Praise to AJC for highlighting industrial trades training
I always enjoy reading about the achievements of our youth. The Metro section of the paper routinely highlights various school valedictorians, spelling bee winners, National Merit finalists, debate champions, etc. In a recent “Bragbook,” I was especially glad to see the picture and story of Weston Moody’s high finish in a welding school’s welding competition. After spending five years at Georgia Tech attaining an excellent engineering education, I must confess I learned as much about how the real manufacturing world works from top-notch electricians, machinists, pipefitters, production operators and so forth in my first two years working at a world-class chemical company as I did in college. Over the years, our society has over-promoted scholastic achievement and minimized accomplishments in other important areas. We need more skilled workers and technicians, and a renewed emphasis on hands-on, skilled training programs. It’s nice that we provide a $50,000 per year scholarship to a valedictorian to attend Harvard. However, where are the $50,000 in scholarships that can be used to train 5 to 10 students to become professionals in an honorable trade? Congrats to Weston on his accomplishment, and thanks to the AJC for publicizing it.
P.D. GOSSAGE, JOHNS CREEK
Gubernatorial candidates should address big, broad issues
Either of the women who ran for governor would be excellent, though I hope the chosen candidate can move beyond emphasis on her childhood and HOPE to tell us what she would do to make Georgia a better and more equitable place to live and work. Perhaps during the summer, the chosen Republican could do the same. Nobody is keeping us from owning a gun or practicing a religion. Deal with the real issues such as the environment, the economy, and schools. That’s what people are interested in, not your ability to tote a gun and be macho.
DIANE SHEARER, TUCKER
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