End fossil fuel subsidies now

Regarding Francis Koster’s article, “Optimistic Futurist: Climate change offers us a stark choice” (Sept. 27): It’s refreshing that Francis is invoking scientific fact to legitimize acting on climate at a time when many say the science of it is too much to understand.

As Koster reminds us, the issues we face will likely be the defining struggle of our lifetimes. Despite the overwhelming scientific evidence, many people in business and government have yet to push this issue to the forefront.

To avoid the life-threatening consequences of climate change, we need to stop using fossil fuels, like oil and coal, and work toward a clean energy future.

As Koster stated, there are many options out there and they’re getting cheaper every day. Solar and wind are becoming more competitive and offer an alternative to fossil fuels. Sadly, our government still incentivizes fossil fuels more than clean energy.

We need our legislators to take a different stance on fossil fuels. Things will only change if we take a stand against these subsidies and push for a clean energy future.

I urge everyone to call their House representative and tell them that fossil fuel subsides are not what North Carolina wants or needs. We want a healthy, clean energy future for ourselves and our children.

— Katie Sapko

Cary

Program brains

At the very basic level, the only things needed to teach certain subjects are a teacher who knows the subject inside and out and a student who is ready to learn.

On a better level, the needs are: a teacher highly knowledgeable in the subject, a student prepared to learn, a building, desk and chair, paper and pencil/pen and books.

I did not mention any electronic device. The student already has the original computer that he/she was given at the time of birth — and it was free. It is called “a mind.” Like all computers, it must be programmed. Teachers do that.

Without using our minds, we have those who believe anything that they see on the Internet. Programming our minds prepares us for all avenues we may travel in life.

During any disaster when the power fails, who do you want to help you — someone who can use his/her mind and respond immediately making good decisions, or someone who, without a computer, has no idea of what to do?

There is a need for computers in our society. Holding a class specifically on their use and then leaving them in that classroom and programming the mind in the other classes makes much more sense.

Many believe that giving every student a computer will help him/her out of poverty. That is wrong. The only way to truly help them is to educate them — give them the mental tools to help themselves. Constantly giving them things does not help; it enables him/her to remain poor.

The dumbing down process that began years ago gives us those who do not understand that a math test is meant to test the performance of the person, not the computer. It seems that process has been a success.

— June Clancy

Salisbury

Help Forrestbrook

I am a 15-year resident of the Forest Ridge community in Kannapolis. I am writing about the struggles of our neighbors in the Forrestbrook community are having to protect the integrity of their neighborhood. For over a decade they have been fighting development plans for a parcel of land along Dale Earnhardt Boulevard, just west from Exit 60 off I-85, at 901 Brentwood Court. The parcel backs directly onto their neighborhood.

They have never been opposed to its development, only that commitments made by the owner, Charles S. Smith, 10 years ago are adhered to and that the development of the property does not infringe too heavily on their neighborhood.

Well over 50 percent of the homeowners attended a Kannapolis Planning & Zoning Commission meeting on Oct. 7 where developer Bohler Engineering of Charlotte was asking for a re-zoning of the property to accommodate a German-owned 33,000-square-foot discount supermarket chain comparable to Aldi. No one wants such a large retail store in their front yard.

The Forrestbrook neighborhood strenuously objected to the re-zoning proposal and any commercial building of such size. The grocery store would jut into their neighborhood fronting directly across from two homes, be seen by a dozen or so others, and bring 16-hour-a-day traffic, noise and bright parking lot lights.

The Zoning Commission agreed to postpone voting on the issue before them and come look at the property in person. It will next be taken up at their Nov. 4 meeting.

The Forrestbrook community is asking for the support of other community neighborhoods in Cabarrus and Rowan counties. The Nov. 4 meeting will be held at the Kannapolis Train Station on South Main Street at 6 p.m.

— Tommy Doonan

Kannapolis