By Christina Williams
christina@pasquotankpac.com

The CDC guidelines recommend all students and adults ages two and older wear masks in schools, both to protect themselves and to limit the risk of transmission of Covid-19. But others, including some scientists, are calling for an easing or end to requiring face coverings in schools.

All throughout this country we’re having a mini-civil disagreement over masks and mandates and why we still have them. As mandates are being lifted around the country, masks on children in schools are being widely discussed. One of the reasons some schools are lifting restrictions is a decrease in attendance due to mask anxiety by the students.

Children are the least vulnerable to Covid and carry the lowest transmission rate to others. Studies show mask use in children lowers their oxygen levels and increases the risk of bacterial illness. Mask use in children raises their CO2 levels to as much as six times the acceptable level of an adult in a workplace.

It breaks every parent’s heart to send their children to school in a mask. Children are learning to talk and to read social cues through facial expressions. Human beings are visual creatures that like to see each other smile when we interact. Those visual cues help children learn.

Even if mandates are lifted, your individual decision should come down to what’s going on in your community, Covid-19 and vaccination rates, as well as what’s going on with your family. Does your child or someone in your household have an underlying health condition that puts them at a higher risk for severe Covid-19? No one is better suited to make decisions for your child than you.

Christina Williams is the Executive Director for the Pasquotank PAC. The Conservative organization meets on the SECOND and FOURTH Tuesdays at 7pm at Towne South Church at 2224 Peartree Road in Elizabeth City, NC. More information at www.pasquotankpac.com.

By Christina Williams
christina@pasquotankpac.com

When was the last time you checked on your own voter registration? Are you listed as active or inactive status? Have you moved and not updated your address on your voter registration? Have you gotten married, divorced, or changed your name? Your voter record needs to be updated.

The first step to checking your own record is to go to the state website to check your registration at www.ncsbe.gov/registering/. Once you determine if any changes need to be made, you can make changes online by following the prompts to “Update Registration” which will take you to the DMV website. You will need your driver’s license to proceed. Otherwise, you can go in person to your local Board of Elections office.

If you’re a registered Republican you can only vote in the Republican Primary. If you’re a registered Democrat you can only vote in the Democrat primary. If you’re Unaffiliated you can vote in either primary. When you arrive to vote they will ask you to specify which primary you would like to vote in. Non-partisan races will be on all ballots.

Name changes and address changes can be updated when you check in to vote. Political party changes must be made 25 days before a Primary Election day to be able to vote in the party of your choice. During the One Stop Period you may register and vote, provided you bring identification and proof of residence.

Early Voting begins on Thursday, April 28th and runs through Saturday, May 14th, 2022. Check with your local county Board of Elections for times and locations of One Stop Voting. Primary Election day is Tuesday, May 17, 2022 from 6:30am to 7:30pm.

Christina Williams is the Executive Director for the Pasquotank PAC. The Conservative organization meets on the SECOND and FOURTH Tuesdays at 7pm at Towne South Church at 2224 Peartree Road in Elizabeth City, NC. More information at www.pasquotankpac.com.

By Christina Williams

christina@pasquotankpac.com

Before last year, many of us were accustomed to going about our daily lives unaware of the implications of decisions being made for us. But as we have seen, the responsibilities entrusted to our elected officials by us plays a role of profound importance in how we move forward together during a crisis.

To serve in such an important capacity, the average person might think that politicians are born of rich blood or educated in fancy universities. The average elected official is far from what our minds may have built them up to be. Many of them are no more experienced than anyone else, they simply ran for office and won. So what makes a good elected official? Sometimes it can be as simple as doing the right thing for the right reason with a servant’s heart.

Serving cannot be for seeking recognition, thanks, rewards, or other gains. It must come from a desire to put others’ needs ahead of your own selflessly. If you strive to see things from the perspectives of others you may have a servant’s heart. Scripture calls us to serve with love, without expecting something in return, for appreciation of all that life has already given us. We are called to use the special talents and gifts we each have within us to be faithful stewards of others.

In the bright New Year we are blessed with, examine your heart and if you find it to be a servant’s heart, your time to serve your community could be now.

Christina Williams is the Executive Director for the Pasquotank PAC. The Conservative organization meets on the SECOND and FOURTH Tuesdays at 7pm at Towne South Church at 2224 Peartree Road in Elizabeth City, NC. More information at www.pasquotankpac.com.

