ARMED FORCES DAY
Pause for a moment to support our troops
As a member of America’s communities, stop on May 18 — Armed Forces Day — and please take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices made on your behalf by our troops.
Then, reach out and demonstrate your thanks personally, or through a troop support organization such as the Blue Star Mothers of America. The organization’s members are mothers with sons and daughters serving in the military. You can donate in-kind goods for care packages, or meet the moms and ask what they need to continue the organization’s support of America’s military and veterans and the families of our fallen heroes.
You may be surprised; some groups may ask for postage money to ship care packages to troops around the world, while others may just ask you to spread the word that America’s military needs to be supported by one and all.
PAT SOLER, NATIONAL PRESIDENT, BLUE STAR MOTHERS OF AMERICA INC.
TRANSPORTATION
Best commuter option: extend MARTA lines
I agree with the AJC’s stance that rail needs to be examined as a transportation method for our growing region. Atlanta has fallen well behind other cities of its size when it comes to commuter transportation. Very shortly, this lack will have a dire impact on the quality of our lives and our economy.
I disagree, however, with the suggestions made to put commuter traffic on extant freight rail lines. These lines are well used and congested as they are. There isn’t sufficient capacity to add a useful commuter system without massive upgrades. A better solution is to build a new, stand-alone, optimized regional commuter rail system that would have routes where needed — offering the maximum speeds and frequency required to become popular, and financially attractive.
An extension of MARTA’s heavy rail system is the most efficient approach. MARTA extensions would utilize electric propulsion, gaining green power advantages. It would use the urban core infrastructure that is already built. All this suggests strongly that a comprehensive MARTA extension option thoroughly evaluated for cost and convenience should be part of the preferred solution.
JAN DAVID JUBON, CUMMING
ETHICS
Taxpayers lose when there’s no oversight
Is there a new math when it comes to politics?
It would seem there is a new math in the political arena. Try this equation: A political entity (person or group) plus a large sum of money equals lack of oversight. It is simply amazing what can happen to taxpayer funds when there is no accountability.
LARRY SHUMAN, DOUGLASVILLE
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