Dear sir,

I write in regards to the comprehensive article Tyler Jones wrote in today’s Daily News regarding the “Northwest Connector.” It is sad that this road has become so controversial when, as pointed out by Dupuy Sears, it is unknown what it’s impact will be.

I highly recommend that all readers review Mr. Sears’ presentation, which is available online in a link from the article in the Daily News. It seems clear from this presentation that there is simply no knowledge about how this road will impact traffic flow as no studies have been done.

As noted, it could decrease travel time from northwest LaGrange to the hospital by 90 seconds, though whether this is worth the at least $2.5 million in construction costs — and unknown amounts in maintenance — to be borne by taxpayers is unclear.

It is sad that Mr. (Speer) Burdette, president of the Callaway Foundation, feels compelled to state that “nothing illegal has been done.”

I doubt anyone believes that any of the machinations that have led to this road are illegal. However, when this road has been variously portrayed as a county project, a city project, a private logging road, part of the LaGrange bypass and not part of the LaGrange bypass, and when the mayor has publicly stated repeatedly that he has no interest in the road, yet there is a letter to the Foundation requesting the road — which apparently was written after being told that such a letter would be necessary for the project — something seems fishy.

While we, the public, cannot truly know the motivation of the Foundation for donating the land for this road, Dupuy’s conclusions seem reasonable, at least to some of us.

Mr. Burdette feels nothing unethical has been done, but a reasonable person can see how others might feel otherwise, as ethics can be quite personal.

The important point for all to recognize is that public SPLOST funds are being used to help finance a road for which there is no demonstrable need.

Respectfully,

Charles M. Ferguson, MD

LaGrange