Davidson mayor: Time to demand cleanup on coal ash ponds
It’s past time for coal ash cleanup in N.C.
In response to “Duke Energy must dig up ash, at least for now” (May 19):
The Department of Environmental Quality admits coal ash pits are an environmental risk and should be excavated, but it left itself a giant loophole by allowing for re-evaluation in 18 months.
DEQ continues to defer real action and has left communities with questions about whether or not coal ash will be cleaned up.
As mayor of Davidson, I want to ensure that Davidson is a clean, safe place. I stand with communities impacted by coal ash across North Carolina.
DEQ, it’s past time to demand a real coal ash cleanup.
John Woods, Davidson
Remember MLK’s words about injustice
Remember MLK’s words about injustice
In response to “I fought for civil rights. It is offensive to compare it with transgender fight” (May 20 Opinion):
I would like to thank Clarence Henderson for his efforts in the struggle for equality in America.
But I would like to remind him that it was not long ago when it was a “society’s accepted norm” that African-Americans were second-class citizens. Through the efforts of Mr. Henderson and others, today we have concluded that this was an unacceptable society norm, an injustice.
As Dr. King noted from Birmingham: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
Ed Shephard, Huntersville
Answer this question about sexuality
It seems the basic reason so many people support HB2 is the strongly held belief that being homosexual or transgender is a conscious choice.
I don’t remember ever consciously making a decision to be heterosexual. I simply knew I was heterosexual and therefore was born that way.
My question to folks who believe it to be a choice is: When did you make the choice to be heterosexual?
Richard Helms, Charlotte
Trash plan at odds with broader goals
In response to Our View “If trash fees rise, don’t squeeze the poor” (May 17 Editorial):
The writer is director of the Greater Charlotte Apartment Association.
Far more of those who live below the poverty line in Charlotte live in older market-rate apartments rather than government assisted apartments.
The owners of these apartments aren’t primarily housing poor families out of a sense of civic duty, but they are playing a vital role in housing well over 50,000 Charlotteans in aging housing that is challenging to operate and maintain with accelerated capital expenses.
The City Council’s trash policy proposal is at odds with the comprehensive strategy the City has for older neighborhood preservation and quality of life.
Ken Szymanski, Charlotte
Stab at donors hurt, but makes us think
In response to “Bullying won’t increase arts giving” (May 19 Forum):
I would not disagree with anything Forum writer Joan Zimmerman said in reaction to Chris McLeod’s column (“Wealthy are hurting the arts in Charlotte,” May 18).
I only ask that we not judge Ms. McLeod too harshly. Her willingness to speak the truth as she sees it took an immense amount of courage and significant degree of risk.
I believe there are times when we need to be pushed off balance to get our attention. Her op-ed column did just that.
It’s uncomfortable, but it sure is making us think. Hopefully it’ll open up constructive conversations, as well.
Bill Hamelau, Charlotte
Schools shouldn’t be ‘them vs us’ issue
In response to Our View “Resegregation isn’t just CMS’s problem” (May 19 Editorial):
Charlotte City Council, Mecklenburg commissioners, and many other agencies can influence how this socioeconomic desegregation challenge can be addressed, and the community is looking to them to find ways to integrate and amplify their collected efforts on behalf of our children.
Recent “them vs us” rhetoric is tone deaf to the urgent need to fund our schools properly, keep children safe, and help all students succeed.
County commissioners’ dismissive response toward entertaining a bond package on the 2016 ballot is just one example of such rhetoric, and it seems out of step at a time when shared advocacy and innovative responses are most urgently needed.
Helene Hilger, Charlotte
This story was originally published May 21, 2016 at 5:30 PM with the headline "Davidson mayor: Time to demand cleanup on coal ash ponds."