Clayton right to nudge kids to walk to school
After reading the article “School bus service targeted as state funding decreases” (News, April 9), I have to applaud counties like Clayton for eliminating bus service to those living within 1.5 miles of schools.
Not only do the cuts save dollars, they also encourage walking and bike riding to school.
With the overwhelming number of obese and overweight children (and adults) in Georgia, this small change will make a difference in the health of our residents.
Now, if we could just get them off the couch and away from their iPods and video games (while they are not at school and work) and outside instead, the change would be remarkable!
Suzannah Heimel, Lilburn
A kindhearted lady went the extra mile
While the general consensus is that people are too busy, too disengaged and uncaring about others around them, I can attest that there are special people who prove that to not be the case.
While at a store on Ashford-Dunwoody Road recently, I unknowingly dropped my wallet in the parking lot.
A very nice lady found it, took it to the customer service desk and had me paged. I did not recognize how my name was pronounced over the intercom, but the lady found me in the parking lot to inform me that the wallet was turned in to the customer service counter.
The lady took her valuable time to go back into the store with me to help track down the wallet (which contained no money, but several identification cards that would have been difficult and expensive to replace).
I did not think to ask the lady her name, but I would like to publicly thank her for her valuable time and caring spirit.
There are angels among us.
A.E. DeWitt, Atlanta
Catholic teachings often misrepresented
A deep sadness is in my spirit as I listen to politicians incessantly reducing Catholic teachings to a focus on women’s bodies.
I want the world to know about the wide range of our Catholic social teachings.
These challenging social ideals are what guide many of us as we make decisions before voting.
Among these are a preferential option for the poor and the protection of certain rights — such as food, shelter, health care and education for all.
All workers have a right to a fair wage, safe working conditions and the right to join unions.
We are taught that the death penalty is wrong.
Our bishops denounced the “preventive war” stance.
We reject the movement to criminalize people without papers.
I am proud of our Catholic social justice heritage and yearn for the day when these Gospel-based principles are preached from the pulpit.
Sister Patty Caraher, ATLANTA
