Czajkowski has the better platform for downtown

TO THE EDITOR:I think Matt Czajkowski’s ideas for the rebirth of our downtown are some of the most exciting I have heard. They are both achievable and will also greatly benefit our local arts community.Michael BrownUNC ’77

Kleinschmidt has experience necessary for mayor’s job

TO THE EDITOR:I wholeheartedly throw my support behind Mark Kleinschmidt. As to why I am supporting Mark, I can cite his experience as a town councilman. Serving since 2001, he has the most experience in town government of any of the candidates running. I can cite his leadership as chairman of the council communications committee and chairman of the economic development committee. He served as president of the NC American Civil Liberties Union, therefore defending that right to free speech students on both sides of the political spectrum discuss so passionately.

Kleinschmidt is the most sensible choice for mayor

TO THE EDITOR:There has been a lot of talk about who would be the sensible choice for town of Chapel Hill mayor during this election season, but who is the best choice? Mark Kleinschmidt, an eight-year veteran of the Town Council, the only registered Democrat and the youngest candidate in the race is the best choice.

Czajkowski has financial sense to be great mayor

TO THE EDITOR: Matt Czajkowski showed his financial good sense when he was the only Town Council member who opposed lifetime health insurance for town officials.When we moved here 11 years ago, we loved to go downtown. Now the empty store fronts and parking problems have driven us away. We believe Mr. Czajkowski can, as mayor, expand both business and jobs opportunities here.

Czajkowski for mayor: It’s time for a new vision for Chapel Hill, and Matt Czajkowski offers the most appealing way forward

It’s time for a new vision for Chapel Hill. Because of his fiscal prudence and emphasis on growth, Matt Czajkowski is the right choice for Chapel Hill mayor.The city needs a break from the leadership of the last eight years, and Czajkowski can deliver on an alternate vision.

America’s strength is its diverse heritage

There is an undercurrent that pervasively runs through conservative American political culture that is often opposed by what truths we hold to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal.This is the belief that we are being overwhelmed by undocumented immigrants and that, as a result, the nation our children will inherit will be much different than the nation we live in now.

Cartoon for Oct. 20

‘Waste Land’ and our prison system

“O Lord thou pluckest me out.”In “The Fire Sermon,” the middle and longest section of “The Waste Land” by T.S. Eliot, this line quoted from the “Confessions” by St. Augustine speaks to the futility of human endeavor. For me, this line — and this poem — have always held a deep personal meaning.

Student voice lost on Jones: SBP Jones needs to seek more student input

The Jones administration has largely left students out of the tuition process — perennially one of the most important topics on campus. Jones is the representative of the student body, but she is not omnipotent. To be an effective representative of students’ interests, Jones has to actively seek their input. And that is not being done with regard to tuition. The proposed tuition hike for out-of-state undergraduate students is just more than $1,000 — a proportional increase to the $200 hike that in-state students face.

One big mess: Leaders need to work together to ?ll Congress vacancies

Eleven seats in Student Congress are currently empty, and the process of planning a special election to fill them has been grueling. A lack of communication between Congress, Student Body President Jasmin Jones and the Board of Elections has only exacerbated the problem, and no one is accepting blame for why these vacancies have not yet been filled.As a result, the student body, particularly graduate students, isn’t getting the representation it deserves.

‘Massage’ has no place here: Many questions remain about Tom Cat’s 2

The establishment commonly known as University Massage— now named Tom Cat’s 2 —is an enterprise that should arouse the moral concern of everyone.A recent presentation by Donna Bickford, director of the Carolina Women’s Center, has piqued interest in the establishment again.For years, the massage parlor has been beset with rumors and allegations of prostitution and sex trafficking.In 2007, Daily Tar Heel columnist James Edward Dillard wrote about his experience at University Massage.

Obama is the subject of too much unfair criticism

TO THE EDITOR:I am disgusted with all the negativity toward President Obama.I have always considered myself proud to be an American despite my differences with some of our political leaders. When President George H. Bush lied and said, “No new taxes,” I wasn’t upset. I expect politicians to lie. But, when I hear lies about our president, I see red.Rush Limbaugh is spreading lies. Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) is spreading lies. What bothers me the most is the American people believe these lies.

Saving money on campus is easy as flipping switch

TO THE EDITOR:In response to Jason Sutton’s letter “No time like the present to push for energy reform” (Oct. 15). As much as I love sarcasm, it’s often good to back up your humor with substantial facts.Make no mistake, clean energy advocates are aware of the expenses associated with cleaner fuel sources. Times are tough. Investing in new energy infrastructure may not seem the best thing to do right now.

Police should help make bonfire tradition safer

TO THE EDITOR:I may be only a budding policy analyst, but there seems to be to be a rather easy fix for this controversy over the Franklin Street victory bonfires. Keep the tradition. That is, with a few minor changes. Last March, there were hordes of police officers and firefighters, but most of them that weren’t pulling people off of trees and light poles were standing around idly, looking for something to do.

South Road underpass for cars is a better option

TO THE EDITOR:An even more expensive but far better option than a pedestrian bridge over South Road would be an underpass for the cars. When I was a graduate student at Harvard 60 years ago, the university had the same problem: Between classes, hundreds of students needed to cross one of Cambridge’s most heavily traveled city streets. I resolved that if I became rich I would endow an underpass.

Cartoon for Oct. 19

New ticket policy hurts graduate students most

TO THE EDITOR:To the individuals in charge of the basketball ticket policy: a number of comments on the change from two tickets to one.Do you hate dating? What better excuse to ask out your crush than “I have an extra ticket to the game”? No extra tickets? No chance to meet that someone special! Do you hate groups of friends? Before, double tickets meant you were guaranteed going to the game with at least one friend. Even if two friends get tickets, they will likely have different phases complicating sitting together, let alone groups of 4 or 6.

Bridge needed on South road; people don’t focus

TO THE EDITOR: I don’t agree with your recent editorial stating that the proposed South Road pedestrian bridge is unnecessary and a waste of money (“Not quite the Golden Gate,” Oct. 16). The current system depends upon both the driver and pedestrian paying attention to each other. With the prevalence of iPods and other mobile distractions, often neither the driver nor pedestrian are fully engaged with what they are doing.

UNC is making significant strides to reduce coal use

TO THE EDITOR:Meghan Corbet’s letter (“UNC can and must do more to wean itself from coal,” Oct. 13) requires factual corrections and more context about the University’s commitment to mitigating climate change.The University has made a bold commitment through the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment to reach climate neutrality by mid-century.Indeed, the University showed leadership by becoming an early signatory of the ACUPCC in 2007.

UNC is making significant strides to reduce coal use

TO THE EDITOR:Meghan Corbet’s letter (“UNC can and must do more to wean itself from coal,” Oct. 13) requires factual corrections and more context about the University’s commitment to mitigating climate change.The University has made a bold commitment through the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment to reach climate neutrality by mid-century. Indeed, the University showed leadership by becoming an early signatory of the ACUPCC in 2007.