We are pleased that the Franklin County School Board has changed its policy on allowing the public to speak before meetings. The board voted Monday night to have a public comment period prior to the start of official business at each meeting. And residents do not have to sign up to speak prior to the meeting.

The board's previous policy required a seven-day notice for a speaker to be placed on the agenda, plus a meeting with a school administrator for, we assume, screening. As we have said before, this policy is wrong and needed to be changed.

Every resident should have the right, and the opportunity, to address a government body, especially an elected body. They should have that opportunity without the burden of a "signing up" so far ahead of time or the ludicrous requirement to meet with an administrator to discuss what they are going to talk about.

Thanks to the generosity of county residents, the Rocky Mount, Boones Mill, Penhook and Union Hall post offices collected about 25,000 pounds, or 2 1/2 tons, of non-perishable food during the 20th annual "Stamp Out Hunger" food drive on Saturday.

Postal carriers picked up non-perishable food on their routes, a massive undertaking considering the volume collected, the most ever for the event. In fact, Rocky Mount Postmaster Sonny Pruitt said it was the largest amount collected in 15 years.

Four trailers were needed to transport all the food to Heavenly Manna Food Bank on South Main Street. All of the food collected will stay here in Franklin County to feed the needy. Heavenly Manna helps about 600 families, with that need increasing during the holidays. With the tough economic times, the need is even more stark.

And speaking of community support, the ninth annual Strawberry Festival on Friday night drew more than 3,000 people to the farmers' market in Rocky Mount. Sponsored by Franklin Heights Baptist Church, the free event just keeps on growing.

Organizers served 145 gallons of ice cream, 210 pounds of strawberries and 700 snow cones, all courtesy of the church. With the event being blessed with great weather, everyone had a good time.

We should all be grateful to the many volunteers who work behind the scenes and at the festival. Without them, it just would not happen. Thanks are also due to the surrounding businesses that allowed visitors to use their parking lots and to the Town of Rocky Mount for helping with the event.