Homeowners need to take responsibility

As new arrivals to this fine city, we are disappointed as to how some homeowners neglect maintaining their property. We bought in the historical district thinking all homeowners would show a little pride in the way they maintain their homes. We have both rentals and unoccupied homes that are an embarassment to the neighborhood. What can be done to assist us and our neighbors in getting these few owners to show some respect to those of us who maintain our homes? Photos are available upon request.

Jim Claussen

Americus



Bishop irresponsible to his constituents

This week the U.S. House of Representatives passed the largest tax hike in America’s history. Our representative in the 2nd Congressional District, Sanford Bishop voted for this bill. An off the record discussion with a staffer, said the phone lines were backed up and calls were 100-1 against this bill. A bill that Bishop never read, there was a 300-page addition at 3 a.m. the morning of the vote just like the stimulus bill he never read and voted for and which still hasn’t delivered the jobs promised. This bill also promises a lot, but even the president says our electric rates are going way up. Others say farmers will see a 23 percent decrease in revenue in the first full year and a 93 percent in three years, all due to higher energy prices, and then there is the two jobs lost for each green job created.

So why would Bishop, again, not listen and fail to represent the very people who put him into office? Money!

According to opensecrets.org, as of March of this year, 56 percent of Bishop’s campaign contributions come from out of state: D.C., Virginia and Philadelphia. Of the remaining, only two contributions came from within the district he represents, totaling $1,000. The rest from Atlanta, the biggest being organized labor.

From now on, I intend to be at every public event he attends that I can, protesting.

Mike Sabot

Leesburg



Thanks for coverage

ATR Staff:

On behalf of all the children in the area who will soon begin to benefit from the program of the Ferst Foundation, please accept our sincere appreciation for the great coverage you gave us last week. We wanted to get the message to as many of our citizens as possible, and your three articles helped us to do just that. The response has been fantastic, and will continue to grow as we spread the awareness of the benefits throughout the community. We thank you for your commitment to continue to support the program as we work to get books in the hands of all the young children in our area.

Steve Stanfield

Americus