Re: What the sound of music does for me” (Terri Andersen column, Aug. 13)

As leader of the Polka Plus Band, I concur with Terri Andersen’s statement that “polka music makes you want to tap your feet.” I was pleased to read that she attended our Frankie Yankovic Day in Cary concert at the Page Walker in May this year. The correction comes from her statement of “The Frankie Yankovic Polka Band.” Perhaps she was referring to the concert theme, but it was the Polka Plus Band playing the music of the late Frankie Yankovic at our 13th annual event. The band plays at several senior retirement communities, Durham VA Hospital, performed at Cary Lazy Daze and festivals where audiences enjoy the sound of the polka. As a matter of fact we have had individuals come out of their wheelchairs, stand and hold onto the handles and tap their feet. We invite the reading audience to come, hear the band and perhaps join in on the foot tapping music. May 1, 2009 will be our 14th Annual Frankie Yankovic Day in Cary.

Dallas Foster, Polka Plus Band, Raleigh

Hit and runTo the driver of the blue minivan that ran into the scooter on Davis Drive near High House road Wednesday, Aug. 13: “Hit and Run” is a legal offense in the state of North Carolina. The driver of the scooter was injured and the scooter was damaged thanks to your carelessness and poor driving. Please pay attention to the road, as the next time you commit this offense, you could be looking at a much more serious charge.

Kathleen Hill, Cary

Back up the facts

Regarding the statement, “70 percent of American people believe that we should give tax incentives to companies who choose to keep their headquarters in the US.” [“Tax policy too complicated,” Letter to the Editor, Aug. 13.] This bit of insanity reminds me of the two ways to develop a fact: 1. Research it. 2. Make it up. This could be true if you canvassed the CEOs of all companies or polled the national Republican party, which at present is dying, thank God. The News & Observer on Aug. 11 or Aug. 12 stated that the larger percentage of large companies paid no taxes from 1998 to 2005. I’m sure 70 percent of the general population is just chomping at the bit to pay them to stay. When you state a statistic that you didn’t manufacture it is always best to give the source.

Melvyn Lawin, Cary

Coleman commended

Bill Coleman will be missed. His replacement should be obvious.

Coleman has done an outstanding job managing Cary’s day-to-day operations for well over a decade. He worked for Cary Town Councils that have shifted growth policies with each new mayoral election and has done so professionally, keeping Cary’s taxes low even while having to deal with thin-skinned (and a few not so thin skinned) elected officials both inside and outside of Cary. He has dealt with emerging gang issues, unexpected e-coli threats, underappreciated traffic signs, exploding gas lines, flooded downtown streets, ice storms and snow storms — not to mention the occasionally irritating public records requests. He has led a masterful team job of protecting and promoting Cary’s image.

He has also had lots of help.

Much of that help comes from Assistant Town Manager Ben Shivar who has worked thoughtfully and calmly behind the scenes to buttress policies and fill in on meetings that are sometimes just too numerous for one individual. I understand the desire to do a nationwide search for a such an important position but I also know that Coleman’s strongest suit (as with all effective managers) is the staff he brings to the effort. Ben Shivar has been an invaluable piece of the Cary management puzzle and though there may be a better administrator out there, we doubt a better man for the job can be found.

Don Hyatt, Cary

Cat foundI found a cat last night [Aug. 12] in the Lochmere Birkhaven subdivision in Cary. He is a male, neutered, black and white, short-haired cat. He is about 13 pounds and is a young adult. No collar. No microchip. Very sweet! Attached is a picture.

Cheryl Begley (cheryl.begley@sas.com), Cary