Letters.

Rising in the East

Your coverage of the current state of Eastern North Carolina (cover story, February) was measured, direct, intelligent and focused. It's true that the tragic facts are almost as unsettling to read about as they are to experience firsthand. You will surely receive your share of negative reactions from proud, well-meaning Easterners. Nevertheless, what you did was necessary and welcomed by those here who realize how important it is to educate the state to our region's ongoing struggle for a viable, diverse economy.

Another thing: Your writers and editors meticulously avoided the facile tone of patronizing condescension much evident in other publications when the subject is Eastern North Carolina. Thank you for that, especially.

Frank Dooley

Director of Communications

Foundation of Renewal for Eastern North Carolina

Greenville

Credit is not due

The snapshot of the banking industry in the February issue has lists reflecting, among other things, market share and efficiency of financial institutions in North Carolina. Unfortunately, they combine information about banks and credit unions. It is inaccurate and misleading to compare data about credit unions, which are untaxed cooperative entities not subject to a costly and burdensome regulatory framework, with that of banks and savings associations.

Thad Woodard

President

N.C. Bankers Association

Raleigh

When life is a beach

Jim Douglas says the SOBX logo is a rip-off of his OBX (Tar Heel Tattler, January). I have spent most of my 52 years living in Kill Devil Hills and Atlantic Beach. The Southern Outer Banks, from Cape Hatteras south, are different from where he resides, with a more laid-back "Southern" lifestyle than that of the Outer Banks of Dare County, which, to me, is more representative of Northern influence. It seems as if he's trying to take advantage of the hard work and originality exhibited by Christie Roberson, who secured a trademark for SOBX long before he did for OBX. Perhaps it would do him some good to "come on down south" and relax a little bit.

Milton F. Legg III

Atlantic Beach

Parental guidance

I found "Pappy's Promise" (Up Front, December) a powerful message. As the son of Cuban immigrants (and a father myself), I can attest to the sacrifices that must be made, the hopes and dreams we have for our children and the uncertainties of life. I have received many blessings, all by the grace of God and the influence of...