Bill rescues kids in failing schools
Last week, a Senate committee entertained comments on Gov. Nathan Deal’s proposed (Opportunity School District) school legislation. Most speakers were education professionals, all opposing this legislation. I do not care how it affects the administrators, teachers who can’t teach or the feelings of local school boards. One educator was concerned his school, with a substantial number of transient students causing a failing grade, could be transferred to state control. That is why there is discretion built in to the legislation.
The only person to speak in favor of the proposal happened to be a former student from two of the failing schools on the governor’s list, who has graduated college and now mentors minority students. This legislation is not meant to mollify adults, but rescue kids who have little hope in their school situations and give them a chance to become productive citizens.
EDWARD G. SMITH, ATLANTA
Few protections in marsh buffer bill
The marsh buffer fill, which passed on the Senate floor this session and is headed to the House for approval, might sound like a home run for environmentalists. However, the bill as written is full of loopholes that open the floodgates for developers to obtain variances to do pretty much what they please. Worse yet, there is no provision in the bill to ban non-native plants or pesticides, herbicides and other harmful chemicals from the buffer zone. Unless the bill is amended, it offers nothing more than a pretty, alliterative title and will be powerless to safeguard plants and marine life of marshes, not to mention the seafood we eat, from the destructive practices of corporations and developers.
BRENDA CONSTAN, ATLANTA
Let’s support cops, not lawbreakers
President Barack Obama has a White House task force calling for independent investigations when police use deadly force. The Justice Department has done investigations into high-profile events involving police with not enough evidence to prosecute. What we need to do is commend the police departments for doing an exceptional job, considering they have to do their jobs with constant pressure from the media and groups that want to attention. All this exposure sends the message to lawbreakers that they can run and resist arrest with the hope that they can gain a civil rights case. What’s needed is more done to support the police and the job they are doing with all the restraints put upon them.
LEE BAKER, LILBURN
