OPINIONS/EDITORIALS

With visions of Thanksgiving turkey firmly in our rearview mirrors, the mad dash to the Christmas holiday season has begun - and the weather is making it seem a bit more like the Christmas season.
But before we start that rush, here's hoping that you and yours had a safe, happy -- and filling! -- Thanksgiving holiday and managed to fit in a little rest and relaxation over the holiday.

There are a couple of things that are a given when you hang around firefighters: You're going to eat some good food. And, you're going to hear some good stories.
Both were true on Tuesday night when I had the privilege of attending the annual Franklin County Firefighters Association banquet where they remembered fallen firefighters, celebrated those with long-time service and named their Firefighter of the Year.
Because of timing and space, that story and photos will appear in an upcoming edition of The Franklin Times.

Dear editor: The front page of the Nov. 21 edition of The Franklin Times featured a lovely picture of Emma Stewart receiving the Order of the Long Leaf Pine award from Louisburg Mayor Chris Neal.
It's not hard to think of good things to say about Emma, it's hard to winnow them down! She has contributed to this community of Louisburg, Franklin County and the state of North Carolina in so many ways -- and none halfway!

Dear editor: Ignorance of the law doesn't excuse one from a crime or from doing the time.
Ignorance of politics doesn't relieve one from the taint of voting for the scoundrel rather than the saint.