13 hours ago
Arlington has more than enough apartments and temporary residents
Arlington's Planning and Zoning Commission erred by approving a flood of apartment developments. Arlington became overrun with apartments and temporary residents who brought layers of problems. Now, the commission risks doing it again.
It is considering yet another apartment development at the former site of the Randol Mill Nursing and Retirement Villa. To the north along Randol Mill Road are scores of apartments. And they all usually have 'for lease' banners flying.
We do not want or need more apartments in this area. The zoning applicant, Avenue 5 Residential, has nice developments in other parts of Arlington. But it's already received its fair share of our city.
- Deborah Cartwright, Arlington
Will there be a treaty to stop Russia from launching shells and missiles and killing people in Ukraine? President Donald Trump must decide quickly on a swift and certain answer. It appears Russian President Vladimir Putin is calling Trump's bluff, concluding the president won't impose sanctions on Russia.
This is a moment of truth, and the American people better ask ourselves: Will Trump take a firm and decisive stand, or is he using a stalling tactic?
- John Patrick King, Fort Worth
I served on Fort Worth's Redistricting Task Force in 2020 to 2021. Our panel and the City Council respected our city's minorities. We did not reduce the voting strength of any minority to favor any incumbent, challenger or political party.
Any redistricting that dilutes the voting strength of any minority is morally reprehensible and legally wrong. Disenfranchising minorities today will have serious future political consequences for those responsible, their parties and their communities.
Redistricting is best done every 10 years. Tarrant County's process is premature.
- Bill Schur, Fort Worth
Maureen Dowd quotes Glenn Thrush in her column in Monday's Star-Telegram online Edition, 'Tech Bro had to go,' as saying that Donald Trump 'is employing the vast power of his office to redefine criminality to suit his needs — using pardons to inoculate criminals he happens to like, downplaying corruption and fraud as crimes, and seeking to stigmatize political opponents by labeling them criminals.'
In light of recent revelations about Joe Biden's health and the questionable use of an autopen to sign documents, Thrush would do well to substitute 'Biden' for 'Trump' in that sentence.
- Mark Swanson, Mansfield
A high tariff has two purposes: to raise a lot of money for the federal treasury and to protect some American businesses against unfair foreign competition. It also results in a high sales tax for the American purchaser of imported products. Most economists forecast that the tariff wars will cost the American family around $1,000 a year.
That cost is an indirect and variable sales tax that could reach 30% on Chinese materials and products imported under tariffs. Who wins? The U.S. Treasury. Who loses? The American public. Do we really want a sales tax of up to 30%?
Tariffs accounted for the vast majority of federal revenue until the Civil War. Tariffs to protect American businesses from unfair foreign competition began in 1816. But high tariffs have been economic disasters.
- Marshall J. 'Joe' McFarland, Stephenville
