6/17 Letters: Keep driver’s ed in North Carolina the way it is

Regarding “Driver’s ed class may cost parents more” (June 12): I’ve been there. Raising children on my own as a divorced mom, I had to budget according to priorities. I cut back on pedicures for myself and increased pizza parties for my children and their friends. The North Carolina legislature has a harder job and a broader responsibility as they craft a budget that considers the importance of driver’s education in the state.

I am old enough to remember when young drivers on the road were called menaces. Then a driver’s education instructor began the Jordan Driving School and hired teachers who had excelled in other professions to teach youth how to drive seriously, safely and defensively. Each time I drive down the road and nobody crashes into me, I am so grateful. Students are being taught to be responsible drivers. I implore legislators to keep the budget the way it is in the name of safety for senior citizens like me who have to drive alongside youngsters. Please let them all be well-trained.

Too young for guns

Regarding “Bill would end requirement for concealed-carry permits” (June 1): When I was 18, I could buy and drink alcohol without a problem. (Tells you how old I am.) Then the United States government wisely decided I was too young, immature and inexperienced to be able to buy alcohol and the legal drinking age was raised to 21. Now the North Carolina legislature wants to allow 18-year-olds, if they have an open-carry gun permit, to carry concealed weapons anywhere that open-carry guns are allowed.

I don’t get it. I wasn’t mature enough to drink at 18, but apparently every 18-year-old in North Carolina would be mature and wise enough to carry a concealed lethal weapon.

‘People before profit’

I appreciated “Disconnect HB 310” (June 9): The public needs to know that this bill prohibits local or individual input on the placement of radiation-producing devices that will be right outside single-family homes and on top of multifamily homes, schools, etc.

Given what is known about the harmful health effects of the wireless technology already in use, it would be unconscionable for the state Senate to give the go-ahead for 5G wireless with no consideration for the fact that thousands of peer-reviewed studies have linked wireless technology to various detrimental health effects. In order for the 5G network to work, these mini-cell towers have to be spaced no more than 200 feet apart. Please contact representatives and let them know people should come before profit.

This story was originally published June 16, 2017 at 6:00 PM with the headline "6/17 Letters: Keep driver’s ed in North Carolina the way it is."