Savannah’s a bad hostess
Editor,
It was 7:15 p.m., the night before the big parade, when we witnessed that our police officers were just getting around to posting the NO PARKING notices around and near the parade route. Tens of thousands of tourists had already arrived, parked, and settled in already, before the “No Parking” signs went up (the “tow” word not included).
The Traffic Division is still claiming the signs went up at 3 p.m. (Not on Huntingdon, Lincoln Streets and below. We live there, we saw it happen.)
What does this say about a hostess that does not inform her guests of what the rules of the house are, and then punishes her guests for violating those untold rules? $101 per each car towed! Plus 3-4 hours to get the car back. How can anyone but a totally disconnected moron support that premise? What a provincial mindset. Or is it intentional? (I hope not.)
Half the cars towed on my street (not in the parade route nor a staging area) had out-of-town license plates (Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Louisiana). People are coming to this lovely city from across the nation.They come here trusting that this famous hostess city knows how to treat its guests.
The safety issue has been dealt with already, and I applaud that. But public servants need to work on their hospitality skills. “Ya shoulda known” has to be replaced by a more congenial sentence. It’s that simple.
The tourism industry is doing a superb job at attracting more and more tourists. They know Savannah is not isolated. They know we are on the map. We are nationally and internationally known. We have a responsibility to teach our guests the rules of our town.
Why should hundreds of tourists go back home with a bad taste in their mouths just because someone up there still doesn’t get that we are not all from here?
Hang the “No Parking or You Will Be Towed Signs” up two nights before the parade. Not the evening before, when folks are already parked and settled in. It’s the polite thing to do.
Mariela Orellana
Community Advocate & President
Community Navigators & Interpreters
Another voice for print
Editor,
As one who also enjoys a variety of reading material, I agree with your March 7 writer that an informed person needs to read more than the local daily, even with Connect and other local publications as well.
I also find that reading a print paper is more relaxing then the computer version. I am more concerned that print papers as we know them may in time disappear entirely. I am appalled at the practice of having more and more formerly public events, such as local election debates, available only by computers, and not on our TV screens, where the whole family could gather around and comment on the action.
However, the economic realities are that home delivery of a variety of out-of-town newspapers is not going to happen. To go all over town for a few subscribers is simply not cost-effective. If we’re serious about global warming and reducing our driving, it’s better that they are available as they are now, at commercial outlets and boxes about town.
Also, I do not care to subscribe to any of them. I don’t have time to read them every day. I’d much prefer to buy one as I need it. (And of course, recycle it afterward!)
Margaret W. DeBolt
Thanks from AWOL
Editor,
On behalf of AWOL, Inc. staff and participants, we would like to thank you for helping us promote our play “Griot to MC” in Connect Savannah. We appreciate the article and front-page display in the newspaper. Our show was a success and we could not have done it without you. Thank you so much for taking the time out and helping us with our 2nd Annual Hip-Hop production “Griot to MC” at the Lucas Theatre.
DaVena Jordan
Executive Director
AWOL Inc.
No-go on the no-fly
Editor,
Why have a no-fly list at all? It is supposed to safeguard flyers, but ends up restricting the free movement of people who have done nothing wrong. And what terrorist would use their own name?
Many need to fly to keep their jobs -- their name on a no-fly list may make them unemployable. Many need to fly to a loved-one’s deathbed. Many people fly on vacation. Flying is a right.
A no-fly list violates the right to movement we all have. It is especially egregious that the list is populated by gossip and innuendo from unreliable informers and torture by secret agencies without the possibility of the passenger confronting his accusers or the secret evidence.
Change the no-fly list to a special-scrutiny list. Let the listees be carefully examined for weapons. Require their luggage to go in the hold. Let listees be seated furthest from the cabin. Let all the crew know of them.
This will still be hugely embarrassing to the listees, but at least they will be able to fly, to go on vacation, to keep their jobs, to be with someone close facing death.
Tom Trottier
