City, not stadium, needs an overhaul
Atlanta’s schools are a mess. The city is filthy, the streets are filled with potholes and our infrastructure is breaking down.
There are plenty of homeless people in the city. And we should build a stadium? Are you kidding?
The two reasons being advanced for this boondoggle are the following:
Many stadiums are replaced after 25 years. That’s akin to suggesting we all do away with ourselves at age 75 because that’s the average life expectancy. Age has no bearing on the need to replace a facility.
The second reason given is that if we build a new stadium, more sporting events could come to Atlanta. We might be able to land a Super Bowl.
Could? Might?
Let’s face it, folks. “If you build it, they will come” only happens in the movies.
Better schools and a clean, safe, welcoming city will attract business to Atlanta — and they’ll come for a lifetime, not a weekend.
Fix the city first. Then build a stadium.
Mike Canfield, Atlanta
Photo misleading, but article helpful
As one of the VOX Teen Communications writers interviewed for “Bullies’ reach grows online” (Living, April 21, 2012), I was excited to read the article online.
Then someone at church showed me the print edition with the large photograph of me wiping away tears and looking vulnerable. It brought me to tears immediately. The following week at school, I had to deal with questions from other kids who also saw the print story.
That photo was used out of context. At that point, I was discussing a personal issue with the reporter. It wasn’t about being bullied at school or on social media, which was the focus of the article.
I recently wrote a story about media portrayals of young people and how they can be bullying, which will be published in VOX’s summer edition (www.voxteencommunications .org). That is one of the reasons I decided to talk to the AJC’s reporter. I’ve lived through bullying and felt comfortable talking about it.
I want AJC readers to know that I am a happy person and not the girl presented on your Living cover. Despite the photo you used, I am glad you wrote a story on this really important topic and that you gave teens who are, or have been, bullied a chance to share their stories.
COURTNEY FARMER, EAST POINT
Atlanta’s fate is riding on improvements
Those who live in metro Atlanta and commute to the city to work each day really need something done to the city’s transportation system. Efforts have been made to improve the system, but it’s just gotten worse.
The referendum on the transportation special purpose local option sales tax (T-SPLOST) will be voted on later this year. As bad as traffic is in Atlanta, you’d think this would pass. Georgia’s Department of Transportation is probably already planning what they can do in the event of this passage — but it will take time to get the funds from T-SPLOST.
Something needs to be done to Atlanta roads and roads around Atlanta. We need remarkable changes for a remarkable future.
Barry Needham, Loganville
