City must rethink NoDa rezoning plan
I’m a 20-year resident of NoDa. A rezoning by Revolve Residential has recently been proposed in the heart of our neighborhood.
While it sounded ideal at first – with the promise of public art, building preservation, workforce housing – we’ve since realized that it will bring commercial development into the center of our neighborhood, adjacent to a school and a playground.
This precedent-setting rezoning is inconsistent with the 36th Street Station Plan and the NoDa 2030 Vision Plan. It allows for unforeseen development in a community filled with pedestrians, families and longtime residents, creating safety concerns and congested streets.
If the city wants to control urban sprawl, it needs to preserve established pockets of family neighborhoods. This plan will spoil a neighborhood that has worked extremely hard to become just that.
Kati Mayo, Charlotte
Liberals have duped so many minorities
The most significant political achievement in modern time has been the incremental transformation of a free market, capitalist society into a nation with at least 50 percent of its people super-duped into full-blown liberalism.
Liberals have masterfully convinced the poor, blacks, gays, Hispanics, illegal immigrants, and even a majority of Catholics in this country, that they care about them and their causes. They don’t give a flip about these groups, other than to secure their votes.
Since LBJ robbed the Social Security lock box and created a cradle-to-grave welfare state, the liberals in this country have steadily gained ground. Amazing.
Dickie Benzie, Charlotte
Reunite families; demand a timeline
Thanks to President Trump for ending his administration’s family separation policy. But since actions have consequences, accountability is needed.
Not addressed in Wednesday’s actions is how 2,300 immigrant children forcibly separated from parents will be reunified with them in a timely manner.
Our elected congressional representatives should demand reports from the Trump administration representatives responsible for reunification and demand that they appear before an appropriate legislative body.
The administration should also outline the procedures that will be used to reunite children in a timely manner and present a timeline for completion of reunification.
All children separated must be accounted for!
Shirley Anderson, Charlotte
To curb immigration increase foreign aid
Tougher penalties and roadblocks will not reduce immigration to the United States.
If the U.S. wants to decrease immigration, we must work hard to help countries improve their socioeconomic conditions.
The U.S. should increase its foreign aid to Latin American countries to eliminate extreme poverty. Eliminating poverty will decrease the push behind immigration. Creating economic opportunities for people will decrease the incentives to join gangs or use violence.
The U.S. should do more to coordinate with other governments to develop solutions for their social problems.
Matt Holbrook, Boone
Congress was elected to lead, not follow
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” All members of Congress should be reminded of this passage from Mark 8:36.
While kowtowing to the president may benefit those members in upcoming elections, it can only harm their self worth and possibly their very soul.
They were elected to lead, not follow.
The few men and women in Congress who have found honor in following their conscience are mostly those not seeking re-election.
History will not be kind to the members of Congress who enabled this administration. Their legacy will forever be tarnished.
George Evanoff, Midland
On tariffs, I have to disagree with Trump
My first disagreement with President Trump: His regulations on tariffs are causing more problems than they are helping.
The auto industry exemplifies this. Millions of U.S. jobs are related to autos – not just car manufacturing and sales, but nuts and bolts, glass, paint, upholstery, rubber, chrome, instruments, etc.
This is not to mention the future dividend cuts auto stocks face and the daily losses of auto stocks on the Dow. Thursday one lost $3.37 per share and issued a warning that the $6 annual dividend will most likely be cut.
Warren Drye, Charlotte