Letters to the Editor — Frisco crematory, home prices, Dallas pensions, Biden impeachment

‘Buyer beware’ applies in Frisco

Re: “Residents upset about plans for crematory — City says it can’t stop business approved before neighborhood was built,” Wednesday Metro & Business story.

I read your in-depth story about the challenges faced by homeowners near the new crematory with great interest. Living close to such a facility, especially just beyond a residential fence, is undoubtedly undesirable. However, considering the cemetery predates the community, and the neighborhood is surrounded by various potential sources of pollutants and noise, I find it challenging to sympathize fully with the homeowners.

The neighborhood not only borders a busy Eldorado Parkway but is also adjacent to a railroad, an indoor gun range, industrial storage yards and a sports complex. These elements raise questions about the homeowners’ concerns regarding pollutants and noise from various sources nearby. The prevailing south-to-southwest wind direction could carry crematory smoke away from the neighborhood.

While poor zoning decisions by the city of Frisco are a significant issue, there’s an aspect of “buyer beware” that applies. In a rapidly growing metroplex like Frisco, where homes are in high demand, prospective buyers should have considered the neighborhood’s surroundings, affecting home resale prices. The focus on the crematory, while attention-grabbing, could benefit from additional context about the broader environment.

Living in Houston, I understand the challenges of bad zoning in a bustling city. Your story prompts reflection on the complexities of urban living, the need for strategic foresight and the importance of informed decision-making by homeowners.

Scott Underberg, Houston

Where do rentals fit in?

Re: “Dallas Must Confront Housing Sticker Shock — City can’t be a developer, but it can improve life and facilitate building here,” Sunday editorial.

After reading this editorial about sticker shock for homes in Dallas, I was wondering if anyone has investigated the higher housing cost based on short-term rental investors from all over the country paying above market prices in neighborhoods when interest rates were very low? A short-term rental operator came in and offered $500,000 cash for a house valued at the time about $390,000. This could increase housing and property tax increases for all neighborhoods. Thoughts?

Phillip (Mike) Gorman, Dallas

Government ineptitude at work

Re: “Dallas pension crisis can’t be put off,” by David Elliston, and “Texas must fund public schools now,” by Fatih Ay, Mark DiBella, Yasmin Bhatia and Sehba Ali, Wednesday Opinion.

Wow, two columns on this one page about government ineptitude. The first one discusses massive pension underfunding for Dallas police and firefighters. That these men and women put their lives on the line for citizens every day, and to have to put up with problems that affect their financial well-being is unforgivable.

The second piece concerns the well-known underfunding issues with Texas schools. Much has been discussed and debated about this, but “leaders” — quotation marks intentional — continue to treat school funding and teacher retention as a political game.

A city the size of Dallas and a state as large and as wealthy as Texas deserve professional and competent leadership and management. I wonder when, if ever, this will emerge?

It is time to make inept governmental leadership obsolete. Citizens deserve it.

Dan Siculan, Royse City

Vendetta isn’t evidence

Re: “House OKs Biden impeachment inquiry — President called the investigation a ‘baseless political stunt,’” Thursday news story.

Let me get this straight. We had a former president who was impeached twice, both times with solid evidence against him. And both cases were thrown out despite the irrefutable evidence. The key word here is evidence.

Now our current president is under impeachment investigation, yet so far no evidence of any wrongdoing on him has come up that would warrant such an action. None whatsoever, not even a hint. Yet they press on. I can see why there might be a question, since his son was indicted. But the president seems to have distanced himself from his son’s personal life, other than offering emotional support.

To me, it all looks more like a vendetta than an investigation.

Richard Street, Carrollton

Abortion a personal issue

Re: “Kate Cox and Texas’ Bad Abortion Law — A case like hers was inevitable with state’s vague exceptions,” Wednesday editorial.

I mostly agree with your editorial except for this part: “There is space for a serious political solution. We need serious politicians who have the courage to offer a solution that the majority will embrace.”

I don’t believe abortion should be in the political arena at all! Republicans are never going to compromise on this. Let women decide what they will do with their own bodies. Remember “My body, my choice” from anti-vaxxers? It should also apply to abortion.

I believe Attorney General Ken Paxton is a dangerous individual. Next, he’ll try to ban travel between states for an abortion. Can you imagine not being able to travel in America because of a medical issue? We are losing our freedom, and will continue to do so if Republicans remain in charge.

Abortion is a personal issue and should be decided by the woman and her doctor, not some politician whom she doesn’t even know, who wants to gain political points. Get it out of politics!

Sandy Elkins, Plano

Discuss birth control

Abortion, as it’s been framed from the far right and far left, is the first option for birth control and not the last resort. Neither side is willing to acknowledge the plethora of options available for birth control and they definitely will not promote them as better alternatives, nor will they discuss the limitations of birth control. This intentionally obfuscates the abortion argument so that more extreme views dominate the discussion by limiting the ability to discuss abortion rationally.

Nicholas Rains, Angel Fire, N.M.

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