In response to “McCrory warns streetcar risks light rail money” (Feb. 1):

Foxx ignoring clear message; time to back down on streetcar

Mayor Anthony Foxx might want to listen to his predecessor – now the governor – rather than continue his pursuit of a project no one wants.

Charlotte City Council turned Foxx down twice. Now, the governor “threatens” that spending $119 million on a very iffy project could hurt the real important project of extending the Blue Line north of the city.

Mayor Foxx, are you trying to be as hard-headed as your mentor President Obama and not listen to the people? Back down quietly and win new friends!

Peter J. Augusta

Charlotte

Our new governor should keep his nose out of city business

It’s clear Gov. Pat McCrory is threatening city leaders over funding for light rail and the streetcar project. It appears N.C. voters elected not only a governor, but someone who believes he is still mayor of Charlotte.

Donald Latham

Charlotte

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In response to “McCrory’s wrong answer on education” (Jan. 31 Editorial) and related articles:

McCrory spot on; N.C. college graduates need paying jobs

The governor is right: A short time ago when libraries were being closed around the state, N.C. colleges and universities were graduating library science majors.

John A. Marszalek

Charlotte

It’s jobs that are lacking in

N.C., not qualified students

The writer is a UNC Chapel Hill grad and has a senior there.

Gov. McCrory’s statements about funding “not based on how many butts in seats, but how many of those butts can get jobs” is counterproductive.

It promotes the fallacy that what’s lacking aren’t N.C. jobs, but qualifications. Tell that to the unemployed MBAs, CPAs and technically trained in our state.

Linking academic funding to jobs is problematic, and legislating curricula is an infringement on academic freedom.

We need to stand up to this hypocrisy and protect one of America’s best public university systems.

Ann Lennon Robinson

Greensboro

Biggest issue in higher ed isn’t classes or jobs, it’s high tuition

There are many ideas on how to improve higher education.

President Obama talks about lowering interest rates on student loans. That is “chump change” compared with the principal on these loans.

What really needs to happen is some brakes on government backing of the now-required exorbitant amount of tuition.

The government continues to back these higher amounts, and when students graduate the jobs do not support repayment of these loans.

Oversight of classes to “fit” jobs is clearly not the answer. A thinking populous is critical to our functional republic.

Sid Fletcher

Charlotte

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I lost the Dodgers once; don’t let it happen with the Panthers

My first broken heart came as an adolescent in Brooklyn when my beloved Dodgers moved to Los Angeles because they could make more money there.

Back then I didn’t know what extortion meant, but I sure do now. It’s when the Panthers threaten to move to Los Angeles if they don’t get what they demand.

I know that Jerry Richardson is a businessman, but I also know he has a heart – I read about his new one in the Observer. I sure hope he uses it in good conscience.

Barry Marshall

Charlotte

Panthers stadium upgrade deserves more public debate

Jerry Richardson’s requests for stadium renovations should be questioned in two ways.

First, we should expect an honest cost/benefit statement. What profit can the city count on for such a hefty gift?

Second, we should expect an honest discussion concerning the elephant in the room: Is supporting a business – no matter the monetary gain – that leaves its employees with life-long busted bodies and trashed brains in keeping with our community’s values?

Dave Molinaro

Charlotte

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In response to “Churches react to possible change in Scouts’ gay ban” (Jan. 30):

Let all boys participate no matter where troop meets

As a 78-year-old Eagle Scout with three Oak Leaf clusters, an Iowa Scout of the Year award and the Ad Altari Dei medal (the highest award in Catholic Scouting), I fully support inclusion of all young men in membership regardless of troop sponsorship.

Joel Sadler

Charlotte

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Quit blaming parents; instead help out at an inner-city school

Whenever the issue of student achievement arises, parents are quickly blamed.

Parents may be overwhelmed, unprepared or themselves recipients of an inadequate education. Keep blaming them and 15 years from now the issue will remain.

Ways of compensating for this deficit must be found to help children succeed.

Want to start? Volunteer in an urban school. Suburban schools have many volunteers; urban schools very few.

It won’t solve the problem, but it may help.

You’ll see firsthand hard-working teachers and students. Go to www.cmsvolunteers.com to get started.

Bob Garner

Charlotte