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In response to “DSS director’s appeal denied; ouster is official” (Oct. 31):
DSS inquiry must not end; finish what Mary Wilson started
Mary Wilson seems to have been the sole DSS official attempting to expose widespread concerns about Youth and Family Services long before the Observer’s investigative report.
There are still many unanswered questions about the internal workings of DSS and its oversight by the county.
More reporting is needed on the little-known role of County General Manager Michelle Lancaster and the roles of County Manager Harry Jones and the county commissioners.
It can’t abruptly end with the firing of a DSS director who is the reason readers even got a glimpse of DSS and children who may be at risk.
Mildred Swift
Charlotte
In response to “Mecklenburg’s N.C House races draw big outside cash” (Nov. 1):
Caption gave wrong impression of judge’s political involvement
The writer is a U.S. District Judge
The photo that accompanied this article was of candidate Rob Bryan, John Anaralla and me. The caption said “Bryan’s campaign has major outside help.”
Without any further description of the event, the Observer left the impression that I was attending a political event endorsing Mr. Bryan. To the contrary, the event was the annual luncheon of the North Carolina Heroes Fund, a nonprofit organization that assists veterans and service members and has supporters on both sides of the political aisle.
Mr. Bryan and Mr. Anaralla, who are old acquaintances of mine, are both politically active. I rarely see them because, as a federal judge, I do not attend political or partisan events.
We were attending a charitable event for a non-political organization. I do not appreciate the inaccurate implication suggesting that I was involved in Mr. Bryan’s campaign.
I neither endorse nor oppose Mr. Bryan or Rep. Martha Alexander or, for that matter, any other candidate in any race.
Frank D. Whitney
Charlotte
In response to “Rev. Moss, candidate he touts, don’t reflect my Biblical views” (Oct. 31 Forum):
U.S. laws should not be
based on any one religion
In no way has the president attempted to “redefine” the Biblical view of marriage. He has simply endorsed that a substantial class of persecuted individuals, gays, should have the civil right to marry.
This should in no way be about religion, but about the civil contract of marriage.
Our laws should never be based on the rules of a particular religion. I firmly believe the Defense of Marriage Act will eventually be struck down.
Jim Cunningham
Charlotte
It’s Obama’s policies I’m opposed to, not his race
President Obama promised a lot – transparency, lower unemployment, smaller deficit – none of which happened.
What about the embassy in Benghazi? How would you feel if your husband, brother, son or daughter had requested more help and none was granted?
Do not vote only on race; use your brains. I don’t like Obama’s policies.
Kathleen Moore
Clover, S.C.
‘Flexible flip-flopper’ not the cure for current political ills
David Brooks op-ed (“The case for a president Mitt Romney,” Oct. 31) is depressing and infuriating for what it says about our elected officials – particularly House Republicans who would refuse to work with Obama on a “moderate and sensible agenda” because the extreme wing of their party will vote them out of office.
Brooks’ suggestion that the pathway to legislative success is to elect a “flexible flip-flopper” like Romney in order to appease House Republicans while pushing a similarly moderate agenda is insulting, misguided and lays bare two fundamental problems: the inmates are running the asylum and we don’t really know what Romney stands for.
Jake Sussman
Charlotte
2 dead, including my daughter, and still no fix on Seventh St.
My daughter Autumn Soyka was run down and killed by an alleged impaired driver on Seventh Street a year ago. I visited her before the “accident” and thought Charlotte a beautiful city. Now I’m not so sure.
What kind of city allows threats to its citizens to continue with impunity? In 2010 three people were injured by a drunk driver along Seventh Street. A year later my daughter was killed, and now a man has been killed at the same spot.
When will Charlotte wake up? How about some speed bumps or traffic light of some sort? I’m grateful to those who continue to adorn my daughter’s cross with flowers, but I will never forgive the powers that be in Charlotte for allowing an ongoing, untenable situation to steal her life.
Lynn Lemmon
Dunedin, Fla.
City should get something in return for stadium upgrades
Forbes estimates the Panthers franchise has a current value of $1.04 billion, an increase of about $700 million since the franchise was awarded 19 years ago. Granted, that impressive amount does not represent a liquid asset, yet it’s hard to believe the organization needs financial assistance to upgrade the stadium.
If the mayor and council are bent on involving the public sector in this transaction, they should insist the city receive an appropriate equity position in the ownership of the stadium in return for any financial help.
Dan Laurent
Charlotte
