Voice of the People: November 15, 2009

Fort Mill getting too congested

One question? How many more people can we possibly sqeeze inside the city limits of Fort Mill? It's incredible how congested we are becoming. Although I see growth as positive, it's becoming comical.

What once was a nice 15-minute drive has now become a survival-of-the fittest dodge just to get across town.

One more question, why have we not put more effort into re-inventing Main Street with great stores that have a lot to offer? Why does it seem like they are never open? I would like to see a return of the times when you could grab lunch, stroll and shop in town.

All in all, we have a great little place here. I think that with the massive growth we have experienced, we need to give kudos to our police force. They are what keeps this little town safe from large city crime. No wonder “everyone” wants to live here with us!

Rhonda Strait

Fort Mill

Impeachment should go forward

The Herald reports that our legislators are losing interest in following through with the impeachment process of Gov. Sanford. Various reasons or excuses are given for their lack of interest after all this time has passed, among which are:

1. Almost five months have passed, and Sanford's delays with the Ethics Commission, appeal to the courts and perhaps further court appeals will cause his remaining time in office to be only about one year.

2. We have our own elections to think about.

3. Impeaching Sanford would create a voter backlash because the voters will be embarrassed for having had elected him twice.

4. The cost involved in the process as well as voting on a successor to take office for only a year would be too high.

The legislators need to keep their focus on the needs of state and the desires of the voters for effective government by both the governor's (executive) office and their own legislative responsibilities. The excuses above are shallow and easily rejected. If the impeachment process goes forward, potentially, Gov. Sanford could have his name cleared; you'd think he would want that rather than this continuing cloud hanging over him and the state itself.

A legislature that does nothing is hardly a progressive, no-nonsense body or an effective part of the “checks and balances” between governor, legislature and judicial sections of state government.

I would hope that the impeachment process goes forward. Sanford should not be rewarded by non-action, as that sends no message for future governors nor does it support progressive and responsible state government.The latter is what we voters deserve.

Kent Allen

Rock Hill

Battle over license tag was waste of money

I am truly astounded by the legal battle to put a cross on a license plate. Don't our lawmakers have better things to be worrying about and working on?

It should be pretty clear that a Christian symbol with the statement “I believe” can't go on a government-issued license plates. Is separation of church and state such a difficult concept to grasp? Apparently it is for our lieutenant governor. In what I can only guess is a bid to win conservative religious votes (a force to be reckoned with in this state), he wasted precious tax dollars on this ridiculous legal battle.

I personally can think of a million different, better uses for my tax dollars — like the education system, which is one of the worst in the nation. If you really want to display your religion on your car, get a bumper sticker. Although how that could honestly ever help “spread the message” to anyone is beyond me.

I also love how Bauer blames the “liberal” judge for denying him. Is he trying to imply that liberals aren't religious? That they might not have a faith just as deep as his supposedly is? I am sick of the word liberal being synonmous with atheist. It's an ignorant and dangerous assumption.

Erin Henneberry

Rock Hill