In response to "Council votes 8-3 to back arena plan" (Feb. 12):It was sad to see Mayor McCrory and eight City Council members completely cave in to the NBA. All it took was a few comments in the paper by David Stern, and the mayor crumpled like a tin can. And for what? To subsidize a failing business.

All that's left is for the mayor to send Mr. Stern a lease agreement and let him fill in the blanks. Why go through the charade of negotiations? The NBA already knows we'll give in to any demands.

Elton Shoemaker


Charlotte

They voted yes -- now we must vote no

Malcolm Graham, Patrick Cannon, Sara Spencer, Nancy Carter, John Tabor, Joe White, James Mitchell and Lynn Wheeler can be controlled only by replacing them. It is obvious that the only constituents these council members hear are the ones with deep pockets and special interests.

Mark Dover


Charlotte

From Fla. to Charlotte, voters get no respect

No wonder many citizens are apathetic about voting. First, the presidential election fiasco in Florida. Now City Council's undermining of the June referendum. What next?Alan Fenno


Charlotte

In Venice (and Charlotte) power is for the few

My native Venice was governed by a council of 12 men. Their decisions were in the best interest of only the nobility and the rich, not the common population. This is called "oligarchy," not democracy, and it is the same system now in use in Charlotte and in this country.

The arena vote exemplifies "government of the few for the few."

Lucia M. Church


Charlotte

Vote shows officials have courage, vision

The writer is president, Union County Chamber of Commerce. Mayor McCrory and City Council have written an important chapter in Charlotte's continuing economic emergence. Everyone in the region will benefit.

World-class cities develop through courageous leadership, not by chance. History will fondly remember their judgement and vision.

Jim Carpenter


Monroe

View from La.: Owners manipulating us all

The Hornets owners are forcing Charlotte to put up or shut up. They know they will win this game. And Louisiana officials have no choice but to go along with the ruse -- they know that if New Orleans is to ever get a team, all leads must be pursued.

In the end, Charlotte will pay and New Orleans will be disappointed.

Oh, well, it was fun while it lasted.

Ronald Hernandez


Saint Amant, La.

Forget Hornets -- what we need is fish

If our purpose is to get people into the city, why not consider an aquarium? It would be open year-round -- the Hornets play only 41 regular-season home games -- and could be used by the whole family.Fran Moss


Charlotte

View from Tega Cay: Bury arena coverage

From outside the Charlotte beltway, may I respectfully request that you print no more articles about the arena, the Hornets or their owners on the front page? Give it a rest!

Arch Wakefield


Tega Cay

Unenforced laws make roads unsafe

The writer is a clinical psychologist. In response to "Racing charged after deaths" (Feb. 9):

A rule is a rule and a law is a law only if they are enforced. Otherwise, they are just hopes or wishes.

Dayson Haas [now charged with illegal racing in Lincoln County] had been repeatedly charged with speeding, driving without a license and other offenses. This raises the issue of what kinds of follow-up might be employed to enforce laws that exist to protect the citizens. Mr. Haas' further disregard for the legal system by failing to appear in court underscores this question.

Surely we don't have to wait for one or more deaths to occur before our justice system takes effective action that ensures the repeat offender is off the road.

Leonard Fox


Charlotte

WTVI wimps out (but it's no surprise)

In response to "Charlotte PBS station won't air show on porn" (Feb. 7):

I was disappointed but not surprised by WTVI president Hal Bouton's decision not to air the "Frontline" episode on pornography. Mr. Bouton's assessment: "They do a beautiful job of exploring the topic but ... in the city of churches, we just didn't feel it was appropriate."

Unlike nine out of the 10 largest TV markets in the country, Charlotte has neither the maturity nor the sophistication to watch a serious documentary covering a serious problem without snickering like middle-school kids in a locker room. Mr. Bouton obviously understands his market.

I'm not suggesting we celebrate the seamy side of life. However, any podunk can live through an episode of "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman." What makes a city world-class is the ability to view a controversial documentary (or play) without going into a meltdown.

Eric P. Otto


Charlotte

Lawmakers' pomposity isn't main issue

In response to "Overblown hearings make me sick" (Feb. 9 Forum):Susan Buchanan is disgusted with Congress' attitude toward Enron executives.

I doubt her point means anything to the people who lost everything because of these executives' lousy judgment and greed.

M'Liss Murphy


Mooresville

Why not use tobacco to bolster budget?

In response to "Angry counties, cities tighten belts" (Feb. 7):

The state has a huge budget shortfall. Services are being cut, taxes are rising. Still, the state hasn't touched the sacred cow. Our taxes on cigarettes are among the lowest in the country. Raising cigarette taxes not only would help the budget but also might even help someone's health. What's the problem?

Homer Ketchie


Charlotte

Fat fighters, you don't need government

The writer is 9th District coordinator, John Birch Society.

In response to "It's the food, fatty" (Feb. 7 Viewpoint):

The answer to our fat epidemic: personal responsibility. Nobody is coerced into a poor diet. For awareness of the consequences, all anyone has to do is look in the mirror. The one thing that should be lacking in the "war on obesity" is the heavy hand of government.