IDIOT DRIVERS!

I am addressing the idiot driver of the late model, metallic beige, Audi, circa 4 p.m. on Friday, July 18, northbound on Milledge between Lumpkin and Baxter. Thank God you had all green lights to put you far from me after nearly hitting me on my bike. This goes for all you jerks: it really is asking too much for you to nudge your steering wheel three inches to the left for three whole seconds to make room for an occasional cyclist, because you can't fathom that somebody's life may depend on this burdensome action. Assholes, shitheads, etc.

Cane

Athens

HAH, HAH, HAH, HAH!

I live near Athens Regional Hospital in a three bedroom house. I live on a quiet street and have a big back yard. I'm assuming that my three roommates and I also live in a single family zone. I have asked many people how the new law is going to affect us but no one really seems to know. Let's assume that I do live in a single family zone and I live with three unrelated people. What does this mean? Do I need to go ahead and find a new home or apartment? For some more background, I pay $225 per month to live here. I've never met my landlord. He lives in Atlanta. Do I need to contact him and tell him about this law?

If two people moved out (so only two of us stayed) the rent would be $450 per month, way over what I can afford. I really like the house due to the proximity to downtown and campus (I walk or ride my bike everywhere) and the fact that I have a big back yard with a rope swing and trampoline.

Can you tell me how this law is going to affect me?

P.S. Can you please not publish my name, I don't want the ACC government coming down on me.

Name Withheld

Athens

DRAMATIC PRAISE

I have been a big fan of your publication for several years, and I was very impressed when I read your story about Escaping the Viccis. I was involved in the original production as the understudy to Mrs. Corsetti and the light techie, and my big brother, Stuart, played Eric Irons in the original and Birdman in the most recent production. I am thrilled that Giles' talent is finally being recognized outside of our immediate social circle, and I think your writer did a wonderful job with the story. In the Author's Photo Journal there is a picture of Patrice Gaulden that Giles couldn't attribute to anyone, and I wanted to write in and let you know who took that picture. It was taken by Melanie Powers, the music teacher at Winterville Elementary, during Chicken Wing Theatre's performance of "The Three Little Pigs" as part of a Read Across America Week activity. That said I would just like to commend you once again on your publication. I have had numerous opportunities to work with y'all this past year as the PR officer for Cedar Shoals' Drama Club/Thespian Society and the Asst. Manager of the school's acting troupe and I have been impressed with the cooperation that I've had. You guys are really out there helping the underdogs get publicity. Bravo!

Meredyth Fleisher

Sioux City, IA

REPUBLICAN CONFESSION

I'm 28 years old and have lived here my whole life. I've been working every day since I was 18. Two years ago I earned a modest $30,000. But last year I took a crappy part-time job to have more time with my family and I've only earned about $4,000. However there was a valuable lesson I've learned.

I've always been a Republican, can't feed 'em don't breed 'em, was my motto.

However now that I've spent time working with flaming liberals, I'm thinking maybe they have the right idea. You see everyone I work with is on government assistance, which they receive plentiful amounts of. In fact they receive so much they have the luxury of selling food stamps for 50 cents on the dollar, many of them even sell cases of Coca-Cola, steaks, cigarettes from their homes. Their health care for their children is far cheaper than it is if you work and can afford a real doctor. And if you need some more? Well my co-workers will forge any state document you may need. Don't believe it's fair that working people got tax relief from Pres. Bush? Well for just a couple of hundred bucks you can claim one of their children, they all have so many they don't even know who the fathers are, much less some unqualified idiot who works for the state. Now I'm on my way from working rags to welfare riches. Liberalism is great!

B.C. Gray

Athens

TAKEN FOR GRANITE

I had such high hopes for our former governor Roy Barnes, as a member of the Democratic Party (which is known for advocating the environment) to fix the mess over "Controversy Mountain." To my disappointment, Barnes was no more help than "Zig Zag Zell" was back in 1998 when he carelessly contracted the management of Stone Mountain Park to Silver Dollar City. It is said that hindsight is 20-20 yet people still seem to be looking the other way on this issue! Doesn't anyone care? Stone Mountain Park is owned by the State of Georgia, i.e. the citizens of Georgia. Why then, do politicians (governors) and their appointees (SMMA) continue to ignore the wishes of the people?

Georgians opposed the privatization of the park's management, yet Zell Miller did just that. Not only did he do it, he did it badly. The wrong company was chosen. Silver Dollar City bid against two other companies, Delaware North Companies and Aramark Parks and Resorts. Both outfits have substantial experience and financial success in managing areas within state and national parks. DNC manages properties at Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, among others and Aramark in Virginia's Shenandoah National Park and Washington's Olympic National Park, just to name a couple. Does the bottom line always come first? The most money is not always the best solution. Why have an amusement park corporation manage a natural wonder?

So here we are five years down the road. Are the people of Georgia, who incidentally did not want privatization to begin with, going to cut the rent to Silver Dollar City when they could have had a better fit with one of the other two bidders minus the Crossroads "attraction?" What would the other bidders have to say about this? Perhaps there should be another auction... www.petitiononline.com/smp2003/

Maggie Whitcomb

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