My Spin by Tom Campbell


Smelly business

As a young boy I would sometimes walk out of my Greenville home and smell rotten eggs. My mother explained this smell came from the paper mill in Plymouth, some 40 air miles away. The same could be...    Read More

by Tom Campbell   |   July 19, 2018

Killing snakes

Ever since that episode in Eden’s garden, the one where humans were enticed into eating the forbidden fruit, serpents have been considered the lowest of creatures. Most loathe the slithering reptile...    Read More

by Tom Campbell   |   July 12, 2018


Restoring civic pride

Even when July 4thfalls in the middle of a week you can count on fireworks displays, flags hanging, neighbors gathering for cookouts, watermelons being sliced and just maybe you might find someone...    Read More

by Tom Campbell   |   July 5, 2018


Getting smarter about getting older

Whoever thought I was going to live so long,” my 96 year old mother asked? She isn’t alone. 10,000 of us turn 65 every day. In 1990, North Carolina’s median age – meaning one half are younger...    Read More

by Tom Campbell   |   June 21, 2018


Return to Ellis Island

Note to readers: With all the recent activity regarding immigration we decided to repeat the column we wrote following a visit to Ellis Island, New York in 2011. It is relevant today. Standing in the...    Read More

by Tom Campbell   |   June 14, 2018


To what tribe do you belong?

How do you identify yourself? You might begin by stating whether you’re male or female, or the age group you are in. Or you might identify by race, sex, religion, where you live or your profession...    Read More

by Tom Campbell   |   May 31, 2018


Do we even need a legislature?

After hearing what is apparently taking place in our General Assembly we have to ask why we even need 170 members in the General Assembly? We could save millions of dollars, free up lots of office...    Read More

by Tom Campbell   |   May 24, 2018