Opinion articles provide independent perspectives on key community issues, separate from our newsroom reporting.

Letters to the Editor

One commissioner to another: Public gets stadium 20 days a year? That’s ‘paltry’

It’s the people’s stadium, get it?

In response to “Don’t leave out MLS stadium perks” (July 27 Forum):

Pat Cotham
Pat Cotham

The writer is a Mecklenburg Commissioner.

Really, Commissioner Dumont Clarke? The MLS For the Record piece was “seriously misleading” because it omitted any reference to a “material deal point” that the people would be able to use their stadium 20 days a year without paying Marcus Smith?

Maybe it was omitted because it is so embarrassing and paltry.

I can see where this is going…

Pat Cotham, Charlotte

I found Boy Scout cartoon distasteful

The writer is a Boy Scout volunteer.

Two messages in two cartoons: Dennis the Menace on Tuesday showed three children thanking a Boy Scout. But I found Wednesday’s Scout Badges editorial cartoon insulting.

The editorial board should ask itself what it costs taxpayers for a youth in the juvenile court system per day. Then ask how much for a youth to be in Scouting.

You should be ashamed, and like Dennis and his friends thank Scouting for its programs.

Phil Adams, Charlotte

Trump speech raised hairs on my neck

In response to “Trump’s Boy Scout speech was scary” (July 26 Forum):

Kelly Scherer
Kelly Scherer

Unfortunately, Forum writer Nancy Lively Payne will likely receive some outraged replies to her opinion on Trump’s speech to the Boy Scouts in her native West Virginia.

But honestly, who among us didn’t instinctively recoil seeing our 71-year-old president violate the honor and innocence of those young boys and men?

The hairs on the back of my neck rose in visceral revulsion of a man who has gone way too far perverting our norms, values, morals and integrity as Americans.

I’m so over our pretending that this person is normal or knows even basic levels of decency.

Kelly Scherer, Charlotte

Here’s what McCain should have done

In response to “McCain delivers a key health care vote, scolding message” (July 26):

Sen. John McCain should have been brave enough to tell the Senate to give the public the same health care plan that Senate members enjoy.

He will vote “yes” for anything they come up with no matter what he says on TV and in the news media.

Roberta Leonard, Blowing Rock

So fed up with all these political feuds

If the Democrats and Republicans would quit fighting like the Hatfields and McCoys and start running the country and the State of North Carolina, the citizens of N.C. and the U.S. would really appreciate it.

Bobby Costner, Lincolnton

Ajmera’s real point was lost on some

In response to “Ajmera advocated for discrimination” (July 25 Forum):

Dimple Ajmera advocates “standing up to Trump’s disrespect, disregard and dangerous rhetoric towards women, minorities, immigrants, disabled and the poor.”

She calls for “unity...as we we tackle very important issues of safety, trust and equity in our city.”

She never said that “all people who support Trump are unacceptable to run for office,” as Forum writer Ann Marie Lloyd wrote.

Dimple is calling out those who turn a blind eye to, or worse, openly support Donald Trump’s continued abuses, verbal and legal.

We’re here to listen to supporters of Trump, but we should never show respect or acknowledgment to bigotry.

Kathleen Rackley, Charlotte

Gettleman paid price for his brusque style

In response to “The inside story of how the firing of GM Dave Gettleman finally unfolded” (July 23):

Doug McVadon
Doug McVadon

The reasons behind the sudden firing of Panthers General Manager Dave Gettleman illustrate something corporate America is learning the hard way: Results alone are no longer enough. How you do your job is just as important as the results you produce.

Gettleman had a stellar tenure by the numbers, three division titles and a Super Bowl trip. But at the end of the day numbers don’t outweigh people, and the way he treated people will be remembered longer than his statistics.

Doug McVadon, Charlotte

This story was originally published July 27, 2017 at 5:44 PM with the headline "One commissioner to another: Public gets stadium 20 days a year? That’s ‘paltry’."

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