My vote isn’t based on chromosome mix
Get ready to be taxed again by N.C.
N.C. legislators have done it again – stuck it to the public.
Effective March 1 labor for the repair, maintenance and installation for many services will be taxed at 7.25 percent.
This includes services to motor vehicles, lawnmowers, trimmers, chain saws, copy machines, most jewelry repairs, and so on.
The politicians can now use this added tax for projects such as toll roads and streetcars.
People on fixed income are the losers again.
Ron Harnach, Charlotte
CMS board must change, and quickly
In response to “With rifts revealed, where does board go?” (Feb. 11):
What CMS has in Ann Clark is a leader who is the most effective implementer of board policy since former superintendents Eric Smith and John Murphy.
They won’t find better.
The board needs to stop believing it is enough to write a policy and then expect the staff to make it happen. It must join the superintendent on the front lines in effecting change.
In the greatest irony, board member Paul Bailey’s assertion that “it’s over, it was 200 years ago” is prophetic. If the board doesn’t change its ways, our schools will be the same for another 200.
Bolyn McClung, Pineville
My vote isn’t based on chromosome mix
Madeleine Albright recently chastised women on their vote selection with “there’s a special place in hell for women who don’t help each other.”
As an informed female voter, my ballot is not determined by chromosome mix, but heavily influenced by trustworthiness, ability and vision for the country.
I do plan to support both the country and other women by voting, but don’t count on that vote going to Hillary.
Pat LaRocca, Charlotte
Stop hurling insults, start talking issues
The “Playing Trump” ad sponsored by Sen. Ted Cruz takes political insults to new levels of absurdity.
Rather than presenting their policies, candidates only seem interested in slamming one another, competing in a too-frequent battle of insults.
Candidates need to realize that the only way to the Oval Office is smart policies – not immature insults!
Nikhita Nanduri, Charlotte
Voters, demand Trump get specific
Donald Trump constantly speaks of making America “great again.” What greatness does he want to return to?
Could it be the Jim Crow era when rights of blacks were systematically suppressed, or before Roe v. Wade when women died in back-alley abortions?
Perhaps it was when water pollution was so bad that a river caught fire and eating fish from many streams was hazardous to your health.
Or could it be before we adopted laws mandating seat belts, crash-protective bumpers and air bags, which have saved lives?
Voters should ask themselves just what golden era Mr. Trump is referring to.
Thomas J. Strini, Mint Hill
Photo truly captured coal ash tragedy
In response to “Waiting for answers on coal ash in Belmont” (Feb. 10):
Duke Energy’s careless handling of all its toxic coal ash will permeate the lives of generations to come in North Carolina.
The article said “Neighbors say they don’t trust the groundwater data Duke supplied to state regulators,” and why should they?
Reading about this environmental tragedy is upsetting. But there was something about the photo of those three Belmont residents standing in front of the Allen Steam Station that felt so real, and said so much. Thank you, John D. Simmons, for such a powerful photograph.
Jill Walker, Charlotte
Cotswold Publix will ease my traffic woes
In response to “Cotswold Publix a poor decision by city” (Feb. 10 Forum):
I frequently shop at the Harris Teeter on Randolph Road and have to turn left out of the shopping center to go home.
I am looking forward to the new Publix, as it will give me and other shoppers an option to go towards uptown on Randolph without crossing traffic.
Shoppers will partially choose between the stores based on ease of access, and I feel the new store is likely to improve the current congestion by giving shoppers options.
Jerry Simon, Charlotte
This story was originally published February 11, 2016 at 4:54 PM with the headline "My vote isn’t based on chromosome mix."