Columnist off-base on school trend
Rebekah Morris offers a simplistic, misleading analysis of the dynamic behind the move to create smaller, city-based school systems in the Atlanta area (“No. Change Would Produce Segregated Systems,” Opinion, Sept. 21). Systems such as APS and DeKalb are already profoundly, and irreversibly, segregated. These systems function as much, if not more, as vehicles of employment and resource capture than they do as educational operations. Second, what began as white flight has long since morphed into broad middle- and upper-middle-class flight (especially inside the Perimeter). Public school systems like APS and DeKalb must shed the ingrained corruption that delivers such powerful ammunition to their detractors. They must work to attract broader segments of the population by offering bona fide college-preparatory education to those who want it. Barring this, the public systems will continue to be their own worst enemy, and the calls for local control will surely grow louder.
WILLIAM BLACKWOOD, DECATUR
The reason for Archbishop’s downsizing
I read the comments made by Archbishop Gregory regarding the U.S. visit by Pope Francis. Of particular interest was his comment regarding the Pope's "call for a simpler life." Quoting the article, "Francis' call for a simpler life was a factor in Gregory's decision last year not to live in a newly built Buckhead mansion. Instead he chose more moderate accommodations in Smyrna." That may have been a factor, but it was not the factor. The main reason for the move was the huge outrage from the Catholic community that the archbishop would be living in such an ostentatious environment. If not for that, he would still be in Buckhead.
RICHARD NOWAK, CUMMING
Governor owes taxpayers for paving
Since the “State constitution provides with laser-like specificity how motor fuel taxes may be used in Georgia” (“Georgia breaches law on fuel taxes, Opinion, Sept. 22) and explicitly states that “Money derived from motor fuel taxes received by the state can only be used for all activities incident to providing and maintaining an adequate system of public roads and bridges in this state,” Gov. Nathan Deal must reimburse the state of Georgia for the $92,000 spent in paving the single-lane gravel road leading to the Governor’s private residence in Demorest, if that road is a private road. Since there is a “Private Property, Keep Out” sign at the beginning of the gravel road, it must be a private road.
GERALD WALDBAUM, HOSCHTON
