TRAFFIC CONGESTION
Response to "Commuter rail merits study," Opinion, May 5
Some concerned citizens, who have long recognized the importance of more “balance” in metro Atlanta transportation if the area is to continue the dynamic economic growth and improved quality of life that characterized much of the past half-century, were heartened by the Opinion pages of May 5.
Commuter rail certainly does merit more study. Such study should result in an electorate, as well as political leaders, having a much better understanding and appreciation of the role increased passenger rail can provide a growing population. Commuter rail is a proven and successful necessity for metro areas throughout the U.S. and much of the rest of the world.
Perhaps a sensible, pragmatic, realistic study that includes “people who know” can get this area back on track in helping reduce congestion and assuring mobility as residents move further out, while others move further in.
RICHARD E. HODGES, MARIETTA
RURAL JUSTICE
Funds shortfall limits
ability to hire lawyers
Regarding “Need is great, lawyers few in rural Georgia” (News, May 6), your excellent article misses one very important point.
Georgia Legal Services, which provides such badly needed services to those below the poverty level, is severely restricted in terms of available funds to hire lawyers. Your article suggests the pay is so low — and it is — that few lawyers would be interested in working for GLS, in part because of student loans. In fact, GLS could hire all the lawyers it needs if only the money were available. GLS’ funds come from interest on trust accounts, the federal Legal Services Corporation, which has been hit by sequester, and contributions from lawyers in Georgia, who have been very generous. Money to pay lawyers very little is all that is needed.
JOHN A. CHANDLER, ATLANTA
APS TEST CHEATING
Chamber is committed
to schools’ success
The articles and editorials in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution have asked questions about the motivation of the Metro Atlanta Chamber, and me specifically, during the early days of the Atlanta Public Schools crisis. First, I want to thank the AJC, our law enforcement and others who have worked tirelessly to bring these issues to full light.
Second, as the leader of the Metro Atlanta Chamber (MAC), and with the backing of our executive committee, we pushed for a comprehensive and well-organized investigation by the Blue Ribbon Commission (BRC). Ultimately, the BRC referred more than 100 individuals to APS for further investigation.
However, in hindsight, and given the extent of cheating which further investigations revealed, I wish I had been more involved and asked more questions along the way. I regret not doing so. The Metro Atlanta Chamber apologizes for our initial criticism of the AJC. Thanks in large part to the AJC, we will now learn the full extent of the cheating as the cases work their way through the legal system.
MAC remains committed to the most important objective: The integrity of the school systems and the education of our children. We will continue our 31-year-old partnership with APS through Atlanta Partners for Education (APFE). Through APFE, employees from over 400 companies volunteer to work in Atlanta schools. As a father and grandfather, I know nothing is more important than everyone’s involvement with children so they are successful in all they do.
We hope that, as the community supports the rebuilding of APS, the AJC will continue to shine the spotlight on our school systems. We hope coverage includes resolution of the past challenges as well as all of the good things that parents, their children and the school systems are doing to move forward.
SAM A. WILLIAMS, president, Metro Atlanta Chamber
