I have three main concerns about our Georgia highways that I have voiced to the responsible officials with little to no results so far.

Over the past three years, the average number of people dying on Georgia roads has risen from about 100 deaths per month to around 120. I have asked Commissioner Harris Blackwood to publish his plans to reduce this carnage. He has not responded.

One in six drivers on Georgia highways does not have liability insurance as required by Georgia law. I have asked Lynette Wiley of the Department of Revenue’s Motor Vehicle Division for her plans to improve this situation with no response. A dedicated crew of state troopers could solve this problem in a matter of weeks.

Interstate 365 between Lula and Gainesville may soon make Webster’s Dictionary as an example of “rub-board” because that is what our DOT is allowing the contractors doing concrete slab replacement work to leave behind. Ann Oliver and Natasha Davis of the local DOT have told me that “the contractor will not be paid unless he meets our specs”. This has been going on since last summer and the rub-boards are still there.

It would really please me if The Times would use its clout to get more positive responses from our bureaucrats on these problems.

Jim Waldrep

Lula

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