Spend on North End, not just South End
In response to “New bridge will close gap between uptown and South End” (June 7):
It seems that it’s never a problem to come up with big bucks for South End. How about some funds for the North Tryon area?
Spending a few million to take down the useless bridge over North Tryon beside the Brookshire Freeway would improve the entire North End and create a walkable boulevard on 12th Street between Plaza Midwood and AvidXChange Music Factory.
Fixing the North End gateway would be an investment with enormous return – not just spending millions pampering a few for no gain.
Roger Grosswald, Charlotte
Promises not kept on housing, greenways
More greenways and affordable housing were supposed to be priorities. What happened, beyond excuses from the powers that be?
Ten years ago, bonds were approved for 129 miles of greenway to be built by 2018, but only 49 miles are completed.
After riots in 2016 affordable housing was stated to be “a priority,” yet thousands of new apartments are planned or underway with the cheapest studios starting at $1,135 a month.
Who is running Charlotte – and what good are their promises?
Joe Sutterlin, Charlotte
Voter ID: Echoes of past oppression
In response to Bob Orr “I’ve changed my mind on voter ID” (June 14 Opinion):
I applaud Bob Orr for a rational, objective approach to understanding the misconceptions of the voter ID issue.
The experience of Jim Crow laws and voter suppression of the past is a definite red-light to the African American community. Mr. Orr got a flavor for what it’s like to experience the conditions and negative aspects of oppression. Many in the white community have no idea what it’s like to be deprived of the right to vote.
Even as late as the 1960s birth certificates were not available to African Americans born in rural areas.
Research or read, as Mr. Orr has done, and you will understand why minorities identify voter ID as voter suppression!
Glenn R. Hall, Indian Trail
Racial profiling cuts both ways
In response to “Despite obstacles in school, court, he never gave up – and succeeded” (June 10):
It was a heartwarming story about Ja'Quaveyon Barber’s life journey and I sincerely wish him the best in his future endeavors.
However, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read that prior to his hearing on a shoplifting charge, “They wanted to show he had been racially profiled and falsely accused. But Wright’s (Ja'Quaveyon’s mother) heart fell when she saw the judge who would decide her son’s fate. He was an older white man with ‘a no-nonsense face.’ Would he believe them?”
I hope young Ja'Quaveyon avoids the impact of racial profiling, including the impact from his own mother.
John O’Neill, Huntersville
Security officer must be held accountable
Good article on Ja'Quaveyon Barber, with the judge making the right call at his trial. Luckily, the camera footage provided the truth.
Was the lying security officer fired and prosecuted? If not, why?
John Mangum, Matthews
On diplomacy: Trump is failing
I read Robert Shirley’s Forum letter with curiosity. (“Times like these call for a man like Trump,” June 15 Forum)
I do agree with him, as did a vast number of registered voters, that Donald Trump is not the president we want. But Mr. Shirley goes on to say: “he is the president we need for now.”
I gather he feels the U.S. has been the tool for the world to use at its leisure. Even if that were accurate, I don’t see how Trump’s alienating our closest allies and embracing ruthless dictators comes close to solving the problem.
What is sorely missing in this administration is diplomacy. Trump’s ravings, fake accusations, and demeaning behavior have shown the world he is not capable of any meaningful discourse.
Larry Vogt, Mooresville
Don’t be fooled by the naysayers in D.C.
How sad that so-called “entitlements” for taxpaying citizens are threatened. Naysayers on entitlements are the very ones who abuse our money with sound-proof phone booths, $31,000 dining room sets, private jets, police escorts to lunch, the best insurance and retirement packages, and much more.
Just who in Washington is really looking out for the taxpaying engines that give our country its juice? America is tired of being played the fool.
Jack Bennett, Mooresville