Bicyclists pay taxes, have right to roads

I found the letter from Mark McGrath about "Sharing the Road is Absurd" infuriating (CHN, June 22). The majority of bicyclists are taxpayers and pay for the roadways just like everyone else. Whether we are riding for transportation or recreation is immaterial; we have the right to safely use the roads.

I sometimes ride eight miles in to work at UNC Hospitals. Part of my trip is on the roadway and part is on bike lanes and trails. I would love to see more bike lanes and trails. I say "build them and they will come." We would have a lot more cycle commuters to school, work and shopping if we had safe roadways for cyclists.

I also ride for recreation out in Orange County where there are no trails but lots of scenic vistas. It's a great way to see the changing local flora and fauna throughout the seasons and get some exercise. The jerseys, shorts and tights are quite practical attire, moisture wicking with padded inseams with bright colors for increased visibility. The helmet is important for safety.

In many places around the world, the bicycle is a major means of transportation. When my kids and I were in Amsterdam and another small town in Holland, we cycled all over town, safely on great bike lanes and trails. With the cost of gas, danger in greenhouse gases and pollution, cycling is here to stay, not to mention a great way to alleviate parking and traffic problems.

Perhaps Mark needs to realize that cars are the problem not the bicycles. Oh yeah, what about all the out of shape Americans who could certainly benefit by getting on a bike? Ahhh, the joys of the open road! -- Suzy Lawrence, Orange County

Taking dog off chain changed whole family

Neptune is a young pit bull mix who lives with his owner's grandparents on the outskirts of Chapel Hill. The grandfather is an invalid who lives at home and is cared for by his wife, who still takes in work at home, being burdened by expensive medical bills.

Neptune's care met all the legal requirements. He was fed and provided with water at all times, and his chain and doghouse met the necessary measurements. However, his eyes were sad, and he would lie in one spot, barely moving if I drove up in my car. One day, I happened to mention to the grandmother that his being chained was the same as her living in a prison. She said that they did not have the money to build a fence, so I told her of the Coalition To Unchain Dogs.

A few weeks later a group of men and women and children arrived on a Saturday morning and built Neptune a fence with plenty of room and lots of straw.

Neptune's entire personality changed. He danced little jigs when someone arrived, and his entire demeanor became that of a happy and spirited and loving creature. However, at the same time, it seemed that the grandmother and grandfather also became unchained. Perhaps it was their witnessing a group of total strangers giving so unselfishly of their time and efforts. Perhaps it was the energy they breathed from seeing Neptune transformed to a lively little creature. Whatever the reason, they were soon letting him have the run of the house, giving him special blankets to sleep on, and congratulating themselves on how much they could spoil him. The entire spirit of the home was renewed.

One morning, it was discovered by mistake that Neptune loved oatmeal, the grandfather's daily breakfast. Now on sunny mornings, if you drive by, you can see the two of them on the front porch, the grandfather in his rocking chair with Neptune at his feet, two empty breakfast bowls on a tray. His grandmother has become an advocate of unchained dogs and has referred several of her friends in that direction.

Neptune was named after a planet, but all the stars in the sky cannot shine as brightly as the light that he gives to his two elderly grandparents. -- Carla Shuford, Chapel Hill

Editor's note: You can read more about the Coalition to Unchain Dogs at www.unchaindogs.net/

Has LEAP program leaped out of reach?

I have concluded that it is easier for a camel to enter through the eye of a needle than for a highly-gifted child to enter the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools' LEAP Program, the self-inclusive program for children two years above grade level.

Recently admission standards have become harsher and stricter, eliminating even children with the highest scores. Once EOG scores at 96 percent or above in either reading or math were enough to qualify for further testing for the LEAP Program. Now both must average at 97 percent or higher. Even with 97 percent, children must take yet another battery of tests. To be "considered," the percentile scores must be 97 percent on all LEAP administered tests.

In the past, there was an appeal process for children who were on the borderline but could provide evidence for needing placement in the program. Now that appeal process has disappeared, and is available only to those who have already made the cut-off score. In other words, even those who score at the 97 percent level may be eliminated. Hello!? Are we talking about Harvard Law School or a gifted program for elementary school?

