Wait until December to fill Strom vacancy

Citizens For Responsible Government calls upon the Chapel Hill Town Council to defer the selection of a replacement for the seat vacated by Bill Strom until after the new council is seated in December.

The unfortunate timing of the Strom resignation has had the effect of removing the electorate from the process of filling of the seat. Had the resignation been submitted just days earlier, the citizens would have been afforded the opportunity to fill Mr. Strom's seat in the traditional method by casting their votes at the ballot box.

The council should now act in a manner that to the extent possible gives voice to the upcoming vote of the citizens. By rule, the council must choose the replacement to fill the seat. It can and should publicly commit to defer the selection until the newly elected council is seated, thereby giving the voters in the upcoming election a seat at the table.

Such action would be a vote of confidence in the democratic process and an act of respect to the citizens of the town.

Tom Holt

Chapel Hill

The writer submitted this letter on behalf of Citizens for Responsible Government.



Racing coverage much appreciated

Just a short note to thank you for writing about the Occoneechee Historic Speedway Group Car Show and Racer's Reunion ("History in high gear at show, reunion," Aug. 28), and also for the great "Racing Legends" editorial that appeared on the Chapel Hill Herald Editorial Page ("Racing legends tell it like it is," Sept. 2).

With all the hustle-bustle of this "modern" "throw-away" society we live in, it's always good to get the perspective of all those who've gone before us, (even old racers).

Thanks again ... and thanks to Frank Craig, Joe Crews and all their associates for keeping our memories alive.

Phillip Walker

Hillsborough

Kleinschmidt has 'Chapel Hill values'

I write to give my strongest support to the candidacy of Mark Kleinschmidt for mayor of the Town of Chapel Hill.

I have known Mark since his student days at the UNC Law School. I have closely followed his career both as a lawyer and as a Chapel Hill Town Council member. Mark's intelligence, common sense and ability to wrestle effectively with tough community problems are remarkable. Mark's compassion for others has come through in everything he has done for this town.

He cares for the rights of everyone in our community. His support for diversity in our lives is consistent with the best of Chapel Hill values, politics and government throughout its history. He will make an outstanding mayor. I encourage all citizens to vote for him.

Ken Broun

Chapel Hill