Voice of public, fans, patrons must be heard
The AJC’s excellent description of the stadium-planning process was notable for pointing out the absence of community participation. Missing from the official discussion is the public, which will be paying a sizable chunk of the bill, and fans and patrons who have contributed to the success of the team. Even more striking is the absence of the voice of people who will be most affected: residents in adjacent blocks. Public monies should not be given to this stadium without a robust contribution from them. Perhaps this time, neighbors can be spared the substitution of parking lots for stores and homes, and disruption and congestion. At least, they must be consulted. Civic pride is tarnished when it is built on the backs of local residents.
Ray Miklethun, Peachtree Corners
Let those who benefit from project bear cost
Regarding “Stadium cost may top $1B” (News, April 27), please stop raiding the public coffers for these “promised” revenue builders for Atlanta. If Falcons owners are not ready or willing to cover their fair share of the expense (including necessary infrastructure), maybe it’s not a good business decision. Private entities seem to believe the answer to these projects is hotel tax revenue, and then a quick dip into public money.
Let those who will benefit most from this project bear the cost. More importantly, let’s insist the main beneficiaries be totally responsible for the usual cost overruns because of conveniently unforeseen extraordinary expenses. By all means, let’s look at building a world-class facility. Let’s just not do it at the expense of our tax base.
Joan Piedmonte, Milton
Rudeness, confusion hurt transit experience
My son and I recently rode MARTA to a local festival. I used to commute on MARTA, but I’ve moved — so I don’t take it often and the card system was new to me. I could see that there were lots of other people who were unsure about the MARTA system, so we were trying to follow the directions on the machines that issue the cards. I bought two fares on the same card for myself and my son.
I went through the gate first and handed the card back to my son, but it didn’t work. A MARTA representative immediately began reprimanding us. He let us know that he would not allow any exceptions and I should have read the instructions more carefully. I waited while my son got back in line and paid for an additional card and fare we didn’t need. While I waited, the same MARTA rep yelled at a family who had purchased all their fares on one card.
I understand rules are rules, but there is a bigger issue. The people alienated by this representative won’t be inclined to help bail out MARTA in the future (through patronage or politics).
Suzan Satterfield, Norcross
Dowd off-base on church and women
Response to “Male hierarchy’s slap at nuns smacks of hypocrisy,” Opinion, April 29
Maureen Dowd feels the need to take the Catholic Church to task in her column. The bishops taking on the Leadership Conference of Women Religious was too juicy a target to miss. What Dowd apparently forgets is that the Catholic Church is the greatest educator of women throughout the Third World, the greatest provider of women’s health care in Africa and Asia, and the greatest defender of women’s rights within marriage.
The problem is not the Church but those elements within who feel it is they, not the magisterium of the Church, who should determine what is “right.” When these sisters veer from the catechism of the Church, they no longer speak for it.
Eric C. Simontis, Alpharetta
