SALVATION ARMY NOTE

I would like to address the topic in the April 16 issue about Living On The Street. The Salvation Army does have a homeless shelter and we do have a job search program. However, we do work with people on a case-by-case basis. Anyone that comes to our shelter that has drug/alcohol or any other physical disabilities as long as they let the caseworker know, then we try to address those issues first. Anyone that has need for shelter all we ask is for them to be willing to help better themselves. As long as they are working with the caseworker and following the rules, we are here to give help to those who want a better life. We do not charge anything for the service. We provide shelter, food, as well as their personal care items. Athens is the place to be with all the programs that are in place for the homeless population. Anyone who would like information about the shelter can call 706-543-5350, between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Juanita Archer
The Salvation Army Social Worker
Athens

BARROW RESPONDS

Pete McCommons and I agree on so much, so much of the time, that I can afford a major disagreement with him every now and then, even over a big subject such as the proposed rental registration program. But that doesn't mean that I can let him put words in my mouth that I never said.

In his April 23 Pub Notes, Pete writes that "the stated intention of commissioners Barrow, Hoard, et al. is to drive renters as far out of the single-family residential areas as possible." I've never heard Kathy Hoard say any such thing, and I KNOW that I have never said any such thing. Not once, not ever. I've always said that renters are an important part of the mix of folks who share our single family neighborhoods. I simply think that we need to enforce the rule which is designed to prevent illegal overcrowding of tenants who end up driving families - not renters - "as far out of the single-family residential areas as possible."

Right now landlords and renters can share the same neighborhoods with homeowners, and families can share the same neighborhoods with non-families. The rental registration program will not change that. Landlords and renters will still be welcome in our single family neighborhoods. They just won't be welcome to break the rule that makes sure that families are still welcome in our single family neighborhoods.

John Barrow
District 4 Commissioner
Athens
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SOPHOMORIC PRETENSION

With regard to Emerson's article on why he thinks that Arab Strap's form of "sad bastard music" is more valid than what he views as that of Bright Eyes, I feel sorry that Flagpole would let an otherwise extremely clever and talented writer dip to this level of sophomoric, juvenile, and admittedly uninformed level of pretension. If Emerson became an expert on the difference between sadness and depression by listening to Mark Kozelek lament about the sad condition of his life amounting to "glass on the pavement under [his] shoe" without a significant other, then the authoritative nature of Emerson's privileged opinion stands on rather trite soapbox edges. If you're sick of hearing about someone, fine. If you "just don't get it," fine. It's just not worth sacrificing journalistic integrity to point fingers when you admit to not being familiar with that at which you are pointing.

Name Withheld
Athens

MISSES BRAD

I was shocked and extremely disappointed to read in this week's issue that Brad Aaron has left the staff. His "City Dope" was one of the very few ways we citizens could discover what was going on. This is not to say that I agreed with him every week. Some weeks I was just livid! In this town he was the reporter who researched for his articles, had the ability to see around and through a situation, and write clearly about it. It will be hard to find a reason to pick up a copy of Flagpole each week now with Brad gone.

P.S. To Pete McCommons: Brad's writing reminded me of the stories and editorials in the original Observer in the '70s.

Beverly King
Athens