This is Viewpoints for Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2015
Courtland name change
There may be cases where a street name is desired by property owners or others. Unless there is a public purpose to be served, requesting a name change should not be approved, for it requires considerable cost to the residents and to service providers.
What is the direct cost to the taxpaying residents of Macon-Bibb for changing the name of Courtland Avenue? The indirect costs would include items such as updating city maps, notifying emergency responders, changing street signs, notifying mapping companies and notifying the U.S. Postal Service and package-delivery services. Residents will be required to change his or her address with friends, family and business contacts to ensure mail delivery and may incur additional expenses associated with such a change such as the replacement of personalized stationery or address plaques.
Should the taxpaying residents of Macon-Bibb have to foot the bill if the Courtland Avenue name change is approved? Macon-Bibb should not change a street name if some home-owners on Courtland Avenue are opposed to the name change. Macon-Bibb should not be forcing unwanted costs onto residents.
There is a public hearing Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 4 p.m. in commission chambers, Government Center, 700 Popular St. Use the cost savings for cleanup in the Courtland area.
— Jerry Williams
Macon
Time to stop meeting
I keep seeing and hearing about all these meetings about the killings lately in Macon. Its tragic to keep losing these young folks. It appears there are several active gangs in Macon. I am going to propose something radical, but it will take a lot of effort. I propose that all the black clergy seek out these gang members one at a time and mentor him/her and present them with the gospel message of Jesus Christ. It will require a lot of their time, but that’s why they are in ministry. If they commit to attack this problem and win these young folks to Christ they will see changes in our community, in the schools and in families.
So rather than have all these meetings where nothing really happens, hit the streets and find these young folks and bring them into their churches.
Last Sunday Charles Richardson had a really good article on this problem. Dig out that paper and read it. It should give urgency to this issue. I pray for their success in winning these souls and changing lives.
— L.A. Wright
Warner Robin
Paying attention
I have been trying to get the city/county to pick up tree limbs and debris in my neighborhood for at least three months. I have used their automated system with no results.
You cannot contact the commissioner for this area. He doesn’t have a listed email or telephone number to call. His last name is Tillman. The Ingleside area will be designated as a blighted area if the curbs are not cleaned up. We need someone to pay attention to our complaints.
— Ashley P. Hurt
Macon
Commissioner Tillman’s email address that’s posted on the website is mbctillman@maconbibb.us.
— Editors
Need details
I would like to know what Donald Trump has in mind for eliminating the economic bills the United States has piled up. Will he claim bankruptcy like he did four times with his own bills? I have never done this so my info is limited as to what happens, but I have an understanding that the companies involved in bankruptcy can claim your property. Since we owe most of our credit to China, will they be taking over the property here?
I am surprised no one has brought this up in all the political chatter. Am I worried? Well, only if Donald Trump wins the election. No one can get a word in edgewise with his constant talking. He loves to distract away from himself in anything negative. I welcome any information about this subject.
And please, if anyone reads this who is running for president, please attack this subject with details.
— M.L. Zigrino
Warner Robins
Happy birthday
I dreamed I went to heaven last night where Otis Redding approached me.
“You’re not dead. Why are you here?” he asked.
I told him he was correct, I was very much alive, but surprised he hadn’t noticed me before,
I explained that it occurs every time I hear the beginning of “Try a little Tenderness.” I wished him Happy Birthday.
He said “Thanks.”
— J.E. Adams
Macon
Otis Redding’s birthday was on Sept. 9.
— Editors
Too late
Microsoft claims that data stored on a server located in Ireland is not subject to U.S. subpoena. Hillary should have thought of that.
— Neal Snyder
Warner Robins
Better way
Professor Fred Van Hartesveldt was guilty of a non sequitur when he stated that increasing the minimum wage would “help maximize school performance of children and keep adults off of welfare.” Besides causing some job loss and putting some more people on welfare, a minimum wage increase would not guarantee that the school performance of children would improve.
A far better solution to the minimum wage problem is proposed by Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., in his book, “American Dreams.” Rubio advocates a wage enhancement credit which would supplement the employment income of low-paid workers and “would function like an increased minimum wage but with a critical difference: It would increase available jobs rather than decrease them. Nor would it force employees to pass higher labor costs along to consumers.”
— Charlie Adams
Fort Valley
Just resign
Once again our (error), their Congress, is allowing America to fail in finding a solution to keeping a nearly bankrupt country open. They remind me of children on a playground. They are taxing us to death while giving themselves raises. Please, just resign and allow real Americans to fill their lavish jobs.
— Carolyn Effie
Macon
This story was originally published September 14, 2015 at 10:08 PM.