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In response to "I-40 rockslide repair to be long" (Oct. 27):
Only the government would take 3 months to clear I-40
I saw the photo of the rock slide on Interstate 40. The fact that the government says I-40 will be closed three months is laughable - further proof the government shouldn't run anything.
Give me 50 bucks, a backhoe and the phone number of a paver, and I can have it clear by Tuesday.
Heck, 30 percent of car dealers still haven't been reimbursed for Cash for Clunkers. What more evidence do we need that the private sector should control as much as possible?
L.W. Wright
Charlotte
In response to "No easy answers on CMS assignment issues" (Oct. 29 Editorial):
Plan for Dilworth Elementary is a 'win-win-win' for community
I applaud the Observer for urging the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools board to act now on the overcrowding situations at Eastover Elementary and Myers Park High School. In commenting on CMS's recommended plan to make Dilworth Elementary a new neighborhood school, however, your editorial noted only that "it at least accomplishes the goal of relieving crowding at Eastover."
There can be no doubt that the proposed plan provides a meaningful, long-term solution to Eastover's overcrowding problem, but it also creates a strong new home school where students from the Dilworth, First Ward, Myers Park and Forest Park neighborhoods can learn and grow together.
It's a win-win-win for the affected students, CMS and the entire community.
Chip Ford
Charlotte
Kindness of Charlotteans touched walk participant
Last weekend, I walked in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. The support from Charlotte residents and organizations was absolutely overwhelming.
Charlotte neighbors were out in the rain and cold to offer encouragement or a bottle of water. It says something about the caliber of people in Charlotte to rally behind total strangers for a common cause. Thank you for the memories and, more importantly, your support.
Leigh Ford
Columbia, S.C.
World-class? Heck no, we're still raking and bagging leaves
Other cities the size of Charlotte that also have lots of trees use vacuum trucks to pick up fallen leaves at the curb.
Charlotte still relies on its citizens to rake and bag leaves.
The money wasted on plastic bags alone must be enormous. World-class city? I don't think so.
John A. Marszalek
Charlotte
In response to "Moore Place gets a boost" (Oct. 20):
Not thrilled to be a neighbor to apartments for the homeless
The Druid Hills community wants Moore Place to be built, but not in the middle of the neighborhood. Let's see... chronically mentally ill, one block from Druid Hills Elementary, one block from a thriving day care, two blocks from Tryon Hills Elementary...
We want to help the homeless, but at whose expense?
I understand why so many clergy think it's a great project. It makes them feel good, serves a greater need and keeps Moore Place out of their neighborhood.
If you ever ride through Druid Hills you'll see the illegal junk yard where Moore Place will stand. We'll miss that junk yard.
Dexter A. McMurray
Charlotte
In response to "Farm-fresh food - uptown?" (Oct. 27):
Uptown market could become a tourist destination for Charlotte
As a 17-year Charlotte resident who makes a habit of visiting food markets when traveling, I wholeheartedly support construction of an uptown market.
Markets like those in Seattle and Philadelphia not only cater to residents, but are serious tourist destinations.
A fresh produce market in the center city provides an accessible option for some of our poorest residents who have no way to get to the regional farmers market. The market would also serve thousands of people who commute from across the area to work downtown. Let's go for it!
Tracy Allen
Charlotte
Who needs an uptown market, don't waste taxpayer money
This is really getting silly. Now the uptown folks think a market will make us world-class.
If they want a market uptown that's fine, but without any subsidies. That would be a huge waste of taxpayer money.
The market near the airport is easy to get in and out of. Uptown during the week would not be.
Dick Meyer
Charlotte
In response to "Moderate Dems have public option doubts" (Oct. 28):
Insurance companies win if public option not included
When are we going to get a truly progressive party that's not worried about re-election or about what one moderate Republican senator wants?
I'm a unabashed liberal, but I am ashamed of some people who call themselves Democrats.
Pass health care reform with a public option. Reform without a public option is a giveaway to the insurance companies.
Michael Stowers
Charlotte
Put medicine back in the hands of trained doctors and nurses
The writer is a registered nurse.
We need medicine put back in the hands of doctors who train for nine years to learn how to treat us and what we need.
We're done with CEOs, CFOs and MBAs deciding what our treatment options should be. We're done with being given the cheapest supplies on the planet and told we have to use them over and over again unsafely because "this is all there is."
There will be a global revolt of nurses saying no to this type of practice. It's time for a change.
Tim Allen Ruiz
Charlotte
Obama has done more to polarize than to unite people
Candidate Barack Obama promised he would be a post-partisan and post-racial president - a uniter, not a divider.
Since taking office, he and his administration have done little but polarize. To wit, consider the treatment of the CIA, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Israel, Honduras, Poland, Wall Street, big banks, oil companies, coal companies, insurance companies, drug companies, mortgage companies, credit card companies, bond holders, hedge funds, corporate executives, doctors, town hall meeting attendees, tea party protesters, police, Fox News and even the Dalai Lama.
If it really was his intention to bring people and political parties together, he has failed.
John Denhart
Charlotte
In response to "Dear Tommy: Another take on 'bless your heart'" (Oct. 30 Feedback):
Not willing to accept the snide take on 'bless your heart'
Thank you, Amy French! As a Southerner, I haven't been happy that the more snide take on "bless your heart" has come to be so accepted.
Yes, in the past decade or so, the expression has been hijacked and used in this cynical manner to indicate disdain with someone. But most of us Southerners say "bless your heart" when someone and their circumstance truly tug at our heart.
However, it's O.K. Tommy...we still love you and bless your heart in the nicer way!
B.J. Butler
Cornelius
