More important than ever that NC justices recuse themselves when conflicts arise

Judicial recusal

I was glad to see three former N.C. chief justices offer an opinion Oct. 24 on recusals. The general idea of individual justices deciding recusal for themselves may have been a good approach in the past. However, now that the GOP-led legislature has mandated that nominees include their party affiliation on the ballot, it is obvious that justices may hold very partisan and political positions.

If justices were vetted for their credentials as impartial decision makers, recusal decisions could be left to individuals. But with the advent of political party identification that seems much less viable as a mechanism. It is especially problematic when the legislature also can position preferred candidates on the ballot to improve their chances of election, as in the last election. Now, we need more certain safeguards of justices’ impartiality.

Larry Wolf, Garner

Affordable housing

Op-ed writer Adam Searing (Nov. 7 Opinion) complains that Chapel Hill ranks last regionally in parks and proposes preserving most of the Greene Tract as open space. But a greater need is affordable housing.

Many low income workers and city employees must commute from surrounding counties. Chapel Hill talks a good game about being inclusive, but the affordable housing shortage belies that.

After 40 years of planning we can finally address that shortage with the Greene Tract plan approved by Orange County and Carrboro. In addition to affordable housing for those who are shut out of living in our community, the plan includes a school, community center, small retail, and preserves environmentally sensitive open space.

Eleanor G. Kinnaird, Chapel Hill

Dems. vs. GOP

Columnist Gene Nichol was right in “Another threat to democracy: timid Democrats.” (Nov. 9 Opinion) Democrats are walking down a nice green fairway spouting timid, intellectual teaching moments while figuring the angles and winding up back at the clubhouse, and Republicans are playing penalty-free football with democracy up for grabs. It’s time to blow the whistle. There’s a chance the Democrats will beat the Truth Slayers, but I’m not convinced they’re both playing the same game.

Karen Wiebe, Raleigh

Wake schools

Wake County’s school board should focus its attention on education and get out of the transportation business. There are enough challenges in education today. So, why are we spending more time listening to bus drivers than to our teachers? Prioritize neighborhood schools and close the transportation department. Sell the buses, let the drivers seek work elsewhere. Invest the millions in savings in teachers and improving lower performing schools. It’s time to keep the main thing the main thing.

George T. Barnes, Raleigh

Subpoenas

On Jan. 6 the United States came extremely close to a coup overthrowing our newly elected government. The committee investigating this should enforce all of its subpoenas. If those who are subpoenaed don’t appear, arrest them and bring them before the committee. These people had plenty to say at that morning’s Stop the Steal rally. Now they don’t want to talk? Why?

No one is above the law — especially those holding positions of public trust. “Executive privilege” certainly doesn’t apply when there is a compelling public interest that is greater than any privacy interest — preservation of our democracy.

Gary Parker, Archdale

Rice is wrong

Condoleezza Rice wants to move on from the events of Jan. 6, “move on to a better America.” (Oct. 24 Opinion) By letting these terrorists threaten fair voting in a democracy? If we allow the events of Jan. 6 to go forward unpunished, every future election will be in jeopardy until there are no elections. We must let justice prevail again.

Norman Singer, Cary

Monuments

Regarding “The long shadow of Confederate monuments,” (Oct. 27):

I have three suggestions for repurposing Confederate monuments.

1. Create a deep fish reef off the coast.

2. Distribute them among the state’s art schools for recycling as new sculptures.

3. Beat them into plowshares.

Eric Weil, Raleigh