Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 02.26.16

I applaud McCrory on bathroom issue

In response to “City attorney says rule won’t outlaw separate restrooms” (Feb. 25):

Thank goodness we have public officials like Gov. McCrory, Rep. Dan Bishop and House Speaker Tim Moore who will stand up to the radical left-wing Democratic members of our City Council and the mayor to overturn this silly, unnecessary public bathroom ordinance.

This was a nonexistent problem promoted by a very small percentage of the population and encouraged by the local press.

Elton Shoemaker, Charlotte

Archie Bunker was more open-minded

Why do Gov. McCrory and some in the legislature seek to oppress anyone who is different?

Can’t they see beyond their hatred of someone else’s sexual identity?

Even Archie Bunker was capable of change.

Let the bathrooms be open to all and leave discrimination beyond its doors.

Lorraine Stark, Matthews

Another travesty by our City Council

First, millions spent for Bank of America stadium renovations. Next, millions spent on a streetcar.

Thousands did not want to spend on the above-mentioned follies, yet the City Council voted and spent. Now, they approve the bathroom ordinance.

I cannot wait for the next City Council election. I will certainly put this last vote at the top of my list, and anyone who voted “yes” on this resolution will receive a “no” vote on their re-election.

Randy G. Buford, Charlotte

Solution: Add a third unisex bathroom

There is a common-sense solution to the matter of LGBT bathroom usage: Have Men, Women, and Unisex facilities.

The Unisex could be a single-stall bathroom for use by transgenders, LGBT, or straight persons.

The Men and Women facilities would remain gender-specific.

Sheila Evans, Charlotte

City’s trash fee plan should be trashed

In response to “Trash plan has condo owners in the dumps” (Feb. 25):

The City’s reasoning on this issue is so flawed it is embarrassing.

Taking away city garbage collection from apartments will certainly hurt low-income families.

Based on the City’s logic for saving money, it should take away services from single-family homes.

The garbage collection subsidy is $161 for each single-family home. It’s $30 for condos, townhomes and apartments that use dumpsters.

Aligning with the other cities is a poor reason for a City that’s supposed to represent all of us.

Mike Van Glish, Charlotte

Let independent group redraw lines

In response to “Crazy federal rules force gerrymandering” (Feb. 25 Opinion):

Since 1980 North Carolina has found itself in court 18 times defending politically gerrymandered districts, costing the state millions of taxpayer dollars.

It’s obvious state legislators can’t fix the problem, further evidenced by the latest redrawn politically gerrymandered districts.

Please stop complaining about “crazy” federal rules and blaming the other side for this problem. Allow an independent commission to do the job!

John Costenoble, Denver, N.C.

Honor Brody by saving another dog

In response to “2 S.C. teens accused of torturing puppy” (Feb. 24):

The writer volunteers at Anson County Animal Shelter.

There is one good thing that can come from the story of Brody, the pup who was shot 18 times with a BB gun.

Brody will go to one family, but if the hundreds of others who applied to adopt him would adopt another homeless or abused animal it would be a great tribute to Brody.

The new Anson County Animal Shelter is bursting at the seams with animals in need and will begin euthanizing today due to overcrowding.

Think hard about helping many of Brody’s pals!

Glo Kearns, Charlotte

Thanks for saving Johnny Doughboy

In response to “Johnny Doughboy has outlasted time” (Feb. 24):

In the 1970s Charlotte’s Johnny Doughboy statue emerged with a new rifle and left hand and was placed outside City Hall.

Even decades later that calls for a big “hurrah.”

Thanks to Willis Griffin of American Legion Hornets’ Nest Post No. 9 for raising the money for repairs and having it moved to a public place safe from vandalism – and for knowing that it stood “for all the veterans of all wars.”

Eleanor Anderson, Matthews

This story was originally published February 25, 2016 at 5:05 PM with the headline "Observer Forum: Letters to the editor 02.26.16."