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In reference to articles, "Super speeders beware" of Feb. 4 and "House OK's big fines for 'Super Speeders'" on March 10:
Where is the outrage over so little being done about nearly 1,700 deaths and 100,000 injuries annually on Georgia highways at a cost of $7 billion, not to mention pain and suffering? How can anyone complain about a fine for going over the speed limit by 30 mph on Thompson Bridge Road and 15 mph on interstates?
If anyone does not want to pay the fine, just obey the law. These speeders should have their driver's licenses taken away for 30 days on the first offense and go to jail for the second.
I could not believe that two of our representatives, Carl Rogers and Doug Collins, voted against the bill. Who could vote against anything that would improve traffic safety? We hear almost nothing from our elected folks about traffic safety.
I wrote to Gov. Sonny Perdue, Rep. James Mills, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and Collins about this matter many months ago and did not get a reply from Cagle or Collins. Mills did respond. The Governor's Office of Highway Safety had several excellent responses.
The State Patrol and Government Office of Highway Safety know exactly what is required to improve safety on our highways. Unfortunately, they apparently cannot get the needed changes through the legislature.
Our highways are filled with people superspeeding, drinking, on drugs, text messaging and using cell phones. The only thing that works is enforcement. We need more officers enforcing the law. Our officers need every device that will be helpful, radar, cameras and better laws. Every candidate that runs in any election without a solid proposal to improve crashes on our highways should be defeated at the polls.
Next comes the article, "Gainesville: Speed trap rap is untrue" of March 24. How can Interstate 985 be a speed trap when a driver must be going at least 81 mph to be given a ticket by a local office (Lester Maddox's obsolete law)? Who is protecting the law-abiding drivers following the rules on speed?
Recently, at an Office of Highway Safety Training meeting at Lanier Village Estates, one of our dedicated professional state patrolman stated that he had been assigned to the interstate the past weekend. And, he said, "I wrote tickets all weekend and never gave a ticket for less than 90 mph."
On a 1.1-mile segment of Thompson Bridge Road, from the traffic signal at Kroger going north to the bridge, four or six people have been killed. What do our representatives, senators, lieutenant governor, governor and citizens propose to reduce traffic crashes?
The time for action is now! Does anyone care? Can anyone believe that a state committee in Atlanta voted 4-3 not to require seat belts in pickup trucks?
Frank C. Wilson
Gainesville
Great Day of Service a great day for school
On behalf of children of White Sulphur Elementary School, I would like to thank the group from First Methodist Church which did the yard work and provided the Easter egg hunt for our school on March 21.
In addition to the egg hunt and two moon walks for different ages, there were several other fun-filled activities. A large, well-organized group arrived early and speedily and joyfully got to work trimming and fixing the grounds as well as setting up for the egg hunt. The turnout doubled expectations and everyone had a great time of fun and food.
I highly commend the folks of First Methodist for the great and practical expression of their faith and for innovative community outreach.
Don Watson
principal, White Sulphur Elementary School, Gainesville
Nation under God must turn to faith in a crisis
If America is "one nation under God," then we can't accept socialism which the present administration, Congress and the president, are pushing so hard for. Christianity and socialism can't coexist, because under socialism, the government is the highest authority, and people are only valuable as they can work to support the government.
In a Christian nation, God is the highest authority; people are valuable because they are created in His image; and the government is the servant of the people. Is purpose is to protect them and preserve their liberty.
This is why there is such a pressure to eliminate Christian influence from our society. In this present crisis, which the leaders of Congress abetted and encouraged, who are we as a nation looking to for relief? Is it in a return to biblical principles and virtues which create wisdom and prosperity? Or is it the government, which allowed the choices which produced this economic chaos we are now in? God addresses this in his word in the book of Hosea, chapter 4.
Folks, we need to wake up and prevail upon our elected representatives to get back to our heritage, which made this the greatest nation in the history of the world. It was no accident, God also has a word about this: "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord."
Jackie Nabb
Gainesville
Gainesville government may be due for change
So a second black eye for the city of Gainesville has occurred within a week. First it was The Times' lawsuit against the city regarding the way in which it handled the Open Records matter relating to former city manager Bryan Shuler.
Now it seems that the city has allowed the terms of an agreement with Hall County to expire and thus, made it possible for a federal prison facility to be operated, indefinitely, in downtown Gainesville.
Maybe Rep. Carl Rogers has the right idea: Replace City Council with an elected mayor.
Jean Bennett
Gainesville