Backtalk: “I can think of no worse idea.”

Last week, Jane Porter wrote about the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority’s plans to develop Lake Crabtree County Park, turning much of the recreational area into an “entertainment destination.” Readers shared their thoughts.

From reader Linda Fish: 

I read about the changes RDU wants to make to the acreage that they once leased that has become a park. Even though I do not live in that area I feel that to allow this to happen would be an injustice. I lived in Wayne County years ago and traveled to work into RDU. My children and I frequently went to Crabtree Valley Mall, downtown Raleigh for theater productions, restaurants, museums, cultural events, etc. At one point  there was discussion, perhaps just rumor, that a train service was going to be built from Raleigh to Durham and Chapel Hill.  Of course if that idea was real it never happened. I always felt we were cheated. Now RDU wants to take back and develop land that is now used by many for recreational purposes. I can think of no worse idea. RDU already covers vast territory in the middle of congested roads, work places, living spaces, and shopping spaces. If the noise is bad now it will become horrible if this plan goes forward. Not to mention the loss of any chance of affordable housing so desperately needed. The traffic congestion and air pollution would foul the area. There is no mention of commuter trains connecting the various cities and towns in the area and that one idea would solve a multitude of problems. Just think, instead of driving to RDU battling traffic you could get on a commuter train and go to the airport. But then RDU will probably win and the people that live in the area will lose. What a choice to balance, runways and plane noise or places to live, work and play.

DPS parent Peter Crawford’s recent op-ed on the need for more disagreement in Durham politics stirred conversation among readers.

From reader and former Durham city council candidate Sherri Zann Rosenthal:

I heartily agree with Peter Crawford that the false “unity” of supporting People’s Alliance candidates has been terrible for basic functioning of our schools. 

It’s also been terrible for the basic functioning of our city and county governments. I speak from my perspective as a 30-plus year employee of the city.

While talking a “progressive” line, PA leadership has actually endorsed a number of incompetent people, often with a self-interested axe to grind, who have eroded delivery of core services.

However, for several decades, no one has been elected to the city council, county commission or school board without the endorsement of either or both of PA and the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People.

It would help if voters had information in order to do due diligence when deciding who to vote for. The INDY would provide a tremendous service by compiling a tally of council member, commissioner and school board member votes on key agenda items, so that voters could understand their elected officials’ voting patterns.

Readers continue to respond to Chloe Courtney Bohl’s first-person account of finding herself on the list of voters whose ballots are being challenged by Supreme Court candidate Judge Jefferson Griffin.

From reader Charles Stopford: 

After losing last year’s state Supreme Court race, Republican Jefferson Griffin is asking the state Supreme Court to throw away the lawful votes of 60,000 North Carolinians and overturn the election. The NC Supreme Court blocked the state from certifying Democratic incumbent Allison Riggs’ 734-vote victory over Republican Jefferson Griffin in the race for a seat on the court. The Republican-majority court halted the State Board of Elections from finalizing the contest and agreed to hear Griffin’s challenges to over 60,000 ballots. I join people across our state in expressing my outrage over this blatant and shameful attempt to silence the will of the people. As a North Carolina voter, I am outraged that the state Supreme Court has taken this attack on our democracy into consideration, as it is not only abhorrent, but unconstitutional.  Multiple recounts and careful election audits confirmed that Justice Allison Riggs won. Throwing away these votes would set a dangerous precedent.  Our voices and our votes will not be silenced by corrupt politicians who think that they can cheat their way into victory after clearly losing. I call on Jefferson Griffin to immediately withdraw his appeal and concede the election to Allison Riggs.

Finally, readers enjoyed Chloe’s report on attempting to commute by train between Raleigh and Durham.

From reader Lawrence Kevin: 

I agree, the only way to make it cost-effective is a 10-ride or a monthly pass.

I rode Amtrak Capitol Corridor from Hayward, CA, to Santa Clara/Great America station.  Worked great and was very comfortable. I was also able to get a bike locker after a year on the waitlist that I used for the last three miles of my commute.

Many commuters were coming from distances of 100 miles or more. I rode the first train on the schedule and usually the second to last train home. 

I think self-driving vehicles and transit will eventually limit the demand for rail service. Transit planners have money to spend with sales tax revenue.

From reader John Sessoms: 

Many years ago, before interstate highways and air travel, there were multiple daily passenger trains between Raleigh and Wilmington. Day-tripping down to the beach was a thing.

I wish the NC railroad would make it a thing again.

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