From time to time, The Pilot gives the “Lighthouse Letter” designation to letters considered to be unusually well written. On Monday, we honored 15 winners from 1999 during a luncheon at the Mid Pines Inn. We are reprinting their letters today.

My Name Is Pinehurst — Please Don’t Sue Me

Please don’t sue me.

Please do not try to change my name! I am a recent retiree with only a few years left.

I have a sore hind leg and have been put out to pasture. I live on a farm called Prancing Horse and I hope to help kids with their therapeutic riding classes.

My name is PINEHURST, and I do not want to change it for anything.

Neigh, neigh!

Nancy Bookmyer, Pinehurst

Ms. Bookmyer’s offering was chosen as the 1999 Lighthouse Letter of the Year.

Mr. Connelly, in the words of Monty Hall, “It’s time to play Lets Make a Deal.”Now here is your deal: You can stop paying for our children’s education when my kids and I can stop paying for your Social Security and Medicare.

Lester Seidenberg, Southern Pines

Their Loss, Our Gain

The good, grey, admired and respected New York Times has removed one of North Carolina’s most pressing problems.

The Sunday New York Times of Oct. 17 published a large picture of Jesse with the following caption: “Sen. Jesse Helms of South Carolina, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee and critic of the treaty."

Rejoice, rejoice.

J.V. Small, Southern Pines

One of my favorites is gone.

As I heard the terrible news on Monday afternoon, that was the first thing that popped into my head. Other than the usual thoughts that “you must be mistaken,” I felt I had lost a friend. I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing Payne Stewart personally. My “friendship” was like many of ours. I only knew him from outside the ropes.

There will be countless stories told from those who did know him personally. Stories shared by many of his tour companions, associates and friends.My stories are like yours. They will begin “I remember when…” and then go on to tell of how you may have seen him at one of the many PGA tour stops or public appearances or on television. I vividly remember his smile. More than anything else he always seemed to be having fun. And not just on the golf course, but in life as well. I suppose that’s one of the things that makes this so hard.

I remember reading about how once at Hilton Head Island, in town for the Heritage, Payne was out early Sunday morning. Not hitting balls or fine tuning his game. But he was out early conducting an impromptu Easter egg hunt with his children at his rented condo. I remember reading how he had lower back problems, as a lot of golfers suffer. He was concerned, not how it would effect his game, but that he had trouble lifting up his kids as they came running to him.

He will be remembered as a great competitor, two-time U.S. Open and PGA Champion. But I will remember how I ran into Payne at the Pine Crest Inn. It was the Saturday before the U.S. Open here at Pinehurst. He had just finished a practice round and was enjoying a beer as many of us do. No entourage, no media, no plus-fours. Just Payne with friends. I didn’t go up to him. Not that I felt he was unapproachable, but that I figured he would rather had been left alone. I will remember his cheer as he won the Open. And I can say that I was there.

He was one of our favorites. And we will miss his smile.

Rick Noyes, Pinehurst

How is it that a man can kill another man in cold blood and then claim he is insane and incompetent to stand trial for murder? I am sick of criminals hiding behind this law.

A few years ago a man walked the streets of Chapel Hill gunning down everyone in sight. He killed innocent people. His lawyers hired a psychiatrist who determined that the assailant was insane and not responsible for what he did. Bull!

What strikes me about this law is who benefits from using it. In every case that I’m aware of the defendant is white and accused of murder. Is murder the only crime that an insane person will commit? Do you have to be white to benefit from this law? Why don’t lawyers argue that their bank-robbing or drug-dealing client was insane at the time? I’m sure if they pay these psychiatrists enough money, then these defendants could be declared insane as well.

When John Hinkley tried to kill President Reagan, his lawyers yelled, “He’s insane.” When the idiot walked into the Capitol in Washington and started shooting people, his lawyers yelled, “He’s insane.” Enough is enough.

I say if you’re sane enough to load your gun, point your gun and pull the trigger, then you’re surely sane enough to stand trial and face the consequences of your actions.

LeDaniel Purvis, Ashley Heights

Since moving to this area in 1996, I have watched with interest the debate concerning whether the Given Memorial Library should become tax supported and part of the Moore County library system.

I moved here from a small, rural Midwestern town that faced a similar dilemma several years ago. The library, run by volunteers, was in an historic downtown building. It was crowded and inaccessible to those who could not get up steps, and it was a struggle to find the funds to run and maintain it. When it was proposed that this library become tax-supported and part of a countywide system, I, along with many others, protested the loss of this historic and traditional volunteer library, and the move away from downtown. However, voters eventually approved taxation for the library, and the change was made.