My daughter scored 99 percent on all tests except the last, scoring 96 percent when she was ill. Teachers from her school wrote letters on her behalf and advised us to make a portfolio. The director of LEAP then told us that there was no appeal process unless all scores were 97 percent. She could explain neither how many questions one percentage point represented on that particular test, nor why my daughter's other achievements were discounted, nor why they refused to readminister a comparable test.

Disconnected not only from the very schools it serves, but also from itself, LEAP's obscure policies point to political maneuvering. Without serious re-evaluation, LEAP may very well self-destruct. -- Alina Hunt, Chapel Hill

Town held hearing on public financing

I strongly disagree with the way the recent citizens petition was drawn up. There were too many things in it.

While I would agree there needed to be more discussion regarding the payment of health care costs for our Town Council members, public financing of municipal elections received a proper public hearing.

I am for public financing of elections and am fine with paying more taxes for the many services we have and will need in our community (i.e., free bus rides, improved recreational and bike paths, expanded library, other institutions for the good of Chapel Hill. We had a good public hearing on campaign finance reform, and this does not have to be brought up again even if a member of the Town Council opposes it! -- Evelin Brinich , Chapel Hill

Football players gave kids attention

On a recent Saturday, hot and steamy even by our June standards, Andre Williams brought out 33 student athletes from the UNC Football team to the annual Volunteers for Youth golf clinic at Finley Golf Course. These young men left any ego of being a big-time college athlete in their dorms, making the VFY kids feel like they were the center of attention. From the moment the players arrived the youth were in awe, but the players took the lead and welcomed them into their world for a few hours of fun; golfing, laughing, sharing stories, and posing for pictures with each other.

Each and every player was very polite, well mannered, and a good role model for the kids. Chase Rice came out after missing last season with an injury and just losing his father a few weeks ago, and was amazed to find out a 5-year-old remembered him from last year's event-and also had cried when he got hurt last season.

Garret White was out there for his fourth year in a row, even after receiving a medical hardship and not being on the active playing roster anymore.

Brandon Tate took the saying "gave him the shirt off his back" literally, letting one of the youth wear his jersey for a little while; the youth said it was the greatest thing that has ever happened to him.

While most of the kids were asking players for autographs or to take pictures, Marvin Austin was asking the kids if they would take their picture with him.

These are only a few examples of the interactions I observed in the hour and a half with the team and our youth. Every player out there was amazing, a great representative of the University of North Carolina as well as the football program. Thank you to these young men for taking time to make our kids feel like the stars! -- Scott Dreyer, Hillsborough

Russert's death a loss to country

The unexpected death of Tim Russert, moderator "Meet the Press," is a significant loss to the journalistic world, but a greater loss to the American public. Tim was a valiant servant and guardian of the public trust; as it is a journalist's call to be. He was an honest broker and champion for America, its principles, ideals and its people.

Tim personified the Journalists' Code of Ethics.He was fair, just, balanced and thoroughly comprehensive in his reporting and approach to interviewing high-profile figures of our time. Watching him question sitting presidents, prospective candidates and even royalty was like watching a suspenseful who-done-it as you waited breathlessly for his signature question that never failed to expose his interviewee as a hero or heroine or a fraud.

With this historic presidential election nearing its end, it behooves us to think about what Tim was perhaps best known for in punditry circles: his ability to accurately gauge the outcomes of presidential elections. During NBC's coverage of the 2000 presidential election, Tim calculated possible results on a dry erase marker board. He wrote " Florida, Florida, Florida " as the contingent state of the final decision, and, as we all know, it was. He repeated his sage act again in the presidential elections of 2004, accurately predicting "Ohio, Ohio, Ohio" as the final battleground state. Again, Tim was correct.

As early as 2005, Tim predicted that New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona would be the Electoral College states to watch in 2008. He added Nevada in the mix before his death. Tim felt that if the Democrats win even three of those states, they can confidently forfeit the traditional "must win" states of Ohio and Florida and win the presidency. We will see in November.

