Opinion articles provide independent perspectives on key community issues, separate from our newsroom reporting.

Letters to the Editor

Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 01.27.16

CMS schools should have been open

In response to “CMS still closed Tuesday for students” (Jan. 26):

In what can only be described as an amazing display of irresponsibility, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system canceled school for yet another day on Tuesday.

The students should have attended Monday!

Apparently CMS administrators strive for a risk-free society. If they continue to cancel school at the drop of a hat, they will produce instead an ignorant society.

Steven P. Nesbit, Charlotte

Grateful for city’s response to storm

Many thanks to our mayor and the Charlotte Department of Transportation for the wonderful way they had our streets cleared and drivable after this winter storm. I for one was so grateful that you allowed many of us to get out for church services on Sunday.

C.H. Hendricks, Charlotte

Don’t make I-77 an either/or proposition

Neither tolls nor lane expansion alone will solve traffic congestion on I-77.

It will take a combination of both of those solutions to get the gridlock moving again.

Allow those who wish to pay the premium to use a scanned toll-lane card and move along a bit faster. And, add another lane to the “free” roadbed.

Don’t polarize over either/or. The answer is both.

Susan Kraykowski, Monroe

I want governor to end I-77 toll plan

Not only is the I-77 toll plan itself poorly thought out, it also fails to take into consideration the “what if” scenario of a serious problem at the Duke Energy nuclear site.

Any serious road project paid for by N.C. taxpayer dollars should take into account the need for speedy evacuation of a large number of drivers and their families in the event of a disaster or emergency.

Do we really want to duplicate the insanity of Atlanta and put the ability of our citizens to seek safety at risk?

The governor was elected to lead this state. I humbly request that he start doing so.

Raymond Moore, Concord

Here’s what makes me angry as a voter

There is a “silent majority” rising in America.

It’s the rest of us who are sick of corporate greed, privatization of public services, and racial intolerance, and those who are appalled at Republican efforts to suppress voting rights and women’s access to family planning.

And, most of all, who are disappointed in a media that pander to the most strident, conservative viewpoints and the demagogues who shout them.

Michael A. Clark, Charlotte

President Obama at root of voter anger

In response to “Angry voters? I’m a frightened one” (Jan. 26 Forum):

Of course it is those mean Republicans’ fault. They are the only ones spewing hate.

Give me a break.

We’ve had seven years of one of the most divisive presidents of our time. He has set race, religion, and our sense of community back decades.

When are liberals and Democrats going to take responsibility for the web they have woven?

Larry Cook, Charlotte

Success of pro team is sweet revenge

In response to “Supermen” (Jan. 25) and related articles:

Does anybody remember early 1987 when George Shinn, Rick Hendrick, Felix Sabates and Max Muhleman were attempting to get an NBA expansion franchise?

Charlotte had no professional sports teams at the time.

A sportswriter from Phoenix cavalierly announced that “The only franchise Charlotte will get is one with golden arches.”

Weeks later we were awarded the Charlotte Hornets franchise, followed by uptown parades and celebrations.

Should we politely ask them to take it all back?

Jerry Miller, Charlotte

Cam helped turn team into Supermen

The Observer headline “Supermen,” summed up the season.

Cam Newton, aka Superman, has transformed the entire Panthers team into Supermen.

Stephen Jones, Charlotte

Now all the stadium needs is a dome

Oh CLT won’t you buy me a lid for my field.

My friends all have domes; I gotta be seal’d.

... With apologies to Janis Joplin.

William C. Barnes, Charlotte

This story was originally published January 26, 2016 at 5:31 PM with the headline "Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 01.27.16."

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