Larger can be better in sizing up new cities
I have a way to make the LaVista Hills/Tucker areas financially viable (“Taxes shaky for city plan,” News, Sept. 15). Combine into one city — then you only need one police chief, one mayor, one road commissioner, etc. instead of one for each. Another reason is that it is becoming silly to have so many small cities where slightly larger ones would be more economically feasible.
RALPH MARION, SANDY SPRINGS
Mumbo-jumbo over ‘religious liberty’
State Sen. Josh McKoon’s “Religious Liberty” bill has a name that follows a trend typical of misnomers perpetrated on us by our federal legislators. We should not be fooled by this one. “Operation Iraqi Freedom” comes to mind. Also, the “Patriot Act,” and one of my favorites: the “Earned Income Tax Credit” which issues checks (credits) to people who pay no federal income taxes. I find ridiculous the whole exercise of codifying in law a right one already has. But a right no smart or mannerly businessman or woman would exercise is the right to insult your prospective customer. Good manners, in private or public, is what makes a livable society. When one enters a business establishment, he should not be concerned as to the religious beliefs, or lack of same, of the owner. If this bill passes, what will its proponents want next ? A state religion?
BOB BLAHNIK, TUCKER
Real lesson’s on government waste
Re: (“Students rate Atlanta’s Streetcar,” Opinion, Sept. 15), did the instructor mention that the cost of this endeavor was over $100 million, half of which came from the federal government (our taxes) and the rest from our local taxes? Instead, what the students wanted were: 1.) More free rides more frequently, and 2.) Less personal inconvenience on their free trips to lunch. Is this experiment a testimonial to our educational system, our values, our expectation of government largesse (our taxes), or all of the above? If grades are given, give the students a C for not knowing any better and give the instructor an F for not teaching the real lessons. A two-bus system painted blue could have accomplished the same thing at probably 1 percent of the cost. Also, think how $100 million could have improved the Downtown Connector.
BRANDT ROSS, ATLANTA
Aquarium criticism not deserved
After reading Shannon McCaffrey’s article about the Georgia Aquarium (“How fares aquarium’s image at 10-year mark?,” News, Aug. 23), I felt compelled to set the record straight about its incredible stature and impact on the community. McCaffrey’s assessment that the Aquarium’s future is in question because of unfortunate developments involving beluga whales and an employee’s suicide is not accurate.
She fails to mention that the Aquarium was a gift to Georgia by Bernie Marcus which has singularly changed the city and state’s tourism industry. I can personally verify that we wouldn’t have the College Football Hall of Fame, Center for Civil and Human Rights, or the Atlanta Streetcar without the proven feasibility of the Aquarium. Since opening, the world-class attraction has drawn 22 million visitors and generated $1.5 billion of economic impact for the state. This is primarily due to the private philanthropy of Mr. Marcus, without any public contribution.
There will always be critics who find fault with aquariums, zoos, and other facilities focused on animal education and conservation for the greater public good. But in this case, all the good the Aquarium has achieved far outweighs the negative views McCaffrey has collected. It is the gift that keeps on giving, and deserves better treatment next time around.
A.J. ROBINSON, PRESIDENT, CENTRAL ATLANTA PROGRESS AND ATLANTA DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
