Editor,
Another tragic beating has occurred in the historic district, leaving a 26 year old gay man unconscious and suffering from seizures and bruises to the brain. The alleged perpetrators ran away after the attack and when apprehended told police a version of the attack that did not match witness accounts.
The cowards struck the victim in the back of the head as he was walking away. They were charged with a misdemeanor and released to military police, while the victim lies in the hospital.
Savannah has an unfortunate history of gay assaults in the historic district and, worse yet, a history of its leaders - including those in law enforcement, City Hall, in the business community and in the military - turning a blind eye to the violence. Nothing has changed in over 30 years!
We find it ironic that money is being spent to attract creative and high tech business, while a broader message is being sent that if you are educated, creative and gay, there's a chance you will be assaulted, and that Savannah's leaders will avert their eyes.
We expect city leaders to hold the attackers accountable for their actions.
Kevin Clark
Director, Georgia Equality - Savannah Chapter
Why are teachers being furloughed?
Editor,
I am appalled that this Board of Education would rather cut employee's wages, programs, and proposed 5-10 furlough days, rather than raise the millage rate by 3.5 percent to offset the deficit that was incurred by their mismanagement of our tax money.
Did they forget that they are elected officials? The taxpayers depend on elected Board members to ensure a quality education for our children and our future, not to destroy and displace the most valuable asset to our students, teachers and support staff.
When you look at all the counties around and compare them to Savannah/Chatham County public schools, our school district has the lowest millage rate. If counties like Effingham, Bryan and Liberty, whose school districts are much smaller, have millage rates of 15 plus, and counties like Richmond, Muscogee, and Gwinnett have rates between 15-20, it astounds me that this Board is so reluctant to increase the rate.
It appears they are more concerned about their political careers than our children and the employees who educate them. How can the citizens and taxpayers of Savannah/Chatham County expect the school system to produce the cream of the crop if the Board of Education only gives employees the crumbs from the table?
Alfreda Goldwire
President, Savannah Federation of Teachers
