LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Private emails should stay private
I am compelled to address a deeply troubling practice within our local government that recently came to light through this very publication — the sharing of private emails sent to members of the Gastonia City Council. This is in reference to the article printed by the Gastonia Gazette on Friday May 17, 2024, headlined: “Gastonia city leaders under pressure to fill Ward 1 council seat with runner-up.”
The decision to leak an email from Representative Donnie Loftis, who shared his opinions as a private resident, regardless of its contents, is alarming. While Mr. Loftis is undoubtedly capable of defending his own views, the issue at hand is not the content of his personal correspondence. This act of sharing a private communication addressed any member of the Gastonia City Council sets a dangerous precedent that threatens the confidentiality expected in communications with our elected officials.
It is well understood that correspondence with government bodies can often be obtained through records requests as per North Carolina law. However, there is a significant difference between legally obtaining documents through formal requests and selectively leaking them to the media with the intent to embarrass or highlight someone's personal views.
This behavior not only erodes trust between residents and their representatives but also undermines the ethical standards expected from our local leaders. If members of the City Council, the Mayor, or any City employee can freely leak private emails, how are constituents supposed to feel safe expressing their views or concerns? Maybe that is the intent.
This practice is not only inappropriate; it is ethically wrong. I call upon our local leaders to uphold the privacy and dignity of all communications with their constituents and to immediately cease the leaking of private emails for political or personal gain.
Such actions demand accountability. It is time for our city officials to recommit to the principles of integrity and privacy that should define their service to Gastonia.
Mark Sollars, Gastonia
Let's help the Belmont Drive-In reopen
I was very excited when the Belmont Drive-In reopened. I am also glad to hear that they plan to reopen again soon after having to close temporarily because of damage to their screen from recent storms. That was quite a gut punch for them to suffer after working so hard to get the drive-in up and going again.
My wife, Polly, and I were glad to make a small contribution to our friend Melinda Pentecost, owner of the drive-in, for repairs. I know many others have done the same and that there are others considering it. I personally thank you for that because in the end, this drive-in really belongs to all of us in Gaston County who have enjoyed its benefits and want to see them continued for generations to come.
Some of my favorite memories from childhood were going to the Belmont Drive-In with my parents to see Doris Day and Elvis movies when they came out. My favorite movie of all that I saw there at about age 8 was “Jason and the Argonauts” that had Hercules and Cyclops in it. One funny thing about that movie was that my dad told me that he thought this story was from the Bible. Of course, I later learned it was from Mythology. Since it had Hercules in it, maybe he got it mixed up with the story of Samson. Anyway, it’s a great memory and one of the reasons I always loved Mythology throughout my whole life.
Again, I want to express my thanks to everyone helping the Belmont Drive-In get up and going again and helping preserve this rare family treasure enjoyed in our county.
Rick Dominy, Gastonia
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
