MARTA
Transit chief oblivious to filthy train stations
In a recent op-ed piece, MARTA CEO and General Manager Keith Parker calls himself a “regular MARTA customer” (“Agency committed to safety, workers,” Opinion, May 21).
I find that difficult to believe. He may ride buses, but he surely does not ride the trains. If he did, the filthy, deplorable condition of the stations would have been fixed a long time ago.
If Mr. Parker ever walked into a MARTA train station, he would be out there with a scrub brush and a mop himself. The stations are that bad.
MIKE CANFIELD, ATLANTA
PUBLIC SAFETY
Wee-hour mobile alert of questionable utility
The innovative spirit and zeal for public safety that led to adding Amber alerts to iPhones should be applauded.
However, any strategic or logistic public safety gains by this development will be lost if these alerts continue to go off in the wee hours of the morning when most iPhone users are asleep in their beds — and thus unable to assist in locating a particular vehicle on the roads. In other words, iPhone users will choose to turn the alert off.
MICHELE HLAVSA, ATLANTA
EDUCATION
Lottery money doesn’t ensure quality schools
Here’s food for thought: If the millions in the recent Powerball take go for public education (as do funds in other lotteries), why is our education system so bad?
PRISCILLA H. PADRÓN, ATLANTA
HOMELAND SECURITY
Obama voter appalled by spying on reporters
I am a lifelong Democrat who voted twice for President Obama, but I am appalled at the spying conducted on the Associated Press by this administration under the guise of national security.
That is what the Nazis did under Hitler, and what the Communists did with the Stasi in East Germany. Does this president know we have a Constitution guaranteeing a free press?
ERIK L. PETERSEN, KENNESAW
SHARING THE ROAD
Bicyclists take risks riding in fast traffic
I own two bicycles, and I enjoy riding. I think this is a very worthwhile sport, and it is a source of enjoyment for a great many people of all ages.
However, when bicycles are mixed with regular traffic, there is a huge difference in keeping up with the traffic flow and being vulnerable in faster traffic. Drivers on public roads have to be insured, licensed, registered and readily identified by an attached tag with a current safety sticker. Drivers have to abide by all the safety rules imposed by government.
On the other hand, bicycle riders do not have to be insured, have licenses, be registered or have tags and a safety sticker. Age limits for drivers are enforced, while there is no age limit for bicycles (notice that I did not say “cyclist,” as that would include motorcycles that can keep up with traffic). Bicycles are unable to keep up with the traffic flow in most cases in suburban and rural areas, and this creates a very dangerous situation if they ride side by side impeding traffic.
This is a very basic difference that places an unfair burden on drivers. The playing field is not level, and those who ride side by side are taking a great risk.
ALTON POWELL, CHATTAHOOCHEE HILLS
