If the local independent theatres were to close I would be sad but would totally understand (CHN June 7).

I've been to lots of films at Varsity. Despite loving the idea of going to see a great little-known film right in the downtown, I stopped going a couple years ago after seeing film after film that was projected blurry or with sound that sounded like it was coming through a thrift store boombox.

It's sad and a shame, but my hope is that the theaters will be sold to a new owner that will upgrade the sound and give me a reason to come back to downtown to see those obscure (and not so obscure) films that I love.

Darren Dlugo

Chapel Hill

Cancer patient appreciates help

My name is Edward (Bob) Hicks and I am writing to say some things that are important to me.

I am a cancer patient who enjoys life. I want to be healed, but I am thankful for all that the Lord has given me, even as things are.

My wife has had MS for 15 years. She needs a walker, cane or wheelchair to move around. I suffer with brain cancer, infected eyes, diabetes, lung cancer, chest and bone cancer.

It can be hard to trust God during these hard times, but I know that my God will lead my family and me through the bad to the good. It is because of this bad that we can see so much good all around us. My wife and I are well loved by neighbors. The people at the Regional cancer center really care for my wife, as she is a very good lady.

I received an e-mail the other day that said that if I did not send the e-mail to 10 others, it was because I was ashamed of the Lord. I don't need someone to tell me what to say. I am not ashamed. I want to tell everyone I know how much I love the Lord. God is with me and brings me help.

We want to thank the many people who help us: my parents, who help us with anything that we need and more; a friend up the street who let us have $500 to help pay bills and live; Lipscomb Grove Baptist Church, whose members have done nothing but help; and our wonderful neighbors. Others include Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, Glenn's Grove Church and my cancer doctor, Hardie Hood. If I left anyone out, I thank you too. We thank you, and we love you.

Edward Hicks Jr.

Hillsborough

Silence has been deafening on cuts

These are tough times. In the midst of this current recession, it has become increasingly clear that services will be cut, and unfortunately education in Chapel Hill and Carrboro will not be spared. I had braced myself for what was coming, but remain shocked by the scale of such cuts.

Neil Pedersen, the superintendent of the Chapel Hill Carrboro city schools, has the misfortune of presiding over the district during the worst economic downturn in more than 50 years.

In March, he let the parents and community members know that the district was facing extraordinary budgetary pressures and outlined several scenarios, the worst of which was a 7 percent reduction in the budget. He posted these scenarios and the effect on our budget on the district Web site.

Things have apparently turned out to be worse than expected; reports from the legislature suggest cuts of greater than 15 percent.

However, at a time when we must all pull together to manage difficulties that face our schools, we have not been given any further information.

The silence has been deafening. Moreover, it turns out that draconian measures have already been quietly implemented.

Old budgets have been removed from the Web site, and the district has already laid off more than 50 staff/teachers at three schools, including teachers terminated the day after school ended. What is the plan to accommodate students who have had electives cancelled? Will the school day be shortened? Will students have an opportunity to choose other classes or does the administration decide where they will go? How many classrooms will be empty?

When are there going to be public forums about these decisions?

We want and need answers, Mr. Pedersen. Where are the cuts? Who is being laid off? How are the decisions being made, and are they merit-based, tenure-based, or some other metric? What programs have been spared and why?

The community will not stand for silence in the face of difficult times. Ignore us at your peril.

Shari Rivera Sharp

Chapel Hill

Student concerned about teacher cuts

Recently, it has come to my attention that many core teachers will be cut at A.L. Stanback. I understand that cuts must be made, but why cut back on teachers?

From my perspective as a student, learning would be hindered much more from cutting back on teachers than on anything or anyone else.

For instance, with the proposed cuts, there will only be one social studies and one science teacher for the eighth grade. Does this mean there will be classes of 40 or 50 students for these subjects? How can one teacher help individual students with those large numbers?

The teachers at A.L. Stanback are the center of education and learning. They can teach without technology, without fancy equipment, and they can teach anything, and with anything, thrown at them.

However, they cannot teach when they aren't there. What is a hospital without doctors and nurses? What is a military without soldiers? What is a restaurant without cooks? And what is a school without teachers? The cooks make the food, just as the teachers generate the learning at A.L. Stanback. And what is education without learning?

It is imperative that teachers stay at A.L. Stanback for the sake of education. The school board and county commissioners should look elsewhere for cuts, cuts that less directly affect the classroom.

I truly hope the proposed teacher cuts are reconsidered.

Sierra Houck, 13

Orange County

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

The Chapel Hill News welcomes letters and columns from readers. Letters are limited to 300 words, columns to 550. Writers are limited to one letter a month and one column every three months. All submissions become property of The Chapel Hill News and McClatchy Newspapers.

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