Inattentive officials let problems multiply
Regarding the article “City’s traffic nerve center old, frayed” (News, July 6), like the sewer system and roads and so many other parts of the city of Atlanta’s infrastructure, where were the overseers? In a meeting?
This situation did not just happen overnight. Intermittent upgrading, where possible, could have alleviated many of these problems — and not allowed them to get to a $40 million upgrade cost.
CHRIS RICE, REX
Give no more money to our greedy DOT
I cannot vote for the T-SPLOST because I simply cannot believe that after all these years, the people who run Georgia’s Department of Transportation think they can get it right this time.
This is an agency run by petty bureaucrats who are there to line their pockets with more of our hard-earned money. As a native Atlantan, I have seen these people cheat the taxpayers my whole life. Do not give them another cent. They will never get it right — and will continue to nickel and dime us to death.
GREGORY H. JOHNSON, ATLANTA
Rushing renewals is not fair to anybody
Legislation signed by Gov. Nathan Deal to require secure driver’s licenses was enacted without due consideration for the employees of the Georgia Department of Driver Services and the citizens of Georgia.
I hope our officials will act immediately to extend the present deadline for renewals, allow Georgia residents longer to renew with online documentation, and employ sufficient numbers of trained personnel for the Department of Driver Services to offer fast, courteous service.
Georgia has some time to comply with the applicable federal requirements — enough to allow us to develop a more efficient application method.
Meanwhile, wait times for service are not acceptable.
CHARLES RAYNAL, DECATUR
Did we not learn from Wall Street debacle?
Regarding “Beltline expenses questioned” (News, July 7), this past weekend was going to be my time to study issues for an upcoming vote. My top question was about the Beltline ballot issue.
With high unemployment, people struggling to save their homes, and layoffs looming (especially for those over age 55), it’s disgusting to read about the Beltline group. “Allowable” is one thing — but where are the moral values? Did we not learn anything from Wall Street and how those types of actions can break the system?
Clean house, put people to work who care (who don’t need expensive meals), and stop paying the hot shots all the big bucks. There are plenty of us available who are experienced, hard-working and willing to work for much less — especially those of us over 55 years of age. We “get it.”
MARGE MCCARTHY, ALPHARETTA
