As a taxpayer I am outraged that I am not able to use the track and field of a local school even during the summer break. It is absurd that residents (mostly elderly and children from the surrounding neighborhoods) cannot walk or run around a track when obesity has become epidemic. This in a town where the lack of continous sidewalks is rampant. There is no excuse that the town or county do not have joint-use agreements. This is simply not a good utilization of city and county resources especially when funds are tight and tax rates are raising. The next time park recreational bonds or school bond referendums come up, I will make sure to these matters into consideration.

Lou Collie, Cary

Hagan will be a work horse

I was pleased to hear Kay Hagan held her second Veterans’ Town Hall in Cary earlier this week [July 1] at VFW Post 7383. Hagan is connected to the military through her family and her support for veterans in the state senate. I admire her willingness to meet with veterans and feel it demonstrates the type of U.S. senator she will be — a “work horse,” not a “show horse” as described by Rep. David Price. I’m proud to support her and I’m pleased to know she will hold more veterans’ town halls across the state during her campaign.

Sam Fuchs, Cary

Worth the fight

Can you fight city hall and win? I formed and lead a coalition that was successful in stopping the forced annexation of over 500 homes by the town of Fuquay-Varina. Our success was largely due to the fact that we organized early, worked as a team, educated ourselves and communicated effectively. My wife Kristine conducted the research on the ramifications of forced annexation and facilitated communications internally. I focused on working with the elected and town officials from both Fuquay and Holly Springs to facilitate a resolution. This led to a new border agreement between the two towns and resulted in the withdrawal of the annexation proposal by Fuquay.

I learned a great deal through this trying ordeal. Most importantly I realized the true personal rewards of serving others. I also learned that the annexation laws in the state of North Carolina are outdated and no longer serve us. They were written about a half century ago when segregation was still legal. Lastly, I learned a lot about politics and how communication is not effectively executed.

I must say that two Fuquay councilmen consistently showed us respect and compassion for our plight. The commissioners and town manager from Holly Springs however were all very supportive of our coalition. Mayor Sears and Town Manager Dean were instrumental in facilitating the new border agreement. Rep. Nelson Dollar was very supportive as well. There was however an elected official from Holly Springs that was extremely instrumental in this successful conclusion. Councilman Vinnie DeBenedetto worked tirelessly by my side facilitating communications and coaching me through the political processes. What is remarkable is the fact that he personally had little to lose or gain if we were annexed or not. I believe it was his concern for the community he lives in, his dedication to helping people and his strong opposition to forced annexation that motivated him.

This experience taught us first hand how forced annexation is an irresponsible and unjust practice. We need to support elected officials that truly care about protecting citizen’s rights and our quality of life in North Carolina.

Robert Padalino, Fuquay-Varina

Cyclists should pay fees

Referring to “Please share the road” article in the July 9 Cary News-Opinion.

I’ve always felt that cyclists should have to pay license/use fees especially when there are dedicated bike lanes built and marked for their use. I hate to see anyone injured, particularly when it is something like a lightweight bike against a 2-ton vehicle. Having said that and knowing that everybody doesn’t obey all traffic laws, I have observed on many occasions cyclists ignoring traffic laws such as stop lights and stop signs, supposedly thinking that their visibility is better than that of automobile drivers and that they can see vehicles coming from all directions with their height advantage, thus it is “safe to run the signal.” During this particular maneuver while a motorist may be in the process of making a legal right-hand turn that often leads to catastrophe, who is to blame for this? There are many instances to be mentioned along this line.

We have all witnessed some form of bad judgement both by drivers and riders. Cyclists should start paying their fair share for bicycle lanes by forking over license and use fees which will serve at least two purposes, one being there is no free lunch ( bike lanes) and two, paying a fair share will give them a right to [complain].

Scott Chester, Apex

Thank you to Frantz

In a recent LTE, “Thank you to Portman” [July 9], the letter writer, Joe Carroll, thanks Mr. Portman for “valiantly sticking to his convictions” in regard to his dissenting vote on the 2009 budget. Perhaps I may be reading too much into Carroll’s words, but why is it that Portman is praised for sticking to his convictions, and Frantz is condemned for sticking to his? Thank you Mr. Frantz for “sticking to your convictions and campaign promises” to improve the downtown area and surrounding neighborhoods.

Karen Griffin, Cary