Keep the law school on the UNC campus

For Chancellor James Moeser, it may be a "no-brainer" to relocate the law school to Carolina North. But for law students, faculty and alumni, the move will gut the spirit of the place.

The knowledge one receives within the walls of an academic institution is the paramount objective of attending it, yet we should not lightly dismiss more than 165 years of tradition from having the law school on the university's central campus, where over a three-year period law students can easily interact with students and faculty of other disciplines.

For many law students, enjoying the Pit on a sunny afternoon, playing a game of Ultimate Frisbee on the Hooker Fields, and strolling down Country Club Road, through the arboretum, to Franklin Street are part and parcel of the UNC experience, serving to inculcate a love of this place that contributes mightily to that mystical pull that brings so many graduates back.

It would make far more sense to move the Institute of Government to Carolina North, and move the Law School into its vast building. Unlike the law school, the Institute of Government primarily serves individuals who do not live in Chapel Hill, but who commute here from communities across North Carolina for short courses. For these 12,000 commuters yearly, it matters little where the Institute of Government is located, and the easier accessibility of Carolina North to vehicular traffic would facilitate attending Institute courses.

Moeser should step back and request input from law students, faculty and alumni and consider whether the truly more "practical" -- and sensible -- alternative for the people of North Carolina is to move the Institute of Government to Carolina North, and leave UNC's Law School as part of the liberal arts central campus. -- Adrian R. Halpern, Chapel Hill

Teens need a place where they can go

Teenagers are the lost generation of our society. We can be proud of the strides that have been made in assisting seniors to a better quality of life. This has all come about because they have a voice. But where is the voice that can speak up for teenagers?

As a community we have been sadly remiss in recognizing the dire need for action in this area, resulting in the rising level of drug and alcohol abuse amongst our teens.

Unfortunately, our society resolves most of its problems by passing laws that impose punishment but are shortsighted and lack resolution of the larger problem. Why are we not addressing the root of the problem? Why are we not asking what action can be taken to offset its occurrence? What can we do in ways of prevention? How, as citizens, parents and civic leaders, can we collaborate our combined experience and know-how to speak out as one voice on behalf of our children?

When the Carrboro Century Center was completed, an open house was held. Attendees were asked to make suggestions for the use of the building. I suggested that it would be perfect for a teen center since it was a walk-by and easily accessible -- a very important feature in drawing teen participation.

This idea was received with a positive response, and I was told that it would be taken into consideration. To my dismay, this concept was short-lived -- the large hall was used for a variety of purposes totally unrelated to my suggestion.

I am optimistic that a club of sorts can be established in this building. It would have to include activities with tremendous draw and stimulation and with enough positive influence to overshadow the drive for alcohol and drugs. -- Elaine Jerome, Chapel Hill

More action needed on kids' foster care

Thanks to Meiling Arounnarath for writing the story on aging out of foster care ("Class links kids to adulthood," The News & Observer, Jan. 10).

Thanks to your newspaper, also. Our news media needs to be bombarding the American public about foster care and child abuse issues. If the public knew how bad this is for children and how many children nationwide are subject to this, maybe they would send a message to our congressmen/women that it is time to significantly address these issues. We have a presidential race going on and not one candidate has anything on their platform about these issues. What should that tell us?

In the article, Arounnarath quotes "foster care was not meant to be long term." Yet we have all these children aging out of it. I think it is great that we have these programs set up to help these young adults as they age out, but concurrently with that shouldn't our government be looking at why children are lingering in foster care and fix that problem? If we fixed it on the front end maybe we wouldn't have such a problem on the back end.

The government needs to face the fact that the current "reunification" plan isn't really working out all that well. If it were, wouldn't we be seeing better results by now?

Children whose parent's have failed them and then family service fails them will grow up angry. Angry children will grow into angry adults. Angry adults take it out on society. Perhaps if we significantly addressed this issue we wouldn't have so much crime, an over crowded prison system, and the need for early release programs. www.whosebestinterest.com -- Rene Howitt, St. Louis, Mo.

Town hasn't stepped up for 'the Rat'

Learning that "the Rat" in downtown Chapel Hill has closed was yet another disappointment in the ongoing saga of downtown real estate in the Carolinas and in downtowns throughout this country.

The tale is all too typical: Local legendary business owner pitted against property owner, and a town government that lacks the fortitude and authority to intervene.

It's just this simple. If a residential property failed to meet code requirements, city inspectors years ago would have required the owner to take corrective action, in part because they have the authority to do so. North Carolina laws, unfortunately, still do not provide the same authority to require rehabilitation of commercial structures.

Consequently, irresponsible commercial landlords remain irresponsible, businesses that have been around since the 1940s fall victim, inspectors remain unarmed and downtown areas continue to struggle.

The Rathskeller in Chapel Hill was a dive, and a great dive at that, as is the Rondevoux in Memphis and countless others. Equally, they are a reflection of a community's past, which, in the case of Chapel Hill, is unfortunately only being preserved on campus.

The people who are paying tuitions for our children in Chapel Hill today would love to still visit the Rat, reflect on our memories and spend some money, more of which we have than do our kids. We have Starbucks at home and will not be drawn to downtown Chapel Hill by another one.

It's time that business owner-tenants in this state receive at least the same level of code enforcement protection that is available to deal with residential slum lords and, in so doing, preserve the unique businesses and characteristics of our downtown areas. Otherwise, downtown real estate property values will continue to decline.

Chapel Hill is home to national leaders in the field of city planning and urban development. Where's the creativity in this instance that has made Franklin Street unique? -- Jack Steelman, Pfafftown

New hotel gets couple out of house

Over the past year(s), we have heard and read many discussions about how to improve and revitalize downtown Chapel Hill. As 30-plus-year residents, we've done our share of yearning for "the way things used to be" and found ourselves happily nesting at home, with very few trips to downtown.

But guess what? We've found a new place to be excited about. The Franklin Hotel, located on West Franklin Street, has brought us back downtown. Roberts at The Franklin, the hotel's beautiful lobby bar and patio, has become a favorite place for our family and friends to gather before dinner downtown. Roberts at The Franklin has a warm and friendly atmosphere, with a staff that makes you feel right at home.

In this new year, resolve to visit The Franklin, have a drink, check out one of its fabulous rooms and broaden your horizons downtown.

Happy first anniversary to The Franklin Hotel! -- Gretchen and Gary Hull, Chapel Hill