What was the result? Well, first came a brand new, well-designed and well-appointed building in a park-like setting, easily accessible from the main road through town. Next came a well-trained staff, including a dynamic director who initiated many new programs and ran them well. The number of books in the collection increased dramatically, and use of the library increased exponentially. Computer technology was introduced and the Internet was made available to anyone who wished to use it.

Having seen the tremendous improvement that resulted from a library becoming a tax-supported institution, I would suggest that the same should certainly be considered for the Given Memorial Library. This is not to imply any criticism of the people who work so hard to provide as good a facility as they possibly can. On the contrary, they deserve much praise for all their efforts. However, it would seem that the potential advantages of the change would far outweigh the loss of this Pinehurst tradition. In fact, given the resources available in this community, it might well be possible for the tradition to be creatively and acceptably preserved, or a new tradition established.Let us think about it.

Christine Abbott, Pinehurst

This is my first letter to The Pilot. It is written with the hope that it will provoke some serious thought into the needless and tragic death of professional wrestler Owen Hart, who died during an attempt to be lowered into a wrestling ring 50 feet below.

Just this past weekend prior to his death, I watched a documentary on television about teenagers mimicking in their own backyards the antics of professional wrestlers. These antics, which have become the drawing point for thousands of wrestling fans to watch a human being tortured and pulverized publicly, include rolling over a surface scattered with thumbtacks barebacked, being thrown or pushed from varying heights onto a wooden platform, beating each other with metal chairs, and inflicting serious bodily injuries. The more blood exhibited, it seems, the more “manly” the inflicted person becomes to spectators. Is it any wonder that gang violence escalates and more and more weapons are found in our public schools in this country daily?

There is something seriously wrong in this society which permits and even legalizes this type of behavior toward fellow human beings but strictly prohibits cockfighting and other forms of cruelty to animals.

Sarah L. Hussey, Robbins

I have been trying to follow this fiasco surrounding the selection of a new school superintendent and, quite frankly, I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. What on earth is going on here? The profiles of the three finalists, presented in your newspaper read more like the biographies of the Three Stooges, Moe, Larry and Curly, than serious candidates for the position in question.

Is this the best we can do? Was there not a person right here in Moore County — someone in our present system, someone already familiar with teachers and parents, someone with established roots in our community — that was qualified to handle this job? Not a single person in the region? No one in the entire state of North Carolina?

The selection process itself was a total farce. Consider: A “blue ribbon” panel is assembled and the search begins. Applications are accepted and reviewed. After a while the list is narrowed to three finalists. Then, before you can say Dr. Patrick Russo, incredibly, before the names of all three candidates had been released to the general public, we learn that a final decision had already been made at some secret late night dinner party the prior weekend. No public input, no open hearings. Nothing. Finito!

In order to comply with state law, which mandates that official business be conducted in open view of the public, a hastily arranged meeting is called for 5 p.m. May 5. I am in attendance and the meeting is gaveled to order at 5:10 p.m. Two recesses later, at 5:45 p.m., a motion is made to hire Dr. Russo and approve a pre-arranged contract. There is a second. The vote is 5-1 with two members absent. The meeting is quickly adjourned at 5:50 p.m. Slam, bam, thank you ma’am! No questions or answers. No details, disclosures or discussions. Nothing. Zippo!

Question: Is this any way to select a new superintendent? Is this any way to run a school board? Board member Diane Lawrence, who chaired the search committee, described the selection process thusly: “It was a truly wonderful community effort.” Say what? What planet does she live on? This closed door, secret session, public-be-damned attitude of our school board — with the notable and laudable exception of Bill Garner — is absolutely appalling and an insult to the good people of this county.

Our parents and teachers deserve better than this. Our taxpayers, who foot the bill for this nonsense, deserve better than this. Most important, our children deserve better. Much better.

Gregory Zywocinski, Southern Pines

I am an acknowledged, registered member of the Republican Party. I believe with all my heart that Bill Clinton is as guilty as sin of crimes that would have any other United States citizen tried, convicted and serving time in jail. His behavior has brought shame and dishonor to the highest and most prestigious office in the world.Despite all of the above, it is my considered opinion that the present impeachment trial being conducted in the U.S. Senate is an exercise in futility and should be concluded immediately. It doesn’t take a political genius to determine that the 67 Senate votes required to convict Mr. Clinton are just not in the cards, no matter how much evidence is presented, no matter how many witnesses are paraded before the Senate chambers and TV cameras. It is a sad testimonial, but the public opinion polls suggest that the American population is more interested in their material well being than in truth, morality and justice. Every day that this issue dominates the news headlines and talk shows drives another nail in the political future of the GOP.

