First, we would like to sincerely thank the town of Carrboro for listening to our concerns about the crosswalk at the intersection of James Street and Hillsborough Road.

The town conducted a careful feasibility study of traffic patterns at the intersection, put up test pylons to assess the possible influence of alternative traffic patterns designed to modulate speed, and, recently, painted new horizontal white stripes on the roadway. Well done. We believe this is a good start to improving pedestrian safety.

We are writing to express concern that the traffic still does not seem to slow for pedestrians, including children, even with the new painted lines. Since school is starting in about two weeks, the crosswalk will be used much more frequently by children and parents. We believe there are other steps that the town could take to get drivers’ attention as they approach the crosswalk. Perhaps a sign in the middle of the intersection advising drivers to stop for pedestrians, similar to the sign that appears in front of the Century Center Building downtown. We are open to your suggestions and appreciate that fact that time is short for our request.

We know that pedestrian safety is at the forefront of citizen concerns. (“State launches pedestrian safety campaign,” CHN, Aug. 15, bit.ly/OmKoh1)

Again, thank you for pursuing this important safety issue in our community.

Frances Shetley, Ken Mills and Allen Spalt

Carrboro

New sale record

We are writing on behalf of the Racial Reconciliation Committee of Binkley's Baptist Church and Barbee's Chapel Harvest Word Ministry for the community's tremendous response to our Bi-Annual Yard Sale held on Saturday, Aug. 18. The 2012 sale hit a new record at $47,700 and still counting thanks to a few e-Bay items and other contributions. One hindered percent of the proceeds go back to the community.

This year's theme was “Creating Home” and we are thrilled to provide 45 percent of our sales to the Central Children's Home in Oxford, 45 percent to the IFC Community House Men's Shelter and 10 percent to the PTA Thrift Shop’s program that provides gift certificates to needy families.

But the bustling crowds that came to Binkley last Saturday to buy and share were not the end of giving to the community. After the sale, unsold items were given to the PTA Thrift Shop and the Habitat ReStore providing hundreds, if not thousands, of additional dollars in support to community nonprofits.

We sincerely thank the entire community for coming out and supporting this fabulous event. We came together to make our North Carolina home a better place and we succeeded well beyond our expectations. Special thanks, also, to the approximately 250 volunteers from both congregations who devoted thousands of hours to the 2012 Binkley-Barbee’s Yard Sale.

Ruth Ann and Tim Ross, Brennetta Simpson and Bettie Smith

Chapel Hill

Not to mention

The writer of the letter “Mothball battleship” (CHN, Aug. 18) en neglects to mention that Barack Obama never served in the military and has done everything in his power to deprive the military of the resources they need to protect us from terrorism. It is his administration, which in an effort to boost his sagging popularity, has released information which will help our enemies and place our soldiers and intelligence personnel at risk. He has also tried to take credit for the death of Osama Bin Laden an effort he has had very little to do with.

Vincent M. DiSandro Sr.

Hillsborough