ETHICS
Some politicians need
moral compass check
The story about Lorraine Green, former Gwinnett commissioner, was astounding (“Official casts 13 votes for longtime client,” Metro, Feb. 3.)
How could she not know that there was a conflict of interest here? I keep seeing this kind of behavior in local and state politics, and it is very frustrating and disheartening. Even now, with laws being passed to restrict such behavior, politicians from the governor to city council members still seem to be trying to twist rules to benefit themselves or their cronies.
I think anyone who runs for public office should be required to take a rigid psychological test to determine if that person has the moral compass required to be a trusted public servant. The only problem is that it would probably eliminate 90 percent of the people running for public office.
MICHAEL DE GIVE, DECATUR
CAPITOL PRIVILEGE
Special license plates
for ex-legislators silly
So, Sen. Ramsey of Decatur is proposing a special license plate to recognize ex-legislators with at least eight years of service (“Special plates proposed for retired legislators,” Metro, Feb. 9.)
Good grief! What for? So people will know they were once big shots? To intimidate police when they swerve all over the road after a boozy night of lobbying their pals still under the Gold Dome? Nonsense, and a waste of time like this are exactly why the public has such a low opinion of politicos. As it is, you can’t drive two miles down a Georgia highway without seeing a bridge or road named for one of these self-absorbed, self-aggrandizing yahoos. Please spare us such frivolous foolishness.
JIM CONNAH, SANDY SPRINGS
POSTAL SERVICE
Every-day delivery
no longer necessary
The Postal Service has announced it will eliminate Saturday mail delivery. What a catastrophe! Now, I’ll have to wait until Monday to get my bills and junk mail. I can do without the bills; I just don’t know how I’ll survive without my catalog fix.
Kidding aside, every-day delivery of mail is an anachronism. With so many faster and cheaper means of communicating, three-day-per-week delivery would be plenty. Businesses and others who use the post office could allow a little extra time for their mailings, or use another means to get their materials out.
RICHARD DOWIS, WALESKA
EDUCATION
Thurmond will benefit
troubled school district
DeKalb County’s children will benefit from Michael Thurmond becoming part of the DeKalb school district, as will taxpayers of the county. I believe it will become a system parents, children and others will be proud of.
I worked for the Georgia Department of Labor when he was commissioner. He evaluated the needs of those seeking jobs. Many at the time were not computer literate. Classes were set up in employment offices, with counselors teaching basic computer skills. He set up programs with business internships, with the goal of possible employment. He worked with two-year colleges and technical schools with a sincere effort to make the unemployed in Georgia employable.
A. JEAN RICHARDSON, DECATUR
