Letters — Bill Pulte, Eric Johnson, childcare, books

Re: “FHFA head to take over national intelligence,” Wednesday news story. 

Bill Pulte nominated for acting director of national intelligence? With no relevant experience? 

I understand that some friends will be rewarded with a government job (i.e., ambassador to Monaco) as long as you blindly support the current administration. But shouldn’t you have to have the minimum qualifications for some of these positions? Especially something like the director of national intelligence? 

Wow!  How low can you go before a majority of our congressional leaders come together and say that enough is enough! Again, all I can say is, “Wow!”

John Swendig, Garland 

As a 50-year resident of Dallas who has paid a substantial amount of property taxes — both personal and investment-wise — I deeply miss the days of Robert Folsom and Starke Taylor. Now, those guys actually knew how to run a city. 

Eric Johnson should go hide under a rock and practice law at his elite law firm before Dallas implodes further from his disastrous leadership (or, I should say, lack thereof). 

Just like New York has Zohran Mamdani — and their citizens will pay the price — we elected Johnson. Shame on us. 

Sam Feldman, Dallas/Bluffview 

Ten years from now, a first-time visitor’s drive toward Fairview will inspire the car’s occupants to all proclaim, “What is that?” They will be awed by the LDS Steeple, its splendor, the way it pierces through the trees, as if hands are reaching for God. 

How lucky are the fine people of Fairview to have a beautiful landmark, to be known to all in North Texas, coming to their community. It will enhance rather than diminish Fairview’s character.   

Moreover, it’s a slippery slope for a city to tell a church they can’t build the place of worship they want. Or, are we forgetting about separation of church and state?  This Catholic is hopeful we won’t.  

Jeremy Larsen, Dallas 

I noticed a story and photo on the front page of the Metro and Business section May 23 showing streets downtown being painted to welcome the FIFA World Cup. Does this mean it’s been determined that street markings no longer present a traffic hazard, as Pride crosswalks did? 

Mavis Belisle, Dallas/Oak Cliff 

Re: “Coalition pushes for childcare tax on ballot,” Tuesday Metro & Business story. 

First, set aside for a moment the fact that forcing all toddler-less families to pay for other people’s childcare is outrageous on its face. If the tax passed, the already high cost of childcare would increase even more. Just like college tuition rose steeply when the government took over college loans. It’s basic economics.  

And further, fraudulent childcare companies will pop up everywhere to steal the money, just like we have already seen happen in other places around the U.S. Millions stolen, because local government cannot and will not adequately administer and police the program. Worst idea ever. 

Dennis Roberson, Fort Worth 

The Dallas Childcare Works coalition deserves credit for putting childcare access front and center. The need is real and urgent. But a property tax increase? In a state where reducing property taxes has been a top legislative priority, asking working families who can’t afford childcare to pay more in taxes to fix it is a hard sell. 

This is exactly the challenge the governor’s Quad-Agency Childcare Initiative Commission should be solving. The state needs to get creative with tax credits, provider stabilization funding and workforce incentives. 

Texas ranks last in what we pay early childhood educators, and providers are closing at an alarming rate for a variety of reasons. That’s a statewide crisis, not a Dallas County problem. 

Texas families deserve a governor-level solution. 

Robbin Wells, Lucas 

Now that the primary is over, this Democrat has mixed feelings about the result. Among the two Republicans, I considered John Cornyn to be the far more sensible and preferable choice. But I’m somewhat glad that Ken Paxton won – for the simple fact that James Talarico will be more likely to beat Paxton in the general election given that Paxton is carrying more baggage than the cargo area of a Boeing 747.  

It will nonetheless still be quite a challenge for Talarico to win a Senate seat in deeply Republican Texas. For the good of the state and the country, I hope that he does. 

Sean Mullins, Dallas 

Re: “The secret life of ‘Doonesbury’ writer,” Sunday Arts & Life story. 

Oh, the irony! You publish a review of a book about Doonesbury creator Garry Trudeau in Sunday’s paper and yet I am unable to access the comic strip of the same name on Sundays. Is it because you fear the long reach of our thin-skinned president? 

Pamela Voorn, Frisco 

As an avid book reader, one of my first go-to’s when I open up my Sunday paper is the Arts & Life section and especially the bestsellers list. This past Sunday, I thoroughly enjoyed reading “The secret life of ‘Doonesbury’ writer,” and especially the story about the growing number of independent bookstores on the rise. 

I also recently read that the Barnes & Noble company is opening more stores in the coming year. 

It’s so refreshing to know that people are still reading, whether it be for the love of reading or just an escapism from reality. Thank you for keeping us bibliophiles in the know.  

Barb Rotondi, Dallas/Lake Highlands     

The city of Dallas has 705 vacant, not seasonal, positions unfilled. I think I know what some of them are. Landscapers!  The grass/weeds at Campbell Green and along Hillcrest Road (islands) north of 635 are close to 4 feet tall in some areas. Maybe Dallas should focus less on the building of new buildings and maintain what we already have. 

Audrey Pincu, Dallas