ATLANTA BRAVES
We need to recognize
our value as a region
Regarding “A major win for OTP” (News, Nov. 17), kudos to the AJC for putting the OTP-ITP discussion on the table. Until we resolve the OTP/ITP challenges, we will not be a world-class metropolitan city or region.
Most have referred to Boston, Denver and Chicago as the right ways to locate and do professional baseball. These cities do it right. But, it has nothing to do with baseball. The residents in these places have a history of valuing choice.
I spend my days as an OTP professional touting the assets of our suburban communities to corporations from around the world. I spend my nights as an ITP taxpayer enjoying the assets of Atlanta, Decatur, Brookhaven and beyond. I am glad that the necessary discussions about why we are not moving forward are finally happening.
But I am dismayed that it is not about where our sports teams play or corporations locate. It is about the fact that the residents of this region don’t value who we are as a whole — and if we don’t, why should the Braves, Falcons, companies and the future workforce?
KELLIE BROWNLOW, DECATUR
Cobb should reserve
tax funds for schools
As a Cobb County resident, I would be far more willing to pay taxes to help pay for the proposed new stadium near us, if a portion of those taxes was reserved for the sole support of public education in our county.
Knowing that something good, and sorely needed, would result from those taxes would be like an aspirin to relieve the headache of the traffic congestion we already suffer.
MARGARET CURTIS, ATLANTA
Fans who don’t drive
stranded at home plate
As someone who takes MARTA to every home game, it seems the Braves have taken away my season tickets come 2017 — unless they find a way to get us north siders to the new ballpark. As an 82-year-old, I will not drive on I-285 after dark. Many others I have spoken to feel the same way.
It seems the Braves may lose lots of season ticket holders because of traffic. Did they not do a survey of traffic in the I-75/I-285 corridor? Did anyone involved in this move drive from 3:30 to 7 p.m. in that area? Obviously, they didn’t.
The Braves will lose many business people who are in town with nothing to do on a given night, who might hop on MARTA to go to the ballgame. That will definitely be out the window with this move.
At least I have three more years of ball games. I will enjoy them while I can.
MARY LOU BROOKS, DUNWOODY
ECONOMY
Profitable companies
could share the wealth
Regarding “Corporate profits up as economy lags” ( Business, Nov. 14), to those corporations who hoard all their profits and are not allocating a healthy wage: You should be ashamed of yourselves.
What is the point of earning these profits for record-breaking charts? Is it too expensive for you to distribute your profit to your employees, who worked very hard to make those margins? Is it a really good economic choice not to provide your employees more money?
ROBERT LUNABURG, MARIETTA
