1/17 Letters: The Durham community did not fail McDougald residents, politicians did

McDougald Terrace

Regarding “CO inspections expand in Durham, more evacuations possible” (Jan. 14):

Durham Mayor Steve Schewel said: “For 40 years our community has failed these people.” Our “community” has failed the people? No. Citizens give their tax dollars to politicians and administrators who then “failed these people.” Yet, they want to shift the blame to the community. Next, they’ll say: With a little more money and a little more time we can fix these things.

The only blame that falls upon the community is for continuing to elect them!

Laurin Milton, Durham

Cooper’s veto

Regarding “No raises for NC teachers. Vote upholds Cooper veto; legislature goes home until spring,” (Jan. 14):

Senate leader Phil Berger promotes business-friendly tax rates, which is great, but when we have the lowest corporate tax rates out there and you want to make them even lower despite teacher pay it becomes downright disrespectful.

I’m for corporate tax cuts and making this state appealing for future investors, but you can’t forever do it on the backs of workers who actually make this state great.

Our governor is the only politician in my 12 years of teaching in this state who speaks truth to power when it comes to championing the profession and its many complicated needs. I stand by his veto, and it’s about time someone stood up to Berger’s shenanigans.

Jeff Schweickert, Raleigh

I support Tillis

For the the last three years the left has tried to find a way to erase the results of the 2016 election by impeaching President Trump.

Sen. Thom Tillis has said he will vote “no” on impeachment.

These articles of impeachment that Nancy Pelosi and her Democrat puppets have advanced are just a failed attempt to distract from the economic boom we are currently experiencing. And Tillis is a big reason for that boom, as he voted to cut our taxes and fought so we can keep more of what we earn.

He wants to move on from impeachment and do more to help our economy in North Carolina, which is why he has my full support.

Dennis Berwyn, Raleigh

NC senators’ duty

With the impeachment trial looming Sens. Richard Burr and Thom Tillis now have a chance, nay, a duty, to look objectively at the facts and the evidence of what is being presented.

This president is making a mockery of our government and is looking out for himself, and only himself. Now is the time to finally put country above party and let a fair trial play out.

My senators have a chance to right these wrongs by choosing to remove this president from office. I urge them to stop protecting him and start listening to the people.

History will not remember President Trump or this time favorably. If our N.C. senators listen to their conscience, maybe they will be.

Holly Rollins, Durham

Call witnesses

Let’s have a fair trial! How is a fair trial possible? I urge all our senators, Democrats and Republicans, to put partisan politics aside and follow the law for a fair trial. Call and listen to witnesses, get the facts, and get to the truth, whatever it may be.

After all, you are our elected lawmakers and if you choose not to follow the law why would we, the people who elected you, choose to re-elect you?

Peter Mamuzic, Pinehurst

Beach funding

Regarding “Topsail Island, Bouge Banks to receive beach funding” (Jan. 14):

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has approved $237 million for 10 miles of beach recovery on Topsail Island. That is more than $20 million per mile and will be one of the most costly beach nourishment projects ever on the East Coast. Another $44.5 million is scheduled for use on Bogue Banks.

These projects can only be characterized as madness. Sea-level rise is clearly accelerating, increasingly intense storms are expected, and the amounts spent on these beaches will need to be expended again and again.

But that’s not all. Funds for this project will come from a federal disaster relief package designed to help North Carolinians recover from recent hurricanes. The funds were not intended for beach nourishment.

Normally beach nourishment projects are partially funded by local and state government. Now, property owners who imprudently built next to eroding shorelines, and the state government that approved such development, get off scot-free.

It’s time to get the Corps off this dead-end path of perpetual spending on shore protection and go forward with a realistic recognition of where the future lies in a time of climate change. Regardless of who’s funding such projects, the time has come to retreat.

Orrin H. Pilkey

Professor emeritus, Duke University Nicholas School of the Environment