Although it will not be the same exciting anticipation without him in the newsroom, we know he will be there in spirit. Until then, Tim, "Good night, sweet Prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!" -- Delcenia Turner, Gulf

Plans insensitive to Glen Lennox

When I drive through Glen Lennox, on my way to Glenwood School where I volunteer twice a week, memories of living there in the 1950's linger. The friends I made while living there are still my friends. Glen Lennox was built for married students and their families. Most of our husbands were veterans of World War II who wished to return to the University to finish their education on the G.I. Bill. Before that time, married students were rare, but Glen Lennox was a new concept and in that way it is unique. The trees have matured and the apartments are well maintained. Why does some builder wish to destroy this historical community?

If you want high rise car parks, go to a big city. Here we can still see the sky and enjoy the trees and the birds which come to feed in our gardens. The builder has no conception of this unique community's history nor does he care to know it. He is not interested in the history of Glen Lennox and its unique concept in the 1950's.

We have enough destruction in Chapel Hill. Mama Dips restaurant is now overlooked by a tall building and is dwarfed by it. Why destroy the sky and the trees to put up an ugly building that is not with keeping with the town? Why can't you leave Glen Lennox alone to remain a unique place for returning G. I. Students in the 1950's? I lived there from 1954 to about 1958. Go away builders and leave us some history to live with. -- Ariana Mangum, Chapel Hill

Thomas will leave big shoes to fill

It was with great sadness to hear principal Jeff Thomas will not be back at Carrboro High. Principal Jeff Thomas brought the Carrboro High Jaguars into existence. For at least two years, Jeff Thomas put the kids of Carrboro High first and foremost in his life. Jeff supported Carrboro High students through highs and lows. He was there for those first football blowouts. He was there for successful art and music concerts. He was there during success at the Orange County Dive Championships. He was always there, talking to students and parents, making sure all knew Carrboro High was a sum of its whole, a sum of its students, parents, teachers and administration.

Jeff lived and breathed life into the school. Jeffs enthusiasm is infectious. My son, then a rising junior, was forced to go to Carrboro High over his appeal to the school board. During the course of the school year, my son became a Jaguar because of Jeff Thomas enthusiasm, openness and support. Jeff's weekly calls ending with Roar Jaguars Roar illustrate his brilliant attitude. The incoming Principal has big shoes to fill.

Carrboro High has been ill-served by the CHCCS administration in this matter. The change was not open. It was wrong. It does not reflect well on Carrboro High. My son, now a rising senior, has had to deal with too much change. The CHCCS administration does not care for students as principal Jeff Thomas does. I support Principal Jeff Thomas. -- Dorothy Setliff, Chapel Hill

Don't break promise to students

News has come down that in all probability Carrboro High School will not be offering a significant number of Advanced Placement, Honors, and various other upper-level courses, including foreign languages, in 2008-2009. These are all courses which are readily available to students in the two Chapel Hill high schools.

When, as a result of redistricting, students were assigned to the new high school in Carrboro, the clear implication was that they would be offered the same educational opportunities as those available in Chapel Hill. That same commitment was made -- and kept -- to students who were assigned to East Chapel Hill High a few years back.

Carrboro High, it now appears, is on the way to becoming the Cinderella of the system. The reason given for the omission of these critical courses at Carrboro High is that they are under-enrolled. Why does this now come as a great surprise to the Chapel Hill Carrboro Schools Administration? It should clearly have foreseen and planned for this eventuality in a school that has yet to achieve a full complement of students?

Why punish students for what is obviously a serious administrative oversight? They are left with several bad choices: compromising their education by not taking courses that they absolutely need, or scrambling their day by traveling back and forth to one of the other schools where the courses may already be overenrolled. In addition, the latter choice is obviously discriminatory, since it is available only to students whose families can provide them with a car for transportation. Why is it not possible to solve the problem responsibly by sharing AP, Honors, and other course-specialized teachers among the three district schools until Carrboro High achieves its full enrollment? Sidelining CHS is not an option! -- W.D. Ilgen, Chapel Hill

Community support made night success

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone in our community who helped make Project Graduation 2008 a wonderful success. Approximately 1,000 students were treated to a night of fun and food.

The Steering Committee worked for a year to prepare for this event. Corporate, business, individuals and volunteers donated money, prizes, and time without which this event could not happen. It really did take a community effort! We are so proud of our graduating seniors and are proud we were able to give them this night to remember.

Visit projectgraduationchccs.org for more information. -- Marguerite E. Huggins, Project Graduation 2008 Steering Committee