MLS soccer plan benefits a billionaire but does nothing for east Charlotte residents

Don’t spend $110M to help a billionaire

Regarding “Mayor: Charlotte to allocate $110M to support MLS team,” (Dec. 12):

It’s appalling that the city will spend $110 million to help a billionaire make even more money when we have so many people with inadequate housing in Charlotte.

Perhaps even more appalling is the decision to dump the MLS practice fields and offices into the Eastland Mall site. It’s hard to see how this provides any benefit to the surrounding neighborhoods, and I certainly have heard no interest expressed by the eastside residents for this.

Why not create a land trust and use that to develop high quality, affordable, owner-occupied housing to help strengthen the east side? Quit dumping unwanted uses on us.

Jim Cook, Charlotte

Nothing cruel about Trump’s aid rule

Regarding Our View “Trump extends a cruel cut in food stamps,” (Dec. 12 Editorial):

In the Editorial Board’s haste to criticize President Trump for requiring able-bodied adults with no dependents to work 20 hours a week to receive SNAP benefits, you failed to mention three critical parts of the legislation:

People enrolled in education or training classes for 20 hours per week will not be affected. Only people aged 18-49 who are able to work are included, and states can apply for waivers if the unemployment rate rises to 6 percent. Statistics show only 7 percent of current SNAP recipients are able-bodied without dependents.

I have a hard time understanding why you criticize a rule that requires able-bodied adults with no dependents to enroll in a training program or get a job — part-time — to continue receiving government subsidies. The key word is “able-bodied.”

Kenny Colbert, Cornelius

What I need from 2020 Democrats

I am progressive socially, politically, religiously and environmentally. I respect and admire our Democratic presidential candidates, including some who have dropped out of the race. It’s my opinion that most are committed, experienced and capable of leading our country.

However, unless climate and term limits are a part of their campaigns, he or she won’t get my vote.

I agree with Eugene Robinson’s Dec. 10 op-ed, that climate is a crisis for us, our families and future generations. I refuse to carry that guilt with me to my grave.

Sandra Johnson, Cornelius

Tillis showed stunning disregard

Sen. Thom Tillis’ revelation that he’s “a definite “no” on impeachment demonstrates a stunning disregard for his office and the rule of law. Such prejudice would warrant dismissal from every jury pool in America.

Tillis’ argument is that “aid flowed to Ukraine before this process ever started.” He’s factually wrong on the timeline.

Congressionally appropriated military aid was withheld by Trump in mid-July and the whistleblower filed his complaint on Aug. 12. It wasn’t until Sept. 11 that Trump, having been implicated in a quid pro quo scheme, released nearly $400 million in aid.

Timid Tillis has lost his conviction and conscience in the process.

J. Kevin McKane, Charlotte

Restraint, please, on the holiday lights

It’s astonishing, our compulsion to decorate. The season and its message could be conveyed with a lone candle in a window.

During the 1970s oil shocks, the family drove around to see the lights. Due to energy concerns, Myers Park was dark as Pharaoh’s Egypt. Restraint was the order of the day.

Now, we have galaxies of lights burning, even in daytime. Extravagant lighting is “for the kids,” but it actually is symptomatic of our endless societal giddiness. We could power Cleveland for a year with what we expend in December lighting.

A huge carbon footprint, but Merry Christmas!

Steve Craig, Charlotte

A phone, a dumpster and 2 kind officers

It may not have been a Christmas miracle, but it was certainly job performance that went well beyond the call of duty.

I misplaced my phone at the McGlohon Theater. A day later Find My Phone still showed it somewhere in the building.

I returned to the Blumenthal where Lt. Rod Bailey helped me search the entire facility. No luck. There was one place left to look: the dumpster.

We took a deep breath and went to the dumpsters. Bailey and Officer Tahrik Ofori helped us go through that dumpster until we found the phone. I’ll let you use your imagination about how that went down.

These officers went well beyond the call of duty. Thank you. The Blumenthal facility is safe — and staffed with caring people.

Elaine Cory, Lexington