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Why spend our PTC tax money on Spanish signs?Tue, 11/03/2009 - 4:16pm
By: Letters to the ...
Several years ago, I had reason to fly to Miami on business. Upon arrival, I noticed that the overhead directional signs in the terminal were in Spanish first, then English underneath. Ever since then, I have elected to fly into Fort Lauderdale and drive to Miami. Just my way of boycotting an airport and city that enables people who won’t or don’t bother to learn English. It may be a relatively insignificant protest, but I have probably flown into Fort Lauderdale 30 times over the past six or seven years. Any my next trip to south Florida will be to Fort Lauderdale. And the one after that and the one after that ... Oh, yes, I am quite sick of liberalism in general, and sucking up to non-English speaking people specifically. But I never thought I would live to see the day that we have gotten so politically correct in Peachtree City. Wrong again. I was coming back from Earl’s Quality Car Care this morning (a great company, by the way) and was approaching the railroad tracks on Paschall Road. There was an orange sign bolted to a pole just before the tracks indicating something about using the golf cart tunnel or something. I am not really exactly sure what the sign said, to be honest with you. But what I am sure of is that bolted directly below the orange sign was a white aluminum sign saying the same thing, only this time in Espanol. I literally made a U-turn to make sure I observed what I thought I observed. Yep, it was a sign in Spanish all right. Maybe I am not very observant, as there could be and probably are other signs written in Spanish around Peachtree City. But this was a first for me. Call me an intolerant, racist, self-righteous bigot, I assure you I do not care. I am here to say that I find it beyond outrageous that we are now spending tax dollars on street signs written in Spanish in Peachtree City, Ga. Miami? Sure. Atlanta? Maybe. But Peachtree City? Are you kidding me? Have we come so far in our desire to be inclusive and tolerant enough that we now are spending scare resources to accommodate those that can’t read English? Hey, what about the poor guy from Libya? Let’s get some Arabic signs out there, for crying out loud! How is he supposed to know the golf cart tunnel is closed? We are a thoughtless and selfish bunch. It’s a tiny thing, but it is most definitely indicative of the times we live in and the growing government desire to accommodate the needs, wants, and desires of those who don’t speak (or read) English. Yet, who is the government, particularly at the local level, but ourselves? The city of Peachtree City probably spent at least $200 (just a guess) for that one sign in Spanish to be made and installed. Some guy in Rockspray just saw half of his annual city taxes go to buy that sign. I don’t know about you, but I humbly suggest to the City Council that we quickly and proudly put an end to this nonsense. There are many languages spoken and cultural traditions observed in Peachtree City; I am well aware of that and have no problem with that. But let’s stop this insanity with the double signs now. If you don’t speak English, learn it, and if you can’t read a road sign in English, don’t drive. You are endangering the lives of everyone else. Comprende? Now, if you will excuse me, I must drive to my insensitivity training class. Adios. Dan Tennant Peachtree City, Ga. [Dan Tennant is a former member of the Peachtree City Council.] login to post comments |