Instituting this tax could help alleviate traffic congestion in Charlotte
Charlotte needs a congestion tax
Regarding “A solution to Charlotte’s growing traffic problem,” (Jan. 6 Opinion):
Op-ed writer Shannon Binns overlooks one problem: the prevalence of Uber, Lyft and DoorDash drivers who add to congestion at peak hours as they troll already heavily-trafficked areas looking for gigs.
According to public records, half of Uber’s rides are under 3 miles and many drivers drive around looking for rides, adding significantly to traffic. Does it make sense for DoorDash drivers to double-park at the busiest times of day to deliver someone their milkshake from Shake Shack?
Let’s put a congestion tax, especially on delivery vehicles, during peak hours on busy streets the way London has. Let’s also eliminate left turns at busy intersection and create U-turn lanes instead. That’s what they did on the Indian Trail stretch of Independence Boulevard and it has successfully eliminated congestion there.
Sucharita Kodali, Charlotte
Clean, not just renewable, energy
Regarding “Five goals, perhaps wishful, for North Carolina to pursue in 2020,” (Jan. 5 Editorial):
The Observer editorial board correctly identifies climate change as a top-five North Carolina issue, but your prescription of “a future of renewable energy” doesn’t paint the full picture.
Renewable generation, while important, is inherently limited by its intermittency in a way batteries cannot practically address. Environmental organizations committed to addressing climate change (e.g., Clean Air Task Force, Third Way, Union of Concerned Scientists) recognize the essential role of nuclear power, which is far and away the No. 1 source of low carbon energy in our state.
We need all forms of clean energy, including nuclear power and hydroelectric power.
Steven P. Nesbit, Charlotte
Fonda protesting? Not impressed.
I wasn’t impressed with Jane Fonda’s protest in Washington, DC after the killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the monster who has killed many Americans. Fonda lost her clout when she went to Hanoi during the Vietnam War and disgraced our troops by posing on a North Vietnamese anti-aircraft gun. Just ask a Vietnam War veteran. In my opinion, she wasn’t any better than Tokyo Rose during WW II.
Barbara Bell Kerr, Charlotte
Trump’s use of intelligence corps
President Trump did not believe the intelligence presented to him regarding the Russians interfering in our elections, or virtually any other intelligence that differed from his own position on issues. Now, he allegedly relied upon our intelligence corps to justify his Iranian attack.
In 2011, Trump stated that Barrack Obama was going to start a war with Iran to get re-elected.
It now appears Trump is starting a military conflict with Iran in an attempt to improve his re-election prospects and to deflect attention from the impeachment process.
Trump uses American intelligence when it benefits his personal/political agenda without considering the best interests of the U.S. Shame on him.
Phillip G. Carroll, Concord
Concord Mills mall needs a teen curfew
Please make changes at Concord Mills mall or you’ll lose customers. That is what happened at Mayfair Mall in Wauwatosa, Wisc., before the mall changed its policy for those under 17.
There was a large brawl there in October involving more than 100 teens. Mayfair re-instituted its policy that “anyone under 17 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult age 21 or over on Friday, Saturday and Sunday after 3 p.m.”
The same policy can and must be put in place here for everyone’s safety.
Celia Powell, Charlotte
Remembering what Stern did for this city
Regarding “Remembering David Stern, and some of his top accomplishments,” (Jan. 2):
Former NBA commissioner David Stern, to whom Charlotte owes its acceptance into pro sports, is gone. But we should never forget him.
He was willing to listen to a pitch for making Charlotte an NBA city ahead of a long list of presumed favorites in the 1980s expansion.
“Why Charlotte?” he asked in his first meeting with owner-hopeful George Shinn and an adviser. Stern listened with genuine curiosity. He listened while others around the country laughed.
The Hornets are Michael Jordan’s now, but Stern opened the door for us all.
Max Muhleman, Charlotte
BEHIND THE STORY
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This story was originally published January 7, 2020 at 5:00 AM.