POVERTY
It makes sense to keep shelters open
Closing the Jefferson Place and Springdale Place homeless shelters probably doesn’t make financial sense (“Women’s shelter among 2 to close,” Metro, April 20). A recent study by the University of North Carolina-Charlotte found that Moore Place in Charlotte saved taxpayers money. Incarceration rates, hospital emergency room visits and admissions dropped so much that, in its first year of operation, Moore Place saved $1.8 million.
But the success of shelters is more than efficient use of tax dollars. It’s about helping people gain the skills they need to succeed. Not only should Jefferson and Springdale remain open, we should build more facilities like them. Also, we should consider emulating Moore Place. Funding should be increased, the dividends of which will be saved money and saved lives.
DON MCADAM, SANDY SPRINGS
POLITICS
With race, it’s best to be circumspect
In his column, “Only racism can explain some attacks on Obama” (Opinion, April 20), Leonard Pitts asks whether race has played a role in the oft-harsh treatment of President Barack Obama and Attorney General Ed Holder. Citing a handful of contemptible comments by political opponents over the course of five years, Pitts intimates that these moronic statements characterize or typify those with whom the administration disagrees.
This is like isolating the IRS targeting of conservative groups, CIA privacy intrusions, Benghazi, Fast & Furious and military sex scandals and extrapolating them as representative of corruption that characterizes Democrats in political leadership. Are there racists? Unfortunately, yes. Are there people who misuse their positions of authority? Yes. But do such acts represent the core of either side of the political spectrum? Pitts should be more circumspect when he makes a public accusation.
ALAN FOSTER, ACWORTH
GOVERNANCE
Problems abound; what’s the solution?
Your paper taught me that many of Georgia’s elected and appointed officials are unethical; that many of Georgia’s elected and appointed officials are dilettantes without the credentials needed to do their jobs; and that Georgia’s elected and appointed officials focus on politics rather than on helping Georgians. How do we get out of this mess? Are you getting through to your readers? Do you need more subscribers? Are our leaders up to the job? Does Georgia have ethical people with the expertise and desire to help solve Georgia’s key problems?
JERRY WALDBAUM, HOSCHTON
EDUCATION
Teachers need help of students, parents
Success in education is a qualified and supportive teacher sitting on a three-legged stool teaching his or her students. One leg represents the student’s desire to learn. The second leg represents the other students’ desire to learn. And the third leg represents parent support and expectations of their children. The teacher and symbolic stool are only as strong as all three legs.
JERRY SCHWARTZ, ALPHARETTA
