BETWEEN THE LINES?

I am writing in response to Jim Ponsoldt's comments in your article ["Super's Remarks Raise Eyebrows," Feb. 5] about our school superintendent's comments in a "Friday Letter" written to Clarke County employees.

First of all, if you can read this, thank a teacher! But, obviously, Mr. Ponsoldt read TOO MUCH in the "Friday Letter" written by Dr. Holloway, which, by the way, is only meant for Clarke Co. School District employees.

Mr. Ponsoldt remarked that Dr. Holloway's remarks could "intimidate district employees who don't believe going to war in Iraq is the answer to terrorism." First of all, as an employee of the Clarke County School District, in no way did I feel intimidated by Dr. Holloway's comments made in reference to the conflict in the Middle East - as stated in the January 17 edition of our "Friday Letter." Secondly, WHERE in the letter did Dr. Holloway say that HE even believed that going to war was the answer to terrorism??

As a person, I know that I am entitled to my own views and opinions just as the superintendent is to his, and I know that as a free citizen of this country that I may express my opinions anyway I please (outside of my classroom). Dr. Holloway is our instructional leader, not our dictator. As a teacher in the Clarke County School District, I receive the "Friday Letter" every week and always have mixed reactions to its contents. Overall, I think it is a great way for our superintendent to share his thoughts and concerns with his employees, which we may ordinarily never hear or know from him - except through a second party. The "Friday Letter" is an easy way for him to communicate important AND not so important information about our school policies, our community, and the accomplishments of our teachers and students, as well as for him to share personal experiences and insights. Dr. Holloway has taken a step further in humanizing the relationship between employer and "boss" which is more than any other superintendent I have worked with in the past.

Jim Ponsoldt made another comment stating that he "would be concerned that a connection between Al Qaeda and Saddam, which has not been proven, would be put out there by the superintendent." This prompts me to ask another question to Mr. Ponsoldt: WHERE in the "Friday Letter" did Dr. Holloway make a connection between Al Qaeda and Saddam? I think that Jim Ponsoldt needs to stop reading "between the lines," and read as he was taught to read beginning in the first grade; the words on the page!

D. Scott
Athens

NOT SO SUPER

Thank you for shedding some light on our not-so-Super-intendent. While I find his remarks offensive, I think you have only scratched the surface of what is wrong with Clarke County schools. It is not the faculty and staff that cause our high student mobility rates, high dropout rates and teachers leaving for other counties. It is administrative and board policies that are to blame.

In response to Mr. Goodly's assertion that there is no fear of reprisal in Clarke County Schools, I beg to differ. I have had my contract non-renewed in the past for speaking out. I was not supported by the board or by the administration, even though they knew what was going on. I have learned that it is best to keep my mouth shut if I want to keep my job.

Fear of Reprisal
Athens


FRAMED

Kindly allow me to alert you of a danger that lurks as you perform your recycling duty, to God and country, behind the Georgia Square Mall.

On Jan. 3, I pulled up to this location, to deposit some recyclables, which had accumulated in my van. I pulled up to the bins and took a leisurely 10-minutes collecting the newspapers and empty drink bottles accumulated within, which comprised the sum total of my "deposits." A month later I was served with papers charging me with throwing trash into the recycling bins!

I must now go to court to defend myself from these completely ludicrous charges (especially offensive as I am a RELIGIOUS recycler!) filed by an anonymous somebody who was obviously too far away to see what I was actually doing!!!

So beware! When dumping your recycling, hold everything high and make it readily identifiable to whomever is lurking, wherever, with binoculars or a telescope!

I fully understand the need of the county to keep trash out of these bins, but this is absurd!!! There MUST be a better way! Replicating Oconee County's model of "Buy the Bag" trash collection and monitored recycling centers would be FAR better than mistakenly dragging dedicated, environmentally concerned citizens into court for something which they WOULD NEVER DO!!!

I am very, very deeply insulted!

Gordon Stelter
Athens

RIGHT HERE

After reading the article "Grammys In The Schools Program" [Feb. 12] I must admit I feel like the invisible man, or maybe the elephant in the living room who everybody pretends isn't there. My staff and I run a place here in Athens called Nuçi's Space, a non-profit support/resource center for musicians, all musicians, including those in high school. In fact even as I write this, our performance area is filled with thirty three-year-olds and parents dancing and swaying to what else - music! Since our inception, we have worked to better serve the high school population.

We do early and all-ages shows - remember MathHead? Presently we have a high school junior doing an internship at Nuçi's Space. Granted, we've only been around for two-and- a-half years and news travels slowly, but I find it disappointing that the locals who took part in the Grammys in the Schools Career Program obviously know nothing about Nuçi's Space and what we do.

I fully support anyone who endeavors to reach out to all segments of the population. All I'm trying to say is - we're not flashy, but hey guys, we're right here in your own backyard!

Linda V. Phillips, President

Nuçi's Space
Athens

IF YOU BUILD IT...

What our bus system needs is a demonstration project (like a "shuttle"), perhaps using smaller buses but running more frequently ["Transit Facing Cuts, Again," Feb. 5]. If one could count on catching a bus for instance from downtown to the mall and back quickly, or to the east side, then people would use it.

Some of the church buses and "trolley"-type buses I've seen are more attractive, easier to board, and surely more maneuverable. Many of the current routes are unnecessarily circuitous and time-consuming. People will walk a few blocks to catch a bus if they know it will get them there. They will also be willing to pay for it.

John Huie
Athens

BILL HICKS

Thank you to Tom Bavis and Flagpole for the story on the late great Bill Hicks ["Bill Hicks: Two 'New' Albums Released by the 'Late Comedian,'" Jan. 22].

Although I'm sure most of the "new" material on the CD releases mentioned is the same stuff that has been traded on the file-sharing circuit for years, it is good to see Bill's name and face on the printed page again. I hope it will serve to introduce him to a new audience of open-minded people who agree that absolutely nothing is too sacred to be laughed at. Bill's comedy was always a little hit-and- miss, but he was never afraid to speak his mind. His influence on comedy is evident today in many of the "edgy" comics who tackle subjects that were once taboo and educate as well as entertain. With corporations running the government, another Bush moron in the White House and another war with Iraq on the way, Bill's routines from the early nineties are relevant all over again. Nobody could stick it in and break it off like Bill. Of course, the dick jokes are timeless.

David Register
Athens