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Observations
September 5, 2019 |
 |
 Wingate Lassiter |
Perhaps, this time around, N.C. can
fix its flawed redistricting process
Heartening news this week from a panel of three state judges (two Democrats, one Republican) who unanimously ruled that current district maps for electing members of the N.C. General Assembly took "extreme advantage in drawing voting districts to help elect a maximum number of Republican lawmakers."
As a result, the judges ordered the maps redrawn in time for the 2020 elections.
Too bad the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the current maps for electing North Carolina's members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Those maps are equally flawed against fairness, last year electing a Tar Heel delegation made up of 10 Republicans and 3 Democrats even though North Carolina is a "purple" state that consistently votes about 50-50 Democrat vs. Republican in statewide elections.
North Carolinians for Redistricting Reform is a bipartisan coalition of leaders, including all of our former governors and chief justices, that want a state constitutional amendment "that outlines clear, nonpartisan standards for drawing congressional and state voting districts."
Other states have already done that. What are we waiting for?
Commissioner calls out bad driving
Tony Braswell, the "elder statesman" among Johnston's County Commissioners, had something to get off his chest near the end of the board's Tuesday morning session this week. He said motorists driving badly are "the greatest danger to public safety" around here.
"People do incredible, stupid things out there," he declared. "Excess speeders and reckless drivers --- it's amazing."
"I don't know what it's going to take to stop it." he lamented.
What troubles me even more is my suspicion that the bad driving is a reflection of flaws in our national character, and it appears to be contagious. A combination of disrespect and stupidity, says this "old fogey." What a shame.
What's the point of butchering the tops of trees growing into utility lines?
Wouldn't it be better to just remove the trees? Or better yet, bury the utility lines?
(Bradford pears whacked this week along South Second Street)
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