Letters: Review the candidates, then vote
Election season is here so it’s time to review your voting strategy for selecting members of the General Assembly. Some people say “I vote for the person, not the party.” That may have been a good strategy 50 years ago, but not today. Most Republicans in the General Assembly will vote the same as the party leadership almost all the time. Same holds true for Democrats. Some nice candidates may be Republican, some may be Democrat. Bottom line: how are they going to vote on critical issues?
This makes it harder for voters. Each of us needs to evaluate our thinking on the issues: taxes, gun control, health care, environment, climate change, poverty, immigration, voting laws, and many more. Then review the positions of the two main parties and decide which one thinks most like you. The fate of our state and nation depends on our choices!
I’m ready to vote: are you?
Marvin Maddox
Cary
Protecting our forests
The first image that comes to mind when I think of North Carolina is our forests. I’m from the mountains of rural North Carolina where forests are abundant, but even for those living in cities like Raleigh forests are an important symbol of our state.
Unfortunately, deforestation is a major issue in North Carolina, causing families and communities to be displaced, and entire ecosystems to be disrupted. It is devastating to see this take place, but even more so to realize that it unfairly affects poor and minority communities the most.
The wood pellet industry is a growing concern regarding our forests and community health. Wood pellet factories cause increased levels of air pollution and are often located in impoverished and underserved communities. A 2018 study found that pellet facilities in southeastern North Carolina are 50 percent more likely to be located in communities where the poverty level is above the state average.
Anyone that cares about the natural beauty of NC and the health of our communities should stand up to industries that devastate our forests. It is never too late to protect that which gives us life.
Tymber Felts
Raleigh
We need light rail
Recently, I started driving from Raleigh to Hillsborough a couple of times a week. First I left at 8AM, then 7AM, and finally settled on 6:30AM. The amount of traffic between Raleigh, RTP, Durham and Chapel Hill is incredible. At 6:30, it is a sea of red brake lights, and by 7AM, Interstate 40 is full capacity going both ways. So why is their no discussion about light rail between Raleigh, the airport, RTP, Durham and Chapel Hill? I continue to see articles regarding rail from Durham to Chapel Hill, but we really need to be talking about rail from Raleigh to all points in the Triangle. The area continues to grow, but Interstate 40 is maxed out. What big money interests are blocking this vital improvement in Triangle transportation?
David Larson
Raleigh
Rolesville road signs
For over a year I have tried to get the signs on S. Main St. in Rolesville changed to reflect the need to slow down. Instead of a warning sign indicating a compound curve ahead, there is a 45 mph speed limit sign. Someone not familiar with that location might conclude the road goes straight - until it is too late.
The tragic New York state limousine accident that claimed 20 lives was caused, in part, by inadequate warning signs. One of the bystanders was quoted as saying, “Yes! That has been a dangerous intersection for a long time. Someone should have fixed it but never did!”
Can we get this done?
Mike Webb
Wake Forest
Road expansion
An Oct. 3 News and Observer article stated that Raleigh Mayor Nancy McFarlane is concerned about the city’s drinking water. How then, are we even thinking about widening Falls of Neuse Road when it will have a direct impact on the watershed and the already impaired Falls Lake? The Department of Transportation, by its own admission, has not conducted any impact assessment to understand what the proposed widening will do. Since Durant Road to I-540 is just the initial phase of a larger plan to widen Falls of Neuse all the way to Capital Blvd, how is this in any way beneficial to Falls Lake as Raleigh’s drinking water source?
Christine Hollinger
Raleigh
Personal destruction
I admired Sen. Tom Tillis for the work he has done as a Senator, but now I must condemn his criticism of Democrats for their “politics of personal destruction”. Tillis’ condemnation is a personal destruction of politics.
Politicians are supposed to present the best case they can muster for the positions they are taking. If the problem is that a Supreme Court nominee is a bad choice, they have to do their best to make clear why that is so.
Even many Republicans recognize why Brett Kavanaugh was the wrong choice. I blame President Trump for making that choice. I expect that we will all suffer the consequences.
Dr. Lane N. Tracy
Cary