Former state senator: It’s past time to bring true justice to the NC court system

NC court system

The excellent May 25 editorial on the reforms needed to cure the inefficiencies and injustices in our court system left out an important point: the fees charged defendants for the most part do not go to the courts, they go to the General Fund. The legislature has used court fees as a cash cow for years to pay for other parts of the government, while starving our courts of adequate funds to run the system, from clerks to indigent defenders to judges and bailiffs and every part of the system.

Everyone involved in the courts knows about this problem and has known it for years, but they’ve never been able to influence the legislature. I thank Rep. Joe John, a former judge, whose experience provides a unique focus on the issue. I only hope he is able to convince his colleagues that it is past time to bring true justice to our court system with full funding and cutting the exorbitant fees that unfairly hurt our indigent population that makes up an overly large part of our courts.

Ellie Kinnaird, Chapel Hill

Former state senator, Carrboro mayor

Cooper, the RNC

I support Gov. Roy Cooper in making an informed and reasonable decision about the RNC in Charlotte and I hope he won’t cave in to pressure from the president to guarantee a convention that may not be wise or safe for N.C. citizens.

President Trump’s threatening tweets are rash, foolish and irresponsible. The governor should make his decision when we have enough data to do so, following the advice of medical experts. That is the prudent way to make a decision that affects lives. If the RNC chooses to seek another location, so be it. I would be sad about the economic loss to North Carolina, but proud that my local leaders made public health a priority.

Susan Karnatz, Raleigh

Cooper’s mistakes

When you destroy jobs and take away the religious facilities that provide people with emotional and spiritual support an increase in despair is a predictable result. For many it will take years to recover from the economic loss of the actions of our state government and many will never get back to where they were at the beginning of the year. Carolinians are intelligent enough to be able to assess their own personal risks and act accordingly. No one forces another person to go out if they’re not comfortable doing so. We don’t need a bureaucrat making that decision for us. Shame on Gov. Cooper!

Mike Doran, Raleigh

Armed protesters

In defense of those who hang governors in effigy, threaten violence, and march around state capitols with assault rifles, we should acknowledge that these folks feel they are bringing the very finest of what they have to offer. Their guns and their violent words make them feel safer and more powerful, something we’d all like to feel about now. Too bad that at a time when death already stalks our land, the threat of more death is the gift they think to offer. Wishing each other long life and good health seems a better place to start.

Susan Davis, Apex

A costly cure

Officials repeatedly remind us that removing restrictions related to the coronavirus too soon can have negative effects.

In spite of the medical problems created by the virus, total spending on health care by Americans is down by 18% this year, and the loss of revenue by health care providers has resulted in in a reduction of 1.4 million jobs by health care workers. Visits to doctors’ offices and hospitals, including emergency rooms, have decreased. Current medical problems are not being treated and the delay of preventive procedures will increase severity of future medical problems.

Is it possible that the damage done to the health of Americans from losing medical services, exceeds the gains from restraining the spread of the virus? Could the apparent cure to the problem be worse than the disease?

Thomas Grennes, Raleigh

Abandon light rail

Based on COVID disease transmission attributed to mass transit in large cities, it is my opinion that the Triangle region should abandon efforts to construct a light-rail mass transit system.

Dr. Donald Bynum, Durham

A teacher’s thanks

Last Wednesday, Irregardless Café in Raleigh honored Wake County teachers by providing over 100 meals. It was amazing to receive that show of appreciation. Though we are not meeting with our students face-to-face, we are still working diligently to connect with them virtually. Many students have shared their feelings of loneliness, fear, not knowing what the future will look like. So we teachers often serve as fill-in counselors.

Wake County Schools has done a tremendous job of having food sites available for students. As teachers, we want our students’ needs met first, but it was definitely a nice surprise to get a “pat on the back” for all we are doing. Thank you.

Kim White-Snow, Knightdale