Not only does a proposed rule change worry environmentalists, it scares this private citizen. I taught school for many years, and as a science major, I have had many opportunities to titrate water all over Hall, Dawson and Lumpkin counties. In my experience, I found very few streams, springs, rivers, etc. that had the amount of oxygen levels needed. Some did not have enough oxygen to support minnows, not to mention fish.

The bottom line is, we have very poor water quality in all of our water supply without relaxed standards. Imagine what the future water supply would read if the rules were relaxed and with the growing depleting quantity the water was unfit to drink.

I am incensed to read about a proposed rule change to lessen water restrictions. This will become a health hazard and not a money one in the future. How could our "informed" leaders allow this to happen. Do they have children and grandchildren who need safe and drinkable water in their future?

I realize the proposed change is intended to assist the Savannah River Project, but it seems very probable that other areas of the state would follow with a need for relaxed restrictions. If the Savannah River harbor does not have enough dissolved oxygen in the water now to support coastal fishing, think about the future if it was deepened, it would have even less oxygen. This could become a future Georgia problem, changing standards to accommodate large money concerns.

I hope those who make the final decision will consider the health as well as the quantity of our water for the future.

Helen M. Martin
Gainesville

City's ban on dog runs leads to pet's death
My 4-year-old son, 6-year-old daughter, wife and I would like to thank the officials of Hall County who decided that dog runs were so terrible we needed to ban them. Thank you for your wisdom.

Our son's dog was struck and killed by a speeding car Saturday afternoon when she ventured into the street. Before the ban, we would put her on her run to prevent her from leaving our unfenced property while still giving her space to run and play. She was too large to fence her in, and the small fenced area we do have she was able to get out of. How she did it was a secret she took with her to the grave.

She was a mixed breed we had adopted from the local Humane Society as a puppy and was very sweet as well as a good watchdog. She was very protective of the whole family and loved to play, swim, ride in the car or boat, and rough house with our other adoptee the cat. Here is to you, Pooch! Salute; rest in peace!

To the jerks who call dog runs inhumane, and to the speeders who don't stop when they hit someone's pet, I have another salute for you as well.

Lee Marchetta
Gainesville