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Tugging on Superman’s cape

“When you see these ads, it’s like Danny Thompson needs a Superman cape,” City Councilman Zack Matheny complained last week.

Matheny isn’t running against fellow Councilman Thompson; he’s just miffed that Thompson’s TV ads claim more credit than may be warranted. Implementing a downtown curfew in particular seemed to gripe Matheny. He was the one who pushed that controversial initiative. Thompson merely voted for the measure.

But that’s politics. Candidates often horn in on credit and deflect blame. Voters can decide who’s Superman and who isn’t.

A real sports hero

Just when it seems there’s a new scandal in college sports every day comes a story that’s almost too good to be true: College baseball player needs a kidney. His coach steps forward to provide one. Player recovers fully and rejoins the team for fall practice.

You couldn’t make up the remarkable story of Wake Forest outfielder Kevin Jordan and his coach, Tom Walter, if you tried. “This was the best day of my coaching career — by far,” said Walter, who donated a kidney last year to his player.

The 19-year-old was stricken with a disease that caused his kidneys to fail. Now he’s able to work out again with his teammates. And though he gets winded a little faster right now, he’s doing just fine, Jordan told a reporter.

Amid all the headlines about taking — players taking money, agents taking liberties, coaches taking bribes — it’s nice to see some giving for a change, in this case a coach who gave part of himself to save a life.

Money 101

Before taking the cash you’ll have to take a course at GTCC. Actually, you’ll have to take a course even when applying for cash.

GTCC plans to require completion of an online course in financial literacy as part of the application process for a student loan beginning in the 2012-13 academic year. As of last week, GTCC had disbursed $13.5 million in student loans.

The new policy is good for GTCC and good for those students. Too many of us learn to manage our money the hard way — by mismanaging it first.

Early voting

Early voting numbers are up in Greensboro for the Oct. 11 City Council primary.

That may or may not mean the total turnout will be as brisk once all the votes are counted but it’s a hopeful sign. People seem unusually engaged this campaign season and many say they want to see change among at least some of their local leaders.

Of course, they’ve said that before, then stayed home in droves while most incumbents won re-election.

Whatever your preference or persuasion, get out and vote.

Pedal to the metal for Petty

One tough competitor in the racing Petty family deserves more credit for perseverance. That’s Pattie, wife of Kyle and daughter-in-law of Richard.

Pattie Petty, 60, recently was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease but intends to keep working on plans for Victory Junction Midwest. Modeled on the Victory Junction Gang Camp in Randleman, it will provide recreational opportunities for children with life-threatening illnesses.

“Pattie’s dedication to Victory Junction Midwest is firm,” Kyle Petty said. “Staying active is an important part of managing Parkinson’s, and that will not be hard for my wife.”

That’s worth a checkered flag.

Pay it back

When it comes to political contributions, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Gov. Bev Perdue’s campaign acted responsibly in returning  $500 to a donor amid concerns the money may first have been loaned by a family member. State law forbids giving a political contribution in another person’s name. That may or may not have been the case this time, but enough doubt persisted.

It is a lesson learned the hard way. Perdue and other Democrats have had to return sizable amounts after learning the donations were funneled through second parties.

Opting on the safe side now can avoid big headaches down the road. And, of all people, the governor doesn’t need any more headaches.