AIRPORT
International visitors deserve better of city
I recently did some travel and experienced the new International Terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. For a city of Atlanta’s size, the international concourse was a total disappointment and borderline embarrassing. On our way out of town, we had to take the shuttle ride to the concourse, which was at minimum a 15-minute ride. Once there, we wanted breakfast, but the food court was extremely limited, overpriced, half of the few places there were closed, and the quality of the food we got was terrible. I cannot imagine how it must be for someone taking an international flight into the airport.
When we returned from our trip, we didn’t fly into the International Terminal; instead, we went into Terminal E, but we had to make our way all the way back to the international concourse to get our baggage. There was a way to get there by walking, but it was an extremely long distance to walk. We were lucky and someone driving a buggy in the airport offered us a ride, but once we were dropped off, it was at least a 15-minute walk. Again, I can’t imagine having been on an overnight flight from Asia and have to do what we did.
Atlanta really needs to rethink this.
BOB KEELER, ALPHARETTA
HEALTH CARE
Expand Medicaid? Let Democrats pay
Since the Democrats are so gung-ho for expanded Medicaid in Georgia, why not have the Democratic Party pay for it? The folks who will benefit vote Democratic anyway, so it will be like a reward for their support. Everybody wins. The Republicans don’t have to pay for something they don’t want, and the Democrats get the expanded coverage they say they desire.
It can even be arranged to be payroll deductible. Sen. Vincent Fort can set an example by being the first to sign up. Vinnie, are you ready?
PAT MURPHY, FAYETTEVILLE
BRAVES MOVE
City should charge for team’s use of ‘Atlanta’
In the “Q&A on the News” (Metro, Jan. 15), a reader asked if the Atlanta Braves would still be called the “Atlanta Braves” once they move to Cobb County. The Braves say they will, but the site they chose is not in the city. It is in Cobb. Businesses that are not located within the corporate limits of the city contribute zero to the city’s tax base, but they benefit from the association.
Just look at the businesses that have asked the postal service to extend the Atlanta zip code so they can have an Atlanta address. Some, having accomplished this, have even crowed over the fact that they get to say they are in Atlanta but don’t have to pay the city’s taxes. At its core, that is stealing. I hope the city will finally draw a line in the sand and require the Atlanta Braves to pay a licensing fee to continue to use the name once the team leaves the city.
DOUG ALEXANDER, ATLANTA
