TRANSPORTATION
East Atlanta tunnel:
Are you kidding us?
Regarding “Network of streets could connect us” (Opinion, Sept. 17), the people at the Reason Foundation must be off their rockers. A tunnel from I-675 to Ga. 400? What a blast!
BENJAMIN ERLITZ, ATLANTA
Consider outsourcing
MARTA Mobility bus
My brother recently had a dental appointment near Northlake Mall. Although he had had poor service in the past from MARTA Mobility, we decided to try again. This service was even worse than before.
The MARTA Mobility van delivered my brother 20 minutes after his appointment time, and couldn’t figure out a way to pick him up and take him home. I went to pick him up. When I got home, I called MARTA Mobility’s customer service, and a representative said she’d check into this and call me back. I’m still waiting.
Here’s a solution: Outsource MARTA Mobility to a private company, so the public won’t have to deal with this type of representative.
GAIL LEBOWITZ, DUNWOODY
MIDEAST UNREST
Promoting democracy
produced only chaos
The failure of American diplomacy in the Middle East is a lesson for all who ignore the facts dictated by history.
America wants to promote democracy in the Arab world, where there is no national unity among the citizens of artificially created countries. Arabs live by tribal and religious boundaries. Each unit is bound by allegiance to their group.
The United States imposed, directly or indirectly, change of leadership in Iraq, Libya and Egypt — which resulted in nothing but chaos. Promoting democracy in that part of the world is a vain effort to establish social order.
I think it is time to decide that Middle East is no longer as important as it was (largely because of sources of oil). We should avoid getting involved with the infighting that occurs there.
ILHAN ERMUTLU, ALPHARETTA
JEKYLL ISLAND
Hotels or otherwise,
upgrades are needed
Regarding “Development speeds Jekyll’s urbanization” (Opinion, Sept. 20), change is needed on Jekyll Island. While it might be inappropriate for a large hotel to be placed on the beach, upgrades need to take place.
There is no evidence that that 67-foot building would “degrade the island’s treasured ambiance” any more than a 45-foot building. This hotel could actually help tourism on Jekyll Island, which the island needs for sustainability.
There is a good point made regarding sea turtle nesting, but there is no evidence that the Westin will produce more light than any other hotel. The company could comply with lighting guidelines by strategically placing lights, and dimming them as needed.
Rather than bash the idea of a new hotel, helping the JIA address some concerns and assisting in a fix would be beneficial. There are just as many pros as there are cons regarding a Westin on Jekyll Island.
JENNIFER JACOBY, NORCROSS
