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Impact
fee opposition self-serving
Editors:
After reading Sunday's letters page, I decided to add Bob Cleveland
to my prayer list. Most adults learned way back in grammar school
that name calling is childish and unproductive. It is sad that the
Macon Homebuilders Association can't find a more sophisticated spokesperson
than Cleveland for its president.
I am sure that
because Cleveland supports unchecked development he also will support
the levying of impact fees on the developers who are responsible
for this sprawl. Impact fees are standard practice in other communities.
When sprawl happens,
developers personally profit while the burden of paying for the
huge cost of infrastructure (schools, sewer lines, roads, etc.)
necessary to support such development is shifted to the taxpayers.
Smart growth is
desirable, but we have not seen the kind of planning which fosters
such growth in Macon.
Undesirable sprawl
and spot-zoning are by-products of the Macon-Bibb Road Improvement
Program promoted by Cleveland. He is, in effect, asking citizens
and their tax dollars to subsidize developers.
Long ago, when
I took civics, I learned that not only was it my right to participate
in our democracy, it was my responsibility. As a member of CAUTION
Macon and a concerned taxpayer, I fully intend to uphold my responsibilities
as a citizen. Public process works best when the public is knowledgeable
and involved.
Susan Hanberry
Macon
A wake-up call for all parents
Editors:
My little girl came home from school. A mother's little girl in
Flint, Mich., did not. She was 6 years old and a first-grader. She
was shot to death by another 6-year-old at school.
Do the words above
seem real? No, this is not America, this is not the country I grew
up in and went to school with no fear in the '60s.
It has been 15
years since prayer was taken out of public schools because of atheist
Madeleine Murray O'Hare.
Being of the Baptist
faith, I make every effort to protect my child from unsuitable TV
shows and movies and from magazines with pictures that she does
not need to view. I also make an effort to live the best example
I can in front of her, and yes, we do attend church and watch inspirational
TV programs.
But today it became
a little harder to be a parent. Another child's life is cut short
because somewhere along the way we as adults have put our children
into harm's way.
I challenge all
parents to rededicate their lives to be what the Bible teaches we
should be. This is a full-time and difficult job, guiding and protecting
our children. But what could be more precious?
Do you know where
your children are right now? Do you have any guns in your home that
are not locked up? Are you sure they do not know how to find the
key to the lock?
A friend of mine
in Florida had his gun locked up. His grandson found the key and
slipped the loaded gun to school. Florida ruled that if his grandson
ever gets in any more trouble, the grandfather will be imprisoned.
He is a retired officer of the law. He thought he taught his family
not to take guns lightly.
I pray more parents
will wake up and take responsibility for our children, who are our
tomorrow.
Nell B. Kimler
Byron
Recognition for Bears appreciated
Editors:
It was nice to see the article in Thursday's Telegraph featuring
the Macon Bears. These kids get far too little credit for their
efforts. I am sure they all got a thrill seeing their pictures in
the paper.
Keep up the good
work, Lisa Loeffler.
Marie G. Blount
Macon
Bibb schools mark 'Music Month'
Editors:
The Music Educators National Conference has designated March as
"Music In Our Schools Month." This year's theme is "Make
Music America!"
The Music Department
of the Bibb County Board of Education will be participating in this
observance and would like to remind everyone of the positive influence
music has in our lives. We will focus on songs representing America's
diversity, songs which show off various styles of American music-making
and songs which reflect our pride in being Americans wherever we
may live in the world.
Music has been
an authorized subject of instruction since 1838. In March 1994,
the National Standards for Arts Education were released. Instruction
in the arts is essential to the education of every child.
Music teachers
throughout Bibb County will celebrate this 25th national observance
of music in our nation's schools with music festivals, music displays
in our schools and at the Bibb County Board of Education, school
programs, participation in the World's Largest Concert on March
9 at 1 p.m. and the 2000 Cherry Blossom Children's Concert at 7
p.m. on March 21 at the City Auditorium.
All citizens are
encouraged to call the Bibb County Music Department or watch Bibb
public schools TV Channel 17 for information regarding MIOSM events.
Carolyn Guy
Chairperson,
Music In Our Schools Month Committee
Doris Terry
Director of Music, Bibb County Schools
Comics victims of political correctness
Editors:
As a white American of German descent, I was appalled when your
butchery of the comics page swept "Prince Valiant" into
oblivion. Even so, the member of such a decadent and discredited
"ice" culture should probably have expected no better
treatment from the politically correct media of the "New South."
Last week, however,
you clearly crossed my Rubicon. "The Boondocks" is the
best "comic" strip you have ever carried. What's the problem?
Did you notice that McGruder's social and political concerns are
multidimensional? Is there some holy writ saying that all the "villains
of the piece" must be white? Is it a vile transgression to
call "President" Clinton what he actually is?
Get a grip and
bring "The Boondocks" back! If necessary, put it on the
editorial page. It would be a welcome counterpoise to the blandness
of "Doonesbury."
Gary W. Blome
Macon
At least Braves don't have Strawberry
Editors:
Maybe the Braves could trade John Rocker for the Yankees' Darryl
Strawberry, a real role model for all kids and a full-time hall
of shamer.
Max Sheffield
Fitzgerald
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