By Christina Williams

christina@pasquotankpac.com

We enjoy freedoms every day that are taken for granted. Those who have sacrificed and fought for those freedoms no doubt have an instinctual sense of patriotism. Little by little patriotism is being phased out. It’s happening so slowly that we don’t even notice as we go about our daily lives. Once we lose the last bit of patriotism in our country, we won’t be able to get it back.

Those who seek to destroy our country will weaken our economy, strip away our freedom, and deteriorate our values. They will feed us socialism a little at a time until we realize we are under communist control. We will live under a police state and be unable to be independent of our government if we blindly accept the slow intrepidations into our privacy and our personal liberties.

If you care about the future of the country you must answer the moral obligation to be brave, be bold, and be courageous. Run for office or help a candidate. Speak at your local City Council, County Commissioners, or School Board meetings. Volunteer to serve on a local city or county board or committee. There is no one better to stand up and save patriotism than you!

Being proud to be an American is for everyone! American Patriotism isn’t restricted to an age or race.  It’s up to you to teach the youth around you to love this country and the freedoms we enjoy. It’s up to you to teach the youth around you that we are one people, an AMERICAN people, living in the UNITED States of America.

Christina Williams is the Executive Director for the Pasquotank PAC. The Conservative organization meets on the SECOND and FOURTH Tuesdays at 7pm at Towne South Church at 2224 Peartree Road in Elizabeth City, NC. More information at www.pasquotankpac.com. 

By Christina Williams, christina@pasquotankpac.com

Criticism of government leaders and a lack of confidence in our elected officials is common these days, even at the local level. External conflicts like we sometimes see at public meetings can provide an understanding of other perspectives. Providing a fair hearing of issues at these meetings assures that the needs of the community are heard.

The “Public Comments” portion of the agenda at public meetings is open to all who have something to say. This time should be utilized by concerned citizens to help steer their elected officials towards addressing public needs. You don’t have to be a polished politician, or even a professional speaker to influence your local government. You just need to be willing to exercise your freedom of speech and speak up.

When you address public meetings, remember that the officials and staff present are not there to be subjected to intimidation or personal attacks. While you may be extremely upset about an issue, explaining your concerns in a calm and respectful manner will ensure your message will be heard and considered. When rudeness enters public comments to the point of defamatory remarks there is no public purpose being met.

Appreciate your local elected officials willingness to hear everyone’s remarks at public meetings and go and voice your concerns to them. Or, just go to the meetings to listen and show your interest. Bring something relevant and actionable before your officials for a public good on behalf of your community.

Christina Williams is the Executive Director for the Pasquotank PAC. The Conservative organization meets on the SECOND and FOURTH Tuesdays at 7pm at Towne South Church at 2224 Peartree Road in Elizabeth City, NC. More information at www.pasquotankpac.com.

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Published in Albemarle Tradewinds November 2021 magazine.

By Christina Williams, christina@pasquotankpac.com

It’s easy to take a symbol for granted when we see it displayed so prominently everywhere. The American flag represents the earliest hopes for a better future for all of us and shouldn’t be passed by without reverence. At our nation’s origins, the visionaries who defined our basic human rights and liberties declared that everyone should have equal rights. “All people” referred to in our nation’s founding documents defines intent to mutually protect the liberties of each and every one of us for a better future. The American flag was designed as a symbol of freedom to unite us as Americans. The alternating red and white stripes represent unity. If united we stand, and divided we fall, why do some choose to sit or kneel?

Standing for the flag shows honor to those that served to protect your independence and your individual rights to your way of life. Those who fought and died were human beings who lost their dreams and hopes and ambitions for their futures. Those who gave up time with their young families or suffered injuries paid for our freedoms. The least we can do is stand and cover our hearts and bow our heads and reflect on the sacrifices that have been made. We should all appreciate that someone else did this for us and our fellow Americans.

The next time you pass a house or business proudly displaying the American flag, think about what that flag represents, hope for the future for every American! Display your own flag proudly. Patriotism is having and showing pride in the principles that paved the way for change that led us to a civil society. Passing it along to our children is vital to the survival of America. We must continue to teach our children to have respect and stand for the American flag. It’s not up to schools to be the only source teaching your children respect for the flag. This is your duty as an American. Read to your children about the history of the United States of America. Instill patriotism in the next generation. Buy your children their very own flag and teach them to respect it and the unity for all Americans that it represents.

Christina Williams is the Executive Director for the Pasquotank PAC. The Conservative organization meets on the SECOND and FOURTH Tuesdays at 7pm at Towne South Church at 2224 PearTree Road in Elizabeth City, NC. More information at www.pasquotankpac.com.

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Published in Albemarle Tradewinds October 2021 magazine.