CITY SERVICES
Atlanta water workers
showed holiday cheer
We had a water main burst on our property on Christmas and called the city of Atlanta. The phone was promptly answered. Within a few hours, the appropriate department had fixed the damage.
Of course, we have a muddy mess and a torn-up yard to repair, but there were no grumbles from the workers who responded about being on duty on Christmas Day. They were most pleasant and jovial.
There are lots of complaints out there about mismanagement and waste in Atlanta’s city government, but the workers on the streets and on the job are superb. We extend our thanks to these guys!
CATHY PHELAN, ATLANTA
MARTA
Try extending hours
of public restrooms
I am profoundly disgusted with the plan to install “urine sniffers” in MARTA elevators at a cost of several thousands of dollars per detector to catch “urine scofflaws.”
After speaking with regular MARTA riders, I understand that only the Five Points station keeps its restrooms open more than during rush hours. Could it not be less expensive to make restrooms more readily available? Is this country the only one that makes relieving oneself unlawful?
CATHERINE CARTER, DECATUR
HEALTH CARE
ACA brings reform
to health insurance
Bill Fokes expresses my sentiments exactly in his recent letter (“ACA our best hope to end insurance abuses,” Readers write, Opinion, Dec. 24). Amen!
THEDA DAVIS, LILBURN
GOVERNANCE
GOP wants to reach
minorities: Really?
Regarding “GOP focuses on minorities” (Opinion, Dec. 26), this is true; however, the GOP’s focus is on how to take away minorities’ rights and put us back in our places.
Exactly which “minority engagement initiatives” is the writer referring to? Which party ballooned the federal deficit with two wars since 2001? Which party allowed bankers and lobbyists to craft laws that led to the crash in 2008? Which party is trying to deny minorities their constitutional right to vote? Which party has introduced thousands of provisions attempting to restrict minorities’ health care decisions and reproductive rights?
LAURIE MCDOWELL, ATLANTA
Leaders should study,
emulate the founders
Reading “Spy agency runs amok with its high-tech toys” (Opinion, Dec. 22), I was struck by a reference to an assault on privacy that would leave James Madison “aghast.” I find many Americans believe our founding fathers would be turning over in their graves at what current Americans think are an assault on privacy, freedom, etc. I am not so sure.
James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and the rest were revolutionaries. They accepted change, looked for it and embraced it. When they were writing the rules for our new nation, the world was large; we were protected by two great oceans, and we had few enemies to fear. I don’t believe any of them would be upset at our attempts at gun control, or using the tools at hand to keep our country safe. These great men would not be “strict constructionists” concerning the Constitution. They changed the world.
I wish more of our “leaders” would study the lives of these great men, and try to emulate them in their ability to implement and accept change. The world has changed dramatically. Our “leaders” need to learn to change with it.
JAMES P. ZOELLER, ALPHARETTA
