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In response to "Partisanship is one thing, but dumb is so different" (Nov. 5 Editorial):
Observer wrong to call Rep. Foxx dumb; she may be right
I don't know which of your brilliant editors decided to call U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx dumb, but if it's because she doesn't go along with Nancy Pelosi's health care plan, there are plenty of us who think this plan is dangerous for our country's economy.
Some of us have taken the time to do our homework on the plan. I suggest the Observer give us legitimate reasons (in detail) why this government health care takeover is good. Put me on the same list you have her on and if this plan gets passed, we'll see who's dumb.
Ruth Coffey
Charlotte
In response to "Jones gets bonus but total pay is the same" (Nov. 5):
Jones won't exactly suffer;
he still gets a $38,400 bonus
I commend Mecklenburg County Manager Harry Jones for asking that his pay be kept level so he can be "treated like all other county employees."
Instead, he accepted only a $38,400 bonus. That equates to only $3,200 per month "extra" while all other county employees received nothing per month "extra." You're a fine man, Harry.
Calvin Wright
Charlotte
In response to "Our choices for today: A summary" (Nov. 3 Editorial) and related election articles:
Observer's endorsements hurt rather than help the community
It should be illegal for the Observer to endorse candidates.
It insults the intelligence of the people voting for the losing candidates. It's also an insult to the highly qualified candidates who spend their time and money running for office in a city that needs a bipartisan paper to represent all the voters.
Patsy Reames
Charlotte
Observer's election coverage couldn't have been better
As a former newspaper editor, I would like to congratulate the Observer staff on its excellent and rapidly prepared election coverage. I doubt whether it could have been done better by any paper, and I doubt whether your readers appreciate the immensity of the task.
Gregg Fales
Charlotte
In response to "30 McCrory precincts powered Foxx victory" (Nov. 5):
The numbers also reveal
a racial bias in Foxx win
The headline "30 McCrory precincts powered Foxx victory" is merely political spin.
The Observer must be ashamed of the blatantly racial voting that actually elected Foxx.
A quick scan of the voting by precinct shows the margin can be traced to five precincts: #16 East Stonewall AME Zion; #25 West Charlotte Rec Center; #31 Barringer Academic Center; #42 Hidden Valley School; #54 Oaklawn Language Academy.
These precincts voted 3,369 for Foxx and only 65 for Lassiter. Any way you cut it, that's over 98 percent. Racial bias is the only rational explanation.
Bob Brownridge
Charlotte
In response to "No easy answers on CMS assignment issues" (Oct. 29 Editorial):
CMS board should leave Dilworth arts magnet as is
If it isn't broken, don't fix it.
For years I watched as Dilworth Elementary evolved with great planning and lots of positive energy from parents, neighbors and city planners into a beautiful, healthy and vibrant environment for children to grow and learn.
It became naturally integrated and is staffed by teachers and administrators who really enjoy and care about our children. The status as an arts magnet was integral to the school's appeal and attracted a unique and diverse group of families.
My personal experience as a past parent, past member of the school leadership team, a neighbor and a master mechanic, makes me question why we would want to try to fix something that isn't broken.
My advice to our school board: Leave it alone.
Jarod Brown
Charlotte
In response to "CMS board still split on assignment plans" (Oct. 28) and related articles:
Commute to East Meck is too far for some MPHS IB students
The writer is a ninth grade IB student at Myers Park High School.
My home school is Ardrey Kell, but I attend Myers Park IB. I've always gone to a magnet school that wasn't my home school. I went to Barringer Academic Center for the Talent Development program. I went to Randolph Middle for the pre-IB program. The IB program has long been a goal I wished to achieve - one I could not achieve if sent to East Meck.
Being moved to East Meck would be very inconvenient and add more commuting time, especially when I cannot use the bus for after-school sports and clubs.
If IB is moved, I will most likely go to Ardrey Kell. I know other kids will do the same. The purpose of increasing the number of students at East Meck is a lost cause if all these students just go to their home schools.
Moving the IB program won't help these schools. Please keep the entire IB program at MPHS.
Pooja Iyer
Charlotte
Parents just want to protect successful, diverse program
The writer is president of the Myers Park IB Parent Action Committee .
If we are so scary and pushing our weight around with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools board so much - how come three of the nine CMS board members will not even talk with us?
If we wield so much power, how come so very few understand that Myers Park High School's student population is 33 percent economically disadvantaged and that the school has a significant population of refugee families, has 37 countries represented on campus and serves a wide variety and number of special needs - academic and physical?
We are not a rich, spoiled private school by any measure. We are successful because 96 percent of our students go on to further education after graduating - not just IB students. That is what we are trying to protect by keeping our whole school intact.
Taking our students will reduce our AP/IB teachers - does this sound like a problem you've heard a different school complaining about?
Kim Lanphear
Charlotte
CMS should have cut 'least effective' teachers, not best
The writer is a senior at East Mecklenburg High School.
A large number of teachers were cut in response to CMS budget cuts. While I understand the necessity of these cuts, the approach could not be considered appropriate in any sense.
The last teachers to come were the first to go, as well as those who had previously retired and were "double dipping."
Instead of basing the cuts on evaluations of the least effective teachers, CMS just made blanket cuts. As a result, several of the most talented teachers were let go. While there was a clear need for cuts, there should have been a more individual approach taken.
Nate Fisher
Charlotte
In response to "Poll: N.C. favors public option" (Nov. 1) and related articles:
Don't blow up health care system; fix problem areas
If Congress and the president would focus on job creation, several health care concerns would be resolved.
Lowering corporate taxes would inspire capital investment and job growth and increased tax revenues.
Allowing insurance company competition across state lines would lower rates, control sensational medical malpractice awards that drive many doctors out of the industry, expand the health care savings account provision and keep the federal government out of the unconstitutional power play they're currently attempting.
Most Americans are satisfied with their current health care plans. Let's focus on the problem areas and not destroy the entire system.
Tom Nicholson
Denver
