Wednesday, August 13, 2003

I read your article about school bus stop changes [The Peachtree Citizen Review, Aug. 8], as I am one of the angry parents that phoned in to the county on Friday.

I am very upset with the sneaky, cowardly way the county transportation office handled this situation. When I called to voice my concern as a parent and citizen, I was met with hostility from the coordinator of bus services.

Her response was, "If parents would quit calling we could get out and look at some of these bus stops, but we can't because someone has to man the phones." When I heard her response I thought it was a very poor uncaring response to a very serious and dangerous situation.

Obviously by the influx of calls, they should realize they did a poor job in planning this change. I was also told in the very same phone call by the very same official, "People don't like change, but you'll get used to it."

I will never get used to putting my children in harm's way. The bus stop that is now assigned to my children is on a very busy road that is traveled at a high rate of speed, which they have to cross to reach the bus. The county bus transportation web site states their number one mission is safety, which they have already failed.

I encourage all parents to continue to exercise your rights to get this problem resolved.

Natalie Virciglio

Peachtree City, Ga.