Cobb still footing bill for stadium deal
Given how Tim Lee tried to keep information about the stadium deal as opaque as possible, why am I not surprised that the taxpayers are shelling out about an extra $1 million for manned traffic control?
In addition, the Braves citing the differences in the neighborhoods (Turner Field vs. Cumberland area) rings hollow.
First, as an area resident, I can tell you that within a three mile radius of the stadium, you have a mixture of residential and commercial properties. Second, the statement implies an assumption that the Cumberland area is like the Perimeter area, where DeKalb police direct traffic during rush hour. That has never been the case in the 15 years that I’ve lived in Cobb. The only time Cobb, or Smyrna, police are called upon to direct traffic is for accidents or power outages.
Once more, Lee, like many politicians before him, over promised (no extra cost to taxpayers) and under delivered.
DAVID STEWART, SMYRNA
Boys victims of sex trafficking too
A 2005 FBI report identified Atlanta as one of the top 14 cities in the U.S. with the highest prevalence of sex trafficking. While our work to address this issue has grown tremendously since that time, I worry that many still do not acknowledge that boys are such victims also. In fact, a study done by ICE in 2012 reported that 1 in 10 males will become victims of sexual exploitation during their childhood.
Despite this data, boys are still frequently overlooked by service providers (Estes & Weiner, 2001). A 2013 study of national Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children facilities reported that of 37 operational programs, only two accepted males. Further, neither of the two facilities here in Georgia include boys in their programs. Exploited boys deserve the same care as girls. So my question to our policymakers, program administrators and U.S. citizens is … what about our boys?
GISELLE BALFOUR, ATLANTA
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