Letters: Raleigh mayor’s sour grapes response was so telling

Raleigh’s mayor

Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin’s sour-grapes reaction to not being endorsed by the Wake County Democratic Party was unprofessional to say the least, but in keeping with her previously exhibited disdain for the opinions of others.

Essentially saying she has enough money in campaign coffers to buy the election anyway displays a galling sense of entitlement.

Accusing the party of being taken over by radical extremists is puzzling since they endorsed two of her fellow council members whose voting records are in sync with her own.

For someone whose profession is marketing, she should have made herself unavailable for comment until she could have put out a more reasoned response.

Richard Johnson, Raleigh

Veterans, the GOP

Every Republican, including Sens. Richard Burr and Thom Tillis, voted against expanding healthcare eligibility to 3.5 million post 9-11 veterans exposed to toxins while in the military. They say they support our troops, but refuse to fund care for men and women who have honorably served our nation. North Carolina is home to the finest who serve our nation; they would lay down their lives to protect us all. Our senators should be ashamed. We should vote them out.

Dr. Mindy Oshrain, Durham

Marriage Act

I have a gay, married daughter. It is unfair that my daughter and daughter-in-law are terrified about what may happen next. They are kind, loving, contributing citizens. They have good jobs and pay a lot of taxes. They deserve to be protected, just like the rest of us.

I expect our leaders, including North Carolina’s senators, to do everything they can to protect my daughter and all other gay and mixed-race couples. We need more love in this country, not less.

Cheryl Mitchell-Olds, Durham

Green Party

The legitimacy of the Green Party’s petition to be on the ballot has yet to be determined. Regardless, these people (who I agree with on many issues) should hang their heads in shame. Having their U.S. Senate candidate on the ballot could tip the election to Republican Ted Budd, whose policies are pretty much 100% against what the Green Party stands for.

Budd’s election could return Mitch McConnell as Senate Majority Leader, blocking any climate and environmentally-friendly initiatives that might arise. Do we want a repeat of the 2000 election when Green Party candidate Ralph Nader gave Florida and the presidency to George W. Bush?

Yes, the Green Party has the right to be on the ballot, but in this situation it’s not the right thing to do.

Peter Aitken, Chapel Hill

Gun violence

Regarding “As shootings in Raleigh rise, police chief talks strategies, response,” (July 15):

Gun violence is soaring. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle should be working together to pass legislation that strengthens our gun laws. House Bill 49 would do the opposite, weakening the concealed-carry weapons permitting system by allowing gun owners with expired permits to renew after five years without gun safety training.

This isn’t about politics or partisanship. My husband and I are gun owners. We feel strongly that common-sense gun legislation, such as strengthening our concealed carry weapons permitting system, is vital to the safety of all of our citizens.

Georganne Sanders, Raleigh

Yard waste bins

A few years ago in Raleigh we had weekly yard waste removal from an unlimited number of yard waste cans/bins. Now it’s bi-weekly and limited to one bin provided by the city.

Yard waste in the landfill will reduce its lifespan. Yard waste in the streets clogs storm drains.

Recently, I watched my neighbor put yard waste into a trash bin because the yard bin was full. Limiting tax-paying residents to one bin will only reduce the life of the landfill and clog storm drains. Properties won’t look as neat because people have no means of removing even minimal amounts of yard waste.

The current policy is shortsighted and a disservice to residents.

Tom Lamb, Raleigh