So, give Mr. Clinton a slap on the hand for his naughty ways, allow him to dodge another bullet, and let’s get on with the business of running the country. As painful as it may be to those of us who apparently share a minority opinion, it’s time to go back to work.

Corby Wolfe, Pinehurst

I read with great interest John Chappell’s account of his meeting with Gen. George C. Marshall. (“He Won the War, Won the Peace, and Graced Us With His Presence.” Monday, March 22).

It brought to mind my first meeting with Gen. Marshall and as a result my attempt to show men everywhere that in certain circumstances there is very little difference between the truly great and the ordinary man.

As a young man of 22, I was working as a salesman in Patch’s Tog Shop, a local men’s shop, when Gen. Marshall and his aide came in. With thundering heart, I asked if I could be of assistance. The general, in a soft, quiet voice said he was looking for a casual felt hat that he could shape to his liking. I went to the hat case and selected a soft, unlined Dobbs beaver felt hat. With what I was sure at the time was great flair, I popped a crease in the center with the side of my hand, dimpled the front with my fingers and offered it to the greatest man I have ever met in my life. He took it, put it on his head, looked in the mirror and turned to me with a smile on his face and said, “Young man, it’s perfect.

”At that precise moment, a female voice rang out from the entrance to the store, “George, take that off!”Gen. George C. Marshall, unquestionably one of the greatest men of this century, took the hat off, handed it to me with a “Thank you, young man,” turned and followed Mrs. George C. Marshall out of the store.

I had the opportunity to help the general on several occasions after that and he managed quite well on his own.

Richard L. Mattocks, Southern Pines

Following complaints from former listeners to WIOZ, you editorialized about “tired” music and “elevator music.” I fear you do not know the difference. Elevator music used to be played as quiet background for shopping. It consisted of tunes from Mantovani, 101 Strings, Percy Faith, et al. If you have ever sat on hold waiting for a customer-relations human to answer you would welcome elevator music — something to let you know you were not forgotten — as opposed to strident, harsh cacophony thrown at you by some companies who consider you a captive audience worthy of being driven up the wall.

Elevator music has its place. It is not, however, the music of Glenn Miller, Sinatra, Goodman, Bill Evans, Ella Fitzgerald or Count Basie. Nor is that music “tired.” Check into the sales of CD’s from those artists. Run down the lists of Broadway revivals of some of the great musicals and you will learn why many bemoan the loss of WIOZ’s previous format.When we first began visiting Pinehurst over 20 years ago, we tuned in that station. It was an oasis in a desert of din. When we moved here 12 years ago we began to listen less and less as they tried to be all things to all people. In the last couple of years we have avoided the station altogether. It is, of course, WIOZ’s privilege to play anything it wants. There is always the “Off” switch. It is also The Pilot’s privilege to editorialize about subjects of which it knows little. But then, who else but The Pilot would give a column to some lawyer with an adolescent approach to humor and a sophomoric way of writing. Now that’s tired.

Allan Jefferys, Pinehurst

Sara Lindau has written an in-depth pair of articles on David Junior Brown, who has been on death row for 18 years for the killing of Shelly Diane Chalflinch and her 9-year-old daughter.

Brown, who has converted to Islam and changed his name to Dawud Abdullah Muhammed, states, “One of the things about Islam is when you embrace the faith, all your prior sins are forgiven.” I am sure that lots of us could use such absolution; Clinton easily comes to mind.

Muhammed has reached his 50th birthday and rejoices in getting older: “It brings me closer to God.” If he is really interested in getting closer to his God, he should tell his lawyer to stop all the appeals.

Ms. Lindau did a fine job of presenting the evidence that establishes Muhammed’s guilt beyond a shadow of doubt. She obviously has access to good sources of information. As a follow-up I would suggest that she develop and present answers to the following questions:

What has been the cost to the North Carolina taxpayers to keep Muhammed on death row for 18 years?

How much compensation has Bruce Cunningham, Muhammed’s court-appointed lawyer, received over the 18 years?

How long after conviction would Muhammed have lived in an Islamic nation?

Jack C. McVey, Pinehurst

I applaud Steve Bouser’s excellent editorial column “Ignorance Chalks Up a Victory in Kansas” (Aug. 30) and heartily support your position vis-à-vis purging evolution from public school textbooks.

