Rants & Raves: Bike accidents on Hilton Head, gators, teacher pay
On many Hilton Head Island bike accidents being along the same stretch:
I drive from the island to Westbury Park at least five days per week. The speed limit is merely a suggestion. I at least try to obey the speed limit, as 45 mph is fast enough on U.S. 278, but this prompts irritation and aggressive driving from fellow commuters. The unusual trip is one that does not encounter an accident. Often there are multiple (accidents) and then traffic halts. The most obvious offenses are seen in the construction zone on the bridges as you approach Moss Creek; many mornings there are construction workers within a few yards of the road. Drivers are doing 65 mph and are rarely stopped for speeding. I believe that bicyclists, especially tourists, don't anticipate this type of driving in a resort area, and their guard is down. I cringe every time I see a family with small children along our bike paths. Slowing everyone to the speed limit will stop a lot of our traffic and accident issues. Lisa Hale Sisk
Bicyclists and drivers are equally guilty. Couple weeks ago I saw a driver knock over a bicyclist after she failed to look right before turning. But, the bicyclists also ignore every stop sign along the paths. Greg Bennett
Use the bike paths and stop at the stop signs. Jeff West
When I was a little boy riding my bike, the rule was, and I quote my mother, "Son, when a car comes down the road, get your a-- out of it, they will run over you!" Common sense is what this is! Shannon Smith
All lives matter. Jeff Mckillop
On an alligator eating a robbery suspect as the suspect hid from police, with the gator later killed by authorities:
It was a hero! Why they kill him? Poor gator. Rodrigo Barrera
They need to stop killing these poor gators for stuff like this. Of course it'll be aggressive and try to attack if you're swimming around in their house, I'd do the same! This story made me so happy until I read that. Chelsey Lynn Arguello
I hate criminals. Instant karma! Gator should have been left alone. Michael Kamer
Gator took a bite out of crime. Joey Malphrus
Good for the gator. Get an army of them to kill those that harm others. Cathy Hauptly
They euthanized him? Should've given him a medal! Angela Romig
Best Neighborhood Watch ever! Denise Finelli Weitz
On the Beaufort County School District looking into affordable housing for employees:
I want my kids' teachers to have raises, not cheap tract housing. The article says "salary out of line with high cost of living." Fix the salary and let them live where they want to live. If I were a teacher I would find this idea offensive, demeaning, patronizing. Alicia Avery Salyer
The law needs to be changed to allow teacher unions. We make more than twice in Ohio than teachers here make. Is the answer to make teacher housing? Seems like it would feel like a ghetto. Very offensive. Deborah Rossi Cook
I guess the job teachers have isn't very important around here. Preparing the next generation to be productive and happy adults takes a back door to other professions. Sick. Ken Saukas
Nice. Next, pay raises. Teachers' pay sucks. You want to retain? Start there and stop ignoring your veteran teachers. Jody Chilton
It never ceases to amaze me, the stupidity of employers who whine that they can't keep employees in their low-paying jobs. Pay people what they are worth. Wanda Callis
Perhaps creating a positive and honest working environment void of good-old-boy garbage like creating a high-paying job that [Superintendent Jeff Moss] hires his wife for would help retain teachers. (And pay them better salaries. $90,000 for a Director of Innovation?! You already have innovators, Dr. Moss. Lots of them -- they are called teachers.) Kimberly Morgan
Maybe we should just pay them a living wage! Leigh Anne Benton Hardwick
This story was originally published December 13, 2015 at 7:16 PM with the headline "Rants & Raves: Bike accidents on Hilton Head, gators, teacher pay."