It is unfortunate that the word “buffer” keeps on being repeated in describing the recombination of lots on the Charterwood property.

The 105-foot strip of land is not being rezoned but will be developed as R-2 housing. Because the property is higher than the homes on Tremont Circle, 35-foot tall townhomes will be 60 feet away, but will appear to be nearly four stories tall. The 70-foot tall corner apartment house, on even higher ground, will appear to the neighborhood to be at 7 to 10 stories tall. Close your eyes and imagine that!

When all is said and done, if Charterwood is approved we will have adversely affected a number of neighborhoods, two lakes, and lots of very old and very large trees. I hope that council members who vote for it will be proud enough of their affirmative vote to boast about it when they run for re-election.

Dianne Ware-Furlow

Chapel Hill

Ad inappropriate

I and my friends have found the recent advertisement against military aid to Israel, inappropriate and offensive.

Such political ideas do not belong in any form of public transportation, even if paid by a local religious organization.

It is disturbing, and frightening to allow political ideas or “ideals” to be a commercial object, that residents of this community must view , if they take a bus in our community.

Political passion, can become quite offensive and destructive when forced on people. Just as corporations able to fund their views in different medias on our society.

Political or even religious beliefs have no place in our transportation system.

Why not work with the Orange County Arts Council, for a yearly art and poetry contests? The winners works could be shown in any free advertisement space the bus may have.

Which should enrich everyone that sees and reads them.

Sandra Marlow

Chapel Hill

Toll of too many deer

Finally I am driven to write about the impossible deer problem that plagues Orange county.

This morning at 8:25 a.m. there were six deer (teenagers to mature adults) in my front yard. A troop of 15 were seen in my neighbor’s yard on Wednesday. These hungry groups have eaten my rhodadendrum, begonias, hostas, and geraniums to the point that I can’t keep anything blooming in my yard.

Last week at 1 p.m. on Estes Drive near Estes School traffic was halted because a car had hit a deer. The pitiful deer struggled many times to stand and run away. It appeared that her leg was broken. The unfortunate driver had the front of his car badly damaged.

What does it take to control the deer population of our county? When I think of the toll of deer herds on people I am amazed that no one is doing anything about them.

They are a health hazard in that they harbor ticks which give folks lyme disease, a serious health problem. Deer cause car wrecks which land folks in the hospital and require auto repairs of considerable expense. Gardeners spend untold amounts of money on plants, fences, and deer preventatives.

I know the county can do something about this problem. I would ask the county commissioners and the wildlife folks to address this problem immediately. Something has to be done about the deer who present real hazards and financial burdens to our people.

Jo Anne West

Chapel Hill