sake of the future of the county, which will mostly consist of those pupils currently in our public schools, I would be willing to “pay my fair share.”

Whether or not homeowners are without children to educate, somewhere in the past there were citizens who paid for our education.

My grandchildren are living proof of the excellence of the Pickens County schools — now two Clemson University students, one of whom was a valedictorian at Pickens High School and the other graduating summa cum laude from Clemson. I witnessed their education in our schools from kindergarten through high school, noting the great teachers, sports, music and various other extracurricular activities offered.

I really can’t see any reason why any homeowner is unwilling to pay a few more dollars for the good of our schools, county and state.

Betty Eisemann Juberg

Liberty

Thank you to Hiott

Dear Editor,

This week, State Rep. Davey Hiott, chairman of the House Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee, listened to farmers during a bill hearing about surface water withdrawal. Thank you, Chairman Hiott, for advocating for our farmers.

Agriculture has such a large economic impact on our state that we must keep it in mind when making decisions at the statehouse. We must think like farmers when making decisions that will affect farmers. Regulations like this would undoubtedly harm the industry. In fact, in the past when permitting has been required, it has quite literally stopped agriculture in its tracks. Farmers across the state thank you, Chairman Hiott, for defending farmers against this harmful legislation.

I would also like to thank Chairman Hiott for his continued service and leadership in Columbia. Taking on the role of committee chairman requires much time and responsibility — thank you for your dedication to serving the entire state. And thank you for your dedication to South Carolina farmers.

George Bryant

Pickens County Farm Bureau President

Pickens

Thank you from Holly Springs PTO

Dear Editor,

On May 2, Holly Springs Elementary School held its annual golf tournament fundraiser at Bear Valley Golf Course. It was a huge success.

I want to thank the tournament committee for all their hard work, the businesses and individuals who donated prizes and the players who participated.

Our golf committee consisted of Darrell Duncan, Bob Fulmer, Bob Giblin, Audrey Gilstrap, Dave Gilstrap, Donna Harden, Jaime Horton, Ella Kelley, David Mathis and Matt Richter. Thanks to these folks for all of their hard work to help our PTO raise $5,500 to purchase new playground equipment for our children.

Tom Kelley

Holly Springs PTO president

Liberty

Can you recognize socialism?

Dear Editor,

Two letters to the editor which were written by leaders of the Pickens County community sent up red flags to me recently.

One addressed elected leaders, complaining our government is not doing enough. It urged more government spending to improve recreation, increase job training, expand the Doodle Trail and improve our “quality” of life. The other called those disagreeing with bigger and more government intervention CAVE men (Citizens Against Virtually Everything) and insisted the government “invest” (with taxpayer funds) in everything from A to Z.

I’m not a CAVE woman! I am against looking to government to solve all my “wants.”

I am against property rights being stomped on in the name of “the common good.” I am against capitalism and the free markets being destroyed by over regulation by the government.

Look around us — governments at all levels have taken on too much control and they can’t even manage our tax dollars, from public education to veterans’ medical care to road maintenance.

A person has to be blind not to see that creeping socialism in the last 50 years is crippling our nation. It is piling up debt on our children and destroying our morals, not to mention trampling all over our Constitution. The more we ask government to do, the closer to communism’s evil twin sister socialism we get.

Socialism believes the government should be in control of almost every aspect of your life. Next time you read one of these letters, especially from the ones who identify themselves as Republicans, ask yourself — is this writer pushing a socialistic government-owned and operated venture or a capitalistic free-market venture?

As Thomas Jefferson said, “A government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take away everything you have.”

It boggles my mind there are still some who think even more government and paying more taxes is the solution.

If these writers are truly concerned about the quality of life in Pickens, then they should volunteer as a little league coach or make a donation to the YMCA. If they feel there is a need for even more job training, they should hire more people at their companies and train them or make a donation to a scholarship program for technical schools.

Stop looking to we the people’s wallets to supply your “wants” and grow bigger government!

Johnnelle Raines

Pickens