Letters

Thanks for the compliments

Sharman:

Jamie and I would like to personally thank you for your words of encouragement in your recent commentary concerning the downtown living tour and your “Favorite” being the Creole Fire Company, our home.

As you so aptly stated we have been living downtown for over 14 years, we moved here when it was a “no mans land,” and have raised three beautiful daughters in an urban setting, and all seem pretty normal to me (two are still living with us at 18 and 11 years old ).

It is nice to hear kind words that make all of the trials and tribulations seem worth it.

At any rate, thanks for the kind words, it makes it all worth it, and you and your family are welcome in our home anytime, you can even slide down the pole.

Tilmon & Jamie Brown

Mobile, Alabama

Blowing his top

Dear Editor:

As I get older, some things just irritate me. Today I am irritated with government waste, specifically the BRATS bus service from Baldwin County to Bienville Square in Mobile.

According to published reports, the service cost tax payers $6,000 a month. I will go with that figure, even though I honestly believe it costs much more than that amount.

The buses leave Fairhope each weekday morning at 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. They make stops at Daphne and Spanish Fort. They arrive at Bienville Square approximately 45 minutes later. In the afternoon, the buses leave Mobile at fourish and fiveish and take the riders back to the Baldwin County stops. A round trip is three dollars…”it’s almost “free!”

The first day the buses ran, as best I can tell, only one “paying” passenger took the trip. The mayors of Fairhope, Daphne and Spanish Fort also rode and they were all welcomed in Mobile by Mayor Jones and a delegation of dignitaries with “free” snacks.

On Tuesday, Nov.13, I decided to check out the arrival of the seven o’clock bus at Bienville Square. The bus was on time and unloaded only four commuters. Now, if you figure the bus runs 20 days a month and there are two round trips each day, then each round trip cost the tax payers $150. Four commuters paid three dollars each, so on that trip, the taxpayers lost $138.

It is very apparent there is not a need for this particular service. Before someone starts screaming that we are helping poor people get from Baldwin County to Mobile, I better point out that the Fairhope and Daphne commuters were driving late model vehicles. I did not check out the parking area in Spanish Fort.

This kind of waste of taxpayer money needs to stop! It is happening all over the country and it is just another example of our elected officials spending money like drunken sailors.

I am furious and I have about had enough! We do not need this “service” and someone needs to come forward and pull the plug.

Furious Fred

Fairhope

P.S. Don’t get me started about “Free” Senior Citizens Centers.

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