READERS WRITE

It doesn’t take a tragedy to show strength of community ties

Today marks the fifth anniversary of the tragic deaths of my dad, Billy Venable, and my brother, Bill Venable. Their murders received significant attention throughout the Atlanta area. Those difficult days showed us the strength of the communities of which we were a part: the Tucker High School community, the coaching and wrestling communities and the greater Atlanta community, to name a few. We were and continue to be blessed by the love and support of so many. While it sometimes seems that it takes a tragedy for us to recognize the power of community ties, it is comforting to know that when we need such support, it is present.

One quality that my dad and brother shared was their love of seeing joy in others. It would make their day to see a friend laugh or smile. So, as our family takes time to remember our dad and brother, I’d ask those of you who knew or just knew of them to take the opportunity to make someone smile, whether it be through a smile of your own, a kind word, an unrequested favor or, my brother Bill’s favorite, a corny joke.

Do it for “Coach V and Bill” and, in doing so, maybe it will help us all realize, just a little bit, that it doesn’t take a tragedy for us to appreciate the strength of our communities.

STEPHEN VENABLE

Los Angeles

City must allocate more resources to help homeless

I cringed when I read the letter “Beggars spoil special visit,” (@issue, Jan. 7) that urged Mayor Shirley Franklin to “get rid of the panhandlers and beggars” in the Centennial Park area.

To refer to human beings as if one were speaking of exterminating insects demonstrates a lack of humanity and understanding of the true problem: lack of resources to assist the homeless population.

The city needs to allocate more resources —- and not to misguided projects that place donation collection stations around the city. We need more beds for homeless individuals and families, more job and education assistance, and of course more resources for those with addictions and mental illness.

Sometimes we forget that these are real people. It would be better for them and better for our city if Atlanta treated them as such.

WENDY ANGEL

Atlanta