As a concerned citizen of the CSRA, I find it very disturbing we are forced to drive down our county and state roads with grass three feet tall on both sides.
The time of year when the deer start moving is fast approaching. In past years our roadways have been mowed on a regular basis; now it seems as if the state and counties lack the funds to keep up this very important safety practice. With the 40-foot buffer zone between the tree line and the road now gone, we as CSRA commuters don't have a sporting chance to avoid a deer-vehicle accident when deer cross the road. I'm sure there will be some very bad deer-vehicle accidents this year because of the grass being so tall.
I feel the lack of funds is because of the tax money being spent bailing out banks and insurance companies. The banks and insurance companies should step up to the plate, buy tractors with mowers and spend some of that stimulus money our congressmen so graciously gave them.
Now that I think about it, maybe we should just leave the grass three feet tall. With the increase in deer-vehicle accidents, the insurance companies will be forced to pay out to hospitals and body shops in the CSRA. Banks will need to make new car loans. People will be put to work repairing and repainting cars; maybe even some new ones will be sold if they are totaled. Funeral homes' business will pick up. Hospital personnel will be busy taking care of the injured people...
People working means restaurants will be busy. Money will be spent at Wal-Mart buying items made in China, Malaysia, Mexico, etc. Maybe we could shut off all the traffic lights to save on electricity; just think of the stimulus we could get from that!
I guess our congressmen and bankers are a lot smarter than I gave them credit for.
Mitchell Stopher Sr.
Augusta
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I agree with your letter, Mitchell. It is embarassing to be an Augustan these days. Also the litter has a nice place to hide with the tall grass , and when they (if) finally do cut the grass, all the litter is chopped up and can blow in all four directions. Why we don't have community service and inmates taking care of this problem, I do not know, but anyone flying into Augusta gets the complete picture from the stench of the wastewater plant to the neglect of our roadsides, what kind of city we have here. Shame.
While your point about the deer is well taken, I confess that I have enjoyed seeing the natural grasses and plant life growing up in the median areas. I know that's just me--and you're right about the safety factor--but I find it peaceful and beautiful. This mania for cut, clip, and control can get to be too much (and yes, my lawn is mowed, so this is not an excuse).
I recently traveled by car to New Orleans. Our roads are better but the grass is a mess. There are even small trees growing very close to the roadway going towards Atlanta. No telling how many bodies they will find once they mow--it has happened in the past. Our highway shoulders are a disgrace--plain and simple.
Well Mitchell, nice try but no Oreo for you. State and county tax money did not go to bail out banks and insurance companies. If you want to see why the grass is not cut you should check out the welfare programs, housing subsidy programs, food stamps, Medicaid expenditures, and Betty Beard "redevelopment" money hole projects. There is where the grass cutting, road repairing, ect. money goes. I think we should give subsidy to deer hunters and send the meat to the projects instead of spending tax dollars on food stamps. I guarantee we would get a better return on our money and cure the deer vs. auto problem to boot.
mad_max: IMHO the people who benefit from the "welfare programs, housing subsidy programs, food stamps, Medicaid expenditures, and Betty Beard "redevelopment" money hole projects" should be required to perform community service like grass cutting and trash pick-up.
Au contraire mes amis, this is not unkempt grass and estrous cycle Odocoileus virginianus! This is flora and fauna! We must all rejoice in nature!
We may all have to survive by having chickens and cows soon so grass may come in handy. I hear you need a big hammer too.