Former mayor: Charlotte’s city council needs to end these behind-closed-door meetings | Opinion

The writer was the 2015-2017 Charlotte mayor.

I agree with attorney Mike Tadych’s assertion in a Mar. 17 article that there is concern about small group meetings of council members where policy is discussed with the city manager.

When I was Mecklenburg county commission chair, county manager Harry Jones would not discuss detailed policy with me alone. He said business be done in the open for the public to hear. Also, he wanted to make sure all elected officials simultaneously got the same information to avoid fear of favoritism or leaving out vital information for some.

When I was mayor, I was emphatic about transparency. That was the reason I pressed the police chief to release body camera footage.

This policy of city council is not in the best interests of transparency and accountability.

Jennifer Roberts, Charlotte

Broken promise

I am a disabled Army veteran. This is not a partisan message but a painful truth. The Department of Veterans Affairs saved my life countless times. I owe my existence to it as much as my fellow soldiers. Using these devoted public servants’ livelihoods for political gain is nothing short of dishonorable.

The soldier’s creed declares, “I will never leave a fallen comrade.” Yet, we abandon those who never abandoned us — the nurses who held my hand through dark nights, the doctors who put me back together, the counselors who guided me home when my mind remained at war.

Honoring veterans means more than flags and parades. It means protecting those who care for us when we return broken. Breaking this promise doesn’t just hurt veterans — it tears at the American way we risked our souls to defend.

Stephen Williamson, Hickory

Trump nonsensical

The Trump administration’s recent statements regarding the judiciary caused me to recall the book by Rick Shenkman “Just How Stupid Are We?”

Hearing Trump make false, nonsensical statements about the responsibility and authority of federal judges is one thing. But to hear U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on Fox News make the same statements about the judiciary and refer to limitations of federal judges authority because they are unelected is insulting and disqualifying.

The elimination of the education department will further dumb down the younger generations to the point that publicly spoken and social media amplified nonsense will be the norm. The question is “How Stupid Are We Going To Be.”

David Gilliam, Matthews

Physician assistants bill

In February, doctors released a report on primary care in the U.S. The report looks back at trends affecting primary care access and notes that the number of primary care physicians, physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners fell from 2021 to 2022. As a PA, I am deeply concerned by this decline at a time when we need more primary care providers.

In North Carolina, like most states, there are healthcare provider shortfalls. Our state lawmakers will consider a bill to eliminate the requirement for experienced PAs to have a specific relationship with a physician when working in a team-based setting. Physician assistants will continue to collaborate with physicians based on patient need. We must take action!

Truett Smith, Troutman

Tariffs

I enjoyed the Mar. 13 article on Hendrick Motorsports building vehicles for the Army. I have a question. Where is it getting steel and aluminum? Canada? China? If so, the foolish tariffs will cost the Army and taxpayers more money.

Tony Hilton, China Grove