GoTriangle is proposing a 43-mile commuter rail line that would use a new set of tracks built in the North Carolina Railroad’s existing corridor between West Durham and Clayton. The trains will stop at 15 stations, including Research Triangle Park and Amtrak stations in downtown Durham, Cary and Raleigh.
Triangle Transit Authority
Suburban railway
Regarding “Which section should be the first in the Triangle commuter rail?” (January 19) and related articles:
What? The very people who succeeded spend $157 million on the Durham light rail project – GoTriangle – now want us to support them again. Fool me once – but not again. Not only mine the rise of remote work changed the logic of that regional transit plan, but it didn’t affect the majority of Research Triangle Park workers who live in North Raleigh.
It’s definitely an idea whose time has come and gone – and it’s definitely got the wrong people behind it.
Ben Owens, Raleigh
RDU Parking
Regarding “RDU Airport Wants to Build Thousands of Parking Spaces, Seeks Public Feedback First” (January 8):
It is unfathomable that Raleigh-Durham International Airport would consider cutting down more trees to build an even cheaper and more environmentally destructive, climate-damaging, backward-looking parking lot before the state and region provide more equitable, efficient, and safe transit access to the airport and other large places.
I’m worried about the future that seems ever closer to us living in one huge flooded parking lot. This will solve traffic jams once and for all.
Libby Thomas, Chapel Hill
Mass shootings
These mass shootings— 39 of them already in the first three weeks of this new year — terrible and unbearable.
Semi-automatic rifles and high-capacity magazines are weapons designed for combat. By failing to legislate sensibly about them, our government agencies have allowed our cities to become war zones.
Members of Congress, intimidated into inaction by the gun lobby, have been able to pass only the weakest of restrictions on these deadly weapons. And our Supreme Court judges gave us a dubious ruling on the “right of citizens to bear arms.”
These two powerful government bodies bear a large part of the blame for subjecting us to this all-too-frequent and excruciating horror of the country.
Joe Moran, Durham
Changing the rules
North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore suggests a rule of thumb for instant voting without notice, which he can call whenever he sees a few moments in which he can muster a majority of party votes.
It is a bare-bones game for simple partisan advantage that either side can pursue if it is for their short-term gain. The short-term advantage of such a non-notification rule is far outweighed by the long-term need for a government that there isand not just it seemshonorable and fair in its basic processes.
Citizens and legislators everything it is necessary to know the agenda, which issues will be considered and when.
Please don’t try to drag North Carolina down this stinking moral rabbit hole.
Michael Rulison, Raleigh
legislative body of NC
Our new legislature was sworn in. The question on my mind is, will they fairly represent the people of North Carolina, or will they use gimmicks to achieve their goals, bypassing the democratic process? I believe in the democratic process they swore to uphold. Call for voting without fair notice is perjury.
This year will see major decisions affecting our health, including Medicaid expansion and reproductive rights. We should not be undermining basic freedoms for our people because someone needed to go to the bathroom when a vote was scheduled without notice.
I urge all those elected to the General Assembly to support fair procedures that will allow everything of them to cast their votes on key issues affecting North Carolinians.
Marilyn Clayton, Wendell
Debt crisis again
As we approach another debt crisis, we need to remember what this is, a tax cut for the rich.
We have a deficit crisis because Reagan authorized massive income tax cuts while claiming that real income would rise. It didn’t happen. In the 40 years since then, every time we’ve faced a debt default, the GOP has pushed for yet another income tax cut under Bush, Bush II, and then Trump. They never help working families, they never stimulate the economy, all they do is create deficits. Then the GOP leads everyone else and demands that we stop investing in our children, our seniors, and our infrastructure in order to be “responsible.”
There is nothing responsible about wrecking public finances to pay off your party’s wealthy investors, and nothing moral about lying about your goals. This is another manufactured crisis to protect above all the rich.
Colin Lynch, Raleigh
Food security
According to the Orange County United Way, approximately 300,000 county residents are food insecure, including many seniors. It is important that we continue to advocate for the development and funding of programs that address food insecurity among older adults. As a fourth-year medical student at UNC-Chapel Hill, I unfortunately see many seniors who are food insecure and often unaware of local resources such as the Senior Grocery Program of Second Harvest Bank, Meals on Wheels, and Congregate Nutrition Program. several. We must work together to do more to reduce food insecurity among the most vulnerable.
Miranda Crouch, Chapel Hill
BY OUR REPORT
How do I publish an email?
The Raleigh News & Observer publishes letters to the editor on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday most weeks. Letters must be 200 words or less and will be edited for brevity, clarity, courtesy, grammar, and accuracy. Please send to forum@newsobserver.com
What do you look for when choosing letters?
We’re looking for different perspectives from a diverse group of writers.
What should I include?
You must provide your first and last name, address, email address and phone number. We never print anonymous letters. If you would like us to consider publishing your photo, please include it.
How often can I post an email?
Every 30 days. But you can write as much as you want!
I have serious doubts about the GoTriangle commuter rail plan
Source link I have serious doubts about the GoTriangle commuter rail plan