However, I do take issue with the final paragraph. To suggest that the scientific method belongs exclusively in the classroom and the Bible exclusively in the church and home sets up a false dichotomy, at least for enlightened Christians. While the bible is not part of the public school curriculum, and rightly so, youth are permitted in many schools to gather voluntarily for prayer and Bible study after classes. As long as this is not interpreted as the school supporting a particular theological point of view, this is generally acceptable.

Conversely, many devout Christians welcome scientific discoveries even when they seem to conflict with traditional theological doctrine. Truth is truth wherever found, whether through a microscope or ancient biblical documents. Liberal theology adjusts to the modern worldview in the belief that ultimately there is no conflict between religion and science. Some of the finest scientists I have known are also devout believers in God.

Fundamentalists are guilty of two serious errors. They shut out new and exciting evidence of the wonders of God’s universe (Johann Kepler, the famous 17th century German astronomer, is said to have uttered, when discovering new insights into the mysteries of the solar system, “O God, these are Thy thoughts I am thinking after Thee.”)

Secondly, they ignore both the nature and history of the biblical record. The final adoption of the Old and New Testament canons was a long and arduous process fraught with controversy. Yet, in these fallible records is found infallible truth about God and creation and especially humanity’s special place in the order of things.

No one has a corner on God’s truth. There is still much more to be revealed, and it is awesome!

William E. Smith, Southern Pines

“It’s a beautiful day in Pinehurst,” we like to say around here. But today it was raining in the council chambers. Incredibly, the Planning and Zoning Board declined by a 5-4 vote to recommend to the Village Council that two churches be allowed to provide temporary shelter for three or four homeless families a few weeks each year. The churches wish to participate with 10 other churches in the exciting and positive program of the Sandhills Interfaith Hospitality Network.

Now, I have never been hungry, and I have always had a fine roof over my head. But as I grow older I am increasingly haunted by One who said, “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me…” (Matt. 25:35). And then he said, “Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me,” (Matt. 25:40).

“The least of these” are also in our midst in the Sandhills. But most of us have more than enough food. We have abundant facilities. And we have many people standing by, trained, willing, and eager to help the least of these. Surely a community that welcomed 40,000 strangers a day to the U.S. Open can allow two churches to sleep three or four families for a week every three months. Or will it be said here, as in Bethlehem long ago, that there was no room in the inn?

But there is good news. Despite the close vote, the Village Council can still vote to allow this program to go forward. In the meantime, it’s important to remember that our organization now serves 72 communities across America with a 70 percent success rate. Although there have been minor conflicts here and there, in the long run the church has always won, legally and morally. Even here I believe that the council and the many compassionate citizens of this beautiful village will support our ministry.When the final chapter of Pinehurst is written, may it say, “The people of our village graciously responded to human need, whether in flooded eastern North Carolina or in the Sandhills.” After all, the defining character of any community is what it does to help its struggling citizens get back on their feet again.For a community in America to deny the church the right to feed the hungry and welcome the stranger would become the most mind-boggling prohibition of this rapidly expiring century.

Robert H. Ramey Jr., Pinehurst

Before we in Pinehurst become too involved in the campaign of 1999, it might well serve us all — citizens, voters, candidates, and The Pilot — to think back to the acrimonious campaign of 1997. You will recall that campaign included unethical half-truths, untruths, planted rumors and needless attempts to damage reputations. It resulted in a split council, the divisive minority of which seems to have an agenda other than working for the common good of our town. We don’t need anymore of that.

The Pilot played a major role in this situation through its editorials and by allowing its “The Public Speaking” column to be used as a forum for useless invective rhetoric. Before things get out of control in the current campaign, it might be advisable and worthwhile for The Pilot to review its letters policy to ensure propriety and evenhandedness in the electoral process. Should such a review occur the staff might want to refer back in time to the autobiography of that great American, Benjamin Franklin, in which he stated his philosophy, timely to this day. Quoted in part, it is as follows:“In the conduct of my newspaper I carefully excluded all libeling and personal abuse, which as of late years become so disgraceful to our country. Whenever I was solicited to insert anything of that kind…my answer was that I would print the piece separately if desired, and the author might have as many copies as he pleased to distribute himself, but that I would not take upon me to spread his detraction…”

Mr. Franklin also commented on gratification of “…the malice of individuals by false accusation of the fairest characters among ourselves, augmenting animosity…” in the press.Those who would request such action of The Pilot might also reflect on the direction of their individual campaigns, and design them to exclude tactics and activity such as that referred to above.Issues, facts and truthfulness should prevail.