I have devoted some time to serious thinking about the following two issues, and I feel it is my responsibility to submit my recommendation to solve these problems before us.

Item one is the need for revenue for public schools in Pitt County and North Carolina. Here in Pitt County, an increase in property taxes has been levied, which is very unpopular with some of our citizens.

Item two is the problem of North Carolinians being overweight, even obese. Many people, through poor eating habits and lack of exercise, are contributing to their ailments, and their weight has a direct bearing on the costs of Medicare and Medicaid.

I have developed a plan to solve both. It is well known that the most sensitive nerve in the human body is the nerve to the pocketbook or wallet. That being said, if the Pitt County commissioners or the state Legislature would levy a tax on every adult who is overweight, say $5 per pound, within a relatively short time, the health of the general population would improve, Medicare and Medicaid costs would decrease and the tax coffers would be overflowing.

How is this ingenious proposal going to be implemented after it becomes law? Every quarter, each adult must be weighed at an official weigh station. The state already has weigh stations located beside highways throughout the state. You may ask, "aren't those weigh stations for trucks?" Well, some people might already fit the range of the scales, and a few minor upgrades would solve the problem for the others. Getting weighed on a quarterly basis would fit right in with the lightening of our pocketbooks and wallets by government when we pay estimated taxes.

This proposal is a win-win plan for all of the people: better health and more tax revenue to support education. In the next election, I can see every candidate's platform prominently list my plan. They all will have my full support.

RUDY ALEXANDER

Greenville