BELTLINE
Board should have caught financial abuse
Regarding “Beltline spending draws fire, ire” (Metro, Aug. 14), once again, thanks to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for exposing government waste.
And it’s good to see how these revelations have spurred board members to call for accountability. However, why is it that the AJC discovered these financial abuses — rather than the board members themselves? Are these board members not responsible enough to read financial statements and stop monetary abuses early on — rather than waiting to read about them in the newspaper? It seems that in addition to spotlighting shortcomings in Beltline spending, you also exposed the failure of every board member to properly serve the people of Fulton County.
MICHAEL L. SHAW, STONE MOUNTAIN
T-SPLOST
Final project list had some severe flaws
In all the post-mortems as to why the transportation tax failed, I have yet to see what I believe to be the primary cause: the massive incompetence of the officials who put together the final project list. By including projects such as the trolley system, sidewalks, work at McCollum Airport and many similar projects (which had nothing to do with correcting traffic problems), they clearly were not up to the task assigned them. I can understand the development community pushing for acceptance of this severely flawed plan (once you realize the motivation is self-interest, rather than community interest).
But the AJC, which I hold to a higher standard, continued to promote acceptance of this plan even after the severely flawed project list was made public. It is my belief that you should have made the hard decision to oppose the referendum.
PAUL FULFORD, MARIETTA
JUSTICE?
Pirate’s life sentence will cost taxpayers
Regarding “Somali pirate receives 12 life sentences” (News, Aug. 14): In olden days, pirates caught in the act were hanged on a yardarm until dead, then dropped into the sea.
Now, a federal judge has ordered a pirate to serve a dozen life sentences in prison — where he will receive the best of care, including necessary medical services, etc. — at taxpayers’ expense.
Why?
ED WOLAK, MORELAND
TIA
Keep on track with transportation plan
The Transportation Investment Act needs to keep on track.
Transportation problems still exist. We don’t need to wait another two years to present a new solution. It takes forever to design, approve and build a transit or road project.
A lot is at stake and I don’t think people understand that.
This region is becoming a tarnished jewel.
RICK GURNEY, DACULA
