U.S. Postal Service
Not willing to change, business is a dinosaur
The U.S. Postal Service is in trouble. Is this a big surprise? Our Postal Service is still living in Ben Franklin’s days.
As the world has made great changes, the Postal Service has remained stuck and, like any other business that does not change with the times, is now a dinosaur. In many other countries, the post is run as a business which, for example, sells a huge array of items at each post office store and provides a wide array of services (bill paying, banking, packaging, duplicating, etc.).
Why, in this land of innovation, are we so stultified? Our Postal Service should be a vital, growing, inventive, (profitable) enterprise changing with the times, and continually growing and upgrading. William Lightfoot, Atlanta
Animal Control
Caring people deserve praise for extra efforts
I want to thank some DeKalb County employees who I doubt get many thank-yous. A friend and I recently spent all afternoon trying to get someone to help us get a kitten out of a drainage ditch at the Atlanta VA Medical Center. We got the usual government run-around. I called DeKalb County Animal Control and was told to call DeKalb County’s road and drainage division, which then directed me to animal control. I called the local Humane Society and was given several numbers of people who rescue cats. My last effort was to call the road and drainage division’s after-5 p.m. number. I spoke with a man named Ken. He did his best to help me.
A short time later, I heard from Officer Lewis in DeKalb County Animal Control, who agreed to meet me to try to remove the kitten. We were able to save the kitten, who is now thriving.
I tried to pay Officer Lewis, but he refused to take any money — suggesting I send the money to a rescue group. It is nice to know there are helpful, caring people who want to not only do their job, but to help animals in distress. I cannot thank Ken and Officer Lewis enough. They are both wonderful, and should be commended.
Nancy Beitler, Decatur
Money
For some, $1 bill can’t go away fast enough
Michael Zielinski’s recommendation is on the money (“Why U.S. should pick $1 coin over dollar bill,” Opinion, Sept. 3).
I have been buying dollar coins through the mint’s direct ship program for several years and using the coins for allowances, tolls and small purchases.
Despite concerns to the contrary, I have never had anyone confuse the coin for a quarter. In fact, the most common response has been, “That’s cool — where did you get them?” On several occasions, I’ve had friends and coworkers hand me money in exchange for one of my $25 rolls. The $1 bill can’t go away quickly enough for me.
Richard Dunlap, Alpharetta
