I have many concerns about the proposed interstate through our mountains of Northeast Georgia. The main question that has not been answered is this: "Who wants this interstate and why?"

We have been told that it will help alleviate traffic around Atlanta. However, won't the planned second bypass around Atlanta do this?

Why not improve existing roads rather than tear up and pollute the beautiful mountains of Northeast Georgia? Also, building this interstate will only make the ride from Savannah to Knoxville a few miles shorter.

We have been told that having an interstate will boost our economy. However, Northeast Georgia is one of the most economically viable parts of Georgia. The businesses that come with interstates are usually fast food restaurants, truck stops, gas stations and outlet malls. This does not usually improve the economy of the nearby towns, but rather pulls business away from them.

We have been told that this road will be built without destroying the ecology of the region. Have you ever known an interstate to come through that hasn't done this? Just take a drive up 441 to Clayton and you will see a small part of what will happen if I-3 is built.
One thing is for sure, this interstate, if built, will change the face of our mountains, will cause air, water and noise pollution and will most certainly have an adverse effect on wildlife.

Finally, we are told that there is no "nuclear connection" in building this road. Is it a coincidence that there are nuclear power plants at both ends of the proposed interstate? Is it a coincidence that this road has been proposed when the United States is increasing its nuclear weapons program?

Congressman Norwood has referred to those people opposing this interstate as a "fringe group." I personally have been very impressed with the makeup of the coalition. There are people who come to the meetings from all walks of life. "Fringe" is certainly not the description I would use to describe the people who love and want to preserve the mountains. State Sen. Schaefer has said that we need to slow down and not worry about something that is not going to happen anytime soon. However, I disagree with her. Now is the time to let your voices be heard. Once the feasibility study is complete and those doing the study decide that the road is warranted, it will be too late.

The "Stop I-3 Coalition" has members from four states, including most of the Northeast Georgia counties. We need to band together to keep it out of Northeast Georgia, the Carolinas and Tennessee. The coalition has done an enormous amount of work in investigating the effects this interstate will have on our beautiful mountains. Don't take my word for it, visit the Web site at www.stopI-3.org and decide for yourself.

It is my hope that we can stop this interstate from being built. Let's keep our beautiful mountains as they are for ourselves and future generations.

Karen Fain
Clarkesville

Hosting donated by
Netspace Ads.com

Citizens Speak Letters-to-the-Editor and Editorial Opinions from the Regional and National Press and individuals' letters to the Stop I-3 Coalition

Who wants proposed interstate and why?

Citizens Speak
Letters-to-the-Editor and Editorial Opinions from the Regional and National Press
and individuals' letters to the Stop I-3 Coalition