Outline:
How much additional public funds will be used on a clearly futile attempt to maintain NC Highway 12 open between Oregon Inlet and the pony pen on Ocracoke Island?
Admit it: we are unable to battle the forces of nature. The public requires genuine leadership from those in power, whether they are executives or legislators. Rather than continuously shifting sand and constructing costly bridges that mainly serve out-of-state property owners, our funds should be directed towards enhancing the ferry service and supporting local residents and business owners from Rodanthe to Ocracoke as they adapt to a decrease in visitors.
Chuck Till, Raleigh
Trump’s flawed strategy
Similar to declarations from other leaders who have sought imperial goals, the Trump administration’s National Security Strategy, released a month ago, portrays the control of other nations as essential: “The United States must be dominant in the Western Hemisphere as a requirement for our security and economic well-being – a requirement that enables us to stand firm where and when necessary in the region.”
Similar to Putin’s involvement with Ukraine, Trump views Venezuela as his own sphere of influence. Putin launched an invasion of Ukraine, and the Ukrainian people continue to resist four years later. Now, the United States has begun its own intervention in Venezuela. How can the planners in Washington believe that Venezuelans, regardless of their stance on Maduro, will allow Americans to take control of their nation? Don’t the experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan serve as a reminder?
Daniele Armaleo, Durham
Unappreciated architecture
In response to: A pair saves an NC modernist residence, (12/25):
As a child in the 1960s, I frequently explored the residential architecture section of our Encyclopedia Britannica, which featured images of esteemed homes from across the globe, including TWO Matsumoto treasures in Raleigh, making the City of Oaks feel sophisticated. The N&O article challenges that image; for many years, private individuals have had to finance and lead the restoration of Modernist masterpieces in this area.
If a city is fortunate to possess works by Frank Lloyd Wright or George Matsumoto, it has a responsibility to the global community to preserve them in good condition. NC State University and the City of Raleigh are seriously failing in this duty. Would the Matsumoto pieces receive more respect if they hadn’t been created by an Asian American?
Randall Rickman, Raleigh
Legislative priorities
I feel sad and upset that our legislative body has the resources and determination to enact additional gender identity laws, yet fails to pass a budget that affects healthcare, education, and the pay of teachers and other committed state workers. It’s time to concentrate on what truly matters for the well-being of our citizens and the state.
John Dowd, Raleigh
NC lottery problems
In response to: The North Carolina Education Lottery is generating more revenue, yet schools are receiving less. Let’s address this issue. (Dec. 30):
Andrew Dunn’s article about the lottery was precisely accurate, correctly highlighting the unsavory history that Democrats had in advancing the lottery (I clearly recall the vote). If he had ended there, I would have certainly been writing a complaint. However, he also accurately and impartially pointed out that Republicans have adopted vice as a method to generate income (a very clever expression!). I also appreciated how he went further to uncover the root of the issue (more online games = more prizes = less funding for education).
I appreciate your insightful, analytical, and balanced article.
Jeff Braden, Raleigh
PFAS changes
North Carolina has experienced significant effects from PFAS pollutants that have entered our drinking water supplies. The EPA’s recent suggestion to reduce reporting obligations for businesses that produce or utilize PFAS could negatively affect communities in North Carolina. A core principle of the Clean Water Act and the Toxic Substances Control Act is responsibility: a polluter must report the type and quantity of chemicals it releases. The PFAS reporting regulation finalized in 2024 required companies that manufactured six types of PFAS between 2011 and 2022 to reveal how these chemicals were utilized and to supply any available environmental or health information.
However, according to the EPA’s own assessment, the new proposed rule would remove over 97% of the data that would have been produced under the 2024 regulation. The suggested rule distorts earlier legislation and shifts the financial benefits of the chemical industry to private entities while distributing the associated costs among the public.
In North Carolina, we require additional details, rather than fewer.
Pamela Schwingl, Cedar Grove