A Buckhead resident contends his right to a sound night’s sleep should override the state’s rush to rebuild a burned-out section of I-85.
In a handwritten complaint against the Georgia Department of Transportation, filed in Fulton County Superior Court, Tyler Gaston wants road construction halted between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. weekdays and 10 p.m. to 10 a.m. weekends.
“Chronic sleep loss places me at risk for heart disease, heart attack, heart failure, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure and stroke, contributes to the symptoms of depression (and) impairs my ability to focus at work,” Gaston says in the filing. He also says state and city officials have turned down his request for financial aid to relocate.
Gaston lives in the Optimist lofts on Piedmont Road – directly across from where a fire, allegedly started by a homeless man March 30, brought down the expressway’s northbound span and irreparably damaged the southbound span.
A GDOT spokeswoman declined to comment on the suit, citing the pending litigation, but it’s no secret why the agency is in a hurry: A key metro artery is severed, snarling traffic for commuters, businesses and emergency responders.
C.W. Matthews Contracting Co. Inc. crews are working 24/7 to restore the bridge by a promised delivery date of June 15 – with incentives of up to $3.1 million if the work is completed earlier.
Some of Gaston’s neighbors are sympathetic.
“It’s kind of a hassle trying to get sleep and work and have a life all the way around because you’re constantly trying to deal with the bombardment of noise,” Shawn Anderson told Channel 2 Action News.
Should the sleep needs of residents near bridge construction override the necessity to quickly repair a major motorway? Send comments by email to communitynews@ajc.com
AT ISSUE: SHOULD ‘SO HELP ME GOD’ BE MANDATORY IN GOVERNMENT OATHS?
Gov. Nathan Deal will be deciding whether or not to allow the newly elected Marietta mayor and City Council members to choose whether they want “So help me, God” included in their oaths of office in January. The reason is the change, approved 7-0 in March by the Marietta City Council, involves an amendment to the city charter that needs approval or denial by the State Legislature and Gov. Deal.
Except for one member in the House and two in the Senate, House Bill 577 was approved and forwarded to Gov. Deal on April 5 by the House. So far, he has not signed the bill into law. Even if he does nothing, the bill will become law. If he vetoes the bill, two-thirds of the members of each house would be needed to override his action. Information: legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display/20172018/HB/577.
We asked our readers their views. Should Gov. Deal allow or not allow House Bill 577 to become law? If he approves, the new Marietta mayor and each City Council member no longer would have to say “So help me, God” as a part of their oath of office in January. Instead the phrase would be optional.
Here’s what some readers said:
If a public official taking the oath of office "I swear to…" and he leaves out "So help me, God," then who is the official swearing to…who does he answer to? I would not trust any public official, for a second, who decides to leave (that phrase) out of a pledge to protect and defend the U.S. Constitution." — David Raiteri
This is another attempt to change the makeup of American values. I believe the phrase "So help me, God" should remain. — F. J. Moran
Why an oath at all? It doesn't seem to be effective in guaranteeing truthfulness. On a similar note, why should we "all rise" for judges, publicly pray, routinely pledge allegiance to the flag or play the National Anthem at sporting events where no other country is involved? — Norman Staehling
When someone takes an oath, he is expected to follow moral, ethical and legal standards. To pompously think that you are so superior that you alone can do this job is a joke. Keep "So help me, God" for every government office!!! — Carol Murphy
Yes, "So help me, God" should remain in the oath of office. — Dale Sims
As a Christian, I ask that HB577 be vetoed. Why is there no consideration of offending Christians by eliminating this reference to God? — Antonio Rillo
Remove God from our country at your own peril! See 2 Chronicles 7:14. God's blessings were once abundant to the USA but are decreasing to the point where they will become nonexistent if we continue on our present path. It is my fervent prayer that our new president will have the opportunity to reverse the present direction. Our elected officials need God's help desperately. Gov. Deal, please veto HB577. — Donna Rillo
Why can't religion be satisfied with freedom to worship in the home, the church, the street corner—anywhere except public schools, government buildings and functions? So why must the Ten Commandments be posted on public buildings and why must we still be talking about state-sponsored prayer in schools and oaths to God as part of government functions? — C. R. Vantreese
An "oath" is a promise professing "truth" to a "deity"! "If" one keeps the "deity" out of government, you, substantively, have a government with only a "promise" to man (who usually will "lie"!) He, essentially, is not asking for the "deity's" help. — Artelle Peters
My opinion is "no"! For those who believe in the Judeo/Christian God, leaving it in an oath confirms the strongest testimony to being truthful and faithful. Removing "God" from the oath really only serves to appease a select group of people. It does not include those who believe in a "higher power." — Ellen Varnum
If a person does not believe in God, saying "So help me, God" is meaningless. What would be the purpose of forcing them to say it? Making the phrase optional is a welcome step in the right direction - away from an obvious violation of the First Amendment. — Lori O'Neal
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
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