MASS TRANSIT

MARTA extension is a harebrained dream

I am shocked to read about MARTA’s proposed expansion (“MARTA sought in North Fulton,” Metro, Sept. 28).

Have they turned a blind eye to their chronic history of running the operation in the red, and needing bailout money to continue? Officials admit that these huge expansion plans would take at least 10 years, and require the agency to find up to $1.8 billion for construction costs.

Does management take their cues from Barack Obama — and not worry about having prepared solid financial resources, responsible budgets and realistic goals for the benefit of all people? I recommend that our state legislators get some backbone and end this ongoing saga of MARTA’s financial straits and harebrained dreams; take over this whole operation, and run it wisely and in the black.

BOB THOMAS, CUMMING

PUBLIC HEALTH

Move people toward managed medical care

“Why should I pay for others’ medical costs?” (Readers write, Opinion, Sept. 30) is correct: We do already pay a lot for those who don’t have medical insurance. The author is right: It only gets worse as they age. Every time an uninsured person walks into an emergency room or becomes reliant on the government as they can’t afford medical care, we pay.

The only solution is to move these people toward managed medical care that will help control costs and offer preventative care, rather than allowing them to move toward catastrophic medical bills. In the long run, the cost will be less for all of us, and the uninsured will have a better quality of life. We can also fulfill an obligation to care for the less fortunate. That is a part of humanity.

JOANNE ROTELLA, ATLANTA

ROADSIDE SIGNS

Charge billboard firm for every tree it cuts

I liked what the AJC published regarding the tree trimming at billboards issue (“Billboards a blight, no longer needed,” Opinion, Sept. 27).

I have mixed emotions about the issue. We travel to Florida about once every quarter. It is convenient to know the price of gas at upcoming exits. For someone traveling through Georgia for the first time, knowing how far it is to a certain hotel or tourist attraction can be beneficial.

I also firmly believe that trees have value in controlling noise, in pollution abatement and in adding scenic beauty. The real problem I have is that the Legislature did not take that into account. While it is really hard to put a dollar value on a tree, there is some. I think we should charge billboard companies $1,000 a tree for every one they cut. This would save a few trees, because they would become very selective in what they cut.

ROBERT W. PEPPEL, TUCKER