Richard Anderson, a Kannapolis City Council member and co-chairman of Citizens for a Drug Free Kannapolis, has been preaching about checking our facts regarding the alcohol referendum. Neither during his role as Kannapolis mayor, nor presently as a councilman, have I ever observed him actually having many of his “facts” correct. But what irritates me most is that he will get on his high horse about “drugs” and the welfare of our community and children and yet rarely is he seen without a cigarette hanging out of his mouth. Talk about an addicting drug and setting a poor example.

According to the National Center for Chronic Disease, cigarette smoking each year kills more people than alcohol, AIDS, drug abuse, car crashes, murder, suicide and fires combined. They also estimate that each year, over 300,000 children suffer from lower respiratory infections just from second-hand smoke. Once again, Mr. Anderson demonstrates the lack of “big picture” awareness that has made him a true embarrassment as a local politician. It’s mind-boggling to me that an anti-alcohol organization using a “drug-free Kannapolis” platform could be so misguided as to put Anderson at the helm.

I intend to vote “yes” on the alcohol referendum because I have studied the real facts. And I have also witnessed the decay of our city as Concord prospers. But I also respect the opinion of those who are opposed to the alcohol referendum so long as they are true to their convictions and not just blowing hypocritical smoke.

— Staci L. Maher

Kannapolis