Letters to the EditorTuesday, February 5, 2008
I-526 outdated Now, I don't know much about traffic, having only commuted in New York, Washington, San Francisco and on I-526, and having worked on traffic studies while at the Stanford Research Institute (a place recognized for its excellence in such work). I also don't know much about local and regional economic planning, having only been involved with projects in Hong Kong; eastern Germany; Austin, Texas; Wyoming; Florida; Nebraska; Minnesota; and Silicon Valley. However, based on that limited knowledge and my understanding of, and daily involvement in, the conditions current and planned for Charleston, I offer this comment: Extending I-526 is simply a nutty use of public funds based on ideas that are years out of date. Think about it for a minute. Where does it go? Calhoun Street or I-26. Both need more traffic, right? Hurricane relief? I-26 again. Maybe we should fix it first, especially with the scheduled increase in port-generated truck traffic. Here's full disclosure. While admittedly "from off," I've been involved with South Carolina for nearly half a century. I live on Johns Island in the soon-to-be-new-Mount Pleasant part, not in the supposedly "ever-rural" — until the developers figure a way around the plan — area. I understand, and daily partake in, the traffic back-ups while getting "off the island." I-526 wouldn't save me five minutes. I even understand the frustration of the folks at Seabrook and Kiawah, tortured as they are by narrow, dark country roads on the way to dinner in Charleston. But didn't they know they were buying a "remote, vacation getaway"? I also know that the tax-base increases gained from greater housing density never, ever, ever equal the increased costs of providing those houses with government services. Not here. Not in California. Not in New York or Leipzig, Germany, or anywhere. Not even the wonderful (and I mean that) Mayor Joe Riley can change that fact. Wait a minute, you say. If all that's true, who benefits? Developers, contractors and cement companies do. But you get to pay for it so you can sit in four lanes of traffic rather than two. For once, fellow citizens, stop the "inevitable." It's been done elsewhere. Surely, Sandlappers can do it. DENNIS MAXWELL Get on with I-526 Regarding completion of I-526: I do not understand what the few people are complaining about when the plans and money have been approved for the completion of this desperately needed road. These same people probably do not live in the traffic area that is affected by not finishing the expressway. Let's get it on with it and start tomorrow, and I would be more than happy to shovel the first scoop of dirt. And you people who do not like it — you need to get a life and stop trying to run everyone else's life. THOMAS O'QUINN Sr. End plastic bag use I'm writing to add my voice to the protest against plastic bags. Last year, while vacationing in Ireland, I was at first shocked that we were charged extra for bags at a convenience store, but it makes sense. If a small country such as Ireland, which has far fewer consumers using these polluting, wasteful bags, is concerned enough to do something, then think what an impact the United States could have on the environment if we taxed our bags to push citizens to use cloth shopping bags. I rather like the Chinese way of doing it. The Air Force Base in Charleston sells strong green fabric grocery bags at a mere 70 cents each. Each one holds as much as two large brown paper bags. I keep five of them in my car. Some local supermarkets sell them at a higher price, but they are still worth it, in terms of safety, protecting the environment and reducing the waste of our nation's oil supply. To illustrate one safety issue of the ubiquitous plastic bag, recently I was driving over the Ashley River North Bridge in heavy traffic at about 50 mph when I was suddenly blinded by a large white mass covering the driver's side of my windshield. Yep, you guessed it. It took a few seconds to lower my window, reach out and snatch the thing, and in those few seconds my whole life passed in front of me. All I could do was take my foot off the gas pedal, pray that I stayed in my lane and that I wouldn't be killed that day because of a flying plastic bag. BEVERLY T. O'BRIEN Using correct words It seems that political campaigning and finger-pointing never end, and we should probably listen to, support and elect those we consider the smartest people or party. To do that we might give first consideration to those who understand our language and use it properly. Too often, politicians misuse our language to sway our opinions. "Who wins if there is a tax rebate" is an example that appeared Jan. 20 on page 10A. The article states, "The White House, for now, envisions providing one-time rebate checks to people who pay income taxes," and, "Families of four earning under $24,900 would not get a rebate under the White House plan." That sounds pretty mean to me. Those darn Republicans are only worried about the rich and to heck with the poor. It also states, "Democrats are also looking at ways to make more of the poor get the rebates," including those who have jobs but earned too little to pay income taxes. This sounds very valiant. However, I have to question if this statement is a sign of ignorance, arrogance or stupidity? No