Charleston Mayor William Cogswell did a great job by taking a proactive approach to protecting our city during Tropical Storm Debby last week. I also thank all of the police officers and first responders who worked hard to keep our city safe. DAN HENDERSON JR.
Charleston I would like to know if The Post and Courier is going to explore the complete overreaction we now have to storms in Charleston. On Thursday morning, the sun was shining and the wind breezed by at 12 knots. Schools, government offices and medical facilities were still closed, with some opening at noon.
It has now become the standard operating procedure of local and state officials to operate with zero risk. It's absurd that our city shut down for parts of three days when the forecast called for rain. The Charleston area is routinely bombarded with king tides and rainstorms.
This is nothing new. On the night of Aug. 5, however, the city shut access to the peninsula as if there were lava pits swallowing whole cars.
At some point, city leaders have to let citizens act on their own free will. Our elected officials need to understand that their overreaction caused a ripple effect throughout the community, shutting down commerce and access for days. I'm sure they will cite safety reasons, but again this was always forecasted to be a simple rain event, something that many residents have experienced before.
Officials will likely point to flooding as well for the extra precautions. Perhaps this is a good opportunity for the mayor to release a simple, one-page graphic saying when flooding will be fixed and by how much. EDWARD MCNAIR Charleston Summerville is a beautiful and exciting place to live, with plenty of restaurants, parks and outdoor activities such as the Flowertown Festival, the world’s largest Sweet Tea party and summer concerts in Hutchinson Square.
During the summertime, however, bad weather, especially tropical storms, causes panic among residents. People rush to grocery stores and businesses close early to prepare for heavy rain, winds, tornadoes and flooding. Summerville needs a better drainage system and electrical infrastructure.
Winds above 25 mph often cause power outages, and even a few inches of rain can lead to flooding. To address these issues, we must clean drainage areas and keep them debris-free to prevent flooding. Switching to stronger cement poles, stronger foundations for traffic signals and eventually running electricity underground can help mitigate electrical issues.
Addressing these problems may require significant investment, but as a community, we are ready to step up and contribute to ensure the safety and resilience of our beloved city. Together, we can make a difference. DAVID MARSHALL Summerville Over my 89 years, I have known and admired many fine Republicans, Democrats and independents who have worked for, fought for and been proud of the United States .
Now I find myself bothered by the implication of the red MAGA caps and banners. My America has always been great. CAROLYN MOON Mount Pleasant Growing up and working in Atlanta, I watched the construction of Interstate 285, an auxiliary interstate highway encircling the city.
Before its construction in 1958, my father taught me to drive on a gravel road in rural north Atlanta. On that site now stands 30-story hotels, office buildings, shopping centers and a major league baseball park. It also is a parking lot at 5 p.
m. Completion of the Interstate 526 extension will change the character of Johns, James and the other Sea Islands through more development. Make your choice.
History repeats itself. J. STUART MCDANIEL Wadmalaw Island What’s on your mind? Join our community conversations and let your voice be heard by writing a letter to the editor.
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