I am deeply saddened by the death of President William (Bill) Friday. My heart goes out to the Friday Family during this difficult time. Bill Friday was an exceptional and revered leader in the Tar Heel State. Neither Chapel Hill nor the University of North Carolina would be where it is today without his leadership.

Dr. Friday spent his entire professional life in higher education, holding various leadership positions in the university until taking the helm of the UNC university system in 1956 were he remained as president until 1986. Dr. Friday oversaw a tumultuous period in UNC’s history, a period that included the desegregation of the UNC System, free-speech issues, championing affordability in higher education, and unifying the 16-campus university system. Dr. Friday was a staunch believer in the idea that education could lift people out of poverty and empower them to become productive and contributing citizens.

In the loss of William Friday we have lost a luminary in education, and one of the most important North Carolinians in a generation. His contribution to the Tar Heel state will live on in the University of North Carolina, its students, and alumni. His passing is a great loss to the Carolina family and the Chapel Hill community.

Mark Kleinschmidt

Mayor, Chapel Hill

Profound loss

Lisa and I share the community’s profound sense of loss and sadness with the passing of our friend Bill Friday. We extend our condolences and good wishes to Ida, Bill’s wife, and to all of their loved ones.

Bill Friday was a North Carolina treasure. He led by inspiration and example – with dignity, compassion and humility – through over five decades of public service. His legacy is a stronger state with a superb university system, a richer public life, a more vibrant culture and a diverse and resilient economy. Bill was instrumental in giving the gift of education to hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians – citizens who went out and served our state and nation in countless ways.

As a product of the University of North Carolina, I too owe him my gratitude for an educational experience that broadened my horizons and set me on my life’s course. Bill continued his work for decades in what no one could really call “retirement” with his public television show, North Carolina People. Like many North Carolinians, Lisa and I looked forward to inviting him into our home every week to see where he and his guests would lead us. In this and many other ways, we will treasure his memory and miss him greatly.

U.S. Rep. David Price

4th Congressional District

Adversarial process

As a neighbor opposed to the rezoning of 901 W. Main St., known as Johnny’s, there are a few clarifications I would like to make:

The front-page article identified the “intention” of the business owners to pull the rezoning request, but the impression was made by the headline that it was all but done. However, it is only the property owner, Jan Halle, who has the authority to pull the rezoning request, not the business owners/managers. As of Wednesday afternoon, no change in the rezoning application had been made.

As far as complaints go, it is the stated policy of the Town of Carrboro not to enforce any zoning restrictions, noise issues, traffic problems, etc. unless there are complaints. Therefore, the neighbors who have issues are immediately placed in an adversarial position with the business owners, not by their choice.

We most certainly do not want to spend our time monitoring the activities of a business to make sure they are not violating zoning ordinances. Are the supporters of Johnny’s going to make themselves available to monitor for traffic and noise to protect the integrity of the neighborhood? As to the location of the business, it does face Main Street, but it abuts residential properties, and the noise from outside crowds and music affects anyone within several hundred feet. Those of you who pop in and spend some time enjoying the activities go home to your peaceful neighborhoods. Why should it be any different for the neighbors here?

Carley Walker

Carrboro

A slippery road

Johnny’s wine tasting permit was not pulled simply because a few neighbors complained. There were many factors but the main reason was the newest managers have been violating their current zoning for several months. The business is currently zoned R-10 and grandfathered for a small retail store, not an event venue.

We are opposing the new owners’ attempt to change the nature of the business and seek rezoning. When Mr. Plaster first opened the business, his goal was a neighborhood store and a gathering place. His business plan was not to operate a slammin’ bar. However, he found that when events take off it is hard to control them.

And, while Johnny’s may be “right on the town’s main street – literally – it is also, literally, right in the middle of a 100 percent residential neighborhood. The property backs up to a neighborhood of predominantly retired folks and is across the street to a home for adults with disabilities. Also, the noise complaints weren’t at night; most were around 5 p.m. The worst parking issues were at breakfast or dinner time. For four years, there were calls to the town staff, the police, and fire reports regarding the safety issues, but the town would not and did not do anything.

The current owner (Ms. Halle) has changed plans multiple times, first requesting a restaurant/bar (with no kitchen). Then, plans were made for an “outdoor only” beer, wine, and music garden. New plans are currently in the making; who knows what they will be. What I do know is that although we are supportive of a small retail store, given the difficult task of enforcement and the slippery road from a small event to a large event, we do not want any situation where crowds would be inevitable and neighbors would have to start the complaint process again. I daresay most neighborhoods would not want to go there.

Tina Marie Saldana

Carrboro

America’s interests

Israel shares the fundamental values that America would like to see adopted throughout the world. Militant Arabs want to wipe it off the map. Withdrawal of military aid, as suggested by some letters to the editor, would jeopardize the survival of the only democracy and sincere friend that the U.S. and other democratic countries have in the region.

Israel is smaller than New Jersey and is surrounded by Arab countries that are 800 times its size. It has been forced to use check points, fences, and searches to protect itself from terrorists. I, myself, have been questioned and endured luggage searches and delays when traveling in the region long before our country began these security practices.

Economic aid to Israel is also in America’s best interests. Israel has provided vast cutting-edge research in medicine, technology, and other fields while protecting, to the best of its ability, the lives and dignity of all within its borders, Jews, Christians, and Arabs alike. Israel wants peace as badly as any rational person does. Continued economic support will help it grow further into the peaceful, productive partner of humanity it yearns to be.

Judith Barrett

Pittsboro