matter what the outcome, the White House statement will remain true and the Democratic statement will never be true. A rebate, by definition, is a reduction in the amount paid, or is a return of a portion of a payment. Therefore, if you didn't pay taxes you cannot get a rebate. All you can get is another welfare payment, which, by the way, has been occurring for years under the incorrect title of "Earned Income Credit." That is another misuse of words and a program that should be titled "Unearned Welfare Payment." It's not a credit if people get back more than they paid and it's not a refund. Look up that definition, too, and who do you suppose is paying for it? So politicians, are you ignorant, stupid (there is a difference) or, perhaps, so arrogant that you feel by calling it a rebate and preying on public emotions you will overcome our intelligence? You insult me. ERWIN OELLER Space for criticism The Jan. 19 concert by the Charleston Symphony Orchestra was superb. In his excellent review, William Furtangler praised David Stahl and his players for their interpretation of a great Tchaikowsky symphony, and the orchestra and pianist Jeffrey Biegel for a fine rendition of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No 3. He also noted Biegel's encore, a short piece by American composer Abram Chassins. I found myself wishing for more commentary but realized that, with a late Saturday night deadline and no more than eight column inches to work with, little more could be said. I miss the reviews of the late Robert Jones. He knew his music and what should be expected of the musicians. He also had sufficient time and space to give detailed commentary, provide information on the composer and his music, give praise when he thought the performers excelled, and express disappointment when he believed they fell short. He was often controversial but always interesting. I know that Mr. Furtwangler and others among your reviewers could do the same if given the benefits of time and space that Jones received. I would like to suggest that the reviews of late Saturday night events, such as the CSO concerts, appear in your Monday editions. With extra space, Mr. Furtwangler might have praised the principal bassoonist for her fine playing in the opening passages of the symphony. Or, he could have commented on Rachmaninoff's demands of his soloist and the response of the pianist. Or he could have noted how much a few additional violinists added to the richness of the orchestra. Our orchestra is no longer just a medium-sized city or regional orchestra. Its skill has taken it well beyond those descriptions. It deserves more than just a few sentences of "Well done, everyone." JEAN C. HIESTAND Airport ID ladies On behalf of Charleston's frequent fliers, I would like to thank the ladies who have checked our ID's prior to entering the TSA security area. As of Jan. 29, this aspect of our Homeland Security will be turned over to TSA employees, and these ladies will no longer be at their posts to add warmth and a smile to our travels. As one who travels frequently, these ladies have made "life on the road" a little more pleasant by adding "Charleston charm" to the burden of clearing security at our airport. Their smile, warmth and friendliness have been passed on to many passengers and have aided in promoting Charleston's image as the "friendliest city in the country." As I have relayed the news that these ladies are leaving us to other frequent travelers, the reactions have been the same — we will miss them and thank them for their sincere smile and making our travels a little more pleasant. The Charleston area should be proud to have had them represent our hospitality to the traveling public. Please accept our gratitude for a job well done. JAY WINNERMAN Apathetic voters Regarding the apathetic voters who think they don't have to vote in primaries and who will wait until the general election, and to those who have never voted, yet complain bitterly about how politicians have done them wrong: I don't care what party they are for, I only care that they vote. It's too late to make a difference in the primary, but it's not too late for the November election. If these people don't vote, they don't have a say. If they decide to vote, the candidates they have to choose among are there because of other people's choices. CHRIS HAMILTON Raccoons on Folly Regarding raccoons on Folly Beach: I have been very fortunate to live for more than seven years on the river in Folly Beach. I love my adopted home and the many wonderful people who make up this community. However, I have been disagreeing with and trying to communicate with various people and agencies — ex-council members and the Folly animal control office among them — for seven years about the practice of feeding and housing raccoons. I have written communications full of vitriol about people who have questioned the feeding of raccoons and those of us who have said it was wrong are called some very unpleasant things. Folly has a new animal control officer who hopefully will work independently and follow the laws of South Carolina. I am an animal lover as are many of us here. We are gratified this change has been made and applaud our elected officials for ridding Folly of unsafe and improper practices. SANDRA K. CASPER |
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