Common sense prevailed on MLS stadium vote
U-turn on soccer was the right move
In response to “County blows up soccer stadium deal” (Aug. 3):
It is extremely refreshing to see the common sense and good judgment exercised Wednesday night by Mecklenburg County commissioners on the MLS soccer stadium.
Clearly, commissioners acted in the best interest of the citizens by turning thumbs down on this poorly conceived deal.
Devoting tax dollars to parks and green space makes much more sense. This is clearly what the people wanted to happen.
Bill Rice, Charlotte
County played hot potato with stadium
The county commission is trying to pull a fast one. During past meetings some members publicly stated that Memorial Stadium and Grady Cole Center had been allowed to deteriorate and needed major renovations.
Now, they want to shift the MLS issue to the city and shift the cost of all the deferred maintenance.
I hope the City Council has the common sense to turn down this “gracious gift” from the county. I can tell the difference between a gift and a hot potato, so I hope the City Council can too!
Jim Van Meerten, Charlotte
I want honesty, integrity from Wells
In response to “Wells Fargo’s Mack has big changes for branches Monday” (July 31):
So some of the “big changes” at Wells Fargo are standardizing refund procedures and making talks with customers “seem more genuine.”
A much more needed change would be to conduct business with honesty and integrity, but that’s probably asking too much. After all, there’s just too much profit to be had in unauthorized accounts and unrequested insurance.
Chuck Gibson, Gastonia
Equitable housing? Tried and true works
In response to Kenny Smith “We need fresh ideas on affordable housing” (July 30 Opinion):
I would humbly submit that “fresh” ideas are just that – fresh.
Community land trusts, shared equity, and inclusive zoning are all tried and true vehicles for ensuring that public monies invested in affordable housing are protected and not squandered, ensuring equitable as well as defensible outcomes for all.
Why should I care and comment? Though residing in Rock Hill, I spent most of my formative years in Charlotte (Reeder Memorial Baptist Church is dedicated to my grandfather’s memory). I have spent the past 40 years of my career dedicated to working to ensure equitable housing and community development practices.
Bob Reeder, Rock Hill
Single-payer health care isn’t the answer
In response to John H. Clark “The health care solution? Medicare for all” (Aug. 2 Opinion):
Single-payer is nothing more than a euphemism for government-owned and controlled health care.
The essence of Communism is government owning and controlling businesses.
Is the current system a hopeless mess? Yes. But the same day John Clark’s column ran, the Observer reported that dozens of parks funded by bonds voted for in 2008 have yet to be designed.
Hundreds of thousands of veterans may have died waiting for care at the VA.
Government ownership of health care is not the answer.
James Edgar, Charlotte
No need to reinvent wheel on health care
I have been a member of Medicare for 27 years and I agree with John H. Clark 100 percent.
By paying an elective and modest premium to an insurance company with a tie-in to Medicare, I’ve not had a single problem with medical costs over all those years.
We do not need another expensive and complex bureaucracy when we have a relatively simple, smooth-running and efficient Medicare program which has proven to be successful for more than 50 years.
Bill Brannon, Charlotte
Don’t destroy downtown Matthews
In response to “State alters controversial ‘superstreet’ planned for Matthews” (Aug. 2):
I urge the state Department of Transportation to leave Matthews alone. North Carolina has destroyed many businesses and lives turning U.S. 74 into a speedway.
Anyone who has business in Matthews knows the traffic situation. If they don’t have the time to sit in traffic, they can take an alternate route.
Enough small towns have been turned into ghost towns in the name of progress. Leave Matthews alone.
C.G. Kilburn, Monroe
This story was originally published August 3, 2017 at 4:15 PM with the headline "Common sense prevailed on MLS stadium vote."