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OPINIONS
Voice of the people
Writer was another Charles W. Carroll
The Charles W. Carroll writing letters to "Voice of the People" published in The Herald- Dispatch newspaper is not the Charles W. Carroll who has practiced insurance for more than 50 years in the Huntington area and was the owner and operator of the Carroll Insurance Agency for more than 30 years.
Charles W. Carroll
Huntington
Zoning board fails Highlawn area
At last week's zoning board meeting, a variance was granted to Trinity Church of God on 3rd Avenue so the establishment could repurpose an R-2 (residential) lot into a parking lot for its congregation. Nine residents from Highlawn spoke out against the variance. We listed reasons including, but not limited to, drainage, property value decline, the destruction of a viable historic home and security.
Prior to voting, Chairperson Ray Browning asked if he should recuse himself due to his past association with the petitioner, and after being advised it was not legally necessary, voted yes to the variance for the parking lot. In fact, before the meeting began and any word against the project was spoken, he told the petitioner that he would probably receive his requested variances. Furthermore, the all important plans for the drainage system were not approved in writing prior to the board voting.
I was disappointed to the see the board miserably fail my neighborhood. This is not just a parking lot but an attack on every personal property owner in this city.
Chris Shoemaker
Huntington
Lowering drinking age makes no sense
As a 19-year-old, I am getting put out with this silly debate over the drinking age. Science has proven that until we reach our mid-20s, our brains are not fully matured and, consequently, not prepared to make the best decisions.
I still have no idea how the fact that we are old enough to vote means we should be able to drink. That is comparing an apple to an orange. A 16-year-old can drive; should we let him or her drink? Just because someone is old enough to vote or even fight for our country does not mean he or she should be able to drink. Different responsibilities call for different ages.
So maybe you're thinking this would decrease binge drinking? Maybe you're right, but what about this: An 18-year-old is much more likely to provide plenty of alcohol to a high school party with kids as young as 14 there, whereas a 21-year-old is probably over the high school scene. Lowering the age would just increase high school drinking. And last time I checked, not many great things happen when irresponsible people are drinking.
Kati Bailey
Huntington
