Time to overhaul DOT, not feed it more cash
The rationale for the T-SPLOST is that everyone in America knows that Atlanta and its satellite cities are notorious for a lousy rail system and clogged roads. Companies are starting to avoid the state. State legislators hate the city — but want the economic and cultural benefits. Now they want suckers to pony up more cash for a massive welfare program for road builders and pretend it is a response to traffic. But the public has lost confidence in Georgia’s Department of Transportation and knows nothing will improve. If the T-SPLOST fails, the first thing is to make the Department of Transportation head an elected position. There is too much money and power involved to trust this job to an appointed flunky who has no accountability to the people.
Johnny Plunkett, Smyrna
Rapid, light rail is only project we should fund
The transportation referendum is not what we need. Georgia’s Department of Transportation continues on a program of re-do to protect jobs and budget. Now it wants another bazillion dollars for more roads we don’t need and can’t afford to care for.
A rapid, light rail on the footprint of the proposed outer perimeter would serve nearly 50 percent of Georgia’s population. We should not vote the DOT any more funds that are not earmarked for rapid, light rail. Any other expenditures are simply useless.
Samuel M. Hay III, Covington
Want compromise? Stop pointing fingers
I had a laugh at a recent letter (“Partisan warfare is hurting our country,” Readers write, Opinion, June 14). In the writer’s last two sentences, she identifies and champions the basis of compromise, and then demonstrates the partisan rhetoric that works to prevent the very compromise she blames Republicans for preventing. Pot, meet kettle! Thanks for the laugh.
David R. Boag, Fayetteville
Delta, big rivals take advantage of public
It is commendable that the AJC supports local businesses by presenting them in a favorable light. However, “Delta moves up in satisfaction study” (Business, June 14) strains credibility by glossing over that “the study showed overall passenger satisfaction with airlines has declined.”
Major network carriers like Delta Air Lines need some encouragement to get their acts together. They have bloated organizations, excessive marketing and promotion budgets, and inefficient labor agreements. This (together with the cost of fuel) is resulting in capacity reductions, steep fare increases and a decline in basic service standards. With limited industry competition, especially in fortress hubs like Atlanta, the consumer is at the mercy of the airlines.
Ron Kurtz, Alpharetta
