Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 10.18.15
School board a detriment to city
In response to “CMS board puts off ‘homework’ ” (Oct. 15):
This school board has not shown the electorate that it is willing to place the children first by discharging its duty to transparently make decisions which ensure the educational vibrancy of our children and our community.
This board’s arrogant unwillingness to engage with, receive and act upon parental and community input does not brighten Charlotte’s future.
It does, however, demonstrate board members’ readiness for political dysfunction at a higher level.
Renard Burris, Charlotte
Get out of CMS superintendent’s way
In response to “Speakers air views on CMS leadership” (Oct. 14):
Colette Forrest wants the CMS board to hire a superintendent who will pull the community together.
Impossible!
The superintendent alone can do nothing. Until the board learns to compromise, support the superintendent until her/his plans can be fully implemented, and not spend time arguing over petty issues and personal turf, our school system will continue to suffer.
In my 35 years in Charlotte, our last five superintendents never got sufficient support to fully implement their plans.
Joe Sutterlin, Charlotte
Let’s also make school buses safer
In response to “Seat belts on city buses not required” (Oct. 15):
CATS buses unsafe? What about school buses?
It’s sad that our children must ride these teeth-jarring, bone-rattling dinosaurs. The shocks are vintage 1915, not 2015. And what about their high center of gravity and narrow wheel bases?
As an assistant to physically disabled students, I often rode with them on field trips. Try riding over the rear wheels, or further back, where we strap in the students in wheelchairs. A bump on one trip made the glasses fly off the face of one of our kids.
Give students smoother-riding modern buses like CATS has, not antiques. Include the so-called safe padded seats if seat belts are out of the question.
Chuck Peitzman, Charlotte
Obama fighting unwinnable war
In response to “Obama again delays troop withdrawal from Afghanistan” (Oct. 15):
In breaking yet another campaign promise, President Obama will keep 9,800 American servicemen and women away from their homes and families for at least another year, bogged down in the quagmire that is Afghanistan.
The president often speaks of “shared sacrifice.” His eldest daughter turns 18 next year. Unless he is willing to let her enlist and join the fight – as Britain’s Prince Harry did – Mr. Obama has no right to force others to endure this endless, unwinnable war.
Charles Held, Mount Holly
Hillary’s a polished speaker, poor leader
In response to The Ballot “Grades for the Dem debate” (Oct. 15 Opinion):
I think we all agree that Hillary Clinton’s debate performance was polished and professional.
She is an accomplished speaker who makes big money for speaking at various venues.
But listen to her carefully. You can say anything, but it’s what you do that matters. And she has done some questionable things.
She blames various conspiracies for her woes, but what she says and does originates with her, not with “conspiracies.”
Sheila W. Evans, Charlotte
I disagree with your debate grades
While I am a Hillary supporter, I strongly disagree with the D grade you gave to Martin O’Malley and Lincoln Chafee.
O’Malley presented himself well and deserved at least a C. Chafee deserved an F. They were clearly not in the same ballpark.
Linda J. Brooks, Charlotte
‘The Elevator Lady’ has unfair advantage
Is it possible that one key to Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry’s success is the familiarity she enjoys from having her picture plastered in every elevator in the state?
Is it fair to allow an elected official ubiquitous exposure courtesy of the people while her opponents use campaign funds to get their own faces out there?
I’ve noticed elevators in many other states and this practice seems unique to North Carolina.
John Howard, Charlotte
This story was originally published October 17, 2015 at 1:00 PM with the headline "Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 10.18.15."